Share
The Travel Diaries
Inspiring Ireland with Annie Mac - Destination Special
Season 5
•
Welcome to this Inspiring Ireland Destination Special where, alongside legendary Irish DJ and broadcaster Annie Mac, we celebrate all things island of Ireland.
Annie’s been in the news a bit recently, because after 17 years as one of BBC Radio 1’s most loved DJs, she has left the station, and the video of her playing her final song went viral online, I think simply because she is such a legend in the industry, and a big part of the lives of so many music lovers, so this farewell was a huge deal. We talk about how she became a DJ and presenter, and her illustrious career and what that involved - and then her travel diaries chapters are all focussed on destinations across Ireland - the place where she grew up, travels back to as much as she can, and knows so well.
And then later, I’m joined by travel writer and Ireland expert, Aoife O’Riordain who shares some really brilliant tips, in particular some amazing foodie recommendations and a hotel that I’d never heard, on an Irish island that I’d also never heard of, of that has gone straight to the top of my hotel wish list. Oh and Aoife’s husband was actually the producer of Normal People (you know the show we all watched last summer) so she gives us a little insight into the making of that too!
DESTINATION RECAP
Annie Mac’s Destinations:
- Dublin, Rep. of Ireland
- Rasharkin, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Roundstone, Co. Galway, Rep. of Ireland
- Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
- The Burren, Co. Clare, Rep. of Ireland
- The Gaeltacht, Co. Galway, Rep. of Ireland
- Dog’s Bay, Co. Galway, Rep. of Ireland
- Dingle, Co. Kerry, Rep. of Ireland
- Dingle Benners Hotel, Co. Kerry, Rep. of Ireland
- The Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry, Rep. of Ireland
- Loch Na Fooey, Co. Galway, Rep. of Ireland
- County Donegal, Rep. of Ireland
- Inishmore, Rep. of Ireland
Aoife O’Riordan’s Destinations
- West Cork, Co. Kerry and Coastal Donegal parts of Wild Atlantic Way drive
- Dublin
- Dublin and Wicklow Mountains
- Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
- Sandycove, Dublin
- Forty foot, Dublin
- Bray, County Wicklow
- The DART commuter train
- Co. Kerry
- Ring of Kerry driving route
- Dede at the Custom’s House, West Cork, Co. Cork
- Misunderstood Heron, Leenaun, Co. Galway
- Paddy Bawn Brosnans Bar, Dingle, Co. Kerry
- Bally Bia, Co. Cork
- Great Western Greenway, Co. Mayo
- The Royal Canal Greenway
- The Aran Islands: Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, Co. Galway
- Inis Meáin, Restaurant & Suites, Co. Galway
Thanks so much for listening today. If you’ve enjoyed the episode, leaving a review or five star rating is the best way to show your support, on your podcast app of choice. And to find out who is on next week’s episode, the Season 5 finale, come and find me on Instagram, I’m @hollyrubensten and as ever, I’d love to hear from you.
To find out more about visiting the island of Ireland, head to ireland.com and check out the travel pages of your favourite newspapers and travel magazines which are always great resources for the latest travel news, new openings and must see spots.
Have a great week and I’ll be back on Tuesday.
