The Departure Lounge: Recent Episodes
Ben Kaye, Ben Warden
A travel podcast, brimming with useless travel advice and substandard one-liners. Find us on Twitter: @DepLoungePod or Email departurelounge@yahoo.com
The Bens are joined by an experienced deep-sea diver to chat about one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems. Their special guest Mike also decides which Ben has done the best job of selling him a holiday to Egypt!
The Bens travel adventures take a futuristic turn as they uncover Saudi Arabia's plans for a world first in 2025. It's also back in the time machine the other way, as they chart a tradition dating back over a thousand years!
The Bens delve into the history of 'the greatest derby of all time' and pay homage to Argentina having the first-ever feature film of a certain genre. Plus, have they reached the End of the World?
The Bens explore the plethora of languages across Papua New Guinea, as well as coming up with some plans to revamp the transportation network across the country!
The Bens discuss the true meaning of body image, through the lens of a beauty pageant like no other and unique body-transforming art. Plus they find out how Samoans can actually travel back in time!
If you fancy yourself as a budding limerick writer then perhaps the Bens can inspire you? They also delve into the longest-running television programme in the world!
The Bens discuss how people in Nicaragua find their way around without street names and also discover Nicaragua has perhaps one of the most ornate attractions in the world!
The Bens discover why Singapore is a place for night owls, as well as owls! They also reveal why, if you're travelling to Singapore, you'd be silly not to go by plane!
The Bens discover what athletic event Kenyans have a distinguished history, and also hand out some helpful advice if you plan to visit a Maaasai Tribe!
If you head down the tinned foods aisle in your local supermarket, which brand is named after a small town in Uruguay? The Bens aim to find out how this came about! Plus they attempt to lend their creative skills to help with a Mad Men-style rebrand.
The Bens are joined by not one, but two very special guests to share their first hand experience of Austria! Austria's rich musical history is something to be proud of, but we also find out why an amusement park may have a darker narrative behind it.
The two Bens travel to the least visited country in Europe to find out why you might still need your passport once in the country! Despite low tourist numbers, many people flock there annually for an event that takes place in a venue that is the largest of its kind in the world...
Ain't No Mountain High Enough for the sherpas of Nepal? Well, the Bens are on a quest to find out as they travel through the Himalayas in Nepal! They also try their hand at reproducing an authentic Nepalese craft...
How small is too small? No, no that, but we're actually talking about the smallest island nation on earth as the Bens head to Nauru. They also get some help along the way to try to understand why it might hold an unwanted world record!
In the first of these isolation specials, the Bens try to transport you far far away, perhaps to visit the second-largest boiling lake in the world? And the Bens offer up some tips on things to do to get your through the lockdown!
A very exciting guest joins the two Bens as they visit the home of the worlds first practical automobile. They premiere some German comedy films, plus there's a revelation that Germans dress up as a very unexpected character...
The Bens discover the problem with having too many people in a city and try to come up with solutions, whilst they also attempt some educational cover songs, with one far better than the other!
The Bens welcome some first hand experience of one of the safari superpowers, as special guest Andy joins their South African adventure. He also decides which Ben will get the go-ahead for a South African themed hotel of their own creation.
The Bens visit Central America to discover most famous for a canal and a hat...but one of them isn't as authentic as you might think. Plus there's a discussion on one of the world's most unusual festivals!
The first ever double episode hits the airwaves, perhaps providing some inspiration for someone to enter the World Nomad Games! The Bens also find out that some of the sports take more commitment than you might think...
The Bens travel back in time to visit the world's first democracy! They discover the naked secrets of the first Olympics...and there's some exclusive video content on offer in a special Try Before You Fly!
The Bens are joined by a special guest as they discover and debate 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'. And they delve into an ongoing feud between Canada and Norway over a contentious topic...
Pakistan has a rich history, both in terms of ancient civilisation and sporting success. But the Bens also discover a more sinister side to one of Pakistan's most famous natural landscapes.
The Bens discover that Ghana is home to some wondrous things covering a range of areas from fabrics to coffins! Plus one Ben offers up a tribute to Ghana having a particularly friendly animal...
The Bens may finally have found a country drier than their sense of humour, as Chile is home to the driest place on Earth! Plus the Bens find out how a tiny error had huge consequences for one unfortunate Chilean...
The Bens head off to the lesser-known Vanuatu, determined to help put it on the map in another edition of Mad Men. They uncover the interesting Royal connections to the island, as well as a novel way to send a postcard!
The Bens finally make it to the Middle East, to uncover the wondrous jewels of Jordan! There's a revelation about the lowest point on Earth, and also a world premiere for a brand new dip-themed musical!
The two Bens are joined by a very special guest as they explore the Communist Jewel in the Caribbean's Crown! There's the first inductee into the Departure Lounge Hall of Fame, as well as a chance for everyone to show off their creative talents in the form of scriptwriting and poetry.
The 10th episode takes the Bens to the land of Ben K's ancestors - Czech Republic! Aside from delving into some Ben K family history, Ben W premieres a never before released song and the Bens call upon the expertise of a Beer Consultant to explore the Czech's love of beer.
The curious case of the Dakar Rally is up for discussion between the Bens, whilst they uncover one of the most bizarre talent shows ever known. Meanwhile, we find out which Ben is going to provide the inspiration to kickstart the Senegalese film industry?
The Bens decide to get "high" in a South American adventure, with Bolivia known for altitude and production of the coca leaf! There's a trip to a prison like you've never seen before, and we find out if this could be a country that Ben W actually wants to visit...!
The Bens embark on a journey of discovery in South Korea, to shed some light on the world of K-pop and to discuss a South Korean game that has maybe gone too far. Meanwhile, both Bens try their hand as inventors, with some unusual ideas in the pipeline!
There's company for Ben & Ben, as they venture to the land of cuckoo clocks, chocolate and mountains aplenty, joined by a very special guest! The gameshow Guess the Language makes its first (and probably only) ever appearance, whilst the Bens also try their hand at yodelling!
The Bens finally answer one of the world's most burning questions: is Fiji Water all it's cracked up to be?! Meanwhile, Ben thinks he has a foolproof way to woo a Fijian woman, and other Ben tries to bring a popular Fijian sport to the UK.
Safari's the name of the game, as the Bens head across Africa to visit the place that has more of which animal than anywhere in the world? And there's plenty of opportunity to flex their creative talents, through the use of song, stories and poetry, to give Botswana the star billing it deserves!
Ben and Ben head to the home of heavy metal music to find out why failure is not so bad after all. Plus, an appearance from someone who has actually been to Finland!
The two Bens venture to Central America, to uncover the Mayan ruins and varied wildlife of Belize. Find out why they won't be snacking on a Big Mac or Frappucino, and why you may have to strip naked if you believe in folklore!
In their debut episode, the two Bens journey to the sandy beaches and urban hustle-bustle of Trinidad & Tobago. Plus, find out what blew their taste buds off and what animal race is at the centrepiece of an annual T&T festival!