I’m so excited to bring you the third and final holiday special to round off 2024. And once again thank you for tuning in throughout the year—your support has been incredible.

On today’s Destination Special we’re joined by a truly extraordinary guest—someone who’s not only a trailblazer in the music industry but also a passionate traveller with a love for extraordinary adventures. She’s a singer, songwriter, actress, and cultural icon whose music has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. Yes, Lily Allen is here on The Travel Diaries!

Lily’s debut album, Alright, Still, launched her to global stardom, and since then, she’s won BRIT Awards, Ivor Novellos, and devoted fans worldwide. But what you might not know is that Lily is also an avid traveller, and her recent trip to British Columbia is one of her most unforgettable yet.

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, a land of extraordinary natural beauty where dramatic coastlines meet ancient cedar forests, and snow-capped peaks plunge into pristine fjords. It’s a destination that feels alive with adventure and wonder. Getting there from the UK couldn’t be easier—just hop on a direct flight to Vancouver. Vancouver itself is surrounded by ocean and mountains, making it one of the most picturesque city settings in the world—and certainly one of my favourites.

From Vancouver, the possibilities are endless. You can take a floatplane to a remote coastal lodge, drive along the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway, or catch a ferry to Vancouver Island. Whether you're exploring the city’s cultural gems or heading into the wild for close encounters with nature, BC offers something for every kind of traveller.

In this episode, Lily takes us along for her unforgettable journey through BC. We’ll hear about her encounters with humpback whales, bears, and orcas. and how the restorative power of its nature left her mind at peace and her heart full - Lily calls it one of the most special experiences of her life, and you’ll soon understand why.

Destination Recap:

• The Loden Hotel, Vancouver
• Tofino, Vancouver Island
• Cathedral Grove Forrest, Vancouver Island
• Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island
• Wolf in the Fog, Vancouver Island
• Alert Bay, Cormorant Island
• Alert Bay Lodge, Cormorant Island

If you’d like to find out more about British Columbia, then don’t forget to check out your favourite travel titles, magazines and online guides, and you can also find a lot more information on the tourist board website, www.hellobc.com/

Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don’t forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first 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 want until then remember there’s the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 130 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com

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On today’s destination special, we’re going to be discovering a country which, for the longest time, was out of reach for travellers, Saudi Arabia, or Saudi as it’s now known. Within the travel industry Saudi has been front and centre for the past few years, with prominent features about its developments in most of the major travel magazines; the world’s leading luxury hotel brands from Six Senses to Aman have been announcing impressive future openings across the country, and new tourist destinations are being developed from the Red Sea resort on the coast to Sindalah at NEOM…even a ski resort in the 3000m mountains. These are all offerings that have really intrigued the travel world, now that the doors are wide open.

To be honest, I’ve been conflicted about making this episode. I had preconceptions about the country, which I’m sure many of you may share, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about showcasing it with its own episode. However, I firmly believe in the power of travel as a force for good – tourism brings connection, understanding, and often positive change. And I also firmly believe you’ll find this episode really interesting. Because if you’re anything like me, you’re probably very curious about destinations that feel like uncharted territory, that we don’t know that much about yet. My goal is to give you more insight about the country from the travel experts who know it best so you can make up your own mind.

First, we’ll hear from adventurer, writer, and TV presenter Alice Morrison. Alice is like a real-life Indiana Jones – most recently, she’s been exploring Saudi for her BBC series Arabian Adventures: Secrets of the Nabataeans, where she delves into the mysteries of this ancient civilization. She’s also travelled extensively across Saudi as a solo female traveler, offering a unique perspective on what it’s really like to explore the country as a woman.

Then we’ll be joined by Isabella Craddock, former editor of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East and the founder and editor of Near+Far Magazine. Isabella has spent years exploring Saudi’s landscapes, cities, and hidden gems and she’ll share her favourite spots, latest travel news, and tips for making the most of a visit.

Destination Recap:

Alice Morrison -

• Riyadh
• Diriyah Gate, Riyadh
• National Museum, Riyadh
• AlUla
• Nabatean Tombs, Hegra
• Jeddah
• Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Royal Reserves
• Wadi Disah
• Banyan Tree Hotel, AlUla

Isabella Craddock -

• NEOM
• The Line
• AlUla
• Habitas, AlUla
• Maraya, AlUla
• Asir
• Trojena Ski Resort
• Banyan Tree, AlUla
• Dar Tantora The House, AlUla
• Aman, Diriyah
• Jeddah Edition, Jeddah
• AL-Balad, Jeddah
• Sindalah, NEOM

You can find out more about Saudi by reading nearfarmag.com, and you can listen more to Alice's adventures in Saudi on her podcast Alice in Wanderland. The tourist board website is another great resource if you’re planning a trip.

Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first 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 want until then remember there’s the first 13 seasons to catch up on.

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Welcome back to The Travel Diaries podcast! I’m your host, Holly Rubenstein, and I’m so thrilled to be back with you for the first of three Christmas specials to bring bit of festive sparkle to your holiday season. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be bringing you conversations with some truly wonderful guests, and who better to start us off than the brilliant Sandi Toksvig?

Sandi is a comedian, writer, broadcaster, actor, activist, and, of course, a beloved TV presenter. You’ll know her from QI, where she made history as the first female host of a major British TV quiz show, from Channel 4’s Extraordinary Escapes, and from The Great British Bake Off.

Beyond her TV roles, Sandi has written numerous books, been a vocal advocate for equality and LGBTQ+ rights, and has a passion for adventure. Born in Copenhagen to a father who was a foreign correspondent, she spent her childhood living across the globe, from the African bush to NYC, sparking a lifelong love of travel. Her travel diaries today take us from the rivers of Africa to the Arctic Circle, the jungles of Costa Rica to her beloved Denmark —Sandi’s travels are as fascinating and varied as she is.

Sandi Claus Is Coming to Town is a family-friendly LGBTQ+ Christmas show hosted by national treasure, Sandi Toksvig. It’s taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 18 December (tickets from royalalberthall.com)

Destination Recap:

• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Zimbabwe
• Zambezi River, Africa
• Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
• Lofoten Islands, Norway
• Henningsvær, Lofoten, Norway
• Sudan
• Copenhagen, Denmark:
• Host Restaurant
• Restaurant Grøften /Tivoli Gardens
• The Round Tower
• The Kissing Bench
• Eilean Sionnach, Scotland
• Wolf Lodge, Norway
• Nebraska, USA
• The Oregon Trail, USA
• Aarhus, Denmark
• Villa Provence, Aarhus, Denmark
• Sydney, Australia
• Japan

With thanks to the Langham Hotel for hosting the interview.

*COMPETITION* Win a luxury 4-night stay for two at the newly refurbished Shangri-La Le Touessrok in sunny Mauritius. For details on how to enter, head to my Instagram @hollyrubenstein. The competition closes on December 30th. Good luck.

With thanks to Bibury Farm Barns in the Cotswolds. These barns are perfection—there are five in total ranging from 3 - 5 beds, each thoughtfully designed and beautifully styled. The location is ideal, right in the heart of the Cotswolds, making it a fantastic base for exploring this stunning part of the country. We loved revisiting charming villages like Bibury, Burford, and Stow-on-the-Wold, with their honey-coloured stone buildings and rich history. But it was the little moments back at the barn that made it truly special: mornings by the fire, countryside walks straight from the door, late-night hot tub soaks, and that deep, peaceful quiet you only find in the countryside.

If you want to be the first 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 want until then remember there’s the first 13 seasons to catch up on, that's over 140 episodes to keep you busy there.

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