The Travel Diaries

Tom Bradby is the calm, authoritative face of ITV News at Ten…but behind that desk is a man who has reported from war zones, witnessed history unfold first-hand… and even been shot in the line of duty. He’s spent decades right at the centre of global events, from political uprisings to natural disasters, often in places most of us would never dare to go.And then there’s the royal family. He’s one of the very few journalists to have had real, behind-the-scenes access at the moments the whole world is watching. He was the journalist chosen to conduct the official engagement interview with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales - and that wasn’t just an announcement. It was the moment the world properly met Kate, heard their story in their own words, and got a first glimpse of the future of the monarchy.And then, years later, he was trusted again. This time sitting down with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in an interview that completely broke with royal tradition, when Harry openly spoke about the pressures he was under and confirmed a rift with his brother. Those are the moments people remember watching. Talking about. Picking apart the next day.And now, he’s turned all of that experience into drama, with his new ITV series Secret Service - a gripping political thriller that feels so real because it comes from a world he knows intimately. At the heart of it all, he’s a traveller. From a childhood spent chasing the sun in Gibraltar and Malta, to ski racing in the Austrian Alps, to reporting from some of the most extraordinary and challenging places on earth… his life has been shaped by the places he’s been.Holly’s Destination Recap:Raffles London at The OWO, London, EnglandTom’s Destination Recap: GibraltarValetta, Malta Gozo Rabat, MaltaMtarfa, Malta Alpbach, Austria Berlin, Germany IndiaJakarta, Indonesia Sydney, AustraliaBondi Icebergs Sea Pool, Sydney, AustraliaBill’s, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden Resarö, Sweden Dog sledding near Kittilä, FinlandNiseko, JapanNozawaonsen, Japan AlbaniaSouth America Secret Service starts Monday 27th April, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.This episode was recorded at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall.With thanks to…Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/hostSaily - Download SAILY in your app store and use our code traveldiaries at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchaseIf you enjoyed this episode, please hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening. It really helps the podcast grow, allows me to keep bringing you these incredible guests - and it means you’re delivered a fresh dose of wanderlust each week And if you’d like a little more Travel Diaries in your life, you can find me on Instagram and TikTok @hollyrubensteinThanks so much for listening, and I’ll see you next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is quite simply one of the most iconic voices in hip hop and R&B.She’s the artist behind some of the biggest tracks of the early 2000s, including Who’s That Girl, Let Me Blow Ya Mind with Gwen Stefani, and Gangsta Lovin’. These are songs that defined an era and still feel just as fresh today. It is of course, Eve.Born and raised in Philadelphia, Eve, rose to global fame as part of the legendary Ruff Ryders crew, working alongside names like DMX and Dr. Dre, before carving out her own hugely successful solo career. She became the third female rapper in history to have a number one album on the Billboard 200, won a Grammy, starred in film and television, and has remained one of the most respected and trailblazing women in the industry.But beyond the music, there’s a whole other side to Eve, one shaped by travel. As she told me, she still feels like that “little girl from Philadelphia who got to see the world because of her music” . In this episode, we explore exactly how that journey has unfolded.I spoke to Eve a couple of weeks ago in person on the South Bank in London, in the beautiful Big Ben Balcony suite of the London Marriott County Hall, looking out over the houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge. From childhood trips to the Jersey Shore, to falling in love with Jamaica, to building a life here in London, which she now calls home, I know you’re going to love this one.Holly’s Destination Recap: - Naturhotel Forsthofgut, Austria Eve’s Destination Recap:Jersey Shore, USAKingston, Jamaica Bob Marley Beach, JamaicaNegril, JamaicaLondonIbiza Es Vedra, Ibiza New York, USASloveniaKasakhstan Colorado, USAOmanEve's Scorpion 25th Anniversary Edition (Red and Black Splatter, 2LP) is out now hereThis episode was recorded at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall.With thanks to…Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/hostSaily - Download SAILY in your app store and use our code traveldiaries at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchaseIf you enjoyed this episode, please hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening. It really helps the podcast grow, allows me to keep bringing you these incredible guests - and it means you’re delivered a fresh dose of wanderlust each week And if you’d like a little more Travel Diaries in your life, you can find me on Instagram and TikTok @hollyrubenstein.Thanks so much for listening, and I’ll see you next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dom Joly, comedian and travel writer who has visited 108 countries and created Trigger Happy TV, joins to recount wide-ranging journeys. He talks about growing up in Lebanon during civil war, discovering dark tourism, surreal visits to North Korea and wellness travel in India. He also shares favourite places, banned-from towns and a bucket-list love for Algeria.

