Excess Baggage

John McCarthy asks the historian Thant Myint-U about the recent political developments in Burma, its role in south east Asia and how the country's relationship with tourism might change. The author Anthony Sattin tells John how the history of Egypt has attracted travellers and how the change of government there too has affected tourism. John also finds out from Pauline Sanderson about the world's longest climb which involved an eight thousand kilometre cycle ride from the Dead Sea topped of with an ascent of Everest.

John McCarthy talks to adventurer Jock Wishart about his recent expedition rowing to the North Pole, made possible this year by the melting ice-cap. John also meets novelist Jo Baker whose stay in Malta led to the discovery of her family's connection with the island. And Peter Caton who has visited all of Britain's tidal islands.

John McCarthy introduces best selling crime novelist John Connolly who talks about his love of the US state of Maine. He also meets writer Duncan Fallowell who reflects on his travels to Gozo and Ootacamund. And John talks to businesswoman Alice Morrison who rode from Cairo to Cape Town on the Tour d'Afrique cycle race and had a life changing experience.

Sandi Toksvig takes a bus trip along the south coast of England from Brighton to Eastbourne in the company of the listener who suggested it, Veronica Groocock. Together they discover the delights to be had on an ordinary scheduled bus route. These include Kipling's garden, a 1930s lido, the Greenwich meridian, a lamb called Hardy and the lighthouse at Beachy Head.

Sandi Toksvig in the second of two programmes continues her exploration the ancient and modern city of Istanbul which straddles the border between Europe and Asia. She looks at the its richness both in history and the fusion of eastern and western cultures in the arts and cuisine.

Sandi Toksvig in the first of two programmes begins to explore the ancient and modern city of Istanbul which straddles the border between Europe and Asia. She gets an overview of the city from the tops of two very different towers, hears about the impact of tourism and economic growth on the city and rediscovers a forgotten opera singer.

Sonia Deol hears how Philip Beale built a replica of an ancient sailing boat to recreate the Phoenician circumnavigation of Africa.Philip then recently had to rescue the boat from the troubles in Syria. Sonia also looks at the British seaside with journalist Brian Viner and author Jane Struthers. They discuss the history of the British beach holiday and the continuing appeal of summer by the sea.

Sonia Deol meets Adam Strudwick and Rekha Sharma who are travelling to all the world's countries in the order they became independent. Sonia also looks at Kashmir with the author Rosie Thomas, who went there to learn about the production of cashmere shawls, and journalist Tim Hannigan who toured the region investigating the murder of the Victorian explorer George Hayward.

Sandi is joined by Nick Mayhew Smith who has undertaken a pilgrimage to every "holy place" in England, Scotland and Wales. Nick has compiled a travel guide which not only details where sacred treasures can be found, but also tells you what to expect and ranks them in terms of holiness. Sandi also talks to two Antarctic explorers: Angie Butler loves Antarctica so much she set about recovering the ashes of a forgotten Edwardian Polar explorer and Katie Walter was only seventeen when she made it to base camp at the South Pole, the youngest person ever to walk there.

Sandi Toksvig is joined by country singer Hank Wangford to hear about life on the ranch with paniolo cowboys in Hawaii. There is music from cellist Li Lu who is accompanied by artist Johan Andersson, her rival in a televised international busking competition. And Sandi talks to seasoned busker Kevin Barry White about life on road with just an accordion for company.

Sandi Toksvig explores Cape Town in the company of two very different experts. Lindsay Johns has family connections to the city and visits regularly. Bryan Tully is a forensic psychologist and has recently led a 'forensic tour' to South Africa. While mortuaries, hospitals and prisons feature on the tour, Bryan talks especially about his impressions of Cape Town. Sandi also talks to journalist Miranda Sawyer who has retraced both her footsteps and the train tracks of her youthful InterRailing adventures around Europe.

Sandi Toksvig meets journalist Colin Freeman who was kidnapped by pirates in Somalia. David Edwards went back to Montserrat 16 years after witnessing the volcanic eruptions there to see how life has changed. Language teacher Elisabeth Smith tells Sandi why the British are so bad at speaking foreign languages - and what they can do about it.

Sandi Toksvig looks at rites of passage with author Sarah Murray who has travelled the world looking at rituals associated with death, Anders Ryman who spent seven years photographing the ceremonies associated with the key events in human life around the world and Lucy Neville whose memoir of her time in Mexico includes her experiences of the Day of the Dead festival and the Saint of Death religious cult.

Sandi Toksvig looks at the advantages of the bicycle as a travel machine with three very different cyclists. Robert Penn leads cycling weekends in the Brecon Beacons where the ups are as satisfying as the downs. Susie Wheeldon rode 22,000 kilometres around the world, crossing deserts, as she and her companions were researching solar energy. Matt Carroll recommends day trips in some of England's most beautiful countryside. Together they discuss the feeling of freedom the bicycle gives.

Sandi Toksvig meets novelist Richard Gwyn and translator Peter Bush to discuss Catalonia and its relationship with Spain. She hears how life is changing there, not just in the big city of Barcelona but in the more rural areas near the Pyrenees. Sandi also talks about the Cornish coast with the historian and author Philip Marsden who reflects on the role of the sea in the area from the days of sail to the present.