Best Traveling Tulips Podcasts (2025)

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The 1000km One 19:10

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1d ago19:10

19:10

Kurt Duffield is at it again. Raising money for Tulips cancer charity in the TRNC by walking a half marathon followed by rowing on a machine every day through October. By the end of the month he’ll have done 1000 kms and hopefully raised money for a charity close to his heart.

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The Book of the Ancient Greeks by Dorothy Mills 40:42

3d ago40:42

40:42

Drift off to the gentle rhythm of oars on the Aegean Sea. This quiet reading details the rise of Athens and its powerful navy, slowly recounting the historic defeat of Xerxes not as a clash of battle, but as a distant, soothing story. Let the measured history of ancient triremes and strategic triumphs lull you into a deep and peaceful sleep. Find T…

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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea 39:33

12d ago39:33

39:33

Find your most comfortable position, and let the world above the waves gently fade away. Tonight, we are granted a rare and quiet invitation to step aboard the most marvelous vessel ever to sail the deep. We descend into the pages of Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," where Captain Nemo himself is our soft-spoken guide. He will …

1
The Silent Sentinels: Walls of Ancient Egypt - History Reading to Help You Sleep 41:07

20d ago41:07

41:07

As you settle into bed tonight, let your mind drift away from the present and journey back through the sands of time. We travel to the banks of the Nile, to a land of sun-baked brick and imposing stone. This episode gently reads from the meticulous pages of the "Manual of Egyptian Archaeology," guiding you through the formidable defensive architect…

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The Dreamy Tulip: A Story of Blooms and Mania 40:52

23d ago40:52

40:52

Settle in, get comfortable, and let your mind drift back to a time of quiet canals and whispered fortunes. Tonight’s tale is a gentle recounting of a most peculiar chapter in history, drawn from the pages of Charles Mackay's "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions." We'll wander through the lush gardens of the 17th century Netherlands, where a …

1
The English Book Shop One 22:52

25d ago22:52

22:52

Author Martina Cole used to own the Best Seller bookshop in Karakum. It's now run by Deborah Burdess. Sara stopped by to chat with her about what it's like owning the only completely English book shop in the TRNC.

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Magic in Nature in the Secret Garden – A Bedtime Story to Help you Sleep 38:29

1M ago38:29

38:29

Prepare for sleep with this week’s reading, where we return to The Secret Garden. Ben Weatherstaff has discovered the children in the garden, and we learn about his time working for Colin’s mother. Colin decides to secretly get his strength back using the Magic he feels in the garden. Story (01:27) Find The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett …

1
Sports, Music, Medicine and Justice – Plato’s Republic Will Help You Sleep 43:14

1M ago43:14

43:14

For this week’s sleepy reading we are returning to The Republic. Plato’s philosophical work that apparently means a lot to people who study philosophy. I just know this is really boring and I’m sure it will help you sleep. In this episode we are learning about perspectives on sport, medicine, music and justice and how they apply to an ideal society…

1
The Turtle-tastic One 35:54

1M ago35:54

35:54

More and more turtles are returning to North Cyprus every year to lay eggs and see their hatchlings go back into the sea. Helping them on their long journey are SPOT (Society for the protection of turtles) and the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute. We hear from people working hard for these organisations protecting turtles in the TRNC. Cyprus Wild…

1
Little Women – Amy’s Adventures with Aunt March 41:30

1M ago41:30

41:30

In this week’s bedtime story, Beth’s illness continues so this reading we follow Amy’s trials staying with Aunt March. The Aunt is s nice lady, although old fashioned and Amy is unhappy. But she finds an ally in the maid. And back home, mother gets back from visiting father and everyone is glad to see her, although Jo is shocked to find that her pa…

1
A History of Italian Painters will help You Sleep 43:46

2M ago43:46

43:46

In this episode the long boring recitation of many of the Italian masters of painting will help you fall asleep. It’s actually quite interesting stuff, just fairly dry, especially the way I red it! 😊 Sleep well! Story (01:27) Find A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25632 S…

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The Meeting Sister One 23:20

2M ago23:20

23:20

Metin Murat has been on a book tour promoting his new book “Meeting Sister”. It follows his first novel “The Crescent Moon Fox”. Sara caught up with him at the Best Seller bookstore in Karakum and heard his views on the future of the Turkish Cypriots.

