Taking bikes on trains, tussling with tensators and the trouble with tea bags. We share our, and listeners', tales of travel's challenges.

We welcome weather presenter Jo Wheeler to discuss the part the wind plays in our travels. Should we pay more attention to its wily ways? And what on earth is a "medicane" ? Follow Jo on X @weatherdolly and send us a voice note to YouShouldHaveBeenThere@hotmail.com

Our guest is Mike Mackay Richards, author of "The Travelling Ape." Mike has visited 155 countries and has a perhaps surprisingly upbeat view of people and most, if not all, places. He advises us to get out there and enjoy the world rather then "vegetating in a little corner of it." His book is available from Amazon.

We discover ways of adding spice to your travels by undertaking special or unusual quests.  The "route of the dovecotes" in southern France, the grounded solar system in Zagreb and the Shakespeare trail in Stratford-upon-Avon are all on the itinerary. Thanks to Norman Smith, Tim Neale and Gary Knapper for taking part.     

Simon takes the temperature of travel in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, three small states in the menacing shadow of Russia and Belarus. Even so, he enjoys the scenery, the hospitality and a surreal cultural tour in the Estonian town of Sillamäe. With thanks to his guide, Valentina, and the anti-war protestors of Tallinn. 

We discuss the real value of travelling with the help of listeners' descriptions of their most expensive holidays. But were these the most enjoyable ones? With special thanks to Jan Morris and Susan Latham 

We discuss how drugs have influenced travel and tourism: Amsterdam, L.A, the Hippy Trail, the Green Tortoise and more recently, Breaking Bad and Ozark. Plus a health warning about medicines that are considered illegal drugs in some parts of the world. Many thanks to Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet publications, for his contribution. 

We unpack the perennial travel problem of the incredible shrinking baggage allowance, with the help of listeners, previous contributors and the surrealist maestro, Marcel Duchamp. Thanks also to Rebecca Halpern, Sascha Heeney, Sarah Baxter and Tristan Gooley.  

We ponder the possible consequences of Putin's brutal war for travel and tourism, helped by Russian travel expert, Neil Taylor. Are there any parallels to be drawn with apartheid South Africa or Franco's Spain? And Simon recalls his recent visit to Chernobyl when it was, hard to believe now , a tourist attraction

We discover what awaits visitors to the first truly post-modern World Cup. As stadiums rise from the desert, Doha's beautiful new museum opens its doors to Simon, if he can manage to find the way in!  With thanks to Samuel and Daniel for joining in. 

Simon goes to Sydney, newly-opened to the world and, of course, eager to welcome tourists. He gets free vegemite at the airport, roams the city to discover what is and isn't open yet and enjoys some of the city's simpler pleasures: a tram ride, a sunset walk across the iconic bridge and a trek through the Sydney Harbour National Park, where the suburbs, the sea and the outback meet. Thanks to Jane and Jim O'Donnell for taking part.   

Join us in the room where travel fears and phobias are brutally revealed. There's talk of vertigo, malaria and, more controversially, the constant concern that your flight will actually arrive on time. Honestly!  And we continue the discussion of travel breakfasts by unravelling the mystery of the "Big Rolls" 

Unapologetic self congratulation is in order as we pick our favourite extracts from the 99 previous podcasts.  On the menu: the epitome of slow travel, Graham Greene's little known travelogue and Simon's embarrassing experience on the Balham train, along with the evocative sounds of Andean flutes and a choir of cicadas. Plus, some inspirational journeys involving the number 100, which include "the sociopath's camino de Santiago."  Also, thanks to Syna-Max of Freesound for the recording of applause. 

We muse on the weeks travel headlines about Air Traffic Control chaos and plunging planes, while Simon reports from the vast Berlin Travel Show where the whole world of travel is revealed.

This essential kick-start to the day's adventures or relaxation is often undervalued. From avocado on sourdough to stale bread and undrinkable coffee, we reminisce about breakfasts on the road and try and draw up an identikit menu of the ideal start to the travelling day. 

As the world of museums expands, quirkily, intriguingly and bafflingly, we discuss how to sort the wheat from the chaff and how to avoid a hangover from excessive viewing. Does Zagreb's Hangover Museum provide the answer? And we're joined by Jill Tsai, the founder of the Travel Things Museum (https://www.travelthingsmuseum.com)

We're joined by The Independent's Lucy Thackray for a discussion of this year's hot destinations and travel trends.  On the agenda: vegan hotels, work and playcations, sweat lodges or just a simple, old-fashioned Costa Rican sunset. And as the "Marble Arch Mound" closes down, what other ludicrous, white elephant tourist attractions does the world have to offer? 

