The Gran Tour cover art

The Gran Tour

Travels with My Elders

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The Gran Tour

By: Ben Aitken
Narrated by: Ben Aitken
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About this listen

When Ben Aitken learnt that his gran had enjoyed a four-night holiday including four three-course dinners, four cooked breakfasts, four games of bingo, a pair of excursions, 16 pints of lager and luxury return coach travel, all for a hundred pounds, he thought, that's the life, and signed himself up. Six times over.

Good value aside, what Ben was really after was the company of his elders - those with more chapters under their belt, with the wisdom granted by experience, the candour gifted by time, and the hard-earned ability to live each day like it's nearly their last. A series of coach holidays ensued - from Scarborough to St Ives, Killarney to Lake Como - during which Ben attempts to shake off his 30-something blues by getting old as soon as possible.

©2020 Ben Aitken (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd Gerontology Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

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All stars
Most relevant  
Brilliant. Loved all the stories and interactions with the older travellers. Made me laugh so much

Inspiring me to travel

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This could so easily have descended into cheap laughs about old people but Ben Aitken is too good for that. This account of his travels treats his fellow holidaymakers with respect and dignity and gives us insight into the well of wisdom and experience older people have to offer. As someone who is rapidly moving towards becoming an elder myself, it is refreshing to see these members of society taken seriously. Only 4 stars for performance because as gentle as Ben’s narration was he’s not so good on accents especially Geordie (I’m a Newcastle lass).

Thoughtful and poignant

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Loved it. Ben and his words, unique, beautifully written. Looking forward to your next one Ben.

Another Gem from Ben Aitken

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30 year old Ben finds that a week’s out-of-season coach tour to Scarborough will house and feed him for half the cost of staying in his flat in London. He is, of course, way less than half the average age of his holiday companions but finds that they and their nightly bingo are better company and more fun than any 18-30 package. He follows up with trips to Wales (with his actual gran), Ireland, Scotland and Italy. It’s hilarious and beautifully observed. He meets some great characters, many of which will be familiar to many an adviser; and finds himself on his own journey (I know) of self discovery. Highly recommended. I’d give it a try myself, if I wasn’t so frighteningly close to the actual average age…

Highly recomended

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Ben Aitken really takes you along on his journeys. It’s a good book.

Thoroughly recommend.

An enjoyable listen.

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This was a quiet, relaxing listen. Some people will object to the author's accent, but I much prefer the real thing to an actor. The topic is a good one. The modern world is so fixated on mindless youth culture that it sickens me. As the saying goes, the young don't know what it's like to be old, but the old do know what it's like to be young. I was tempted to take a coach trip myself after listening to this...

A pleasant tale well told

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Really enjoyed this. It’s the third book by the author that I’ve read so far. I’m going on to read the Bryson redo.

Very enjoyable

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This is a life affirming and beautiful book.
Reminds us that all that life has to offer is available to us all.

An endearing gem of a book.

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This has the feel of an Adrian Mole story about it, what starts off as a joke great value cheap holidays becomes a journey in to a section of forgotten society eg old people , some are nuts ,some set in their ways, some just lonely and every so often there are gems. Not sure the tik tok generation will read this but one day they will be old and they may not have the social skills(or the money)to interact on a coach holiday like those in the book. Some people maybe put off by the narration but very english and dry humor wins the day.

Quirky and very English

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Poignant, funny, and touching. Listened to it in one sitting. Highly recommended. Found it better to listen at 1.2 speed.

Bill Bryson in the style of Alan Bennett.

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