Traveller Mark Crowdy starts his Indonesian journey in Bali and takes a ferry from the Port of Padangbai to Lombok (sometimes called the new Bali) and the Eastern Islands. Lombok has a drier climate than Bali and its population is predominantly Moslem as opposed Bali's Hindu majority. Tourism is developing fast here but the animist culture still survives, especially amongst the local Sasak tribe. Mark attends a stick fight or Peresehan, a traditional form of combat. Local spirit magicians known as Dukans put spells on the sticks to protect the fighters from injury. Indonesia has some 400 volcanoes and Mark spends a day making a steep climb up Mount Rinjani to the rim of the crater lake just below the summit, where people of all religions come to pray and meditate. Mark takes a boat ride to the island of Komodo to see the famous Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard. Its razor sharp teeth can tear apart the hindquarter of a deer in seconds. It was feared that the dragons were facing extinction but money earned from tourists watching the grizzly spectacle has been used to ensure their survival. From Komodo Mark takes a peaceful boat ride to Flores, one of Indonesia's largest islands. He sees the dramatic sight of the sulphuric lakes of Kelimut, which locals believe the souls of the dead go into the brilliant coloured lakes: the young to the green, the old to the blue and the criminals to the black.
La Ruta Maya was once was the centre of the great Mayan culture, which stretches back 4000 years, and covers Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsular (South Eastern tip of Mexico), Belize and Guatemala. The Mayans were one of the western hemisphere’s greatest but least known civilizations, and the sites of their impressive stone pyramids, temples and buildings are set against a backdrop of tropical jungles and stunning beaches.
Ian Wright travels to Morocco on the Northwestern tip of Africa. It's a country of stark desert, high mountain ranges, and some of the most richly cultured cities in the world. He begins his journey in the port of Tangier, where most travellers enter the country. He shares a ride with an American businesswoman far as the small market town of Chaouen, and picks up some valuable tips about travelling in Morocco. He then hitches to the walled city of Fez, through the Rif mountains, the country’s main Hashish growing region. Fez remains the most complete medieval city in the Arab world, and is Morocco’s religious capital. Ian spends a day exploring the Medina and winding back-alleys, before heading for the hammam, where he experiences a violent Moroccan massage. Ian continues his journey to the village of Tamtachoute in the High Altas Mountains, where he’s invited to stay the night with a local family - to a Moroccan a guest is a gift from Allah, and he’s made to feel very welcome. Next day he witnesses Aid El Kabir, one of the Islamic world’s oldest and most important religious festivals celebrating the time when Abraham was asked by God to slaughter his son, Isaac. Every family that can afford to buys a sheep and slaughters it at home. Ian hires a motorbike and heads down the Dades Valley to Zagora, following the route of a thousand Kasbahs, an ancient caravan trail that runs out to the desert. He embarks on a two day camel trek form the village of Tinfou, but unfortunately a sandstorm is brewing and Ian spends the most of the trip with his head wrapped in a shash to screen out the blasting sand. Ian heads for Marrakech, the imperial city which is the largest market centre in southern Morocco. The streets are teeming with performers, artists and hawkers. From here he hires a guide and attempts a challenging climb up the highest mountain in North Africa, Mount Toubkal. He’s elated to reach the summit, but is suffering from the effects of
Traveller Ian Wright begins his Jamaican journey in the once famous hippy hangout and renowned beach resort of Negril. He travels through the centre of Jamaica to visit a plantation house, then heads down the south coast. At Black River Ian travels through the swamp with a crocodile expert and feeds a crocodile himself, before heading further along the south coast to Treasure Beach, a hideaway paradise. Up through the centre of Jamaica, Ian catches a bus from Mandeville to Bob Marley's mausoleum and arrives in Hope Bay, where he stays with rastas who run a guest house and a school for orphaned kids. Ian's payment for staying at the guest house teaching a few lessons at the school - a common arrangement. Ian visits Port Antonio, an old fashioned resort full of colonial buildings. Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country in the world, so Ian attends a lively, traditional service. He is invited to share a typical Sunday lunch with a Jamaican family. Between Port Antonio and Kingston are the Blue Mountains, a relatively unexplored part of Jamaica. Ian hires a motorbike and rides up to visit a Maroon Village. Maroons are descendants of runaway slaves who made their escape to the hills of the interior and hid out for centuries. Their culture is more African than Caribbean. This is where the famous Jamaican jerk chicken was invented. Ian attends their drumming ceremony and visits the headman or colonel. Early in the morning Ian climbs the Blue Mountain Peak to watch the sunrise, and catches a glimpse of Cuba. He ends his journey in Kingston, where he celebrates Jamaican Carnival.
Traveller Ian Wright begins his journey in the town of Eagle, on the banks of the Yukon River. Eagle is home to the Athabascan Indians who live a subsistence lifestyle, eating salmon in the summer and moose in the winter. From Eagle, Ian travels to the town of Chicken (population 25) which has no running water, electricity or telephones and is completely isolated in the winter. He parties with the locals and goes on a tour in a 1946 light aircraft made of wood and fabric. While he’s in town, Ian also goes gold-dredging in the Fortymile River. Ian continues his journey north, to the twin towns of Kennicott and McCarthy, situated in the Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Kennicott was once the richest source of copper in the world, but when copper prices collapsed in the 1930s, the 800 miners were made redundant and Kennicott became a ghost town. Just outside McCarthy, Ian goes glacier climbing on the Root Glacier. Next, Ian heads for the coast. He travels up Prince William Sound on the state-run marine ferry and eventually arrives in the town of Seward. This is the departure point for a sea kayaking trip, and Ian encounters whales, dolphins and sea lions. En route to Homer, Ian stops off on the Kenai River for a spot of fishing. He discovers he’s not a natural fisherman however, as he doesn’t manage to catch even one salmon. Arriving in Homer, Ian goes sky trekking in a Cessna 185. Lori, the pilot takes him out to remote lakes and mountains and they spend the afternoon watching grizzly bears and catching salmon in waterfalls. The final leg of the journey takes Ian north, past Mt McKinley, the highest peak in North America, and up above the Arctic Circle to the land of the midnight sun.
