The Travel Diaries

Holly Rubenstein
  • 4.6 (89)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

The Travel Diaries is a weekly interview series where journalist Holly Rubenstein chats to a special guest about their adventures around the world, and the travel experiences and destinations that have shaped their lives. Be transported to exotic and far flung places as Holly and her diverse range of famous guests take you on a journey through the seven chapters of their life's travel diaries, from their earliest childhood travel memory and the first place they fell in love with; to their all time favourite destination, their hidden gem recommendation and what’s at the top of their bucket list. It's wanderlust, guaranteed! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1d ago

    Maisie Adam

    Today I'm joined by one of the funniest women in British comedy, Maisie Adam. Since winning the prestigious So You Think You're Funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, she's become a familiar face on shows including Mock the Week, Taskmaster and Last One Laughing, as well as selling out her own stand-up tours across the UK and beyond. Born and raised in North Yorkshire, Maisie's career has taken her all over the world, and as you'll discover, she's an incredibly enthusiastic traveller. Today, we're heading from her childhood holidays in Blackpool and Tenerife to the cobbled streets of Prague, a solo interrailing adventure through Italy, her love affair with New Orleans, and a rather unfortunate case of mistaken identity in Norway. I loved this conversation, and I hope you will too. Destination Recap Ljubljana, SloveniaLake Bled, SloveniaTenerife, Canary Islands, SpainBlackpool, Lancashire, EnglandBettys Café Tea Rooms, Harrogate, EnglandIlkley Moor, West Yorkshire, EnglandCow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley, EnglandBolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, EnglandFountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, EnglandGoathland, North Yorkshire, EnglandWhitby, North Yorkshire, EnglandHumble Pie 'n' Mash, Whitby, EnglandWhitby Abbey, Whitby, EnglandRobin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire, EnglandBerlin, GermanyPrague, Czech RepublicMilan, ItalyVenice, ItalyPisa, ItalyFlorence, ItalyNaples, ItalySorrento, ItalyAmalfi Coast, ItalyNew Orleans, Louisiana, USABourbon Street, New Orleans, USAFrenchmen Street, New Orleans, USAPreservation Hall, New Orleans, USAGarden District, New Orleans, USAKristiansand, NorwayDubai, United Arab EmiratesBrazil If you'd like to see Maisie live, she's currently touring the UK with her brand-new stand-up show, Whatsherface, with dates running through to March 2027. You can find all the dates and book tickets at maisieadam.com. With thanks to... Visit Isle of Wight - from breathtaking coastal scenery and beautiful beaches to charming villages, exceptional local food and unforgettable experiences, all just a short journey from the mainland. Start planning your island escape at visitisleofwight.co.uk. SANI - Discover what’s new at Sani Resort for 2027, including stunning new family suites and exclusive early booking offers, with savings of up to 15%. Explore the offers here. UNA - Discover your next Italian short break with UNA Italian Hospitality at unaitalianhospitality.com If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be back on Sunday with a new episode of Unpacked with Travel & Leisure Editor, Jacqui Gifford. If you've enjoyed today's episode, please do subscribe to The Travel Diaries and leave us a rating or review. It really does make such a difference in helping other people discover the podcast. And if you'd like to find out who's joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I'm @hollyrubenstein on both, and I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you then. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Maisie Adam

  2. 3d ago

    Unpacked: Tromsø, Hôtel de Crillon, Hatta, Listener Q&A & more with Near & Far Editor, Isabella Craddock