A new travel chapter begins next Tuesday March 31. Join me every Tuesday for unforgettable travel tales. It's wanderlust guaranteed! See you then everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, for our final episode of the year, I am joined by someone whose life story reads like an atlas: the actor, writer, and now podcast host, Richard E. Grant.Born in Swaziland, now known as Eswatini, in southern Africa, Richard grew up in a world of big landscapes, no television, and endless imagination. From there he moved to London in the early 1980s, and very quickly became unforgettable figure on stage and screen - from his iconic role in Withnail & I, all the way through to Gosford Park, Jackie, Star Wars, Saltburn, and his Oscar-nominated performance in Can You Ever Forgive Me?Throughout it all, running beneath the red carpets and film sets, there has been travel. He spent 33 summers at a beloved farmhouse in Provence with his late wife Joan, brocante shopping and watching the seasons change. He’s had close encounters with sharks while scuba diving off Mozambique, checked into seedy hotel suites in Las Vegas, and floated on the still waters of Lake Como.And now, his travel stories  telling them in a new way. Richard is the co-host, of the brilliant new podcast Hotels with History with travel pr Jules Perowne - a series that dives into the scandals, intrigue, glamour and ghosts of some of the world’s most legendary hotels.So, sit back, pour something festive, and join me as we step inside the seven travel chapters of Richard E. Grant.Destination Recap:Eswatini (Formerly Swaziland) London, England MozambiqueProvence, France Masai Mara, Kenya and Tanzania Las Vegas, Nevada, USAPassalacqua, Lake Como, ItalyRitz Paris, France The Mark Hotel, Manhattan, New York, USAMkhaya Game Reserve, Safari, SwazilandIsraelGrand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Giza, Egypt SpaceRichard is co-host of the Hotels with History podcast, Season 1 out now I'll be back with a new season of the podcast in the Spring.With thanks to...Citalia - If you’re dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.Naturhotel Forsthofgut – if, like many of our guests, you’re dreaming of an alpine escape rooted in harmony with nature, visit forsthofgut.at to start planning today.Beaverbrook Hotel - Escape the everyday and discover Beaverbrook for yourself, a truly indulgent country-house retreat just outside London. Find out more and book your stay at beaverbrook.co.uk.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me next time, come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 165 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a very special festive edition of The Travel Diaries. Today I’m joined by the legendary chef, restaurateur and writer, Rick Stein.Rick is returning to the podcast for the first time in five years, and I can’t think of a better guest to bring a little culinary sparkle to our Christmas Special.This year, Rick is celebrating the release of his beautifully personal and utterly joyful new book, Rick Stein’s Christmas - a treasure trove of festive recipes, stories, traditions, and reflections on what this time of year really means. In our conversation, we dive into his own Christmas rituals in both Cornwall and Australia, the dishes that embody comfort and nostalgia for him, the lessons he learned while cooking - and occasionally improvising - his way through last year’s festivities, and the deeply human side of the season that he weaves into the book.We also travel far beyond the Christmas table, hearing about Rick’s recent adventures filming in the Australian outback, the food gems he uncovered there, his newest favourite destinations, and the UK restaurants he’s loving right now.So pour yourself something warm and cosy, settle in, and enjoy this festive journey with the wonderful Rick Stein.Destination Recap: ThailandAustraliaThe Niagara Café, Gundagai, NSW, AustraliaÎle de Ré, France, FranceRiva, Barnes, London, England Riley’s Fish Shack, Tynemouth, EnglandPorto, PortugalDouro Valley, Portugal Laigueglia, Liguria, Italy, Italy Hotel Windsor, Laigueglia, Liguria, ItalyTrieste, Italy Tbilisi, GeorgiaArgentinaPeruBrazilLake Como, Italy If you’d like to explore more of Rick’s stories, tips and recipes, his new book Rick Stein’s Christmas is out now. II’ll be back in a couple of weeks, on the 30th, with a very special guest to close out the year - actor and national treasure Richard E. Grant.Until then, have a cosy, joyful Christmas, and thank you so much for listening to The Travel Diaries.With thanks to...Citalia - If, like Rick, you’re dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.Naturhotel Forsthofgut – if, like many of our guests, you’re dreaming of an alpine escape rooted in harmony with nature, visit forsthofgut.at to start planning today.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paula Hardy, travel writer and Morocco expert who splits her time between the UK and Morocco, guides listeners beyond tourist trails. She explores Tangier’s Mediterranean feel, desert oases near Skoura, hidden Berber mountain villages and evolving architecture. Short, sensory scenes evoke crafts, cuisine and transport changes that are reshaping the country.

