Travellers' Tales Timetable

This year I was fortunate to experience two once in a lifetime adventures. The first a cold weather expedition across the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard, and the second a warm weather expedition along the West coast of Africa from Ghana to Senegal. Join me as I take you on a journey: a tale of two expeditions, from the polar cold to the heat of the equator.

TV presenter Gavin will talk to us about his experiences travel vlogging and how it has enhanced his personal brand within the TV and media world. From trips to Valletta, Brno, and Ibiza, to Dubai, Los Angeles and Mauritius where his family hail from, Gavin’s diversity in destinations have aided his self-development and growth. This talk will inspire a passion for getting out, adventure, and getting out of your comfort zone. 

Join Saadia Baber, founder of award-winning travel agency Xperience Pakistan, specialists in experiential holidays in Pakistan & a native of Pakistan, as she shows you Pakistan through her eyes.

Libby Penman: From exploring Scotland's wilderness in a luxury campervan to shooting high-end travel tv in the world's best hotels. 

Join Audrey Travel's Antarctica specialist, Nik Horncastle, for an inspiring talk on how to explore the world's last great wilderness. Drawing from his extensive experience and passion for the frozen continent, Nik will guide you through three unique ways to experience Antarctica’s untamed beauty. Discover the best times to travel, the unparalleled wildlife encounters, and the thrilling expeditions that make this remote land a must-see for travellers seeking extraordinary adventures.

Hear Explorer Benedict Allen in conversation with Simon Leadsford, Publishing Director at Conde Nast Traveller as he recounts his career from childhood dream inspired by his test pilot father to near-death experiences in the Amazon. Through tales of life-threatening encounters, reliance on ancient knowledge, and a dramatic disappearance in 2017, Benedict knows the importance of calculated risk-taking, disconnecting from modern technology, and reconnecting with the natural world and trusting indigenious knowledge. 

Join Bradt guide author, Diana Darke, on a journey through the hinterlands of eastern Turkey - a relatively unexplored region which is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. Diana will unravel the mysteries of 12,000 year-old Gobekli Tepe, the world's first temple, take you to the summit of Mount Nemrut, home to iconic head statues, and introduce you to the Gypsy girl in Gaziantep's Mosaic Museum.

Learn how this region has also long been a crossroads for armies, traders and religions, serving as a meeting point for numerous ancient peoples and cultures, including the Urartians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Armenians, and Ottomans. 

Ryan Connolly will delve into some of the reasons that 2025 will be so special for travelling to Iceland. From the solar maximum creating more vibrant Northern Lights, to more accessible highland travel, to blue ice caves being discovered,  to tourist friendly volcanic eruptions transforming the landscape. 2025 is the year to visit!

Glaciers, snowy mountains and magnificent wildlife await in the remote polar regions of Antarctica and the Arctic. Uncover the breathtaking opportunities of expedition cruising on board Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yachts™, with Wendi Hardy, National Key Account Manager at Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Hear about her recent experiences exploring the stunning landscapes and unique wildlife in Greenland and the High Canadian Arctic, from adventures by Zodiac, kayak and paddleboard to expert lectures and hikes with the onboard Discovery Team, all in 6-star luxury. 

Central Africa is a region that, for many, retains an impenetrable feel. The likes of Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon and Gabon seem out of reach for most travellers, and yet their riches are endless to the intrepid.

Andy talks us through an ongoing, seven year project to produce a giant coffee-table book unlocking the secrets of this vast wilderness. From running from forest elephants to dodging snakes, it’s been a wild ride for sure so far.