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Adam Cox is joined by Alexa Polidoro, from Learn French with Alexa, to discuss new research from the brand which reveals some interesting trends about Brits learning another language. She explains the benefits of learning another language, why French is such a useful language to know and how the Learn French With Alexa courses run. www.learnfrenchwithalexa.com

Adam Cox is joined by Dave McFadden, Managing Director of the Economic Development Division of the Port of Seattle, to look at why Washington State and the city of Seattle are ideal locations for holidaymakers this year. Dave offers some tips for first-time visitors and some of the 'must see' attractions in Seattle, in addition to elaborating on things found in Seattle which won't be seen anywhere else in the U.S. www.stateofwatourism.com www.portseattle.org

Adam Cox talks to comedian James Mullinger, who left the UK for a new life in Canada. While James had moderate success in the London comedy scene, his career exploded when he made the move to Canada. James discusses why Canada isn’t the land of snow and ice that most people assume it is and that, due to its size, it’s actually much more varied than most Brits would know. He reveals how his unique perspective on Canada as an outsider helped his comedy career, and explains why Canada makes such a great place for a holiday.

Adam Cox is joined by acclaimed chef and restaurateur from Santa Monica, Josiah Citrin, head chef and owner of the two-Michelin starred Mélisse Restaurant, and BBQ restaurant, Charcoal Venice, to discuss how to make the most out of BBQ season. He explains how he got into cooking and talks about some tricks he's picked up throughout his career as a chef. He speaks about the Friendship Cities agreement between Santa Monica and Brighton, and great food recommendations in both the UK and Santa Monica. www.santamonica.com

Adam Cox is joined by Nick Hounsfield, Founder of inland surfing destination The Wave, and bodyboarder, Llewellyn Nicholls, ahead of International Surfing Day to discuss the benefits of surfing. Nick explains what The Wave is and how people can get into surfing, whilst Llewellyn talks about the challenge he is undertaking on the 21 June. www.thewave.com

Adam Cox is joined by Omar Matadar, of Qasid Arabic Institute, to discuss why Arabic can be such a difficult, but rewarding, language to learn. They also discuss Islamic New Year, and how people across the globe celebrated the occasion. Omar also explains common words used in modern vernacular, taken from Arabic routes. https://www.qasid.com/

Adam Cox is joined by Rory Brimmer, from Car Sharing Marketplace, Turo, to discuss new research from the brand which shows a majority of Brits are choosing to do a staycation over the summer. He explains the barriers preventing Brits from going abroad, and what the advantages of a staycation are. He also advises on the direction he foresees for the rental care market, and how these trends may look in the future.https://turo.com/gb/en

After a great deal of fuss about air bridges and people being able to go on summer holiday, things suddenly changed last weekend. A swift about turn saw a 14 day quarantine period imposed for those arriving in the UK from Spain at just six hours’ notice, hitting tens of thousands of holidaymakers who are there already, those with trips booked and leaving Britons hoping for some Spanish sunshine stuck in travel limbo… again. So is this the end of summer holidays for 2020? Are holidays to Spain off the cards for some time, and can you go to France, Italy, Greece or anywhere else safe in the knowledge you can come home and not have to take an extra fortnight off work? On this week’s podcast Georgie Frost – in Spain and facing a 14 day quarantine if she can get back – is joined by Simon Lambert and Grace Gausden to talk holidays, travel insurance, refunds, air bridges and whether even a staycation is safe. Plus, as savings rates take another tumble should you lock your money away for five years at 1.1 per cent just to protect against further falls? And finally, is buy-to-let back? A stamp duty cut, low rates and a weaker property market has got property investors interested again but are they saving money now just to lose it in future?

The mortgage price war claimed a high profile victim this week as Tesco Bank scrapped lending. Tesco Bank will continue with its other products, but why has it ditched mortgages, why have a string of other smaller players shut their doors in recent months, and why did building society behemoth Nationwide issue its own caution on home loans this week? On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Sarah Davidson and Georgie Frost dive into what is currently a weird world of mortgages: where a greater supply of money to lend than demand to borrow it means there are some very cheap deals on offer. Also on this week’s show, the team look at a reader’s problem with a neighbour upstairs, who has stripped the floor back to floorboards and is creating noise issues, despite a lease that says there must be carpets. How do you enforce that? Thomas Cook’s troubles and what they mean for holidaymakers are under the spotlight too. And finally, ever wondered why sometimes drivers get a ticket but at others escape with just a warning, or what really drives police officers mad behind the wheel?

This summer has seen travel demand rebound and for many, it could be their first overseas jaunt since before the pandemic. For that reason, there may be some rusty holidaymakers out there. But fear not, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost are at hand to help get you in the holiday mood (kind of). They talk about what you need to think about before a trip, from sorting out your passport with plenty of time to why it is imperative to have good quality insurance. It may not be sexy, but it is vital. Then, while you're away, what to think about in terms of spending money and little tips and tricks to save cash. We also ask if the days of cheap flights are over thanks to fuel price rises, whether chickenpox just before you go away means an automatic refund and more pearls of wisdom from decades of travel experience. Elsewhere, there are dire pension warnings linked to inflation. A new study believes that fewer than two in five households will be on course for a decent retirement due to the soaring cost of living. What can be done about it? And a large factor of that soaring cost of living is energy bills. Next month, we'll fully know just how high the price cap will head. Many are facing bill rises that they simply cannot afford. One part of the cost that is a real bugbear for many are standing charges. What are they and why can they not simply be cut?