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Where to Go

The podcast which tells the inside story from the world's favourite travel destinations

Had your travel plans cancelled? Or unsure about where you'll visit next? Where to Go, produced by the team behind the award-winning DK Eyewitness travel guides, is here to help.

Each fortnightly episode will focus on a specific destination, with hosts James Atkinson and Lucy Richards joined by local experts who have all chosen to call that place home. With deep dives into travel stories, hidden gems and unmissable sights, we also take a look at how destinations have been impacted by the recent events, how travel may start to return and what we can expect to be different in the future.

Listen to all episodes

'Where to Go' is now available across all good podcast providers, including Apple, Acast and Spotify. Or use this link to open the podcast on your favourite service.

Episode 1. Italy

In episode one James and Lucy are joined by Toni DeBella, an American travel writer who fell in love with Italy and never looked back. They discuss the initial shock of COVID-19, how the country is now starting to recover and open up, as well as Toni’s personal relationship with the country and her favourite places to see.

Episode 2. Sweden

James and Lucy virtually travel to Sweden with award-winning photographer and writer Lola Akinmade Åkerström. They look at what makes Sweden so special, tips for first-time visitors, how the country’s approach to coronavirus has impacted travel and the unique connection between Swedes and the great outdoors. They also discuss Lola’s own journey to Sweden, her new academy and tips for travel writers and photographers. 

Episode 3. New York City

It’s time to visit the Big Apple. Lucy and James are taken around by travel writers Kweku Ulzen (@kw3ks) and Lauren Paley, finding out where to start on your first visit, the best things to do and hearing all about their favourite New York stories. As a difficult year draws to a close for NYC, we also find out how the events of 2020 have affected it and what happens next as the City begins to adjust and reopen once again. There’s also an exclusive preview of our new Like A Local city guides.

Episode 4. Scotland

Scotland is a land of contrasts: wonderful modern cities, breathtaking castle-strewn countryside and the wild majesty of the Highlands and islands. This week, James and guest host Danielle pay the country a virtual visit in the excellent company of travel blogger and itinerary planner Kay Gillespie (aka The Chaotic Scot) and Calum Gillies of the Isle of Raasay Distillery. They discuss the magic of visiting Scotland, their favourite hidden gems and how COVID-19 has impacted Scottish life and tourism.

Episode 5. USA National Parks

James and Lucy celebrate the release of USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder in conversation with two of the book's authors: James Edward Mills and Stefanie Payne. They explore the rich history and heritage behind the parks; how important the US National Parks are in American life; and why the time is now – after the events of 2020 – for Americans to start exploring their own back yard.

Episode 6. Unforgettable Journeys

It's the journey, not the destination, so the saying goes. In this bumper edition of Where to Go, we celebrate the launch of the new DK Eyewitness book Unforgettable Journeys by looking at the art of slow travel. Joining our hosts are adventure writer Shafik Meghji and editor Rebecca Flynn. As a bonus, writers Sarah Hedley Hymers and Sophie Ibbotson (as well as Shafik) give exclusive readings of extracts from the book.

Episode 7. Paris

Paris is a treasure trove of things to see and do. But it's not just the famous sights that make the city so appealing to visitors – it's the vibrant local scene found across the city's many neighbourhoods – think cool cafes, brilliant bookshops and of course, some of the world's best food. This week, Lucy and James pay the city a virtual visit in the company of writer Eleanor Aldridge. They discuss Eleanor's life as an adopted Parisian, must-do experiences (champagne and oysters, anyone?) and how the city has responded to the events of 2020.

Episode 8. London

London is a city that's always full of energy – think the reverie and theatres of Soho, the packed pubs of the East End, the buzzing commuters pacing The City and the packed galleries and food markets along the Southbank. But what happens when everything stops? This week James and Lucy are joined by writer Julie Falconer, also known as A Lady in London (@aladyinlondon), to discuss all things London, including their favourite places to go, what makes London so special and how they got on in the city in 2020.

Episode 9. Dublin & Ireland

In more normal times, Ireland and Dublin enthral millions of visitors every year. Dublin is the all-signing, all-dancing capital: home to historical architecture, eye-opening cultural institutions, an unparalleled music scene and – of course – that all-important pint of Guinness. Meanwhile the island of Ireland contains some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, crowned by its wild Atlantic coastline and spellbinding lakelands. So this week James and Lucy paid the island a virtual visit in the company of travel writer Nicola Brady. Along the way, they came across viking ruins (in a supermarket), not-so-casual drinkers trying to catch a glimpse of Bruce Springsteen, Dublin’s fine foodie scene and salty seaweed baths.

Episode 10. 2021

Our final episode of this season of Where to Go looks at the year ahead: 2021. This year promises to be the year where we'll be able to travel once again and – to optimistically look ahead to that – James and Lucy are joined in this special edition by an array of guests from earlier episodes in the series, as well as the DK Eyewitness editorial team, to discuss where they want to go in 2021. From eco-friendly fine dining in Slovenia to wild Patagonian treks; cycling the length of Wales to traversing the Silk Road, these are the journeys we've been dreaming about, and we can't wait to share them. Also listen to the end for a quick travel quiz with editor Becky Flynn - do play along!

Get in touch

If you have any questions about or would like to work with Where to Go, please get in touch at travelguides@uk.dk.com