an Wright visits the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, once infamous amongst explorers for head-hunting and cannibalism. He begins his journey in Fiji, where he is welcomed by a local tribe with a Kava drinking ceremony. The mild narcotic is often offered to guests as a sign of friendship, and is also used to seal alliances, start chiefly conferences and commemorate births, deaths and marriages. He also goes diving on the Astrolabe Reef, which stretches unbroken for 30 kms along the east side of the small island north of Kadavu. With a vertical drop off of 10 metres in the inside and 1,800 metres in the outside and a visibility of about 75 metres, it is known as one of the finest dive destinations in the world. On the Fijian island of Manna Ian goes feeding sharks with a local man named Api. Api comes from a family that believes it has an affinity with sharks, and has been training the sharks to fed from him for the last two years. From Mana, Ian flies to Vanuatu – a group of islands christened the New Hebrides by Captain Cook in 1774 , because it’s ruggedness reminded him of the Scottish Islands. On the island of Ambryn he meets with the chief of a tribe that used to practice cannibalism, and witnesses the traditional Rom dance, where the dancers pretend to be a spirit which lives inside their costumes. These costumes are burnt after the ceremony in case the spirit takes it over and haunts the dancer. He also visits the hot spring on the island of Sesivi, and Tanna island, where he climbs the massive Yassur volcano. It’s the most accessible active volcano in the world, and has three large vents which bubble away at a temperature of 4000 degrees Fahrenheit, constantly showering the crater with red hot pumice and lava. Ian continues his journey to the Solomon Islands. During World War II the islands were used as a battle ground between the Americans and the Japanese, and thousands of abandoned ships and tanks now litter t
Ian Wright’s antipodean adventure begins at the huge international Country and Western festival in Tamworth, New South Wales. After sampling the music, dancing and rodeos, he hitches to Byron Bay on the North coast of the province, where he hang-glides high above the miles of golden beaches. He also runs into some bikers and comes away with the ultimate souvenir of his trip – a tattoo. Ian heads south, via Sydney to Albury and the vast Mount Buffalo National Park. His riding skills are put to the test as he embarks on a horse trek through the High Plains. He views of the blue mountain ranges ate breath-taking, and it is the perfect setting for bush camping and sleeping out under the stars. Ian hops on a train to Melbourne, where he finds work in a coffee bar. After a few altercations with the cappuccino machine he saves enough to invest in an old car, with which he hopes to explore Victoria. Things don’t quite go according to plan, however, as the car breaks down and he’s forced to go on alone. After going rock climbing in the Grampian Mountains, Ian takes a flight to Tasmania. The Asbestos National Park in the north of this island is home to large communities of Australia’s national animal, the kangaroo. Ian also comes face to face with wallabies and wombats. Mountain bike is his preferred mode of transport, and he starts on a tour all around the island. Near Bicheno he stays with a farmer in Tasmanian Devil country. Ian journeys to the South West Wilderness National Park, where he is taken on a tour through the mysterious black lagoons and estuaries teeming with local wildlife. His journey ends on a more sombre note, with a visit to Port Arthur, the prison in which Australia’s first white settlers, the British convicts were incarcerated.
Justine Shapiro travels to Vietnam, a country which stretches 1000 miles along the east coast of the Indochinese peninsula. She begins her journey in Ho Chi Minh City (called Saigon until the coming of communism in 1975), where she explores the Cholon quarter, where a vibrant market takes place every day. She’s in town for the new years TET festival, and that evening she joins the crowds letting off firecrackers in the streets to scare away the evil spirits. No American can visit Vietnam without confronting the war issue, and next morning Justine travels 22 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh to Cu Chi District. Here she sees some chilling reminders of the conflict, such as the 100 mile network of underground rooms and passages where the Viet Cong both hid and lived. She also visits Cao Dai in the province of Tay Ninh – the centre of one of Vietnam’s new religions, which combines the beliefs of Buddhism with Cofuscism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam. Their god is represented by one huge eye. From Tay Ninh Justien travels by bus to Vietnam’s premier seaside resort, Nha Trang. She finds a room for the night at the Bao Di Villas, once the private seaside residence of the Emperor. She takes an all day boat trip to some of the islands off the coast, all including a fantastic lunch, comprising squid, tofu, stir fry noodles and fresh fruit. Justine travels into central Vietnam on the Reunification Express. After North and South Vietnam united in 1975 one of the government’s first programmes was to replace the rail Practicing Tai Chi on the beach at Nha Trangsystem that had been destroyed in the war. It takes 16 hours to reach her destination, a peninsular in the middle of the country called Lang Co. It’s one of the most tranquil spots in Vietnam with miles of unspoiled beaches. She also visits the nearby city of Hue, where the Emperors lived from the beginning of the 20th century until the second world war, but most of the splendid buildings they constru
Ian Wright travels in the North East of Brazil. He starts his journey in Salvador, the colonial capital of Bahia, where he samples the famous Brazilian coffee and participates in Capoeira - a traditional martial art combining ballet and acrobatics. Travelling into the interior of Brazil, Ian attends a Candomble ceremony, the fastest growing religious cult in Brazil. He also explores the stunning Chapada Diamantina National Park near Lencois. Ian flies to Recife where he chances upon a traditional wedding ceremony. It just so happens that he is invited to join in the festivities at the wedding of the great Brazilian football legend, Pele. Travelling up the coast, Ian visits the multi-coloured sandhills of Morro Branco, where intricate sand paintings are made. He joins in the party at a carnival in Fortaleza, and stops off at the isolated fishing village of Jericoacoara, where he stays with a Brazilian family. The final leg of Ian’s trip takes him to the mouth of the Amazon, and the port of Belem, where local food specialities are on sale at the thriving market.
Justine Shapiro begins her journey in Guayaquil, Ecador's main port and the largest city in the country. She embarks on a 9 hour train up into the Andes, to a small town called Alausi. Here she discovers that the locals Indians are on strike in protest at recent land reforms. From Alausi Justine heads to Banos, a spa town which lies on the edge of the Andean foothill and the Amazon jungle. She bathes in thermal baths, which are heated by the nearby volcanoes and goes biking and hiking in the Pastaza Valley. After climbing snow-capped Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on earth, Justine stops off in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Quito she journeys a few hours north to Otavalo, Ecuador's most famous market town where you can buy all sorts of crafts made by the local Ottovalo Indians. Here, Justine is invited to eat guinea pig - a great delicacy of Andean cuisine dating back to pre-Inca times. She also attends the festival of San Juan (Saint John the Baptist) in the largest hacienda in Ecuador, owned by the famous Plaza family. Justine flies into the jungle to spend a few days with the Siecoyan Indian community. During her visit she treks in the jungle, watches a traditional dance, learns the art of canoe making and samples a couple of the local beverages: chicha, made from yucca and fermented human spit, and Ayhuasca, a hallucinogenic drink made from the Ayhuasca vine. Justine concludes her trip with 6 days in the Galapagos Islands on board a magnificent sailing boat called the Angelique. The Galapagos Islands are renowned as a spectacular wildlife haven and Justine sights sea lions, penguins, frigate birds, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, flamingoes and pelicans.
