BEST OF EXPLORER: Arabia, a 5,000-mile Journey into the Heart of the Middle East with Explorer Levison Wood

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 Instagram:@levison.wood / Facebook: @levisonwoodofficial / Twitter: @levisonwood SHARE THIS EPISODE If this story lit something up in you, do me a favour - send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little adventure in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds. Or go Old School and tell someone about it over a cheeky pint! I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle.

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BEST OF EXPLORER: Arabia, a 5,000-mile Journey into the Heart of the Middle East with Explorer Levison Wood is an episode from Armchair Explorer by Armchair Productions.

This episode is 39:43 long.

This episode was published on Apr 23, 2026.

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