Monty Don

Nov 12, 2024

Monty Don, a cherished British television personality known for BBC's Gardeners' World, shares his remarkable journey from fashion to horticulture. He delves into the profound connections between cultures and their landscapes, recounting stunning travels from Nepal's Annapurna to Greece's Hydra. Monty reflects on how scents of Mediterranean herbs evoke nostalgia and transformation, while also exploring emerging travel trends that favor hidden gems and wellness experiences. His passion for gardening shines through as he shares tales of solace found in cultivating Longmeadow.

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ANECDOTE

Early Childhood Travel

Monty Don's earliest travel memory is a family holiday to Budleigh Salterton at age four.
He recalls building sandcastles, smelling coffee for the first time, and the routine of seaside picnics.

ADVICE

Combating Winter Blues

Combat winter blues by going outside for at least 20-30 minutes daily, regardless of weather.
Experiencing natural light and elements is restorative, even if it's just a walk to the shops.

ANECDOTE

First Love: Provence

At 18, Monty Don hitchhiked to Provence, intending to reach Greece, but was captivated by the landscape.
Inspired by Cezanne's paintings, he returned a year later and lived there, working in a garden at the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire.

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Today's guest is truly beloved figure in British television - someone who many of us feel we already know so well - Monty Don.

For over two decades, Monty has been the heart and soul of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, inspiring millions to embrace the joys and therapeutic benefits of gardening. His connection to nature has taken him all over the globe, all in search of the profound ways that different cultures engage with the land.

Alongside Gardeners’ World, Monty has brought us stunning travel series like Around the World in 80 Gardens, Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, Adriatic Gardens and most recently, Spanish Gardens. This latest series, which is accompanied by a beautiful book, delves into the country’s breathtaking historic and contemporary landscapes, from Moorish-inspired patios to vibrant urban greens paces, revealing the depth and diversity of Spanish garden design.

It was also fascinating to hear about Monty’s journey to TV stardom, and how he had a completely different and hugely successful career in the fashion world, before, somewhat by chance, getting a new break into gardening and TV.

From the gardens that stole his heart to the wild landscapes that left a lasting impression, here are Monty's travel diaries.

Destination Recap:

Leominster, Herefordshire, England
The Black Mountains, Wales
Hydra, Greece
Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England
Mevagissey, Cornwall
Provence, France
London, England
Annapurna, Nepal
Native Tree Fern Forests, New Zealand
The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Iran
Chile
Japan
Summer Palace, Beijing, China
Galicia, Spain
Ninfa Gardens, Italy
Wollerton Hall, Shropshire, England
Finland through Eastern Europe to Trieste

Spanish Gardens by Monty Don and Derry Moore, BBC Books, £39.99 out now.

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With thanks to Skyscanner - The full travel trends 2025 report is available on Skyscanner app/site and of course you can always look for your 2025 trip whether it’s flights, hotels or car hire on Skyscanner too.

And to Airbnb - Your home could be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/host.

Thanks so much for listening today. If you'd like to hear more from the podcast don’t forget to hit subscribe, or if you use Apple Podcasts to press follow so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week. If you want to be the first find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you.

And if you can't want until then remember there’s the first 12 seasons to catch up on, that's over 125 episodes to keep you busy there. Don't forget that all the destinations mentioned by my guests are included in the episode show notes here on your podcast app, and listed on my website, thetraveldiariespodcast.com

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