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Fall Asleep as You Learn about Travel in the 19th Century Mediterranean 42:12

2M ago42:12

42:12

Sleep is inevitable as I go through the various travel schedules for steam ships traveling to and through the Mediterranean sea and a few other pieces of food and travel advice. Story (01:18) Find The Mediterranean : Seaports and sea routes https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73849 Supporting Sleepy Time Tales If you would like to support my work and …

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Learning About The Sun and Planets As You Prepare To Sleep 40:48

2M ago40:48

40:48

Learning About The Sun and Planets As You Prepare To Sleep As you settle down to sleep get prepared for the boring details of the activity of the sun, how it was believed in the 1920s how sunspots were formed, the mechanism of how the sun works, and also learn about he inner planets. Even Vulcan, which for a while was speculated to exist closer to …

1
The North Cyprus Teeth One 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

We explore the cost and treatments of going to the dentist in North Cyprus. We’re not taking “Turkey teeth” which is, of course, an option but for two young lads living in the UK and Jersey, the cost and treatment in the TRNC was so much better than at home.

1
Pride and Prejudice – Handling Rejection and Meeting a Legend 40:52

2M ago40:52

40:52

In this week’s bedtime story we find Lizzie Bennet coming to terms with her being passed over for another woman, and realising that maybe it was for the best, because she clearly hadn’t been in love. She then goes to visit with Mr Collins and her friend Charlotte and meets the legendary Lady Catherine De Bourgh she had heard so much about. Like muc…

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REPOST - The Republic by Plato 39:16

3M ago39:16

39:16

Philosophy seems the ideal thing to listen to to help you sleep. I recorded this in the middle of the day and completely zoned out and nearly dozed off so I can barely tell you what the conversation between Socrates and his friends was about. So I’m confident that the discussion of whether God can create evil, whether children should learn from fal…

1
The Jazzy Heart Surgeon One 38:03

3M ago38:03

38:03

Levent Soyer is a well known and well respected cardiologist in the TRNC. He is also a highly accomplished musician. Roger managed to chat with him to find out more, during a break in Levent’s busy schedule.

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A Sleepy Tale of Intrigue – Bellarion The Fortunate 38:23

3M ago38:23

38:23

Let the intrigue of Renaissance Italy lull you into a peaceful slumber as we follow Bellarion, the clever yet unwitting hero, who stumbles into a noblewoman’s garden—only to find himself tangled in a plot far beyond his understanding. Rafael Sabatini’s lush prose, read in a slow pace, transforms this tale of mystery and fortune into the perfect bed…

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Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Nature: The Whispering Language of Truth (A Sleepy Reading) 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

Drift into serenity with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s timeless essay Nature, where he reveals language as a mirror of the natural world’s deepest truths. Let his poetic musings on rivers, stars, and the silent wisdom of the earth wash over you in this slow, soothing reading. With a tranquil pace, this episode transforms transcendental philosophy into a dr…

1
The Israel/Iran One 14:24

3M ago14:24

14:24

Given the uncertainty across the Middle East, how are people in the TRNC feeling about being so close to the Israel/Iran conflict? Sara and Roger find out from some expats.

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Anne of Green Gables: A Joyful Home & A Stormy Temper (A Sleepy Retelling) 39:41

3M ago39:41

39:41

Let Anne Shirley’s bright spirit and fiery emotions lull you into a peaceful slumber. Tonight’s Sleepy Time Tale follows Anne’s heartwarming discovery of her new home at Green Gables—full of hope and happiness—until a run-in with a prickly neighbor sparks her infamous temper. Told in a slow, soothing voice, this beloved story becomes the perfect co…

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Sleep Through Time: The Goths vs. Rome’s Last Light 39:01

4M ago39:01

39:01

Let the distant echoes of history lull you to sleep as we drift into the shadowy world of the Dark Ages. Tonight’s episode follows the epic clashes between the Goths and the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I—wars that shaped empires, yet now fade into whispers. Told in a slow, soothing voice, this tale of conquest and intrigue becomes a tranquil bedtim…

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The Tales of Cyprus One 37:46

4M ago37:46

37:46

Constantinos Emmanuelle has Greek Cypriot heritage and lives in Melbourne Australia. He has been gathering stories from Cypriots, both Greek and Turkish, born before 1940 for his project “Tales of Cyprus”. It provides a factual, historic and fascinating look into a bygone era of life in Cyprus.