Today on The Travel Diaries we’re revisiting a very special conversation from the archives with national treasures Si King and the late, much-loved Dave Myers, better known to millions as The Hairy Bikers.Si and Dave were my very first duo on the podcast, and what a joy they were. For more than two decades, they entertained Britain with their infectious humour, foodie expertise and shared love of motorbikes. Their travel and food shows from Asian Adventure to Mediterranean Adventure and Route 66 inspired countless viewers to see the world through flavour and friendship.When I spoke to them, Dave was in the middle of undergoing cancer treatment. He joined me the night before a round of chemo, having travelled down to London especially, which made their generosity of time and spirit all the more moving. Listening back now, after Dave’s passing earlier this year, it feels particularly poignant to hear his warmth, wit and passion for life come through so vividly. This episode is a celebration of both Bikers’ deep love of travel, of each other, and of the extraordinary journeys they shared with us all.In this archive chat, we travel together from Namibia to India, Argentina to Estonia, with countless adventures in between.Destination Recap:Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, EnglandIsle of Man, EnglandPortugalNamibiaMadurai, IndiaSouthern ItalyBuenos Aires, ArgentinaPatagonia, ArgentinaValdes Peninsula, ArgentinaGrossglockner High Alpine Road, AustriaAtlas Mountains, MoroccoMexicoThe Ghats, IndiaJapanLithuaniaRiga, LatviaTallinn, EstoniaFinnish ArchipelagoSouthern TurkeyMachu Picchu, PeruNigeriaPan-American HighwayWith thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world’s most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m back with a brand new episode, and today I’m thrilled to be joined by Eugene Levy - the Emmy-winning actor, writer, and total comedy icon. For many of us, he’ll forever be known as the bewildered dad from American Pie, or as the impeccably dressed Johnny Rose in Schitt’s Creek, the multi-award-winning show he co-created with his son Dan that became a lockdown lifeline for so many of us.And more recently, he’s found himself in a rather unexpected new role - that of travel presenter - as the host of The Reluctant Traveler, which is now in its third season on Apple TV+. I’m sure you’ve seen it everywhere over the last couple of weeks, because on one of the episodes, he interviews British royalty, interviewing Prince William.I spoke to Eugene last week while he was here in London, in Soho in one of those classic junket hotel setups, a bit like the Notting Hill Horse & Hound moment, if you know what I mean. So we had less time than usual, back in the day this would have been what I’d call a short haul episode - so we cover his 6 travel chapters today, but I still jumped at the chance to sit down with him and hear about the destinations that have made a lasting impression on him, particularly while filming his new show, and of course to ask him about the prospect of a Schitt’s Creek reunion, which, I have to say, I think he was pretty positive about - let me know if you agree? Fingers crossed!From the Maldives to Seoul, Utah to Italy, here are the travel diaries of Eugene Levy.Destination Recap:Kudadoo, The MaldivesVenice, Italy Utah, USAThe Grand Canyon Italy Seoul, KoreaLouisiana, USAKruger National Park, South Africa Season 3 of The Reluctant Traveler is out now on Apple TV+. With thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world’s most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Citalia - If, like Eugene, you’re dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.The Family Suite - Start planning your next family getaway with The Family Suite, the new platform curating the world’s most beautiful luxury hotels that truly welcome families, without compromise.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Dr Jane Goodall last week. A true legend, Jane was the world’s most famous ethologist and conservationist, whose groundbreaking work in Gombe redefined our understanding of chimpanzees and our connection to the natural world.At just 26, with no formal scientific training, she moved from England to Tanzania and began observing chimpanzees in the wild. Her discovery that they used tools to feed themselves changed science forever and propelled her to international fame. That study - still running today - remains the world’s longest continuous wildlife research project.From there, Jane built a global movement, dedicating her life to protecting animals, ecosystems and inspiring future generations. She was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace and made a Dame of the British Empire. But beyond the accolades, she was a tireless advocate, traveling and teaching right up until the end.It was the ultimate honour to speak with her on this podcast. In her memory, I’m re-releasing that conversation today. I hope her voice - full of humility, wisdom and hope - resonates with you as deeply as it did with me.Destination Recap:Bournemouth SerengetiGombe GermanyCape Town TanzaniaNebraskaMalaysia Tendaguru, Tanzania Lubbock ,TexasAuschwitz Haiti Death If you want to get involved or find out more about Jane’s work, visit www.janegoodall.org.uk and www.rootsnshoots.org.ukThe documentary, Jane, is currently available on Netflix and is a fantastic watch.With thanks to...The Family Suite - Start planning your next family getaway with The Family Suite, the new platform curating the world’s most beautiful luxury hotels that truly welcome families, without compromise.Titanic Belfast - Discover the world’s most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.