    Hello and welcome back to The Travel Diaries Unpacked, your weekly weekend dose of wanderlust. Joining me this week is Isabella Craddock, she’s the founder and editor of Near+Far magazine, former editor at Condé Nast Traveller Middle East and the Middle East Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Hotels. Raised between Cape Town and the UK, and now based in Dubai, Isabella comes from a family of hoteliers, so you could say that a love of travel and beautiful hotels is quite literally in her blood. Today, we’re heading north to the Arctic Circle, as Isabella takes us to Tromsø in Norway and shares the extraordinary experience of witnessing the midnight sun. For my Hotel of the Week, we're swapping Norway for Paris, as I share the details of a very special stay at the iconic Hôtel de Crillon. We’re also discovering a completely different side of Dubai, as Isabella takes us to the rugged mountains of Hatta and a brand-new luxury glamping retreat. And we have our listener Q&A. Destination Recap: Tromsø, NorwaySommerøy, NorwayAlta, NorwaySvalbard, NorwayHôtel de Crillon, Paris, FranceJardin des Tuileries, Paris, FranceBar Les Ambassadeurs, Paris, FranceBar Hemingway at The Ritz, Paris, FranceHatta, Dubai, UAECaravan by Habitas, Hatta, UAEThe Red Sea, Saudi ArabiaKyoto, JapanVienna, AustriaSchloss Fuschl, Salzburg, AustriaMoar Gut, Grossarl, AustriaAKI Family Resort PLOSE, South Tyrol, Italy Make sure you check out Near+Far, for lots more inspiration, particularly if you're planning a trip to the Middle East. With thanks to... SANI - Discover what’s new at Sani Resort for 2027, including stunning new family suites and exclusive early booking offers, with savings of up to 15%. Explore the offers here. UNA - Discover your next Italian short break with UNA Italian Hospitality at unaitalianhospitality.com If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be back on Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unpacked: Tromsø, Hôtel de Crillon, Hatta, Listener Q&A & more with Near & Far Editor, Isabella Craddock

  3. Oct 20 ·  Video

    Sara Davies

    Today I’m joined by entrepreneur, TV personality and crafting queen, Sara Davies. Sara founded Crafter’s Companion while she was still at university, turning an idea into an international, multimillion-pound crafting business. She went on to become the youngest-ever female investor on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den, was awarded an MBE for services to the economy, and swapped the boardroom for the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing. We recorded this episode a few weeks ago in central London, and Sara was such a lovely person to spend time with, with an infectious enthusiasm for travel. And her travel diaries are full of adventure. We’re heading from the beaches of the Scottish islands in a campervan built by her dad and trekking on the great wall of china to the northern lights in Norway and the backstreets of Kyoto. Destination recap: Yorkshire Dales, EnglandLake District, EnglandIsle of Skye, ScotlandFidden Farm Campsite, Isle of Mull, ScotlandFairy Pools, Isle of Skye, ScotlandDalby Forest, North Yorkshire, EnglandWray Castle, Lake Windermere, EnglandUllswater, Lake District, EnglandPooley Bridge, Cumbria, EnglandPark Foot Holiday Park, Ullswater, EnglandUllswater Wake & Surf, Cumbria, EnglandTromsø, NorwaySommarøy, NorwayBergen, NorwayAlta, NorwayIce Hotel, Alta, NorwayOslo, NorwayDenmarkLapland, FinlandNorwegian Fjords, NorwaySouthampton, EnglandP&O Cruises Iona, Norwegian FjordsCaribbeanTokyo, JapanShinjuku Station, Tokyo, JapanKyoto, JapanTokyo Skytree, JapanOkinawa, JapanOsaka, JapanJapanese Alps, JapanGreat Wall of China, Beijing, ChinaHimalayas, IndiaDelhi, IndiaBrecon Beacons, WalesGreeceTurkeyCroatiaSicily, ItalyPeligoni, Zakynthos, GreeceRiver Ganges, Varanasi, IndiaDelhi, IndiaTaj Mahal, Agra, IndiaWest Coast, USAYosemite National Park, California, USA Sara's new book Crafting For All Occasions is out now. And don’t forget to check out her podcast, Mind Your Business wherever you get your podcasts. With thanks to... SANI - Discover what’s new at Sani Resort for 2027, including stunning new family suites and exclusive early booking offers, with savings of up to 15%. Explore the offers here. UNA - Discover your next Italian short break with UNA Italian Hospitality at unaitalianhospitality.com If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be back on Sunday with a new episode of Unpacked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sara Davies

