Skip to main content

A host of inspirational and entertaining speakers will be rustling up some of their favourite international dishes, while sharing their travel tips and greatest adventures.

The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival will be presenting some of the very best travel writers and you will be able to buy signed and dedicated copies of their latest books at their stand. Plus join The Times and Sunday Times travel editors on Saturday, 18 January for some valuable industry tips and insights.

Food & Travel Stage sponsored by

Travelzoo

See highlights of the 2025 line up and the full schedule below.

Timetable is subject to change.

Loading
16 Jan 2025
  1. Food & Travel Stage
    Delicious chocolate treats with a Military History!
  2. The changes we can expect in 2025. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly, and informative chat as Matt explains to Andrew the changes afoot.
  3. An Adventure through the Small Towns & Big Issues of the USA
    A fascinating – and frequently funny – tale of one man cycling the breadth of America. Frustrated by the shallow headlines focusing only on Trump, guns and division, award-winning travel writer Simon ...
  4. Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown
    Benedict Allen is an explorer and broadcaster best known for his hazardous expeditions through rainforest, desert and Arctic - journeys achieved without companions, phone, GPS or any of the usual back ...
  5. A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
17 Jan 2025
  1. Release your inner Viking with this delicious venison stew with mead, cream and berries!
  2. Imqaret, a traditional sweet dish from Malta, originating from Arabic cuisine during the period when Malta was under Arab rule. Imqaret has since become a beloved treat, particularly popular at villag ...
    Visit Malta
  3. Louise Minchin in Conversation
    Journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin has travelled a lot for work, but also while researching her non-fiction title Fearless, which detailed the lives of 17 extraordinary women, in places as dive ...
  4. Join Travelzoo and their panel of experts sharing their insight on how to find and book the best staycations. 
  5. A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
18 Jan 2025
  1. Rail journeys along the Silk Road, alternatives to the Amalfi coast, and Fez to Cape Town by overland truck — Times Travel reveals the most exciting new holidays for the year ahead. Plus the places yo ...
    The Times and Sunday Times
  2. Find out what's on Simon's ultimate travel bucket list and your chance to put your questions to him to kick start your 2025 travel plans. 
  3. Charles Dickens: The First Modern Travel Writer
    From childhood, Charles Dickens was fascinated by tales from other countries and other cultures and he longed to see the world. Lucinda Hawksley talks to Andrew Dickens about the journeys made by her ...
  4. Travelzoo share tips and tricks from inside the industry on how to get the best holiday deal and make your money go further. From the best time to book flights to the best time to visit certain destin ...
  5. Join Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK for his latest tips and advice on how to maximise your travel using points and miles ' all whilst helping you save money. From your supermarket shop to usi ...
19 Jan 2025
  1. A Sinhalese curry that combines roasted curry spices with creamy coconut milk and sweet pineapple.
  2. A delicious corn, squash and lima bean broth from the North Eastern part of America pre-colonisation.
  3. Stuart Maconie: The Full English
    Stuart Maconie is one of the keenest observers of English identity. Who better to take the temperature of the nation at this uncertain waymark on our national journey? He joins Andrew Dickens for a jo ...
  4. Release your inner Viking with the delicious and hearty venison stew with mead, cream and berries!
  5. Reportedly created by "Tiki John" Ebert at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in the 1950's - the "Rum Runner" Cocktail quickly became the most celebrated drink in Key West and the Florida Keys.

2025 Highlights

Benedict Allen

Benedict Allen

Extreme explorer, Benedict Allen tells tales of life-threatening encounters, reliance on ancient knowledge, and a dramatic disappearance in 2017. Benedict knows the importance of calculated risk-taking, disconnecting from modern technology, reconnecting with the natural world and trusting indigenious knowledge.
Thursday 16 January
Simon Calder

Simon Calder

Join Simon Calder, one of the UK's most trusted and recognised travel journalists. Hear his advice for travel in 2025.
Saturday 18 January

Simon Parker

Simon Parker

Simon Parker is a multi-award-winning British travel writer, author, and filmmaker. Join Simon for his fascinating – and frequently funny – tale of one man cycling the breadth of America as featured in his new book 'A Ride Across America'.
Thursday 16th January
Nicky Kelvin

Nicky Kelvin

Join Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK for his latest tips and advice on how to maximise your travel using points and miles – all whilst helping you save money. 
Saturday 18 January
Stuart Maconie

Stuart Maconie

Stuart Maconie is one of the keenest observers of English identity. Who better to take the temperature of the nation at this uncertain waymark on our national journey? Join him for a journey round Britain, talking about his latest book, The Full English.
Sunday 19 January
Lucinda Hawksley

Lucinda Hawksley

From childhood, Charles Dickens was fascinated by tales from other countries and other cultures and he longed to see the world. Lucinda Hawksley talks about the journeys made by her great great great grandfather.
Saturday 18 January

Chris Haslam

Chris Haslam

Chris Haslam is the multi award-winning Chief Travel Writer at The Sunday Times. He likes Namibia, birds, kayaking and Jack Russells. Moonlights as a broadcaster and novelist. Feeds crows. 
Saturday 18 January 

Laura Jackson

Laura Jackson

Laura Jackson is the Deputy Head of Travel at The Times and Sunday Times. A writer and editor with two decades of experience on newspapers and magazines working both in print and online, she specialises in city breaks, solo travel and cruises. 
Saturday 18 January
Lucy Perrin 

Lucy Perrin 

Lucy is an editor and writer on the travel desk who started at The Times in 2019. She writes about all things travel, be it off-the-beaten-track destinations including Ras al-Khaimah and Kerala, to investigative pieces such as the revival of the travel agent.
Saturday 18 January
Get Your Complimentary Tickets Now...

Get Your Complimentary Tickets Now...

Book your complimentary* tickets today for the UK's essential event for travel inspiration

200 Travel Brands  | 40 Tourist Boards |  Unlimited Travel Ideas

Book Tickets

*Just pay the £1.95 booking fee per ticket

Don't Forget Your Complimentary Ticket..

Don't miss out on the UK's essential event for travel inspiration next January, book your complimentary* ticket today.

Book Tickets

*Just pay the £1.95 booking fee per ticket