travel
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.
Mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin discusses his latest documentary, 'Everest, The Other Side', which follows ski mountaineers Jim Morrison and Hilaree Nelson on their attempt to ski the direct north face of Mount Everest. Chin notes that the project combined an incredible human story of love and loss with the ultimate ski line on Earth.
Filmmaker Jimmy Chin discusses directing the 2019 Oscar-winning documentary 'Free Solo' alongside his wife, following climber Alex Honnold's rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite. Chin describes it as an intensely high-stakes and anxiety-inducing project.
Comedian Maisie Adam discusses appearing on the cover of EasyJet magazine following a trip to Slovenia, noting a humorous incident where a passenger next to her on a flight from Belfast clocked her photo on the cover.
Maisie Adam shares her experience visiting Ljubljana and Lake Bled in Slovenia for a magazine feature, expressing surprise at the natural beauty and warm weather, and noting that the area resembles an alpine ski village.
Maisie Adam reveals how her now-husband proposed to her on the Charles Bridge in Prague during an early December trip that was followed by heavy snowfall the next morning.
Maisie Adam shares insights from her solo interrailing trip through Italy as a young adult, detailing her route from Milan down through Venice, Pisa, Florence, Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.
Maisie Adam explains why Dubai is her worst travel experience, citing a culture overly focused on excessive displays of wealth and pointing to the destination's human rights record.
TV presenter, adventurer, and explorer Steve Backshall makes a returning appearance on The Travel Diaries podcast after a five-year hiatus. Host Holly Rubenstein expressed excitement about interviewing him again, noting the
Travel writer Luke Abrahams shared a harrowing experience in the Congo where he and his group accidentally stepped into a nest of driver ants while observing gorillas. The ants inflicted a fiery sensation upon biting, with Abrahams experiencing numerous bites, particularly in sensitive areas, while trying to maintain composure around a silverback gorilla.
Travel writer Luke Abrahams describes Kyoto as a city that initially appears as a concrete jungle upon arrival via the Shinkansen from Tokyo, contrasting with its ancient reputation. He notes that while Kyoto is a must-see destination, visiting at the right time is crucial, and he personally found the cherry blossom season to be an overwhelming yet magical experience.
The podcast discusses Ruthie Rogers' highly anticipated visit to The Shimansan, a restaurant in Kyoto designed by architect Tado Ando. Owned by Patrick McKellen, the restaurant is praised for its attention to detail and traveler-centric experience, with many friends of Rogers recommending it for its architecture and food.
The discussion touches on Kyoto as a popular but challenging travel destination due to cost and potential over-tourism, particularly from the UK and US. While acknowledged as a place to see, the timing of the visit is emphasized as critical, with a personal reflection on the intensity of the cherry blossom season.
Host Holly Rubenstein and guest Luke Abrahams discuss potential 'final frontiers' in travel, areas that still feel unexplored or remote. Abrahams suggests parts of Saudi Arabia, northern China, and the steppes of Mongolia as places that retain a sense of discovery.
Author Kathleen Moran discusses her new book, "How to Be Hopeful," which explores maintaining a positive outlook amidst global chaos and personal challenges like menopause. Moran shares that her initial impulse was to "run away" and start a self-sufficient civilization, a plan thwarted by cost.
Author Caitlin Moran questions the transformative power of travel, suggesting people often ask too much of it. While acknowledging travel's value in breaking routine, she notes that the search for difference often leads to the discovery of universal similarities in people worldwide.
Caitlin Moran shares a personal anecdote about the simple pleasures of returning home after travel, highlighting the satisfaction of doing laundry and making a comforting meal. She embraces this routine as a sign of being home, contrasting it with the dread some feel upon arrival.
The introduction mentions author Kathleen Moran's precocious start in writing, detailing her first book at age 13 and publication at 16. She went on to become an award-winning columnist for The Times and a bestseller.
Guest Caitlin Moran shared a personal anecdote about a recent 24-hour water outage at her home. She described the experience as a stark reminder of the "modern miracle" of running water and a personal challenge to endure.
Nisha Katona shares her personal journey from a career as a child protection barrister to becoming the founder of Mogli Street Food and a celebrated food writer. She reflects on her early life experiences, including facing prejudice in a working-class town in the north of England.
Host Holly Rubenstein announces an exciting development for The Travel Diaries podcast: the addition of a second weekly episode. "The Travel Diaries Unpacked" will air on Sunday mornings, featuring chats with travel industry personalities and listener Q&As.
Nisha Katona explains that travel is her primary motivation for working hard, stating that she "work[s] my socks off so that I can travel." She views travel as a way to understand the world and human behavior more deeply.
Nisha Katona reveals that her earliest travel memory is not from India, which she considered home, but from a holiday in Mallorca. This contrasted with her upbringing in a working-class town in England where she experienced prejudice.
Nisha Katona recounts facing prejudice as a child in the UK, being "firebombed and spat at in the street." She explains that this experience, stemming from her parents being Indian immigrants in the 1960s, shaped her desire to be liked and has kept her humble.
Nisha Katona details her transition from law to the culinary world, leading to best-selling cookbooks and television appearances. Her latest book, 'The Curry Bible,' is mentioned, and her role as a judge on 'The Great British Menu' is highlighted.