Ian Wright goes on an unusual journey to the Southern Islands of Japan - from Kyushu down to the Yaeyama Islands, Japan’s westernmost point, only 110 km from Taiwan. Using a combination of flights and ferries, Ian island-hops through the Pacific Islands and proves that even Japan can be done on a budget. He begins his trip in Tokyo, with it’s congested sprawl of high rises, narrow alleys ablaze with neon lights and surging crowds of office workers. Ian takes refuge in one of Japan’s many hostess bars, where European girls are paid large amounts of money just to sit and make polite conversation with Japanese businessmen. No trip to Tokyo is complete without experiencing the Japanese youth scene at Yoyigikoen Park. Bands ranging from hip hop to heavy metal compete to create a cacophony of noise pollution. Ian has a bit of a run in with some Rockabillies, after inadvertently treading on their turf. The bullet train whisks Ian out of Tokyo at 200 mph to the skiing resort of Zao Onsen. Here he becomes the terror of the slopes and tries his hand at that peculiar Japanese tradition of skiing after nightfall. After all his exertions he takes an open air bath surrounded by the slopes and snow capped mountains. Ian flies to Kyusho, the largest of Japan’s Southern islands. He takes a trip to Mount Aso, exploring the volcano at the centre of the island. It’s then a short overland journey east to Nagasaki, where Ian learns about the city’s unfortunate fate as the second target of the atomic bomb, that was to signal the end of hostilities during World War II. A flight south takes him to Kagoshima, where he samples the lively night -life and traditional fish restaurants. In nearby Beppu, Ian experiences a sand bath – the heat rises from the hot springs the create a boiling beach where the locals lie down in a shallow trench and are buried up to their necks. The sauna-like properties of the sand contain many therapeutic properties for all types of aches a
Andrew Daddo begins his intense journey through North India with a dawn boat trip on the holy River Ganges in Varanasi.
Andrew Daddo explores three very different countries in the south of this great continent, from tranquil serenity of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe to amazing wildlife in Botswana’s parks and the unspoilt landscapes of Namibia.
Traveller Justine Shapiro's journey through the Holy Land begins in Tel Aviv where she joins the Israeli population celebrating the start of Shabbat. Traditionally Friday night is spent with the family, but Justine finds there's a thriving clubbing scene in Israel's capital. The first leg of her journey takes her north of Tel Aviv to the holy city of Safed where she learns about Jewish mysticism and spend time working with other travellers on a kibbutz near the Golan Heights.
These two former Soviet Republics are in the heart of Central Asia in a vast inaccessible wilderness, surrounded by harsh deserts and high mountains. It was once the site of the ancient caravan routes and its towns were oases on the Great Silk Road of the East.
Justine Shapiro uncovers 4 of China’s hidden provinces, only recently opened to travellers, from the beauties of Moon Hill, Yangshuo, to rare tribes in Guiyang, bustling markets in Chengdu and trekking in Songpan.
Justine Shapiro travels through South India, an enchanting land of Hindu Temples, hill forts, pigeon English and vegetarianism which has become a favourite destination for backpackers.
Ian Wright's journey to the Arctic takes him through the volcanic landscapes of Iceland and the frozen wilderness of Greenland. Beginning in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, Ian joins the crew of a replica Viking ship to learn about Iceland's history and Viking ancestors. He then sets out for a plane journey to Vatnajokul, but the unpredictable Icelandic weather proves a major obstacle and the plane is grounded. Travelling east, Ian hitches a lift to the natural wonders of Gulfoss, a 32 metre waterfall and Geysir, where boiling water is shot 20 metres in the air every 3 minutes. Ian's next adventure is tasting the local delicacy - fermented shark. The shark is left in rock covered boxes for two months and then hanging for several more. As if this isn't enough, the shark is accompanied by Icelandic potato wine, known as Black Death. A short place trip north-east takes Ian to Greenland, the largest island in the world and the most northerly country. The landscape is rugged, dramatic and at times, forbidding but the Inuit, or Eskimo people have survived thousands of harsh winters. Ian joins an Inuit family in Ammassalik for a dinner of raw seal liver. Ammassalik is also the starting point for the highlight of Ian's trip to Greenland: an action-packed dog-sledding trip across the snowfields. From Ammassalik Ian travels to Isotoq, a small piece of land in the fjords of the south west coast which is the site of Greenland's only reindeer farm. The harsh conditions here mean there is little else to eat, so reindeer is the main source of food. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland is rather more hospitable. Here Ian visits a school in an abortive attempt to learn the native Greenlandic language, then heads for the bay to join local fishermen sea kayaking. For the final leg of his trip, Ian joins Ono Rasmussen, grandson of the great Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, on an Arctic safari. They head off from Illulissat cross country skiing and spend the night in an
Justine Shapiro heads for Turkey – a land fusing many people, continents, culture and religions from East and West, discovering great food, ancient history and bustling markets.
Ian Wright explores New York, one of the world's greatest cities, which is situated on the East Coast of the United States. He visits not only the famous landmarks but also lesser known attractions which are rarely visited by tourists. Ian's New York experience begins at the city's most enduring and evocative symbol - The Statue of Liberty. Two million foreign tourists visit New York every summer and no trip would be complete without seeing this sight. Then after checking into Manhattan's Gershwin Hotel, patronised by models and socialites, Ian takes a taxi to the Lower East Side. The taxi driver gives Ian some lessons in New York Attitude - you are not only welcome to be as obnoxious as you please but it's actually expected of you. Be specific and decisive, but don't forget to tip... Ian goes shopping for trainers in preparation for a basketball game in Washington Square Park, and later in Central Park he has a go at the ultimate New York exercise - rollerblading. That evening Ian goes out and experiences New York's hectic nightlife. Ian hangs with the homeboys in Harlem and the Bronx before moving on to Brooklyn where he plays dominoes in a Puerto Rican cassita. Finally he heads to Coney Island beach, best known for its gruesome freak shows and fairground rides, but also an ideal spot to soak away the cares of city life. Before leaving New York Ian takes a helicopter ride over Manhattan by all accounts the world's most spectacular city skyline and the perfect way to end a hectic week in this incredible city.
