Michael Palin

(On his first travelogue "Around the world in 80 days" and the attitude he had in the beginning of this part of his career) Michael: I went onto the boat acting like Phileas Fogg, I wore a ridiculous hat and straight white socks which made me look like someone from the school rowing eight or a junior minister on a fact-finding mission. I looked like a prat trying to play the awkward Englishman abroad. By the end of the boat trip, I'd given that up. I realised I should just be myself.

(On how travelling doesn't have to have a devastating effect on the environment) Michael: My own trip around the globe was all flightless. People should get a bit more adventurous about how they travel and use the local public transport. Obviously if you're going to the Far East or Australia you're not going to be able to take the train, you're going to have to fly. But when you get there don't take short flights, take a train or coach.

(On travelling even in 2008's political climate) Michael: I still believe we should travel and learn as we go. My experience of travel is people generally are friendly and do want to know where you come from and want to show you their own way of life - there's no shrinking of people's curiosity.