It’s the Season 11 finale and to celebrate we’ve got a cosmic treat for you as we rocket into the mesmerising realm of space with the legendary British astronaut Tim Peake. A Space Destination Special, if you will - though we do cover some destinations here on planet earth, too, of course!

Tim honed his skills as a test pilot and helicopter pilot in the British Army Air Corps. After nearly 18 years of military service, he spotted an ad from the European Space Agency (ESA) to become an astronaut. After a rigorous selection process with over 8,000 hopefuls, Tim was chosen as one of ESA's astronauts in 2009, marking the beginning of his journey to the stars.

Fast forward to 2015, and Tim's dream of spaceflight became a reality as he launched aboard a spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). During his six-month mission he conducted over 250 scientific experiments and became the first British astronaut in history to perform a spacewalk.

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to interview an astronaut, and there was so much I wanted to ask Tim, specifically about space, that I’ve cut down the chapters format this week, we’re going through the five chapters of his travel diaries.

This was one of the most fascinating interviews I’ve had the pleasure of hosting on the podcast. Among many things we cover the claustrophobic Subterranean cave training in Sardinia that prepared him for life on the space station, we deep dive into his take on the existence of extra terrestrial life, he shares his views on the future of space tourism, and the innovations that are just around the corner taking place on the space station that could revolutionise healthcare, but most interesting I found was his view of the earth and how that in turn has fuelled his wanderlust. I really hope you enjoy this one.

Destination Recap:

• Briançon, South of France
• Sardinia, Italy
• Alaska, USA
• Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA
• Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
• International Space Station
• Sahara Desert
• Patagonia
• Madagascar
• Bahamas
• Space
• Nepal
• Indonesia

Fancy seeing Tim live? He is heading on tour with his show Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space which will bring the awe and wonder of space travel past, present and future to 25 venues across England, Scotland and Wales this autumn.

As thank you to you my lovely listeners, I have one more rather epic competition for you to enter. This is to win a stay at one of the most iconic British hotels, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in the beautiful New Forest in England. Head over to my Instagram @hollyrubenstein to find out how to win an irresistible Eat, Sleep, Retreat overnight stay with a spa treatment, lunch, three course dinner, and breakfast the next morning. I’m so excited for this one, good luck.

With thanks to my sponsors today -

Airbnb - Visit Airbnb.com and find out more. Prospective Hosts can learn more about how much they can earn sharing their space through the What’s My Place Worth Tool.

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On today’s bonus Destination Special episode, we are heading to the sun-soaked Mediterranean archipelago that is Magnificent Malta.

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, about 3 hours direct flight from England, Malta is a stunning island nation with a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Imagine rugged cliffs overlooking crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches framed by ancient fortresses, and bustling towns adorned with colourful balconies and cobblestone streets.

Geographically, Malta is composed of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Each island has its own distinct character which we discover on our episode today with the help of someone who is perfectly placed to bring Malta to life. Uwern Jong is a journalist, editor and inclusive-tourism advocate, who co-founded OutThere magazine, a luxury travel magazine and essential resource for LGBTQ+ travellers, nearly 15 years ago.

We head on a journey from the bustling capital city of Valletta with its UNESCO-listed fortifications to the tranquil countryside of Gozo and the serene beaches of Comino. Whether you're a film aficionado, a foodie, an adventurer, or simply looking to soak up the sun on a stunning beach, Malta has something for everyone. So join us as we uncover the hidden gems, local secrets, and unforgettable experiences that make this island nation truly magnificent.

Destination Recap:

• Cugo Gran Macina Malta hotel
• Valletta
• Three Cities
• St. Julian's
• Gozo
• The Blue Lagoon
• Comino
• Iniala Harbour House hotel
• Ion at Harbour House restaurant
• Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta, Gozo
• Thirtyseven hotel, Gozo
• Seafood Beach Shack, Mġarr
• Mdina
• Rabat
• Ancient Ruins, Gozo and Malta island

If you’re now desperate to find out more about Malta, don’t forget all of your favourite travel publications will have guides online, as will the tourist board website, which is always a great resource, which is visitmalta.com

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On today’s episode I’m joined by a titan of the travel industry, Yolanda Edwards.

Formerly the creative director of Condé Nast Traveler in the US, Yolanda went on to launch the critically acclaimed Yolo Journal, a quarterly travel lifestyle magazine, which showcases real finds from interesting people around the world, not just industry insiders. Its accompanied by a weekly newsletter, which is a huge favourite among in the know travel lovers.

She also has the prestigious title of US and Canada Academy Chair for the World’s 50 Best Hotels which we discuss a bit on this episode - as a hotel enthusiast it was really fascinating to hear which properties stand out to her.

The story behind Yolanda falling in love with travel is a really interesting one that I didn’t know before this chat. She had a sheltered childhood where travel really wasn’t on the agenda, and it was a transformative cultural immersion program on a remote Greek island where Yolanda’s innate curiosity and love for travel was truly ignited. And the rest you could say was history, as nowadays Yolanda is non stop travelling the globe.

Her travel diaries today take us on a grand tour around Europe through the highlights and hidden gems of Italy, France and Greece. So fasten your seatbelts as we explore the fascinating life and career of a true travel trailblazer.

Destination Recap:

• Rome, Italy
• Milan, Italy
• Mykonos, Greece
• Kalymnos, Greece
• Medoc, France
• Il Pelicano, Port Ecole, Italy
• La Colombe D’Or, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France
• Cap Ferret, France
• Lynch-Bages, Frane
• Tulum, Mexico
• Palazzo Durazzo, Genoa, Italy
• India

Check out YOLO Journal and follow Yolanda on Instagram here.

With thanks to my sponsors today -

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.

Airbnb - Visit Airbnb.com and find out more. Prospective Hosts can learn more about how much they can earn sharing their space through the What’s My Place Worth Tool.

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