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.

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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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Totally Türkiye - Destination Special with Trip.com