The Travel Diaries

Today we’re heading to the sun-soaked Southern California coast in the USA, arriving at Newport Beach.

Now, if you’re listening in the UK and thinking, hang on, where exactly is Newport Beach? - it’s just south of Los Angeles, in Orange County.

For a lot of you listening, that name might immediately conjure up The O.C., or the The Real Housewives of Orange County - it’s one of those places that really captures that classic California coastal lifestyle: long sandy beaches, a beautiful harbour dotted with boats, waterfront restaurants serving the freshest seafood, surf culture, spectacular houses, and that sense that life is lived largely outdoors.

It’s glamorous, yes, but it’s also very accessible for all price points and surprisingly varied once you get to know it - and that’s what this episode is all about.
I’m joined today by Gary Sherwin, a Newport Beach local for the last 25 years, travel expert and CEO of Visit Newport Beach - he knows the area inside out.

He shares the places, experiences and little details that really give you a feel for the destination. Because this isn’t just somewhere to come for a quick beach stop. It’s a destination in its own right, and one that seems to offer a really lovely mix of things: that classic California coast feeling, yes, but also a lot of variety within it - from smart hotels and great food to beach days, boat days, family-friendly experiences, little pockets with their own personality, and plenty of ways to slow down and enjoy being by the water.

So whether you’re plotting a wider California trip, looking for a different side of Southern California, or just in the mood for a little armchair travel to somewhere sunny and coastal, this should give you a very good feel for it.

Destination Recap:

Newport Harbor
Gulfstream Restaurant
Louie’s by the Bay
A Restaurant
21 Oceanfront Restaurant
Balboa Bay Resort
Pendry Newport Beach
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa
The Resort at Pelican Hill (becoming A St. Regis Estate in 2027)
Crystal Cove
Balboa Island
Inspiration Point, Corona del Mar
Mastro’s Ocean Club
Blackie’s by the Sea
Fashion Island
Back Bay (Upper Newport Bay)

You can discover more about Newport Beach here.

As always, thank you so much for listening. If you enjoyed it, do share it with someone who’s planning a California trip, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe on your podcast app so you never miss an episode.

I’ll be back on Tuesday.
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Today's guest is one of the most distinctive and brilliantly funny voices in British comedy. Born in Cornwall by accident, raised in Hull with pride, Lucy Beaumont has built a career out of finding the strange, hilarious and deeply human moments in everyday life. You’ll know her from shows like Would I Lie To You?, Taskmaster, Meet the Richardsons, The Celebrity Traitors, and so much more, as well as from her acclaimed stand-up and writing.

In today’s conversation, we travel from an out-of-season teenage trip to Magaluf, to sneaking off to Torquay in search of surfers, falling in love with Menorca, finding magic in New York and New Orleans, and the spiritual pull of Robin Hood’s Bay. We also talk about Hull, panel shows, pad Thai on tour, Celebrity Traitors secrets, travelling with Johnny Vegas, and her brilliant new tour, Bad at Quiz Shows, Good with Weirdos, which begins this September.

Holly's Destination Recap
Coworth Park, England

Lucy's Destination Recap
Magaluf, Mallorca, Spain
Truro, Cornwall, England
Torquay, Devon, England
Newquay, Cornwall, England
Hull, England
Hornsea, Yorkshire, England
Ciutadella, Menorca, Spain
Deià, Mallorca, Spain
Kavos, Greece
Ibiza, Spain
New York City, USA
Brooklyn, New York, USA
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire, England
Whitby, Yorkshire, England
Montenegro
Croatia
Maldives
St Lucia

Tickets are available for Lucy's new tour, Bad at Quiz Shows, Good with Weirdos, which begins this September.

Thank you to the London Marriot County Hall for having us to film the episode.

With thanks to...

Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host

If 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the defining reality TV stars of the last decade. Charlotte Crosby first burst onto our screens on Geordie Shore, one of the biggest reality shows of the 2010s - a show that became a global phenomenon and completely changed the course of her life, taking her from the north of England to filming and working all over the world. Since then, she’s built a huge international following, particularly in Australia, where she’s become a familiar face on primetime TV. And as you’ll hear, travel has completely shaped who she is today. From Southshields to Sydney, Spain to Canada, I know you’re going to love this one

Holly's Destination Recap:
The Glass house, Lakes by Yoo, England, UK

Destination Recap:
Sunderland – England, UK
Wolsingham – England, UK
Whitley Bay – England, UK
South Shields – England, UK
Tunisia
Sydney – Australia
Bondi Beach – Australia
Coogee – Australia
Darling Harbour – Australia
Cairns – Australia
Great Barrier Reef – Australia
Arctic Circle – Norway / Arctic Region
Hutterite Communities (Canada) – Canada
Altea – Spain
Beni Jofré (Benejúzar area) – Spain
Ios – Greece
Bahamas – Bahamas

Bestselling author and reality TV star Charlotte Crosby teams up with Loveholidays to encourage Brits to get reading on holiday

With thanks to...

Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.co.uk/host

If 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’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, Maldives
Wexford, Ireland
Curracloe Beach, Ireland
Cahore, Ireland
St Davids, United Kingdom
Fishguard, United Kingdom
Dordogne, France
Atlantic Coast France, France
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Bodrum, Turkey
Donegal, Ireland
Sligo, Ireland
Causeway Coastal Route, United Kingdom
Ballycastle, United Kingdom
Portrush, United Kingdom
Portstewart, United Kingdom
Derry, United Kingdom
Coleraine, United Kingdom
New York City, United States
Washington DC, United States
New Orleans, United States
Los Angeles, United States
Hermosa Beach, United States
Seattle, United States
Puglia, Italy
Salento, Italy
Oslo, Norway
Bygdøy, Norway
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Bergen, Norway
Kirkenes, Norway
Prague, Czech Republic
Japan, Japan
South Korea, South Korea
New England, United States
Maine, United States

DERMOT 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/host

If 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 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:

Istanbul

Hagia Sophia
Bosphorus
Pudding Shop
Kadıköy
Eminönü
Beyoğlu
Topkapı Palace
Blue Mosque
Bebek
Moda
Çukurcuma
Istiklal Street
Tarabya
Kıyı

Cappadocia

Derinkuyu
Kaymaklı
Red Valley
Argos in Cappadocia

Antalya & Surrounds

Kaleiçi
Lara
Belek

Turquoise Coast / Southwest Coast

Fethiye
Hillside Beach Club
Göcek
Dalyan
Marmaris Bay
Marmaris

Kalkan & Kaş Area

Kalkan
Villa Mahal
Merkez
Kaş
Kekova
Meis
Çıralı

Bozburun Peninsula

Selimiye
Orhaniye
Bozburun

Datça Peninsula

Datça
Knidos
D Maris Bay

Dalaman Area

Ahama hotel

Eastern Turkey

Gaziantep
Mount Nemrut

With 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!
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