Ian Wright’s African adventure takes him from the historic slavery island of Zanzibar to Tanzania, from bustling Dar Es Salaam to fantastic wildlife, nature and treks – tackling the mighty Kilimanjaro.
Traveller Ian Wright's explores the Rocky Mountain States of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Steeped in myths and legends of Native Indians and cowboys, Ian sets out on a journey to find out how the West was really won. Ian begins his journey in the Badlands of South Dakota - learning the history and culture of the Lakota Indians on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After staying a night in a teepee, Ian heads for the Black Hills, where 60 million years of erosion have created a honeycomb of tunnels and caves. Ian goes potholing with experienced caver Stan, exploring the endless caverns that make up the Wind Caves. Ian's next stop is the Indian holy mountain of Bear Butte. This is the place where the Sioux gather to pray and pay homage to the spirits. From Bear Butte, Ian travels north to the town of Deadwood near the border with Wyoming. Deadwood was once a wealthy gold mining town, but now the main source of income is the gaming parlours along the main street. Ian tries his hand at poker and hears stories about the legends of the 'Wild West' from one of the local cowboys. Just outside Deadwood, Ian joins cowboy Dave at the Dude Ranch and tries the local delicacy - bull calf gonads - euphemistically known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. On next leg of Ian's journey he drives through Montana to Jackson Hole. He dons his leathers, joins a group of Harley Davidson bikers and hits the open road to take in more of the spectacular scenery the region offers. En route to Jackson Hole, Ian stops off at the historic site of Little Bighorn where General Custer fell to the Sioux Indians. Arriving in Jackson Hole, Ian goes gliding over the Teton Mountains. He hooks up with a local who takes him to the world famous Yellowstone National Park and Whitefish for a few quick lessons in the art of snowboarding. At the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho Ian witnesses an authentic Pow wow - a spectacular song and dance ceremony performed by the Nez Perce to honour their
Ian Wright's journey down the length of Chile takes him from the driest desert in the world to the southern-most point before the Antarctic Ocean. Nearly three thousand miles of stunning countryside encompass a vast and beautiful country with a variety of terrains and climates. The scorching aridity of the Atacama Desert is a great preserver of history and Ian sees beautiful hillside geolyths made hundreds of years ago and ancient mummies, their glossy black hair still neatly braided. From the northern deserts where the llama farmers continue their forefathers ways; to the modern technology of the largest telescope in the world; to the spectacle of a pilgrimage of thousands of devotees... finally reaching the countryís geographical and commercial centre - Santiago. From Santiago Ian continues south to Temuco on a luxurious wood panelled 1930's train to visit the indigenous Mapuche Indians who still struggle to retain their own language and identity in their on-going fight against Chilean colonisation. Nearby, across the lakes and volcanoes, live 8th generation German ex-pats who have been allowed to retain their native language along with their distinctive architecture, music and strudel. Patagonia is penguin country. The wind and weather conditions here can be brutal but the astounding natural beauty of the glacier-streamed mountains in Torres del Paine National Park more than makes up for the chill factor. Nearing the end of his trip, Ian flies north to Robinson Crusoe Island, named after Daniel Defoe's famous novel Robinson Crusoe, which was set there. He finds it's not as exotic and palm-lined as the book would have you believe, but the local people are hospitable and lobsters are excellent. Finally, 2,000 miles west of Santiago, Ian ends his journey on Easter Island, the most remote inhabited place on earth. The people here are Polynesians who are segregated from mainland Chileans and the island is also home to huge protective moais that cont
Intrepid traveller Ian Wright begins his journey down the peninsular of Baja California in the border town of Tijuana. This is the place where hundreds of thousands of Mexicans risk their lives every year attempting to cross into the United States. Ian is challenged to run through no-man's land and having survived the armed air and land patrol he begins hitching south on Baja's only highway. After miles of uninterrupted cacti, Ian has a sea-spray shower at one of the world's best blowholes, and then ends the first part of his adventure at San Quintin - a typical Baja one-horse town. The only accommodation available in San Quintin is a faded hotel originally built for Hollywood stars. After a short stop in the beautiful Bahia de Los Angeles, where travellers sleep in huts on the beach Ian continues south on the back of a motorbike, through more desert landscapes to the mission oasis of San Ignacio. Here the over zealous religious imperialism of the Catholic missionaries is evident: the cemetery holds the remains of the indigenous people who refused to convert. One of the highlights of Ian's journey is a whale watching trip with two local fishermen in Mulege. Not content with simply swimming around the tiny boat, the whales actually come close enough for Ian to touch them. Ian also goes in searches of the perfect beach, experiences a true ranchero style dance - complete with a hangover the following morning, and enters into the spirit of a wild and hedonistic carnival at La Paz on Baja's southern tip. The last part of Ian's journey involves a ferry ride east across the Sea of Cortez to mainland Mexico, where he ventures into the stunning Copper Canyon. Here he meets real cowboys who give him very useful lessons on picking up senoritas. Finally, Ian climbs high into the mountains where he is privy to an ancient ceremony of the cave dwelling Tarahumara Indians - the ritualistic killing of a goat - something which has rarely been witnessed before by a w
West Africa is one of the poorest but most culturally diverse regions. For decades many parts of West Africa were under French rule and a strong connection with France still exists today. Traveler Justine Shapiro visits three former French colonies: Benin, Burkina Faso andMali, travelling north from the old slave coast into the Sahara ending her journey at the legendary city of Timbuktu.
Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily are the stepping stones between Europe and Africa. Ian Wright begins his journey on the French island of Corsica, throwing himself into every water sport imaginable before heading for the cooler climes of the mountains. Mountains cover a third of Corsica and hikers flock to the peaks and gorges in the Valley of Restonica. From the mountains Ian heads south to Ajaccio. It is the birthplace of the famous French ruler, Napoleon, a fact which you can't escape in this small town where every shop, cafe, restaurant plays on the 'Napoleon theme'. The Italian island of Sardinia is Ian's next port of call, but he has his work cut out to get there: he finds a yacht at the Corsican port of Bonifacio and Ian pays his way to Sardinia as a deck hand/assistant chef. The mountain village of Sedilo is where the S'Ardia takes place, a two day festival in honour of Saint Constantine. Sardinians have a long tradition of fine horsemanship and a high-speed race through the narrow streets is the main feature of the festival. The best way to see Sardinia is by car, so Ian rents an old Fiat Topolino and drives east to Orgosolo. Orgosolo is a former bandit town and is now famous for its powerful political murals. Nearby Ian witnesses the Mammutones perform a folk dance, where black-masked men wearing goat bells representing Moorish prisoners are rounded up by dancers dressed as Sardinian soldiers. Ian leaves the frenetic mountain lifestyle behind him and heads south to the beaches of Costa Verde, also known as 'The Silent Coast'. Continuing his island hopping, Ian catches a ferry to Sicily and journeys to the capital, Palermo. Here he cooks up a storm with a local pasta chef and then tears around town on his rented scooter. The highlight of his trip to Palermo is the Festival of Santa Rosalia, complete with operatic music, flying angels and fireworks. The volcanic island of Stromboli is Ian's final destination. After a
Traveller Ian Wright begins his journey in the Middle East in Jordan. In the Wadi Rum desert he joins guests at a Bedouin wedding. Before travelling south to the ruins of Petra he rides a camel and has a swim in the Dead Sea. After Jordan, Ian travels on to Lebanon. In Beirut he rides with a motorbike brigade, then heads south into the occupied zone where he talks to the UN peacekeeping forces. Ian's next destination is Baalbeck in the fertile Bekaa valley, one of the most spectacular Roman temples in the world. It was a major place of worship sacred to the god Jupiter. Ian begins his visit to Syria in Damascus, where he observes the 'jumping sufis' experiencing religious ecstasy in a mosque, and relaxes in a Turkish bath. In Aleppo, Ian goes shopping in a large outside market called a Souk, then goes to see some clay beehive style houses nearby. He is introduced to the world of the 'whirling dervishes', one of Islam's important mystical orders, inspired in the 13th Century by the poet Mevlana Rumi. The final leg of his journey takes Ian south east to the ancient Roman desert town Palmyra. He ends his trip in the peace and quiet of a desert monastery.
Traveller Ian Wright Ian begins his exploration of Ethiopia in the northern highlands of Axum. He visits the oldest church in Ethiopia, which is supposedly the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, and also attends a native wedding. An 8-hour bus journey takes Ian south to Lalibela in time to attend the most important festival on the Ethiopian calendar, Timkat. After the celebrations Ian visits the 11 churches hewn out of rock, which the locals believe were built by angels. He also finds out how aid donated by the West has helped Ethiopia since the famine of 1984. Ian's journey takes him to Bahar Dar, where he visits the spectacular Blue Nile Falls and samples some of the local cuisine with a couple of fellow British travellers. From Bahar Dar, Ian travels to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. After drinking coffee with the locals, he goes bargain-hunting in Mercato, the biggest outdoor market in the whole of Africa and is pampered in a local hydrotherapy centre. The town of Harar is Ian's next stop, where he takes part in the popular pass-time of chewing a plant known as chat. He visits the Hyena Man, who is famous for feeding hyenas with his bare hands - surely one of the world's most bizarre tourist attractions. Flying via Addis Ababa once again, Ian travels south to Shashemane, passing through Lake Langano, one of several giant lakes in the heart of Ethiopia's great Rift Valley. A local Rastafarian community invites him to attend a coffee ceremony. The final leg of the journey takes Ian to the very south of Ethiopia, to the town of Arba Minch and the Mago National Park. He has his fortune told from a goat's intestine by the Hamar tribe, takes part in the bizarre macho ritual of cow jumping and is challenged to a stick fight by a member of one of Africa's fiercest tribes, the Mursi.
Traveller Ian Wright Ian skydives onto a Havana beach, where he begins his journey through Cuba & Haiti. He explores the bustling street markets in Havana and discovers the back-streets Waterfall in Camaguey which throb to the sound of the Rumba. From Havana Ian travels west to the tobacco province of Pinar del Rio where he lends a hand to the guajieros, visits a cigar factory and stays in the somewhat unusual holiday resort built by Fidel Castro's lover. Ian visits the site of the American invasion in the Bay of Pigs before arriving in Santa Clara, home of the Che Guevara University, where the famous revolutionary's memory is still very much alive. Camaguey is the wild west of Cuba. Ian tries his hand at rodeo and visits a paladar. Just outside Holguin he visits a marine park where he swims with the dolphins - an awesome experience. Santiago de Cuba is the music capital of the country. Ian visits El Cobre, takes a trip to Dinosaur Land, a bizarre theme park built by criminals on community service, and climbs the Gran Piedra. Ian continues his journey to Port au Prince - the capital of Haiti, which is the oldest black republic in the world. He stays in Haiti's most famous hotel, The Oloffson, immortalised in the Graham Greene novel The Comedian. After a quick visit to Jacmel to witness a cockfight, Ian gets involved in a peasant festival where he joins the Rara bands. In Souvenance, the most sacred site in Haiti, Ian is invited to a voodoo ceremony. Ian ends his journey in Cap Haitien in the north, where he pays a visit to a spectacular citadel.