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Mary Shelley’s The Last Man – Raymond’s Rise & Quiet Reflections 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

Let the hauntingly beautiful prose of Mary Shelley’s The Last Man ease you into slumber as we follow Raymond’s election as Protector—a moment of triumph shadowed by quiet doubts and personal tensions. With soft, melodic narration and a gentle rhythm, this episode transforms Shelley’s post-apocalyptic vision into a soothing bedtime story, perfect fo…

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Sleepy Steam Trains: A Soothing Reading of Rides on Railways – Repair, Construction & Calm Travel Tales 37:13

4M ago37:13

37:13

If you're lying awake tonight, let the slow, droning account of 19th-century steam trains rock you to sleep. This episode features a particularly unexciting reading from Samuel Sidney's Rides on Railways, where we meander through endless details about engine repairs, rivet counts, and the thrilling scenery of Wolverton's railway workshops. Story (0…

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The Goodbye Tulips One 22:03

4M ago22:03

22:03

Sue Tilt has been with the Tulips cancer charity for over 13 years. She’s decided it’s time to hand the reins to others while she cycles off into the sunset with her guitar! She chats with Roger about the legacy she’s leaving behind and the future of this important charity to the TRNC community.

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Soothing Bird Stories for Sleep “Birds and Their Nests" by Mary Howitt | Bedtime Tales of Jackdaws, Wagtails & Doves 39:52

4M ago39:52

39:52

Struggling to fall asleep? Let the gentle, unhurried reading of Birds and Their Nests by Mary Howitt lull you into a deep, peaceful slumber. This podcast is intentionally slow, calm, and yes—even a little boring—to help quiet your mind and ease you into sleep. No dramatic voices, no sudden sounds, just soft narration about delightful birds and thei…

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Sleepy Time Podcast: The Great Gatsby – Chapter 5 (Gatsby Reunites with Daisy) | Boring Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep 37:56

5M ago37:56

37:56

🎙️ Sleepy Time Podcast: The Great Gatsby – Chapter 5 (Gatsby Reunites with Daisy) | Boring Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep 😴 Story (02:44) Struggling to fall asleep? Let the soothing, monotonous reading of The Great Gatsby lull you into a deep slumber. This podcast is intentionally slow, calm, and yes—even boring—to help quiet your mind and ease …

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The Book of the Ancient Greeks – A Sleepy Telling of Xerxes’ Invasion 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

Drift into the ancient world with this tranquil retelling of one of history's most epic clashes. As the Persian King Xerxes leads his vast army into Greece, a small band of Spartan warriors, led by King Leonidas, makes its legendary stand at the narrow pass of Thermopylae. Narrated in a slow, calming tone, this episode transforms the dramatic tale …

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The Intrepid Cyclist One 32:19

5M ago32:19

32:19

Martin Derbyshire loves to cycle now he’s retired to the TRNC from the army, with his wife. He’s cycled around the whole island of Cyprus but didn’t count on being hit by a car and spending 3 months in traction. But he’s back on his bike as he’s been telling us.

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After the Party - Night and Day by Virginia Woolf 35:38

5M ago35:38

35:38

Step into the quiet aftermath of a gathering where unspoken tensions linger in the air. This week’s Sleepy Time Story brings you Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day. As the guests depart, the real drama begins—subtle glances, veiled confessions, and the quiet power struggles between men and women take center stage. Let Woolf’s rich prose and keen observ…

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The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory by George Saintsbury 36:19

5M ago36:19

36:19

Apologies for the Latin pronunciations as I share the history of literature and languages, and the study thereof to help you sleep. You’re sure to be counting sheep very quickly as we discuss the subtleties of Latin poetry and how local languages struggled to become a medium for expression. Story (02:37) Find The Flourishing of Romance and the Rise…

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The North Cyprus Wildlife One 45:16

5M ago45:16

45:16

From rehoming a donkey and two miniature goats on his father's land in Taskent, Kemal Basat has gone on to set up the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute. They are currently running twenty programmes from donkeys in the Karpaz to turtles to collecting seeds for the seed bank. He chatted with Sara about the work the Institute does on very little mone…

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The Christmas '22 One 15:40

5M ago15:40

15:40

Don't worry - you've not gone through a time port hole, we're re-publishing this episode as there was a copyright issue with the very small bit of Christmas music we put at the end of the episode! They would have deleted the whole episode otherwise. Merry Christmas!!!

