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.

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