More episodes
View all episodes
Dermot O'Leary
54:01||Season 16Today’s guest is someone whose voice - and face - I think most of us know instantly. Dermot O'Leary has been such a constant in British life for years now, from hosting The X Factor, to his Friday slot on This Morning, to his weekend shows on BBC Radio 2.He’s had this really varied career - presenting everything from major live events like the Brit Awards and BAFTAs, to documentaries, and his more recent travel and food series Taste of Ireland with Dermot O’Leary on ITV, which is back for a second season. What I loved about this conversation is how much of his life has been shaped by travel. He grew up in an Irish family, going back and forth between England and Ireland, with those long childhood journeys to Wexford becoming some of his earliest memories. And that sense of place, of identity, of belonging really runs through everything he talks about in this episode.So today, we’re diving into the seven chapters of Dermot’s travel diaries, from those childhood summers in Ireland, to travelling solo across America, winter escapes to Norway to the Italian region that’s completely stolen his heart.Holly’s Destination Recap:- Priesteregg Resort, Leogang, Austria Dermot’s Destination Recap: Soneva Fushi, MaldivesWexford, IrelandCurracloe Beach, IrelandCahore, IrelandSt Davids, United KingdomFishguard, United KingdomDordogne, FranceAtlantic Coast France, FranceNorfolk, United KingdomBodrum, TurkeyDonegal, IrelandSligo, IrelandCauseway Coastal Route, United KingdomBallycastle, United KingdomPortrush, United KingdomPortstewart, United KingdomDerry, United KingdomColeraine, United KingdomNew York City, United StatesWashington DC, United StatesNew Orleans, United StatesLos Angeles, United StatesHermosa Beach, United StatesSeattle, United StatesPuglia, ItalySalento, ItalyOslo, NorwayBygdøy, NorwayLofoten Islands, NorwayBergen, NorwayKirkenes, NorwayPrague, Czech RepublicJapan, JapanSouth Korea, South KoreaNew England, United StatesMaine, United StatesDERMOT O'LEARY'S TASTE OF IRELAND kicks off on Saturday 2nd May on ITV 1 and ITVX, in partnership with Tourism Ireland With thanks to…Citalia - Discover the real Italy with Citalia, the UK’s leading Italian holiday specialists. Let the Italy Experts craft the perfect holiday for you and experience Italy like a Citalian.EZRA - You can use the code EzraUK300 for £300 credit towards a scan. Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/hostIf 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.
Totally Türkiye - Destination Special with Trip.com
48:17||Season 16In this Destination Special episode, we head to Turkey or Türkiye as it’s now officially known - a country where continents, cultures and centuries collide. From the energy of Istanbul to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, and from the beach clubs of Antalya to the hidden coves of the Turquoise Coast, this is a journey through one of the world’s most diverse travel destinations.Along the way, you’ll hear stories and recommendations from past Travel Diaries guests including Simon Reeve, Beverley Knight, Jamie Laing and Fiona Duncan, alongside expert insight from travel writer Annabelle Thorpe, who shares where to go, what not to miss, and her favourite hidden gems. Whether you’re planning a multi-stop itinerary or dreaming of your next escape, this episode is packed with inspiration for exploring Turkey.Destination Recap:IstanbulHagia SophiaBosphorusPudding ShopKadıköyEminönüBeyoğluTopkapı PalaceBlue MosqueBebekModaÇukurcumaIstiklal StreetTarabyaKıyıCappadociaDerinkuyuKaymaklıRed ValleyArgos in CappadociaAntalya & SurroundsKaleiçiLaraBelekTurquoise Coast / Southwest CoastFethiyeHillside Beach ClubGöcekDalyanMarmaris BayMarmarisKalkan & Kaş AreaKalkanVilla MahalMerkezKaşKekovaMeisÇıralıBozburun PeninsulaSelimiyeOrhaniyeBozburunDatça PeninsulaDatçaKnidosD Maris BayDalaman AreaAhama hotel Eastern TurkeyGaziantepMount NemrutWith thanks to trip.com for their support of today’s episode. If you’re anything like me and tend to plan quite layered, multi-stop trips, trip.com is a really useful tool to have in your back pocket. What I love is being able to see everything in one place, whether that’s flights, hotels, trains or experiences, and to just map it all out properly. With trip.com I can book everything - perfect for exploring a destination as vast and diverse as Turkey.If you’re enjoying The Travel Diaries, don’t forget to follow or subscribe on your podcast app so you never miss an episode. You can also follow me on Instagram @hollyrubenstein and on TikTok for more travel inspiration and behind the scenes.Thanks again for listening, and see you next week!
Tom Bradby
52:30||Season 16Tom 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.
Eve, Grammy-winning hip hop star
47:27||Season 16Today’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.