Traveller Neil Gibson Pakistan was formed by the division of India half a century ago, and founded in the name of Islam. Few Western people venture here but as traveller Neil Gibson discovers it offers some of Asia's most mind-blowing landscapes, a kaleidoscope of cultures and a deeply generous people. His journey begins in Karachi, a bustling port town. He comes across a film crew making a movie on the life of Jinnah, and takes the opportunity to find out more about the founder of Pakistan. Leprosy is still a massive problem amongst the poor in Karachi and Neil visits one of the hospitals that treats lepers. Neil then takes a horse and cart to the Saddar Bazaar, Karachi's main shopping area, and gets himself kitted out in a shalwar kamiz, Pakistan's native dress. From Karachi, it's a 17 hour train ride north to the sufi city of Multan, inhabited by the ancient Indus valley civilisation. The 4000 year old city is home to the mystical side of Islam and Neil arrives in time for the Urs festival, where every year the holy men come to chill out and trance out. Neil has his fortune told by a bird, has his turban stuffed with onions and rides a camel to the spectacular Derawar Fort in the midst of the Cholistan desert. Neil's next stop is Lahore, once the centre of the Mogul empire and considered to be Pakistan's cultural and artistic capital. Here Neil visits the last bastion of British colonialism, Aitchinson College where Imran Khan was once a pupil, and visits the incredible Badshahi mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Neil learns about the strict lifestyle required by the Koran and takes part in some Kushti wrestling. A bus journey 440 kilometres north-west takes Neil to the frontier town of Peshawar. Due to it's proximity to Afghanistan, the town is full of smuggled goods and as Neil discovers, it is possible to buy almost anything in the markets. Neil then visits the legendary Khyber Pass and looks out at the real-life 'Gateway to India'
Traveller Ian Wright Covering three quarters of the continent of Australia, the Outback is one of the most sparse and rugged landscapes in the world. Ian Wright begins his journey in Darwin, where many travellers meet before trekking through the Outback. From Darwin Ian passes through Kakadu National Park where he feeds the crocodiles and encounters a black headed python. From there he journeys to Katherine in time for the Barunga Aboriginal Festival of sports and culture. Cloncurry used to be the biggest copper producer in the British Empire, but these days the town is rather quieter. Ian is invited to participate in a Kangaroo hunt, which he does somewhat reluctantly. He also tries his hand at Bush Poetry with a little help from the locals. The next leg of Ian's journey takes him to Alice Springs where he looks at some Aboriginal Art and experiences working life on a cattle station covering a modest 300,000 acres of land. After all that hard work, Ian finds the most luxurious way to travel, floating in a hot air balloon over Alice Springs. About three hundred miles South West of Alice is Australia's most famous natural landmark - Ayers Rock. It's now known as Uluru, and Ian meets some of the few Aborigine people who still live around here. The area was home to the Anangu aborigines for thousands of years but now that it has become a major tourist attraction only a few communities remain. Ian heads north west along the 600 mile Tanami track which links Alice Springs and Hall Creek in Western Australia. Whilst travelling through the desert Ian eats a bush grub dug up on the roadside and also dines on kangaroo tail. Another four hundred miles west of Halls Creek, Ian visits the coastal town of Broome. At night he sees light reflecting on the mud flats, known locally as the staircase to the moon. He also visits an area around Cape Leveque, home to aborigines known as the Bardi people, where he is shown how to catch crabs. The final leg of his jour
Traveller Justine Shapiro Justine Shapiro's journey through south west United States begins in Gallup on the New Mexico border, where she visits a Native American intertribal ceremonial. The event lasts for six days and whilst there, Justine attends an Indian Rodeo, checks out Native American cuisine and watches some amazing tribal dances. From Gallup, Justine takes a spectacular train journey north east to Santa Fe, where she acquires a motorbike and cruises along to Taos. She stops in Taos to investigate the Earthships - homes constructed entirely with recycled materials. Justine heads south from Taos to Roswell, the site of a reported UFO crash in 1947. Justine investigates the incident, which has become shrouded in secrecy, and hears some convincing evidence about the case. Justine continues her journey by bike, stopping next at the small town of Deming, where she takes part in the Great American Duck Race. She then heads north west to Tucson, in the state of Arizona. Here she meets some cowboys and takes a horse ride through the desert. She also trades in the motorbike for a car and finds a fellow traveller to share costs on the way North to Sedona. When they reach the New Age capital of Sedona, Justine has a physic reading, and is told that her new car will break down in six to eight months time. The next day the car gets towed to the nearest garage, and Justine gets a lift to Peach Springs at the West rim of the Grand Canyon. She goes on a white water rafting trip, then takes to the skies in a helicopter to view this awesome natural beauty. After picking up her car again, it's an eighteen hour drive north-west via the bright lights of Vegas, to the Black Rock Desert. Here, Justine ends her journey at the Burning Man festival. All that is weird and wonderful can be found here, as Justine discovers, when she visits the smut shack, is offered frozen bugs, and joins the Pagan revellers for the burning of a forty foot neon man.
Traveller Nikki Grosse Nikki Grosse's trek in Central Africa takes her through the dramatic and remote landscapes of Uganda and Eastern Congo (formerly Zaire). Nikki's route begins in South West Uganda in the 'Switzerland of Africa', where she travels on the back of a truck to Bwindi National Park, also known as the "Impenetrable Forest". Bwindi is one of the last remaining habitats of mountain gorillas in the world, and the current gorilla population is estimated at 320. With the help of guides and slashers who cut at the dense undergrowth with machetes, Nikki tracks a gorilla family for hours through difficult terrain and is finally rewarded when she finds herself only metres from a Silverback. Nikki travels north through the wildlife haven Queen Elizabeth National Park, en route to the small town of Kasese. Kasese is situated at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains and is the last place where trekkers can buy provisions before setting off into the mountains. Nikki buys a pair of wellies for the infamous Bigo Bog and organises a team of Ugandan guides and porters to accompany her on the trek. The Rwenzori Mountains are also known as The Mountains of the Moon because of the glaciers at the summit which can be glimpsed through a veil of cloud. They are a true African wilderness and Nikki treks through impossible undergrowth, along slippery paths, through knee deep bogs and thick mud, under towering giant heather forests and over snow covered peaks and glaciers, ending her journey a few hundred metres of Margherita Peak, the third highest in Africa. For the final part of Nikki's journey she crosses the border into the Congo and travels to Beni, where she is diagnosed with Malaria. After a course of medical treatment and a few unplanned rest days, she heads off into the Ituri forest in Eastern Congo. She travels in a truck along some of the worst roads in Africa; the recent rains have turned it into mud-filled potholes. Leaving the vehicle and setti
Traveller Justine Shapiro Justine explores the world's eighth largest country, Argentina. Her journey begins in Iguazu where she visits the incredible Iguazu Falls, which are almost a mile wide. From Iguazu Justine travels west to Jujuy, the most traditional region of Argentina and the first part of the country to be colonised by the Spanish. She buys a bracelet made from goat's toenails and drinks mate with the locals. Her journey then takes her to Salta to catch the train known as The Train to the Clouds, one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the whole of South America. The journey takes three days and rises to 15000 feet in places. Back in Salta, after a late night with an English bar owner and his singing customers, she travels south to Catamarca. Justine spends a day with the Gauchos, the Argentinian cowboys and feeds bread to the alligators. She also attends a religious festival in honour of the Virgin of the Valley. From Catamarca, Justine heads to Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, with it's 20 lane roads and European atmosphere. She visits Eva Peron's grave, learns to Tango and parties the night away in the city which is arguably one of the most exciting in the world. For a welcome break from the hectic lifestyle of the capital, Justine travels to south Argentina's lake district and El Bolson. Here she samples the simple life and visits a fellow American who left the rat race behind to build his own house here, living on just $2000 a year. From El Bolson Justine hitches east to Trelew where she visits the largest penguin colony in the South Atlantic. In Gaiman she visits a theme park made entirely of garbage. The final leg of her journey takes Justine to the southern most extremes of Argentina, to El Calafate. She visits the mystic caves, beautiful scenery and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciales, a spectacular sight, where glaciers meet green grass.
