The Travel Diaries

Holly Rubenstein
  • 4.5 (88)
  • Places & Travel
  • 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 ·  Video

    Jimmy Chin, Climber & Filmmaker

    Today’s guest is someone who has quite literally reached the very top of the world. And if his name isn’t immediately familiar to you, I can almost guarantee you’ll know some of his extraordinary work. Jimmy Chin is one of the world’s most accomplished adventurers. He’s a professional mountaineer, climber, skier, National Geographic photographer and Oscar-winning filmmaker. He’s spent more than two decades exploring some of the most remote and dangerous corners of our planet, achieving feats that most of us could barely begin to imagine. He’s completed pioneering climbs across the Himalayas and the Karakoram, and his photographs have graced the cover of National Geographic. But it’s perhaps his filmmaking that has brought his extraordinary world to a wider audience. Alongside his wife, Jimmy directed Free Solo, the breathtaking documentary following climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to scale Yosemite’s enormous El Capitan without ropes. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019. Together, they’ve also made the acclaimed documentaries Meru and The Rescue, about the incredible rescue of a boys’ football team from a flooded cave in Thailand. I met Jimmy in London while he was promoting his latest film, Everest: The Other Side, which is in cinemas now. It tells the deeply moving story of ski mountaineers Jim Morrison and Hilaree Nelson, and their seemingly impossible dream of skiing down the treacherous north face of Mount Everest. It's a film about love, loss, resilience and the lengths to which humans will go in pursuit of a dream. This interview was recorded during a busy film press junket, so we weren't in our usual studio environment, and the sound quality isn't quite up to our normal standard. But I really didn't want you to miss the opportunity to hear from someone quite so extraordinary. So, from Yosemite to the Himalayas, let's get started on the travel diaries of Jimmy Chin. Destination Recap: Minnesota, USAYosemite National Park, California, USAEl Capitan, Yosemite, California, USAKarakoram Mountains, PakistanThe Himalayas, AsiaSierra Nevada Mountains, California, USATeton Range, Wyoming, USACanadian Rocky Mountains, CanadaMount Everest, Nepal/TibetLhotse, Nepal/TibetMount Everest North Face, TibetEverest Base Camp, Nepal Everest: The Other Side, is out now. 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. 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.

    Jimmy Chin, Climber & Filmmaker

  2. 3d ago

    Unpacked: Editor-in-Chief of Travel & Leisure Magazine, Jacqui Gifford on travel trends + hot destinations for next year

    Hello and welcome to The Travel Diaries Unpacked, the show where we bring you the latest travel news, trends, inspiration and insider tips from some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Today, I'm joined by someone who really does have her finger on the pulse of the travel world: Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, one of the world's most influential travel magazines. Jacqui first joined me on The Travel Diaries back in 2020, and goodness, how much has changed since then! She's been in London for Travel + Leisure's inaugural international World's Best Summit, held at The Dorchester this week, bringing together some of the biggest names in hospitality and travel to explore the trends shaping the future of the industry. And that's exactly what we're diving into today. From the rise of coolcations and the return of slow travel to multigenerational holidays, the impact of AI and what truly exceptional hotel service looks like. Jacqui also shares some of her most memorable recent trips, including a spectacular escape to Brazil, a very special journey aboard Britain's newest luxury sleeper train, and the London hotel that reminded her what great hospitality is really all about. It's a fascinating conversation packed with travel inspiration and some genuinely brilliant insights into how and why we're travelling. Destination recap London, EnglandThe BahamasAlbany, The BahamasRosewood Baha Mar, The BahamasAlaska, USAIndiaRome, ItalyRome Cavalieri, RomeBritannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, EnglandThe Lake District, EnglandCornwall, EnglandWalesCartmel, The Lake DistrictBrown’s Hotel, LondonRaffles London at The OWOSwedenDenmarkNorwayIcelandVancouver, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaStockholm, SwedenToronto, CanadaMuskoka, CanadaItalyGreeceSpainPortugalSt. Moritz, SwitzerlandGrand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St. MoritzBadrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. MoritzSanta Catarina, BrazilAwasi Santa Catarina, BrazilSão Paulo, BrazilPalácio Tangará, São PauloSan Miguel de Allende, MexicoOaxaca, MexicoMexico City, MexicoCabo San Lucas, MexicoTulum, MexicoCartagena, ColombiaFour Seasons Hotel Cartagena, ColombiaBermudaHamilton, BermudaPassalacqua, Lake Como, ItalyMandarin Oriental Mayfair, LondonAfricaEgyptEaster Island, ChileMachu Picchu, PeruAustraliaPeruUzbekistan A huge thank you to Jacqui Gifford for joining me again on The Travel Diaries. I always find it so fascinating hearing her perspective on where the travel industry is heading, and I particularly loved what she said about there being no right or wrong way to travel. Sometimes the most meaningful experiences are the simplest ones. As always, if you enjoyed today's episode, please do follow the podcast and leave us a five-star rating or review. It really does make such a difference. And don't forget, I'll be back on Tuesday with another episode of The Travel Diaries. Until then, happy travels! 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: Editor-in-Chief of Travel & Leisure Magazine, Jacqui Gifford on travel trends + hot destinations for next year

  3. Oct 27

    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. You can also check out Maisie's brilliant podcast, Big Kick Energy, wherever you get your podcasts. 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

  4. Oct 25

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.5
out of 5
88 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
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Holly Rubenstein
  • Show Website
    The Travel Diaries

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