  4. Oct 18

    Unpacked: Capri, Nice, My wedding story (!), The Grove, LA & more with Design & Travel Editor, Amira Hashish

    Welcome to The Travel Diaries: Unpacked, your weekend dose of wanderlust. I’m Holly Rubenstein, and today I’m joined by travel and design editor Amira Hashish, founder of creative studio Rapport, who spent 12 years at the Evening Standard, where she was executive editor. From antiques hunting in Nice to finding the quieter side of Capri, we’re exploring some of her favourite escapes, with a little Florence inspiration and insider tips for making the most of three days in LA. Plus, I’m sharing my family-friendly Hotel of the Week. Destination Recap: Nice, FranceSanta Fe, New Mexico, USAHudson, New York, USAJoshua Tree, California, USAFlorence, ItalyMilan, ItalyMexico City, MexicoArrowtown, South Island, New ZealandSilverton, Colorado, USACapri, ItalyNaples, ItalyMarina Grande, CapriAnacapri, CapriThe Grove, Hertfordshire, EnglandFour Seasons Hotel Hampshire, EnglandRome, ItalyLos Angeles, California, USAWest Hollywood, Los AngelesSilver Lake, Los AngelesLa Brea, Los AngelesLarchmont, Los AngelesMalibu, CaliforniaSanta Monica, CaliforniaAbbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los AngelesVenice, Los AngelesDowntown Los AngelesGriffith Park and Griffith Observatory, Los AngelesPasadena, CaliforniaPalm Springs, CaliforniaSanta Barbara, CaliforniaMontecito, CaliforniaBrooklyn, New York, USACopacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilSplendido, Portofino, Italy A huge thank you to Amira for joining me, and leaving us with quite the travel wish list! Find out more about Amira's work at Club Rapport. If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok, I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. With thanks to... Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host I’ll be back on Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unpacked: Capri, Nice, My wedding story (!), The Grove, LA & more with Design & Travel Editor, Amira Hashish

  5. Oct 13 ·  Video

    Celia Imrie

    Today I’m joined by the iconic Celia Imrie. Celia is, of course, one of Britain’s best-loved actresses, with an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades. From her unforgettable collaborations with Victoria Wood, to Bridget Jones’s Diary, Calendar Girls, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and, more recently, The Thursday Murder Club. She's one of those performers who has been part of our lives for as long as I can remember. But what you might not know about Celia is that she is a completely insatiable traveller. She's happiest when she's on the move, whether that's aboard a glamorous ocean liner, travelling across America by train or setting off on an adventure somewhere entirely unexpected - because as you’ll soon discover, Celia doesn’t fly, so this makes for a particularly interesting episode. Her lifelong love of travel is at the heart of her new book, The Elegant Hustler: Adventures from a Life on the Move, which is out now, a collection of stories from a life spent exploring the world. Destination recap Middleton-on-Sea, West Sussex, EnglandUdaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaJaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaDelhi, IndiaMelbourne, AustraliaSydney, AustraliaLos Angeles, California, USAWashington, D.C., USAToronto, CanadaSingaporeParis, FranceSainte-Chapelle, Paris, FranceNice, FranceHôtel Negresco, Nice, FranceVilleneuve-Loubet, FranceMenton, FranceMonte Carlo, MonacoIsle of Wight, EnglandSouthampton, EnglandQueen Mary 2, Cunard, Southampton to New YorkNew York City, USACoast-to-coast railway journey, USASan Luis Obispo, California, USALos Angeles, California, USAIce hotel, NorwayJapanChina The Elegant Hustler: Adventures from a Life on the Move, which is now. If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be back on Sunday with another episode of Unpacked, this time with Design & Travel Editor, Amira Hashish, With thanks to... Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Celia Imrie

  6. Oct 11

    Unpacked: Seville, Bologna, Peligoni, Cádiz & more with Suzannah Ramsdale, Lifestyle Director at The London Standard

