Episodes — Gone to Timbuktu

Series One

The British writer and broadcaster Anthony Sattin discusses his latest book, Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World — a Sunday Times book of 2022 — and draws a curious link between travellers and ADHD.

Colin Thubron

February 03

In his 80th year, one of the most important travel writers of our time journeys along the Amur River — 1,100 miles, much of it on the China-Russia border. Sophy and Colin talk about their obsession with remote Siberia, and how to avoid (or avert) the gaze of the FSB.

Taran Khan

February 17

The idea of a foreign woman walking alone in Afghanistan might seem a world away from current events — but it’s what makes Khan’s book, Shadow City, urgent reading. Sophy and Taran meet up in Delhi’s Aerocity to talk about breaking stereotypes.

Cal Flyn

March 03

Islands of Abandonment is a critically acclaimed exploration of the ecology and psychology of abandoned places, from Chernobyl to California’s Salton Sea. Sophy and Cal discuss the taboo of desolate places — as well as finding reason to hope.

The ex-paratrooper, author and TV personality talks candidly about how he covers so much ground, both physically and creatively, as he launches his eleventh book — about the fall of Kabul. He unpicks adventure for adventure’s sake, and the allure of the remote.

Episode Six

Gail Simmons

March 31

The British author talks about her latest book, Between the Chalk and the Sea — a stunningly evoked pilgrimage that feels both ancient and new, with the conversation running from Chaucer’s Wife of Bath to finding relevance in travel close to home.

Episode Seven

Tharik Hussain

April 14

Tharik discusses his award-winning book, Minarets in the Mountains — documenting a road-trip through six European countries — the decolonisation of travel writing, and the rich Islamic traditions still kept alive in a region much ignored.

Episode Eight

Don McCullin

April 28

The 87-year-old British photojournalist talks about the travels, writers and images that have given him respite from the brutality of war. He paints a vivid picture of India, Turkey, Greece, North Africa, Syria and the healing power of the Somerset Levels

Episode Nine

Leon McCarron

May 12

Leon McCarron discusses his epic source-to-sea river journey through Turkey, Syria and Iraq. He unravels what deep history, beauty and ecological collapse really look like on the River Tigris where militias still haunt its banks.