Pack Your Bags

Oti kicks off season two in style, joining Russell to talk about travelling after Strictly Come Dancing, rediscovering South Africa and what it’s like to travel with a baby. Oti was touring since she was a teenager, but travelling for work isn’t the same as for pleasure. She started seeing the world whilst competitive dancing but now can travel on her own terms. She has fallen in love with the beaches and mountains of Romania and the thermal spas of Iceland. She also takes joy from the privilege of giving the gift of travel to her parents, who thought they’d never see the world.

Want the inside scoop on holidaying with a celebrity? Pack Your Bags and join comedian Russell Kane as he teams up with TUI to chat with famous faces from the world of sport, entertainment and more. In each episode, Russell’s guests will reveal their three holiday must-haves and share the travel adventures (and misadventures) that have helped shape their lives. That’s not all, though – they’ll also be on hand to help with travel dilemmas and answer quick-fire questions.

Sue Perkins is an unlikely intrepid traveller. She’s terrified of flying, suffers from seasickness and her childhood holidays were limited to day jaunts from Croydon to Brighton. But a decade ago, she decided to embrace the challenge and face her fears head on. Since then she has fronted travel documentaries taking her to all different corners of the world including America, South America, India and South East Asia.  What inspired her to challenge herself through travel? What tips would she give others looking to step out their comfort zone? And, how did she overcome the biggest blocker of all: her fear of flying? Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

For Julia Bradbury, travel is an opportunity to explore new landscapes and get up close and personal with the natural world. This episode, Julia recommends some breathtaking places to get closer to nature — from the jungles of Costa Rica to the geysers of Iceland and the mountains of South Africa.  We also get into how her battle with breast cancer changed her approach to travel, her most life-affirming experiences abroad, and the adventures she has planned next for her and her family.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

From exploring his native France to road trips through America and sunny island stays in Jamaica — Fred Sirieix is one of the most well-travelled people on TV. What drives his enduring passion for discovering new experiences around the world?  This episode, Russell sits down with Fred to find out about his philosophy towards travel, as well as picking this famous foodie's brain about the best destinations for food and wine. You can also expect some real insider tips on France's hidden gems. Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

How can travel help us mentally reset and get out of our own heads? Instagram favourite comedian, Hayley Morris, shares how she uses travel as a way to inspire new ideas and to push herself to discover new things.  Hayley also shares her life long love of Disney — and why the Magic Kingdom is actually more fun as an adult! (Hint: There are amazing cocktails!) Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

For Candice Brathwaite, travel is life's best educator. From a life-changing trip volunteering in India to her ongoing commitment to regular solo adventures, Candice lays out how and why she makes travel a priority for herself and her family.  Alongside incredible tips about how to budget, plan and shop for your next trip, she also candidly shares the unique joys and challenges she has experienced whilst travelling as a black woman.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

What are your most life-changing travel memories? Russell gets nostalgic with food critic Grace Dent as she shares stories of relationship-alternating holidays, formative teen trips and the rush of being sent away for work for the first time. As they swap stories of their past travels, the duo also discover a surprising shared love: Buffets! Grace shares her expertise on finding the best restaurants wherever you stay, giving listeners the lowdown on how to uncover hidden culinary gems and avoid tourist traps. Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

The first flight comedian Babatúndé Aléshé went on was for a honeymoon of a lifetime to Barbados. Since then, as his stand-up career has blossomed, so have the opportunities for travel — and his destination bucket list is growing as he is excited to see the world with his young son.  As they are both from home so much touring the comedy circuit, Russell and Babatúndé reflect on why travel is so important for connecting with their family. But they also grapple with the conflict they feel being able to give their kids so much more than they had — is it too much? Or simply an amazing opportunity to expose them to new cultures?  They also get into his time in the Jungle, and how I’m A Celeb pushed him out of his comfort zone in more ways than one.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

Should holidays be prescribed? Dr Zoe Williams thinks so. Russell is joined by the GP (and former Gladiator) to get into the mental and physical health benefits of travel.  Russell and Zoe bond over the importance of travel for reset and reflection, and he hears how travel has shaped her life at key moments, from meeting the love of her life in Lisbon to a transformative trip to Ayia Napa that set her on the path to becoming a Doctor.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

Gold-medal winning Olympian Greg Rutherford has spent his entire working life travelling from competition to competition. Now that he has retired from athletics, has he embraced the chilled life or is travel still all about new challenges? Russell sits down with Greg to find out.  From the draw of America to his favourite off-the-beaten track skiing spot, Greg and Russell retrace the different stages of his life through travel, as well as trading tips on how to travel with the most tempestuous of toddlers.  Feeling inspired to go on your own adventure? Check out TUI.CO.UK to find out more about all our exclusive offers and holiday information. We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

The first time Jason Fox went in a plane, he jumped out of one. Since then, ‘Foxy’ has embraced a life of adventure and travel seeing the world many times over — first whilst serving in the military, and now as a presenter filming shows like SAS: Who Dares Wins.  From diving for treasure in Madagascar to meeting the King of Jordan, he sits down with Russell to explore what drives his boundless sense of adventure, and how he uses travel to overcome challenging mental health moments.  We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

Greece, Albania, Turkey — historian Bettany Hughes has travelled the world in search of ancient relics, discovering passions for food, culture and connection along the way.  She speaks to Russell about the unexpected magic of Venice in winter, and makes a compelling case for some surprising rich-in-culture destinations like Malta, Gibraltar and Albania. Plus, Bettany reveals her tried and tested vegetarian-friendly destinations.  We’d like to invite you to provide feedback on the show to help us improve our podcast, by completing the following questionnaire.

Comedian Russell Kane introduces a brand new travel podcast. Find out what to expect over the upcoming series! Find out more on our website here.

Russell is joined by some of our star-studded Season 2 guests — from Paul C. Brunson to Larry Lamb and Denise Van Outen — to play agony aunt and solve some of your dilemmas in this Bonus Dilemmas episode!

Author, journalist, and Breakfast TV icon Ben Shephard joins Russell to talk all things travel—from family holidays to fitness routines abroad. He offers practical advice for travelling with teenagers, including how to handle that milestone moment when they want to bring a romantic partner along. As a self-confessed fitness obsessive, he shares his go-to tips for staying active while away, and recommends destinations that cater to both thrill-seekers and laid-back loungers. Plus, in a candid moment, he opens up about living with ADHD, and how it has shaped both his life and the way he experiences travel.

On this episode of Pack Your Bags, podcaster, Celebs Go Dating co-host, and trained therapist Anna Williamson shares her expert insights and hilarious travel stories. She opens up about her personal battle with travel anxiety and reveals the tools and techniques that help her stay calm on the move. Anna also dives into practical advice for fellow travelers on how to push past their comfort zones and conquer their nerves. Plus, the hilariously awkward hotel room spooning mishap she’ll never forget.

Russell is joined by the multi-talented Denise Van Outen, who reveals her adventurous approach to holidays—often centered around DJing, golfing, or trekking. She shares how she took up golf in her 40s, calling it the perfect post-divorce passion. Denise also opens up about her love of cruises and why they’ve become a staple in her travel plans. Her ideal cruise? One that’s all about the party.

Legendary Larry Lamb joins Russell to share stories from a lifetime of travel—from trekking through the Himalayas with his son to exploring the coastal towns of Canada. He opens up about his idea of the perfect trip, which, in later life, has become all about solo travel. For Larry, true happiness is found alone on a beach, building a fire from a piece of driftwood. And his packing list? It perfectly reflects that vision.