23/01/2026
Eight hours, and he was willing to talk.
We didn’t think twice. Bas hopped on a flight from Amsterdam to Luton, followed by a frantic, anxious tube ride to Earl’s Court. There, he met an equally nervous Zoë for what would become the interview of their lives. This was Tony Wheeler, after all, one of the two minds (alongside his brilliant wife, Maureen) who turned a 1973 "hippie trail" trek into Across Asia on the Cheap. That single book didn't just launch Lonely Planet; it rewrote the DNA of how we move across the globe.
Walking into his flat felt curiously like walking into one of our hostels. The air was thick with the same spirit: stories of the road, shared laughs, and that unmistakable sense of belonging to a global community. We left that room fulfilled, having sat at the feet of the man who essentially fathered the modern backpacker.
We are deeply proud to have Tony’s voice join the tapestry of pioneers in our documentary. While the full story launches on February 17th, we couldn't wait to share this small, quiet moment from our conversation with him.
Watch the teaser now on our YouTube channel. Save the date. The history of the road is coming.
Like It’s 1995 | A documentary by Europe’s Famous Hostels Full Release: February 17, 2026
Eight hours, and he was willing to talk.We didn’t think twice. Bas hopped on a flight from Amsterdam to Luton, followed by a frantic, anxious tube ride to Ea...
