Levison Wood is one of the world’s most well-known explorers, TV presenters and authors. Join him for a 5,000-mile journey through the heart of the Middle East, from the front lines of Iraq and Syria through the Empty Quarter desert to Yemen, the West Bank and beyond. 13 countries in five months, hi…Levison Wood is one of the world’s most well-known explorers, TV presenters and authors. Join him for a 5,000-mile journey through the heart of the Middle East, from the front lines of Iraq and Syria through the Empty Quarter desert to Yemen, the West Bank and beyond. 13 countries in five months, his most complicated and dangerous expedition yet.
Following in the footsteps of great explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, we will pass through some of the most devastated and war-torn areas on the planet, but also some of the most fascinating and historic too. We will peel back our preconceptions and discover a hidden side to the Middle East, beyond the headlines and politics. This is the real Arabia, a mosaic of the best and worst of humanity, a quest to better understand the region and, perhaps, ourselves.
Highlights include:
• Hear how one totally random chance event changed his life and led him to become one of the world’s most famous explorers
• Hitchhiking to Baghdad during the Gulf war – hear the story of Levison’s first and craziest ever adventure as a young university student
• Follow him to the front line, as he embeds with Kurdish fighters in Iraq, liberating ISIS held cities
• Discover the Mesopotamian Marshes, the jewel of southern Iraq, where one of the most ancient cultures in the world is slowly rebuilding their lives
• Cross the Empty Quarter desert on foot, 10-days through one of the harshest environments on the planet
• Sneak into Yemen and cross over into Somalia by fishing boat, through the most pirate infested waters on Earth
• Explore Jerusalem, and the West Bank, joining a demonstration that turns into a riot
“This is a story of my own wanderings set against a backdrop of interesting times. I have tried to challenge the prevailing winds where possible and contest stereotypes, hopefully smashing a few myths along the way.”
• Levison Wood
FIND OUT MORE
Levison Wood is a British explorer, writer and photographer. He's written seven best-selling books, presented and produced some of the best travel and adventure documentaries out there, and done some quite simply incredible expeditions. Find out more at www.levisonwood.com
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Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions. armchair-productions.com, armchair-explorer.com
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The island of Socotra has recently become popularized online. But in January 2026, geopolitics broke this illusion of this island being a detached, apolitical escape. Foreign tourists found themselves stranded there. Flights were canceled, and there was no clear timeline for when they would be able …The island of Socotra has recently become popularized online. But in January 2026, geopolitics broke this illusion of this island being a detached, apolitical escape. Foreign tourists found themselves stranded there. Flights were canceled, and there was no clear timeline for when they would be able to leave, all due to rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, tied to Yemen’s ongoing conflict. It's time to unpack exactly why travel is political.
JoAnna Haugen is a solutions-oriented consultant, speaker, and writer working at the intersection of sustainable tourism, storytelling, and social impact. She is the founder of Rooted Storytelling.
Dayvee Sutton is a multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist and national travel correspondent seen on your favorite national talk and morning news shows.
Links:
• https://dayveesutton.com/
• https://rootedstorytelling.com/
• https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/travel/socotra-island-yemen-foreign-tourists-stranded-intl
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CREDITS
Written and Hosted by Erin Hynes
Produced by Kattie Laur
Music is "Night Stars" by Wolf Saga/David R. Maracle/Chippewa Travellers. Additional music from Motion Array.
Logo by Nicole Hall
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This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.
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This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:
We talk to Dylan Harris, founder of Lupine Travel, about his tour company, how they decide on their destinations and what it's like to organise trips to "no-go" areas like the Darien Gap, Yemen and Afghanistan.
