Today on The Travel Diaries we’re revisiting a very special conversation from the archives with national treasures Si King and the late, much-loved Dave Myers, better known to millions as The Hairy Bikers.

Si and Dave were my very first duo on the podcast, and what a joy they were. For more than two decades, they entertained Britain with their infectious humour, foodie expertise and shared love of motorbikes. Their travel and food shows from Asian Adventure to Mediterranean Adventure and Route 66 inspired countless viewers to see the world through flavour and friendship.

When I spoke to them, Dave was in the middle of undergoing cancer treatment. He joined me the night before a round of chemo, having travelled down to London especially, which made their generosity of time and spirit all the more moving. Listening back now, after Dave’s passing earlier this year, it feels particularly poignant to hear his warmth, wit and passion for life come through so vividly. This episode is a celebration of both Bikers’ deep love of travel, of each other, and of the extraordinary journeys they shared with us all.

In this archive chat, we travel together from Namibia to India, Argentina to Estonia, with countless adventures in between.

Destination Recap:

• Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, England
• Isle of Man, England
• Portugal
• Namibia
• Madurai, India
• Southern Italy
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Patagonia, Argentina
• Valdes Peninsula, Argentina
• Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
• Atlas Mountains, Morocco
• Mexico
• The Ghats, India
• Japan
• Lithuania
• Riga, Latvia
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Finnish Archipelago
• Southern Turkey
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Nigeria
• Pan-American Highway

With thanks to...

Titanic Belfast - Discover the world’s most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.

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.

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Welcome 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 journey

Marrakech – Designer Anya Hindmarch and Wanderlust editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes on the city of artisans, colour and contrasts

Atlas Mountains - Sir Richard Branson, The Hairy Bikers, and blind adventurer Amar Latif on Berber villages, snow-topped peaks and mountain escapes

Ouarzazate (the “door to the desert”) - Travel & Leisure Editor Jacqui Gifford on this cinematic frontier town

Paula’s Destination Recap:

• Tangier
• Villa Mabrouka, Tangier
• Asilah
• Tetouan
• Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay
• Dar Ambrosia, Asilah
• Mimi Calpe, Tangier
• M’Hamid
• Erfoud
• Iriki
• Taroudant
• Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazate
• Skoura
• Marrakech
• Oualidia
• Riad Mina, Marrakech
• Berber Lodge, Marrakech
• Riad L’Atelier, Marrakech
• Rosemary, Marrakech
• Tribalista, Marrakech
• The Memory Road

Thanks 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.

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I’m back with a brand new episode, and today I’m thrilled to be joined by Eugene Levy - the Emmy-winning actor, writer, and total comedy icon. For many of us, he’ll forever be known as the bewildered dad from American Pie, or as the impeccably dressed Johnny Rose in Schitt’s Creek, the multi-award-winning show he co-created with his son Dan that became a lockdown lifeline for so many of us.

And more recently, he’s found himself in a rather unexpected new role - that of travel presenter - as the host of The Reluctant Traveler, which is now in its third season on Apple TV+. I’m sure you’ve seen it everywhere over the last couple of weeks, because on one of the episodes, he interviews British royalty, interviewing Prince William.

I spoke to Eugene last week while he was here in London, in Soho in one of those classic junket hotel setups, a bit like the Notting Hill Horse & Hound moment, if you know what I mean. So we had less time than usual, back in the day this would have been what I’d call a short haul episode - so we cover his 6 travel chapters today, but I still jumped at the chance to sit down with him and hear about the destinations that have made a lasting impression on him, particularly while filming his new show, and of course to ask him about the prospect of a Schitt’s Creek reunion, which, I have to say, I think he was pretty positive about - let me know if you agree? Fingers crossed!

From the Maldives to Seoul, Utah to Italy, here are the travel diaries of Eugene Levy.

Destination Recap:

• Kudadoo, The Maldives
• Venice, Italy
• Utah, USA
• The Grand Canyon
• Italy
• Seoul, Korea
• Louisiana, USA
• Kruger National Park, South Africa

Season 3 of The Reluctant Traveler is out now on Apple TV+.

With thanks to...

Titanic Belfast - Discover the world’s most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.

Citalia - If, like Eugene, you’re dreaming of your own Italian adventure, visit Citalia.com to start planning today.

The Family Suite - Start planning your next family getaway with The Family Suite, the new platform curating the world’s most beautiful luxury hotels that truly welcome families, without compromise.

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.

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