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Tom Allen

June 2, 2026 · 1 h 1 min

Show notes

Today’s guest is one of the country’s best-loved comedians and presenters - the wonderful Tom Allen. You’ll know him from Bake Off: An Extra Slice, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, QI, Would I Lie To You?, Live at the Apollo and of course his standup comedy. He’s also a brilliant writer, and his new novel, Common Decency, is out now.


Tom’s travel diaries are full of glorious detail. We talk childhood holidays, package holidays, the etiquette of sunbeds, solo travel, America, Japan, Spain, the joy of a great hotel, and why food is so often the thing that makes a place unforgettable.


Destination Recap: 


Holly: Sani, Halkidiki, Greece 

Tom:

  • Gran Canaria, Spain
  • Javea, Spain
  • Alicante, Spain
  • Benidorm, Spain
  • San Francisco, USA
  • New York, USA
  • Philadelphia, USA
  • Cherry Hill, USA
  • Japan
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Kyoto, Japan
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Hiroshima, Japan
  • Nara, Japan
  • Gran Canaria, Spain
  • Maspalomas, Spain
  • Menorca, Spain
  • Wakefield, England
  • Elgin, Scotland
  • Banchory, Scotland
  • Highlands and Islands, Scotland
  • Beijing, China
  • Forbidden City, China
  • Great Wall of China, China


Tom Allen’s hilarious debut novel Common Decency is out now 


Today’s episode was filmed in the Westminster Suite at London Marriott County Hall 


With thanks to...


Richard Haworth - Discover their luxury hotel-quality bedding, towels and table linen at Richard Haworth At Home


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 on your podcast app. 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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