Traveller Justine Shapiro Justine Shapiro's journey begins in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town on the West Coast of South Africa. She visits Robben Island, where President Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 of his 27 years in prison. She speaks to an ex-political prisoner who lived in the cell opposite to Mandela for 7 years. The townships in Cape Town are the scene of much history and political strife. Justine explores a Cape Town township and visits a Sanoma - a South African faith healer. From Cape Town Justine heads east on board the Trans Karoo Express, through the lush wine regions north of Cape Town, then into the arid landscape known as the Great Karoo. She stays with an Africaan family in Laingsaburg and rides an ostrich in Oudtshoorn. After going deep sea fishing in Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast, Justine arrives in South Africa's third largest city, Durban. One a white enclave, Durban's streets now reflect a wide variety of cultures. It has always been home to the largest Indian and Pakistani community in South Africa, and the Kavadi festival in February where devotees celebrate the Hindu God Muruga by allowing their bodies to be pierced all over. Later, Justine hangs out with the young Durban surfers and meets the National Surfing Champion Shane Thorn, before having a go at surfing herself. The next destination is the Zulu homeland north of Durban, where she attends a Zulu ritual and talks with a young Zulu about the history of this warrior tribe. Justine journeys on into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. A country in itself, it has its own language, culture and currency. The people of Lesotho are known as Basotho and Justine attends a puberty initiation ceremonies for the young teenage boys of the tribe. From Lesotho Justine travels north-west through Lesotho, and back down to the South African border, reaching Ficksburg and Rustlers Valley. Here she stays with a hippie community and experiences a 'sound journey'. Kruger Nati
Traveller Shilpa Mehta Shilpa visits some of the Philippines' 7000 islands. She begins her journey in the town of Baguio on the island of Luzon, where she visits the giant statue of Marcos and finds out what life was like in the Philippines during his rule. She also visits a faith healer renowned for his ability to perform surgery without the use of tools or incisions. From here, Shilpa takes the bus and journeys south to Sagada through the beautiful Filipino countryside, where she visits the famous Hanging Coffins and the amazing rice terraces, often considered to be the eighth Wonder of the World. Next stop San Fernando, where every year on Good Friday incredible real-life crucifixions take place as a form of penance. Shilpa travels south to Manila to witness one of the Philippines' most popular sports, cockfighting. She meets a karaoke singing taxi driver and goes to one of the busy ballroom dancing nightclubs, as well as seeing evidence of the darker side of Manila - child prostitution. A local outrigger boat takes Shilpa to the island of Boracay and its stunning beaches. She explores the old part of Boracay on horseback and goes diving around the corals off its exotic shores. Shilpa's next stop is the island of Negros, the sugarland of the Philippines, and the town of Bacolod. She travels on the vintage steam engines still used on this plantation, the largest in the world, and visits the beautiful but controversial Saint Joseph's Chapel. From Negros Shilpa travels to Davao on the island of Mindanao, where she samples local delicacies such as roast pig, the Durian fruit that 'tastes like heaven and smells like hell' and a popular aphrodisiac - a duck embryo. She also visits the Sea Gypsies and the amazing Tiboli people that live on Lake Sebu, as well as attending a horsefight. Next, Shilpa travels west to the island of Palawan and the city of Puerta Princesa, where she visits the open prison. North from here in El Nido, cavers risk their liv
Traveller Neil Gibson Peru is one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries on earth. It stretches from the Amazon, across the Andes to the Pacific Coast. Neil Gibson's journey begins in Lima, one of the fastest growing capital cities in Latin America. Here he meets Father Eugene Kirke, an Irishman who runs a mission in Villa El Salvador, which was on of the first shanty towns to spring up on the outskirts of Lima. He also samples food found in local markets. From Lima, Neil travels North for nine hours by coach to the Andean city of Huaraz, the center for trekking and mountaineering in Peru. After acclimatizing to the altitude, Neil takes a day trip to a glacier at 16 000 ft above sea level. From Huaraz, Neil travels by bus for twelve hours to the coastal town of Trujillo and visits the beach at Huanchaco, where surfers flock during the summer. Here he takes a trip in a traditional reed boat, and visits a Shaman. The next part of his journey takes Neil into the Amazon, via Peru's largest jungle city Iquitos, where he explores the rainforest wildlife. From Iquitos, he flies back to Lima before heading South through Peru's coastal desert towards Ica. In the desert Neil is taken to an ancient burial site that has been destroyed and looted. The next leg of Neil's journey takes him south to Nazca, where he takes a flights over the mysterious Nazca lines - shapes of animal forms up to 200 meters long, drawn over an area of 350 Sq. miles. From here he journeys on to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and crosses from the town of Puno to the island of Taquile. Here he celebrates the potato harvest with the self-sufficient islanders. Neil's final destination is Cuzco, the Inca capital. His visit coincides with the sun festival of Inti Raymi, celebrated at the time of the summer solstice at the Inca stronghold overlooking the town. He also treks the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, walking for 2 days along the sacre
