Today I’m joined by one of the world’s most influential and multi-award winning travel writers, the global editor in chief of Condé Nast Traveller UK and US, Melinda Stevens. She’s a trend setter, taste maker and considered by many to be travel royalty. 

After beginning her writing career at Vogue Magazine, Melinda went on to become a columnist for the Sunday Times and Evening Standard, and the travel editor at Tatler, before taking the helm at Condé Nast Traveller.

Reading Condé Nast Traveller - the way the writers would transport me to far flung places with the power of their words - was my inspiration for becoming a travel writer. So heading to its offices in the heart of London’s Mayfair, where the walls were lined with its iconic covers, was really thrilling.

Unsurprisingly, Melinda has her finger on the pulse of the hottest destinations, which we of course discuss, as well as reflecting on some of the all time greats. And she gives a real insight into the makings of a top magazine. This is wanderlust guaranteed.

Destination Recap:

• Frinton on sea, Essex, England 
• The Long Mynd, Shropshire, England 
• Bali, Indonesia
• Road trip from Seattle, Washington, through Idaho, Wyoming and Montana
• Road trip from Sun Valley Utah, through Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico 
• Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
• Kazakstan 
• Charleston, South Carolina, USA                       
• The Bahamas
• Kerala, India
• Rajasthan, India
• Cala di Volpe, Sardinia
• Amilla Fushi, Maldives
• Hotel Escencia, Mexico
• Le Bristol, Paris 
• The Mercer, New York
• La Reserve, Paris
• Honduras
• Belgrade, Serbia 
• Soviet Russia 
• Egypt
• Sleeper train from London to Scottish Highlands 
• Belmond trains
• Japan

Condé Nast Traveller magazine is available in all good newsagents.

You can follow Melinda's Instagram here, as well as the magazine here, for all the travel inspo you could ever need.

Thank you so much for listening. If you haven’t yet left a 5 star rating, why not do so now! Your support is so greatly appreciated and most importantly, helps others to discover the podcast. 

Come and find me on Instagram - I’m @hollyrubenstein - and to find out more about the podcast, visit TheTravelDiariesPodcast.com

This episode was produced by Holly Rubenstein

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