Expect festive cheer and testing questions as Simon @simoncalder takes on Wanderlust Magazine's founding editor, Lyn Hughes @Wanderlust.Lyn See how you measure up against our travel experts and help decide the worthy winner! 

We hear listeners' responses to the last few podcasts and try to answer their questions. On the varied menu: Covid testing, the ethics of elephant riding, the new European railway timetable, very wild swimming and learning to cook pasta dishes in Bologna. Many thanks to all contributors, not least our special guest, Doctor Silas. 

Simon goes to Florida and returns with tales of manatees, space missions and roseate spoonbills. There's more to the sunshine state than theme parks, although he did sample (and survive) the terrifying velociocoaster. With many thanks to Simon Veness, Susan Veness, Jenna Pierce from the Imperial Bar and former astronaut, Bruce Melnick. 

We hear from listeners about Christmases past and make plans for Christmases future, Omicron variant permitting.  Plus, expedition of the week and travel rants from the town of Morpeth. Many thanks to Lizzie and Norma for taking part. 

SImon makes a pioneering trip across the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Canada with the the newly opened USA. Mick, meanwhile journeys to the hilly county of Dorset and scales its mightiest peak, risking family unity on the way. We compare notes and tensions.  With thanks to Steph, Silas and Aruja for taking part. The recording of pheasants comes courtesy of http://www.freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/

The World Travel Market has just taken place in London. It provides a cornucopia of new travel ideas and destinations, a riot of daft marketing slogans and no shortage of blah blah blah. We discover how much attention was paid to the climate concerns voiced at COP 26 and reveal why the Gulf States should be renamed the Golf States. 

We take a whistle stop tour of five Latin American countries that have been freed from the shackles of Grant Shapps' red list. On the agenda: the world's best coffee, its highest waterfall and the place where longevity is a fact of life. Not to mention some truly romantic islands.

We talk to Jonny Bealby, founder of the adventure travel firm, Wild Frontiers, about his life as a traveller and businessman. On the agenda: his favourite countries, most terrifying experiences and the item that he won't travel without. Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com

Simon discovers more of Saudi Arabia's ancient wonders and gets an early peek at their grandiose plans for developing tourism. Meanwhile, at South London's Selhurst Park, the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United attracts criticism as well as visual creativity. Many thanks to Najla Drees and to Paul Oliver for taking part.   

Simon of Arabia discovers whether the Desert Kingdom and the home of the Geordies have anything in common, apart from the ownership of a well-known football club. We weigh the relative merits of camel tongues and saveloy dips and hear what the respective locals know about one another's countries.  Thanks to Christine, Fahad, Janet and Michael for taking part and being such good sports.

As James Bond returns to the big screen, we map his journeys around the world and speculate on his favourite destination based on the 1000 locations that he has appeared in. How many are authentic? How many are location doubles? Simon joins us from one of these stand-ins- the Broadgate Tower in Bishopsgate, London.  

Listeners share their experiences of travel con-tricks, old and new, in situ or online. Simon reports from Rotterdam's genre-bending art museum while Deirdre Swann tells us about a surprise encounter and an opportunity missed on her 64th birthday walk. Thanks to Deirdre, to Alan and to Ina Klaassen of The Depot.

From the old "three cup trick" to internet-age "fake villa" villainy, we reveal the many traps that lie in wait for the unwary tourist. Beware the "something-nasty-on your-bag-mate,"  the petrol pump counter you can't see and the "Thanksgiving Upgrade," which is just one of the  dodgy practices that bedevil the car rental business.

The latest head-to head in our travel Olympics involves two mighty destinations from the Far East.  Which will prevail in events that feature capital cities, walls, snow monkeys, toilets and Simon's culinary take on the travel bug?  Many thanks to Dr Emily Thomas and Rebecca for their contributions and to the Terracotta Warriors for their unwitting participation.  

We embark on a magical mystery tour of places associated with the Fab Four, or named in their songs. As well as Penny Lane and Abbey Road, expect Blue Jays, paper bags and the windmill in East Sussex where Sir Paul has a recording studio.  

