Travel podcasts for city break fans. All the historical and cultural background you need to enjoy your visit.
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Three great travel bloggers share their city break ideas with us: we explore the world from Athens to Kochi and the alphabet from Auckland to Vilnius, taking in Funchal and Seattle on the way and all with lots of ideas for what to see, do, eat and drink along the way. Have a listen and be inspired.
Useful links
our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast
to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
This week's guest websites
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Part 2 of our interview with Andrea Giordani from Feel Florence, the city's official tourism website, in which he takes us on a journey through some of the highlights of Italy's best-known literary work, The Divine Comedy by the 14th century Tuscan poet Dante Alighieri. 2021 marks the 700th anniversary of Dante's death and so now is the perfect time to get to know more about him and all the reasons why he is so famous, in Florence, in Italy and worldwide.
useful links
https://www.feelflorence.it/en
https://www.feelflorence.it/en/node/44397
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
The first of a two-part interview with Andrea Giordani from Feel Florence, the city's official tourism website. The 14th of this month is the central day in a year-long series of events to mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Florence's world-famous poet, author and philosopher (1265-1321). Andrea tell us a little about Dante himself and the Florence he knew, introduces us to his best known work, the Divine Comedy and outlines some of the many events happening in Florence this year to mark the anniversary.
useful links
https://www.feelflorence.it/en
https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
We interview Helen Farrell, editor of The Florentine, to find out how this publication and website can enhance your knowledge of Florence. She explains their news and listings functions and outlines the wide range of cultural information on offer; everything from new literature set in the area, to the recent celebrations for the 700th anniversary of Dante's death, via - of course! - Florence's recent Cocktail Week.
Helen's Reading Suggestions
Still Life by Sarah Winman
The Bookseller of Florence by Ross King
The Hunting Season by Tom Benjamin
Angels of Mud by Vanessa Nicolson
The Florence Duck Store by Harry Cochrane
useful links
https://www.theflorentine.net/subscription
https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Our very first Florence Extra episode with guest Danielle from the Florence-based tour company Ciao Florence who tells us all about the various tours and experiences the company offers in Florence and the surrounding area. She brings a refreshing Florence-based perspective and an insight into many things not covered in the original series.
useful links
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
More inspiration from three great travel blogs: a Bulgarian city you may not have heard of, (but definitely should not miss), a round-up of Italian cities from the most popular to the charmingly lesser-known, Buenos Aires for beginners and Dubrovnik on the cheap. Plus, of course, a general spirit of wanderlust, appreciation and can-do spirit.
Useful links
our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast
to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
This week's guest websites
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Our London Bucket List features a wide range of must-do ideas, some of our own and lots more from our contributors: travel bloggers, historians and a London diarist. Inspiration for all!
Useful links
https://www.aworldinreach.com/?s=london+
https://www.berkeleysquarebarbarian.com
https://anhistorianabouttown.com
https://livinglondonhistory.com/londons-ancient-roman-and-medieval-walls-a-self-guided-walk
https://www.diaryofalondoness.com
City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time!
Check our website to find more episodes from our London series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
We love to receive your comments and suggestions!
You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode. That's a big help!
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
A set-in-London booklist, four reading anthologies based on London and four walking tours focussed on the capital's best-known authors. Plus, a whole selection of snippets of poetry and prose. In short, a comprehensive introduction to literary London and a host of follow-up ideas. This episode brings you everything from Dickens to J K Rowling, from the London of Agatha Christie's 'At Bertram's Hotel' to that of Tarquin Hall's 'Salaam Brick Lane'.
Useful links
https://brightnomad.net/books-set-in-london
https://www.london-walking-tours.co.uk/free-tours/dickens-london.htm
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/walks-and-itineraries/self-guided-walks-and-trails/shakespeares-london
https://www.london-walking-tours.co.uk/the-sherlock-holmes-mystery-trail.htm
https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/london-l57/london-harry-potter-walking-tour-t390509
https://www.visitlondon.com
Reading ideas
London: An Illustrated Literary Companion by Rosemary Gray
The Blue Guide Literary Companion to London compiled by Robin Saikia
Fictional London: A Guide to the Capital's Literary Landmarks by Stephen Halliday
City Lit London edited by Heather Reyes
City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time!
Check our website to find more episodes from our London series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
We love to receive your comments and suggestions!
You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode. That's a big help!
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
A selection of readings from diarists who have written about London across the centuries and from travel writers who came to visit. Everything from eye witness accounts of the Fire of London and an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, to those who hated the London fog and pickpockets and those who admired it as a city full of 'all that life has to offer'.
Useful link
https://www.visitlondon.com
Reading ideas
The Diary of John Evelyn
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell
The Blue Guide Literary Companion to London
City Lit London by Heather Reyes
London: An Illustrated Literary Companion by Rosemary Gray
A London Year by Travis Elborough and Nick Rennison
The Traveller's Year by Travis Elborough and Nick Rennison
City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time!
Check our website to find more episodes from our London series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
We love to receive your comments and suggestions!
You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode. It helps others to find us.
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
We bring you another selection of City Break Ideas: Boston, USA on the 4th July; art and bubbling mud pools in Reykjavik; ruin bars and Turkish bathing in Budapest; a tour of New York's Grand Central Station; and what to eat at Eggslut in LA. Plus loads more ideas on each of those cities. Obviously. Also, Stolpersteine, an art and holocaust memorial project found in many European countries which everyone should know more about.
Useful links
our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk
to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast
to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk
This week's guest websites
https://retiredandtravelling.com