    Today I’m joined by the brilliant Suzannah Ramsdale, Lifestyle Director at The Standard, whose job involves knowing exactly where’s worth going and what’s worth your precious time off. And there’s so much inspiration in this conversation. If you’re already dreading the clocks going back, Suzannah has some very tempting ideas for extending your summer, with a little help from her Spanish family connections. There’s the seaside spot she returns to again and again, and a food-filled Italian escape that had me mentally checking flights before we’d finished talking. We also hear how a rather adventurous first meeting led to some extraordinary dates around the world, including a trip to New Orleans, which ties in beautifully with this week’s Louisiana Destination Special. And my Hotel of the Week is a Greek island favourite that promises to solve a few of those familiar family holiday dilemmas. Having finally been myself, I’ve got plenty to tell you. Destination Recap: New Orleans, Louisiana, USAInns of Aurora, Aurora, USAPeligoni, Zakynthos, GreeceVilla Kallista, Zakynthos, GreeceNobelos Bio Restaurant, Zakynthos, GreeceEliamos, Kefalonia, GreecePiazza Maggiore, Bologna, ItalyCremeria Santo Stefano, Bologna, ItalyCremeria La Vecchia Stalla, Bologna, ItalyCremeria Cavour, Bologna, ItalyPalacio Bucarelli, Seville, SpainCristine Bedfor, Seville, SpainRoyal Alcázar, Seville, SpainSeville Cathedral, Seville, SpainPlaza de España, Seville, SpainMaría Luisa Park, Seville, SpainTriana, Seville, SpainLa Viña, Cádiz, SpainCasa Manteca, Cádiz, SpainLa Caleta, Cádiz, SpainJerez de la Frontera, SpainSeoul, South Korea If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok, I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. With thanks to... Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host I’ll be back on Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unpacked: Seville, Bologna, Peligoni, Cádiz & more with Suzannah Ramsdale, Lifestyle Director at The London Standard

  7. Oct 6

    Louisiana: Small Towns, Swamps & Southern Soul - Destination Special

    From the jazz clubs and Mardi Gras parades of New Orleans to the swamps, dance halls and small towns of Acadiana, this Destination Special explores a side of Louisiana, USA that many visitors never get to see. We travel west along Interstate 10 into the heart of Cajun and Creole country, a region shaped by its French language, distinctive music, extraordinary food and deep connection to the surrounding bayous. Louisiana travel and culture writer Herman Fuselier shares the traditions behind Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, introduces the sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music, and explains why the true heart of Cajun country lies beyond New Orleans. Cajun French musician Jourdan Thibodeaux joins me from his home on Cypress Island, overlooking the Atchafalaya Basin. We discuss language, identity, life in the swamp and the importance of experiencing South Louisiana authentically. Finally, Lori Johnson Walls of Johnson’s Boucanière in Lafayette introduces the dishes every first-time visitor should try, from crawfish étouffée and po’boys to beignets and a proper Louisiana boudin. Destination RecapCities, towns and regions New Orleans, USABaton Rouge, USAAcadiana, USAAtchafalaya Basin, USALafayette, USABreaux Bridge, USAOpelousas, USAEunice, USANew Iberia, USALake Charles, USASunset, USAArnaudville, USAWashington, USACypress Island, USAHenderson, USAMamou, USAAvery Island, USAVacherie, USAPlaces mentionedNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, USAFrench Quarter, New Orleans, USACafé du Monde, New Orleans, USAEunice Cajun Mardi Gras, Eunice, USALa Poussière Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, USABreaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge, USAEl Sido’s Zydeco & Blues Club, Lafayette, USAFestivals Acadiens et Créoles, Lafayette, USAJohnson’s Boucanière, Lafayette, USADwyer’s Café, Lafayette, USAPoor Boy’s Riverside Inn, Lafayette, USAOlde Tyme Grocery, Lafayette, USABorden’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Lafayette, USAOriginal Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival, Opelousas, USADezMeaux’s Boudin, Opelousas, USASteamboat Warehouse Restaurant, Washington, USAHotel Klaus, Washington, USAFred’s Lounge, Mamou, USACypress Cove Landing Houseboats, Henderson, USATABASCO Factory and Avery Island, Avery Island, USALaura Plantation, Vacherie, USA To find out more about visiting Louisiana, go to ExploreLouisiana.com. If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be back on Sunday with another episode of Unpacked, this time with Suzannah Ramsdale, Lifestyle Director for The Standard. With thanks to... Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Louisiana: Small Towns, Swamps & Southern Soul - Destination Special

