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Leigh Turner
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Speaker, writer and ex-ambassador Leigh Turner explores books, writing and politics.

  1. 74. What's Leigh Turner really like?

    May 19

    74. What's Leigh Turner really like?

    Don and Mike recently interviewed me on their "Vintage FM" channel using a "Desert Island Discs"-type format. It's a brilliant format because it prompts lots of really personal stuff. You can hear the results here. All FM is a fabulous local radio station in Manchester. Hosts Don Berry and Mike Bath run a series of interviews on their Vintage FM Channel every Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. "A mixture of great music to suit all tastes and 'on the nail' interviews with local heroes that get behind the scenes on what makes Manchester great." Do tune in. I'm grateful to Don and Mike for making this happen. Lovely to hear the great music, too.

    58 min
  2. 73. Colombia: Medellin and Cartagena

    Apr 25

    73. Colombia: Medellin and Cartagena

    Colombia at last! Who knows the main sights of Colombia, a country as large as Germany, France and the Netherlands combined? I visited Medellin, with its tragic history and story of hope; and Cartagena, with its Caribbean beat, mighty castles and exquisite food and drink. You can find many pictures to accompany this podcast at https://rleighturner.com/colombia/. #colombia #medellin #cartagena #travel #southamerica #latinamerica

    24 min
  3. 72. Ecuador: The Galapagos, Cotopaxi and more

    Mar 28

    72. Ecuador: The Galapagos, Cotopaxi and more

    From an icy climb up the Cotopaxi volcano to a boat trip around the Galapagos, Ecuador is breathtaking.  Explore the highest active volcano in the world, spectacular Quito, and the world-famous fascination of the Galapagos Islands. Pictures and text to accompany this blog post are ⁠here on my website⁠. #ecuador #Cotopaxi #Galapagos #quito #gianttortoise

    32 min
  4. 71. Peru: Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley and Lima

    Feb 28

    71. Peru: Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley and Lima

    Peru is home to some of the greatest treasures in Latin America, including Machu Picchu. But there's much, much more to explore, from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, the astonishing fortress of Saqsayhuaman, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Lima on the arid Pacific coast. Pictures and text to accompany this blog post are here on my website. ⁠ #machupicchu #peru #lima #ollantaytambo #saqsayhuaman #sacredvalley #cusco

    38 min
  5. 70. Chile: Glaciers, Volcanoes and Deserts

    Feb 1

    70. Chile: Glaciers, Volcanoes and Deserts

    Chile is one of the world's most spectacular countries. Join a life-changing exploration of everything from the glaciers, fjords and vanished peoples of Patagonia in the south to Moon Valley, geysers and the Atacama Desert in the north. In between we visit the Lake District; ascend the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Osorno; and consider the life-affirming properties of a Pisco sour. Pictures and text to accompany this blog post are here on my website. #Chile #Patagonia #Atacama #Altiplano #vicuña #glaciers #geysers #moonvalley

    39 min
  6. 69. "Luxury Spa": an Austrian Hotel Story

    Jan 10

    69. "Luxury Spa": an Austrian Hotel Story

    “Luxury Spa” is the thirteenth in Leigh Turner's "Hotel Story" series, and the first set in Austria. Ms N is the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager. She loves to solve problems – especially when they are caused by men. She and her colleague Tatiana travel to the HealCol 2000 well-being and weight-loss luxury spa, high in the Austrian Alps, for a well-earned break. But they find an institution in crisis. Doctor Schmerz, chief doctor at HealCol 2000, prescribes tailor-made programmes of extreme dieting and exercise for her elite guests. Those guests include the owner of HealCol 2000, Ernest von Mannstein, known as “Always Angry Ernie” for his fits of rage and impossible demands. The starvation diets leave most of the guests depressed – yet a few seem strangely frisky. When a woman is found dead in a luxury suite and Always Angry Ernie is accused of her murder, Ms N must investigate. You can read the post on which this episode is based on Leigh Turner's website here or buy "Luxury Spa" on Amazon here. #stories #luxury #spa #luxuryspa #shortstory #comedy #strongwomen

    19 min
  7. 68. Salonica, City of Ghosts

    09/13/2025

    68. Salonica, City of Ghosts

    "Salonica - City of Ghosts" is an eery, elegiac portrait of a city that - in many respects - had a completely different identity to modern Thessaloniki. " This podcast is based on my review of Mark Mazower's book of the same name about Greece's second city and its tragic history, including the extermination of its majority Jewish population. #Thessaloniki #Thessalonica #Salonica #Jews #Jewish #Greece #nationalism #diplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #booktok #books #Mazower #CityofGhosts

    10 min
  8. 67. Lessons in Diplomacy: Germans and other stereotypes

    08/16/2025

    67. Lessons in Diplomacy: Germans and other stereotypes

    "German punctuality is a myth that German diplomats work hard to dispel. I... regularly attended meetings of European Union ambassadors where our German colleagues seemed to make it a point of honour to be the last to arrive." From Chapter 10 of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: "How to know people". #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #booktok #books #stereotypes #assumptions #Germany #Germans #military #militarywomen

    8 min
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About

Speaker, writer and ex-ambassador Leigh Turner explores books, writing and politics.

Information

  • Creator
    Leigh Turner
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Leigh Turner
  • Show Website
    Leigh Turner writing