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On the Nautilus - Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea 38:39

6M ago38:39

38:39

Things settle down as you prepare for sleep. M. Arronax and his companions are safe, if confused on board the Nautilus as they meet Nemo and learn about how he has left the world behind. They are given an unpleasant choice, but a great meal. Story (02:41) Find Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/164…

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The Homes of Egypt - Manual of Egyptian Archaeology 01 43:17

6M ago43:17

43:17

Tonight, drift back in time to the golden sands of Ancient Egypt, where the Nile’s gentle currents shaped lives and homes for both commoners and nobles. In this soothing episode, we explore the quiet beauty of Egyptian dwellings—from the sunbaked mudbrick houses of workers to the grand villas adorned with lush gardens and cooling courtyards. Discov…

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Fallout of the South Sea Bubble - Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions 42:11

6M ago42:11

42:11

This week’s boring non fiction is the ideal sleep aid as we learn about the many people who were fined for their part in the South Sea Bubble. Peers, lords and businessmen alike faced massive consequences for taking part of the scam. Story (02:47) Find Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Mackay https://www.gutenb…

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The Scott and Heap One 34:17

6M ago34:17

34:17

Former army officer, Steve Heap, and his wife have just moved to North Cyprus - even though he could have lived anywhere in the world. Despite rules changing regularly, they still like it especially as his former boss in the Army - John Scott - happens to live down the road.

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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – Colin’s Day Out 42:08

6M ago42:08

42:08

It’s all happening in this week’s bedtime story as the children prepare to take Colin out to the Secret Garden for the first time. There’s a lot of excitement and joy, but there’s an unpleasant surprise towards the end that may mean disaster. Story (02:31) Find The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17396 Supp…

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Glaciers and Wind - The Elements of Geology by William Harmon Norton 39:26

6M ago39:26

39:26

We return to some sleepy non-fiction for this week’s bedtime reading. Learning about the erosion caused by various types of glacier gets you off to a boring start, and I’m sure you’ll be fast asleep by the time we get to the subtleties of the wind. Story (02:44) Find The Elements of Geology by William Harmon Norton https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/…

1
The Divided Island 3 One 25:27

6M ago25:27

25:27

The fantastic documentary film about the “Cyprus Problem” - The Divided Island - is now available to view on Amazon Prime Video. Roger and Sara chat with director Cey Sesiguzel about its popularity

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The Blazing World – Episode 09 – Building Worlds and Spirit Travels 37:53

7M ago37:53

37:53

In this strange story we pick up with the Duchess and the Empress building worlds with their minds. They then move on to traveling as spirits to our own world. I’m fairly sure you’ll be asleep before the strange adventure ends with a court case about Fortune’s treatment of the Dutchess’s husband Story (02:48) Find The Description of a New World, Ca…

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On the Origin of Species - 09 33:51

7M ago33:51

33:51

This week we continue learning about he actual mechanism of evolution by natural selection. It’s pretty boring, I can barely remember what I just read, so I’m pretty sure this will help you sleep. :D Story (02:46) Find On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1228 Supporting Sleepy Ti…

1
The Divine One 34:15

7M ago34:15

34:15

This episode isn’t about god but we do hear from someone who started singing in church in Botswana and, since moving to the TRNC, has entertained many people with her beautiful voice. Divine shares her story of combining electrical engineering with singing.

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Beth Gets Sick, But All Ends Well – Little Women 36:42

7M ago36:42

36:42

We pick up this classic bedtime story as things take a bit of a dark turn. Beth is sick with scarlet fever, and it’s touch and go for a while, but don’t let it prevent your sleep. She’s fine in the end. The family makes some hard choices and their love is tested, but the fever breaks and all is well. Story (02:39) Find Little Women by Louisa May Al…

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Raphael, Michaelangelo, Rome and Florence - A History of Art for Beginners and Students 05 38:57

7M ago38:57

38:57

Find yourself drifting to sleep learning the history of the Italian renaissance in Rome, from Raphael to Titian. Raphael’s great rivalry with Michaelangelo and how art changed over their lifetimes. Lots of name, dates and jargon are the perfect recipe for your restful repose. Story (02:44) Find A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting,…

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The 100th One 20:01

7M ago20:01

20:01

We celebrated our 100th episode, and our four year anniversary, with guests from our podcast at a party in North Cyprus. Thank you to all who came to celebrate with us and to all our listeners over these past four years.

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In the House of the Lady - The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris 41:24

8M ago41:24

41:24

For this week’s sleepy story we return to this mysterious classic to help you sleep. Walther our protagonist feels out of place in the house of the mysterious and beautiful Lady, who seems both hostile and friendly. Walther meets the Maid once again, but as he goes hunting he feels like his situation is dangerous. Story (02:42) Find The Wood Beyond…

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REPOST - Halloween and Christianity - The Book of Hallowe'en by Ruth Edna Kelley 44:02

8M ago44:02

44:02

Hi friends. Unfortunately my chest and voice are still wrecked from having the flu so I can’t record anything that people would want to listen to. So here’s the second part of 2023’s Halloween reading. Be warned that traditional Halloween traditions may be a bit disturbing, but I left out the nasty stuff. This spooky episode shouldn’t leave you sle…