  8. Oct 4

    Unpacked: New York, Greek Islands, Monastero Santa Rosa, Scandinavia & more, with Conde Nast Traveller Digital Director, Sarah Allard

    This week on The Travel Diaries: Unpacked, I’m joined by Sarah Allard, Digital Director of Condé Nast Traveller, for your weekly weekend dose of wanderlust. Sarah’s job takes her to some extraordinary places, and today she’s sharing the trips, hotels and foodie finds she thinks should be on your radar. We start with the growing appeal of Northern Europe, including the Danish island of Bornholm, before heading to New York for her 40th birthday celebrations. Expect bagels, martinis and a few days in the Hudson Valley, where pretty towns, farm shops and gorgeous hotels make the perfect contrast to Manhattan. We’re also talking Greek island favourites, from the spectacular restaurant setting that won Sarah over on Sifnos to a new hotel on Paros. My Hotel of the Week is Monastero Santa Rosa on the Amalfi Coast, where I found what might just be my favourite swimming pool in the world. And if you’re looking for somewhere closer to home this autumn, Sarah answers a listener’s question about cosy British boutique stays, with two delicious recommendations in Somerset and Devon. Destination Recap SwedenFinlandThe Lofoten Islands, NorwayBornholm, DenmarkNew York City, USAThe Hudson Valley, New York, USAINNESS, Accord, New York, USAThe Catskills, New York, USAWildflower Farms, Auberge Collection, Gardiner, New York, USARhinebeck, New York, USAAthens, GreeceSifnos, GreeceFaros, Sifnos, GreeceNÓS Hotel & Villas, Sifnos, GreeceParos, GreeceLuura Paros Cliff, Paros, GreeceSantorini, GreeceMykonos, GreeceGleneagles, Auchterarder, ScotlandThe Amalfi Coast, ItalyMonastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, Conca dei Marini, ItalyAmalfi, ItalyPositano, ItalyCapri, ItalyBruton, Somerset, EnglandNumber One Bruton, Bruton, EnglandAt the Chapel, Bruton, EnglandGlebe House, East Devon, EnglandIndiaThe River Nile, EgyptOne&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Montana, USAEdinburgh, ScotlandGlasgow, ScotlandThe Scottish Highlands, ScotlandHope by WildLand, Sutherland, Scotland If you’d like to find out who’s joining me next Tuesday, come and follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I’m @hollyrubenstein and I’d love to hear from you. You can also send me your travel questions for a future episode of Unpacked at thetraveldiarespodcast@gmail.com With thanks to... Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unpacked: New York, Greek Islands, Monastero Santa Rosa, Scandinavia & more, with Conde Nast Traveller Digital Director, Sarah Allard
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4.6
out of 5
89 Ratings

About

The Travel Diaries is a weekly interview series where journalist Holly Rubenstein chats to a special guest about their adventures around the world, and the travel experiences and destinations that have shaped their lives. Be transported to exotic and far flung places as Holly and her diverse range of famous guests take you on a journey through the seven chapters of their life's travel diaries, from their earliest childhood travel memory and the first place they fell in love with; to their all time favourite destination, their hidden gem recommendation and what’s at the top of their bucket list. It's wanderlust, guaranteed! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Holly Rubenstein
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Holly Rubenstein
  • Show Website
    The Travel Diaries

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