We debate the pros and cons of visiting countries with dodgy regimes. Is it ever justifiable? And if so, under what circumstances? Fortunately, we are guided through the minefield of ethical dilemmas by the philosopher and traveller, Dr Emily Thomas, of Durham University. Thanks also to Luis Cuellar from Freeimages for the photo

Enjoy our latest head-to-head: Scottish Island versus Greek Island. Which is the better holiday destination? Simon is on location in Lerwick, while Zante's champion is Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer of the Advantage Travel Partnership

We showcase listeners' suggestions for travelling situations that warrant inclusion in our TRAVEL OLYMPICS. Plus a head to head contest between Zimbabawe and Zambia for the "worth visiting" medal. 

Simon recounts the tale of his unbelievably cheap Irish journey and Dylan Harris of Lupine Travel reveals the rewards and challenges of running an adventure travel company.

With Simon reporting live from sunny St Pancras station, we attempt to navigate the latest twists and turns in the government's controversial "traffic light" travel scheme. And it's Slovenia (colourful capital: Ljubljana ) versus Slovakia (world's most castles!) in our new Olympic travel competition.  

This edition is all about listener's formative travel experiences- from a first distant view of the Himalayas to a wild camping trip to Pembrokeshire. Special thanks are due to Rebecca and to Dr John Mason. 

Never mind those space billionaires, we are joined by a much more knowledgeable guest to talk about eclipses, meteor showers, Northern Lights and other heavenly phenomena. Dr John Mason MBE, astronomer extraordinaire, discusses what to look out for and and where best to see it. You can find out more about his work by searching online for the "South Downs Planetarium"

What was your first trip aboard like? Where did you go? Did anything amazing happen? Simon and Mick compare their first times and their memories, but we want to know about your experiences. Do get in touch by audio message on Anchor.fm/youshouldhavebeenthere or via Twitter: @youshouldhaveBt

We discuss the sometimes surprising delights of the world's underground railway systems and make a spurious case for claiming Gareth Southgate as one of our own.  

We attempt to hack our way through the red tape and labyrinthine protocols surrounding foreign travel. Fortunately we are joined by an expert guide, Julia Lo Bue-Said, who is chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership-the UK's largest group of independent travel agents.  Follow Julia on Twitter at @jlo_said 

The heart of any self-respecting town or city is its square. So which is the world's best square, what are the essential ingredients for a good one and why are we in the UK so bad at them? Simon offers his opinions from the not very renowned Kings Cross Square in London though I thought the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa was a bit more photogenic!  

Mick's prejudices about the world's largest country are robustly challenged by Simon and the travel writer and photographer, Frances Linzee Gordon. Enjoy her tales of smiling policemen, two-way mirrors and learning to fire a Kalashnikov.

Join Simon in Gibraltar as he meets the residents and tries to avoid the light-fingered macaque monkeys. The famous "Rock" is just one of the tiny states that dot the map of Europe. Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow of Chatham House kindly shares her research passion for these Microstates and we revisit a journey to Andorra.  

A gorilla mother and baby are among the most wonderful sights that a rainforest can provide. But there are also snakes, scorpions and mosquitoes that you would prefer not to come across. We get inside nature's miraculous but disappearing hot houses with the help of Joe Taylor and Silas Webb. Thanks are also due to Ernesto, the Colombian guide who helped Simon and me across a small part of the treacherous Darien Gap. The website with details of our very own UK temperate rainforests is https://lostrainforestsofengland.org/  

We discuss listeners' thoughts on when their holiday really starts: as the front door closes, as you clear airport security, the train/plane/ferry begins to move.... ? With particular thanks to Cathy Adams of Times Travel and filmmaker, Ben Garfield

....... and of course Simon was on it, taking the Covid tests and checking out sunny Algarve as the UK's oldest ally gets a green light from the government. But how complicated is it to get there and what kind of holiday experience awaits the intrepid visitor to Portugal?  Many thanks to Paul Goldstein for joining in the Faro fun.   

Taking our cue from the famous novel by Jules Verne, we hear travellers' tales of trials and tribulations with some unexpected bonuses. A free hotel stay in Antigua can't be bad, can it? Thanks to Carolyn Pearson, Dr Claire Corkhill and David Else for their stories and to everyone who kindly sent their tales of delay via Twitter. 

We shed light on the government's forthcoming strategy for foreign travel with the help of Carolyn Pearson. Her company, Maiden Voyage, advises business travellers on safety and well-being (maiden-voyage.com). An unexpected accompaniment is provided by some dogs that Simon befriended outside Swindon Railway Station.