Dom Joly
01:04:16||Season 16Welcome to a brand new season of The Travel Diaries - I’m so excited to be back!My guest today is comedian, writer and broadcaster Dom Joly. You’ll of course know him from Trigger Happy TV - one of the most iconic comedy shows of the early 2000s - now celebrating its 25th anniversary, with Dom back on tour across the UK through to 2027.But beyond comedy, travel has been a defining thread throughout Dom’s life. He’s visited 108 countries, and his story begins in Lebanon, where he grew up during the civil war, with what he describes as a “front-row view” of the conflict. His early experiences shaped a lifelong curiosity about the world, particularly places often misunderstood.Dom is widely credited with bringing “dark tourism” into the mainstream, exploring destinations associated with history, conflict and tragedy, and we also talk about his concept of the “bad news gap”: the difference between how places are portrayed in the media and the reality on the ground.In this episode, his travel diaries take us from Lebanon and Syria to North Korea, Cambodia, Iran, Canada and beyond.I hope you love this one.Destination Recap:Palmyra, SyriaLebanonRome, ItalyPrague, Czech RepublicCambodiaIranNorth KoreaRishikesh, IndiaCopenhagen, DenmarkMuskoka, CanadaZermatt, SwitzerlandMoroccoSarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaSwindon, EnglandWeston-super-Mare, EnglandAlgeriaDom is currently on tour with the Trigger Happy TV 25th Anniversary Tour across the UK until 2027. You can also find his latest book, The Conspiracy Tourist, at domjoly.tv.This episode was recorded at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall.With thanks to…Saily - Download SAILY in your app store and use our code traveldiaries at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchaseSovereign - Visit sovereign.com to speak to a personal travel planner today to curate your perfect Sani holiday this summerIf you’re enjoying The Travel Diaries, don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.You can also follow me on Instagram @hollyrubenstein and on TikTok for more travel inspiration and behind the scenes.See you next week!
Season 16 Trailer - The Travel Diaries with Holly Rubenstein
01:02||Season 16A new travel chapter begins next Tuesday March 31. Join me every Tuesday for unforgettable travel tales. It's wanderlust guaranteed! See you then everyone.
Richard E. Grant
51:43||Season 16Today, 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.
Rick Stein returns - Christmas Special
40:32||Season 15Welcome 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.
Magical Morocco - Destination Special
54:36||Season 15Welcome to a very special edition of The Travel Diaries, where we’re heading to a country that has enchanted so many of my guests over the years: Morocco.This Destination Special is a love letter to a place that casts a lifelong spell. In the first half, you’ll hear unforgettable memories from past guests - Sir Michael Palin, Anya Hindmarch, Lyn Hughes, Sir Richard Branson, The Hairy Bikers, Amar Latif, and Jacqui Gifford - each sharing the moments that made Morocco magical for them: the colours of Marrakech, the silence of the Sahara, the scent of a tagine in the Atlas Mountains. Together, their voices weave a vivid tapestry of this extraordinary land.And it’s no wonder UK visitor numbers are soaring. Morocco is that rare combination - just a short flight away, yet a complete change of pace: immersive, sensory, unforgettable.Then, in the second half, I’m joined by travel writer and Morocco expert Paula Hardy, who splits her time between the UK and Morocco. With over 15 years of experience, she takes us beyond the usual hotspots, from the Mediterranean feel of Tangier and Tetouan, to desert oases near Skoura, coastal towns like Asilah, and hidden Berber mountain villages. We dive into Morocco’s traditions - crafts, cuisine and culture - and its exciting evolution, with high-speed trains, striking new architecture, and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.Whether you’ve visited before or it’s been on your bucket list for years, this episode will open your eyes to a Morocco you may not yet know, and remind you why so many travellers return again and again.Destination Recap: Northern Morocco - Sir Michael Palin on why Morocco is his all-time favourite journeyMarrakech – Designer Anya Hindmarch and Wanderlust editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes on the city of artisans, colour and contrastsAtlas Mountains - Sir Richard Branson, The Hairy Bikers, and blind adventurer Amar Latif on Berber villages, snow-topped peaks and mountain escapesOuarzazate (the “door to the desert”) - Travel & Leisure Editor Jacqui Gifford on this cinematic frontier townPaula’s Destination Recap:Tangier Villa Mabrouka, TangierAsilahTetouan Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay Dar Ambrosia, Asilah Mimi Calpe, TangierM’HamidErfoud Iriki Taroudant Dar Ahlam, OuarzazateSkouraMarrakechOualidia Riad Mina, Marrakech Berber Lodge, Marrakech Riad L’Atelier, MarrakechRosemary, Marrakech Tribalista, Marrakech The Memory RoadThanks so much for listening today. I'll be back with some fabulous Christmas specials in December. In the meantime, come and follow me on Instagram, I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. Remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. And visit TheTravelDiariesPodcast.com for everything else podcast-related.