Simon Calder

Simon Calder is Travel Editor at Large for The Independent, writing a weekly column, various articles and features as well as filming a weekly video diary. Every Sunday afternoon, Simon presents the UK's only radio travel phone-in programme called The LBC Travel Show with Simon Calder (97.3 FM). He is a regular guest on national TV, often seen on BBC Breakfast, Daybreak, ITV News and Sky News. He is often interviewed on BBC Radio, particularly for BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours programme and BBC Five Live.

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48 Hours In: Stockholm

Take a musical break in Sweden’s handsome capital, where a new museum devoted to its most famous foursome is about to open, says Simon Calder

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Do I need an "Esta" for transit in Miami?

Q. I am travelling to South America via Miami. On the way out I just change planes there, but coming back I will be stopping off for a couple of days. I registered for an Esta for the way back, with my inbound dates, but someone said I need it for outbound journey too - even though I'm not leaving the airport. Is that the case? I tried to buy a second one to cover me but it just wouldn't go through.

Name withheld

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Is booking half-board in Marmaris daft?

Q. Is booking half-board in Marmaris daft?

Michael Christie

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Am I really out of time for claiming on delayed flight?

Q. I have written to BA trying to claim for a delay in November 2006 from Gatwick to Madeira. They have written back to say as flight was more than 6 years ago I am now "out of time for pursuing a compensation claim". But I understood the EU ruling related to flights back to February 2005?

Carol Frost

The end of the free upgrade: the great airline business upgrade auction is ready for take-off

A free move into business class could become a thing of a past as the major airlines look to raise extra revenue online

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: What's on your must-do list for Santorini?

Q. I'm jetting off to Santorini next week. What's on your must-do list?

Jamie Lewis, London

Big beast: Richard Branson says US warnings about Kenya, pictured, led to Virgin Atlantic pulling out

Stop the terror warnings, urges Richard Branson

Foreign Office travel advisories do more harm than good, claims the Virgin founder

Simon Calder: Edinburgh – where the geology and geometry are magic

The man who pays his way

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Can you recommend some light luggage?

Q. There is a plethora of luggage. Have you written about travelling light, and can you recommend something suitable for me as a frequent traveller to the Continent?

Gerry O'Donnell, Belfast

 

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