Traveller Shilpa Mehta Sixty million visitors come to Spain each year but most head for the tourist resorts in the south. Shilpa Mehta's journey takes her through the less travelled north of the country. Shilpa Mehta at the Running of the Bulls in PamplonaStarting in Barcelona, Shilpa explores the city's rich architecture and discovers Flamenco dancing in the street. Just outside Barcelona is the small town of Terrassa, where Shilpa watches a Catalan traditional event of building human castles. From Terrassa Shilpa heads for Pamplona in the province of Navarra, where the annual Bull Run known as 'El Encierro' is taking place. Running alongside the bulls whilst they are herded through the streets is seen as a test of machismo, but participants risk serious injury and even death. Shilpa hitches a lift north to San Sebastian, where she samples the tapas dish unique to the Basque region, known as pintxos. She then continues her journey to Asturias, where she explores the Somiedo National Reserve by mountain bike. The next leg of Shilpa's journey takes her to the heart of the country, Madrid. Just outside the city, she visits a school for young bullfighters, and picks up some of the skills required for the job. From Madrid, Shilpa's road trip takes her northwest through the cities of Segova, Avila, Salamanca and finally Zamora. On this journey she glimpses a spectacular aqueduct, visits a farm that raises bulls for the ring, and finally witnesses a bull fight with a famous female matador. In the north west of the country Shilpa joins the Pilgrim Trail, staying in refugios along this famous religious route. The trail ends in Santiago, and Shilpa arrives in the picturesque city just in time to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Spain's patron saint, St James. After attending a service in Santiago cathedral, Shilpa watches a spectacular fire work display, symbolising the turning of the Moslems out of Spain and victory for the Catholic faith. I
Traveller Ian Wright Ian Wright starts his adventure in Budapest, the capital of Hungary where he finds that tourism has boomed since the fall of communism in 1989. He samples the traditional Hungarian sausage, luxuriates at the thermal baths and steps into the past when he visits a communist theme park. From Budapest Ian hitches a lift to Eger, stopping off on the way at a refuge for zoo animals where he gets friendly with one of the bears. Once in Eger, Ian checks out the city's baroque architecture, and goes grape picking with a local family who encourage him to drink plenty of the fruits of his labour! Travelling by bus, Ian continues his journey to Hortobagy National Park situated on the Great Plain or Puszta, which covers one third of the country. The Puszta is home to whipcracking Hungarian cowboys, renowned for their horsemanship, and Ian gets to see a display of their impressive skills. Ian crosses the Hungarian border into Romania by train, and his first stop is Transylvania's medieval town, Sighisoara. This picturesque town was the birthplace of the ruler who became known as Dracula, and Ian investigates the history of his famous tale. He also samples Romania's most popular dish Tripe soup, before embarking on the next leg of his journey into the Carpathian mountain range. After making merry with the locals in a small mountain village, Ian climbs the Fagaras peaks, and discovers some breath taking views. Then taking to the road, Ian travels through a landscape of orchard covered hills to the small town of Bistrita, where Romania's Gypsy community gather for a festival. At the festival, Ian observes the fiercely held traditions of gypsy culture, and joins in with the drinking and the dancing. From Bistrita, Ian travels East to the Romanian capital Bucharest. Here he tours the many reminders of the Ceauscescu era, including a visit to the Grand Palace and the leader's final resting place. Ian finishes his journey discovering evidence that
Ian Wright treks to a travel haven, exploring backpacker life and floating markets in Bangkok through to village life and outstanding festivals.
Neil Gibson travels to Central America, where he visits two contrasting countries; Costa Rica, one of the most affluent lands in Latin America, and Nicaragua, better known for it’s volatile politics.
The Indonesian archipelago stretches from the Asian mainland all the way to Australia. Our traveller, Shilpa Mehta explores just two contrasting islands of the thirteen thousand that make up Indonesia – Bali and Sulawes. Starting in Bali, Shilpa arrives in Kuta. She meets an Australian who came to visit in 1974 and never went home. She then checks out Kuta’s beautiful beach, and has a go at surfing, before relaxing with a massage from Kutas’ world famous massage ladies. From Kuta, Shilpa travels by bus to the artists’ village, Ubud, where she has a meal in a warung, an Indonesian café. She also visits the rice fields. Bali is renowned for it’s extraordinary rice terraces and the ones around Ubud are among its most spectacular. Shilpa tries her hand at mask making and learns how important masks are to Hindu sacred stories. Not far from Ubud is the volcano of Gunung Batur. Shilpa climbs Gunung Batur with a guide, cooking breakfast in a volcanic geyser on the way. They catch an amazing sunrise. Heading onto Lovina on the North coast, Shilpa joins tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming. Before leaving Bali, Shilpa attends the New Year festival. She helps with preparations for the festival where the bad spirits from the old year are scared away, and good luck is ushered in with the new. From Bali, Shilpa catches a cheap flight to the strangely shaped island of Sulawesi. She explores the southern province starting in the capital city of Ujung Pandang, which is the gateway to the Spice Islands. After the tranquillity of Bali, Sulawesi is rather different and there are many reminders that this is a Muslim country. At the port Shilpa works up an appetite shifting flour before hooking up with some local girls who guide her through the bewildering choice of food on offer at the sea front. Shilpa takes a bus to Rantepao in the region of Torajaland, following an inland route that reveals some spectacular scenery along the way. After
Ian Wright makes an expedition to a country which, though not on a regular travellers ‘must visit’ list, proves to be alive with warm people, stunning architecture and history, and even posh nosh…
Ian Wright begins his Nordic journey high on a cliff in Stavanger, where he witnesses the extreme sport of Base Jumping. He journeys from Staveanger to Bergen by ferry, which takes him along just 150 of Norway’s 21,000 miles of coastline. Ian enjoys a night out with locals and travellers in Bergen and discovers that drinking in Norway requires a small mortgage. The next stage of the journey is from Bergen to Voss by train. The usually highly reliable train breaks down and Ian has to complete his journey by taxi. He arrives in Voss before nightfall and camps out at the edge of a clear lake – not a very comfortable option but next morning aches and pains are soon forgotten as Ian takes on nature with a lesson in river boarding. Ian travels onwards to Stryn, one of Norway’s three summer ski resorts. The journey takes two days by coach and Ian has the opportunity to see Norway’s mountainscapes at their best, as well as take a short trip in a replica Viking boat. Ian has a go at a telemart skiing – a traditional form of skiing that combines downhill and cross country styles. To help him recover, he takes a quick sauna. Three hundred miles further north by bus to Trondheim, Ian rents a bike and takes a whistle stop tour of the town. He then travels by train and plane to Lapland, the land of the Midnight Sun. Lapland is also known as Samiland and it covers parts of Sweden , Russia and Finland. Ian thumbs a lift from a Sami Reindeer farmer and soon finds himself erecting a Norwegian Labu or tent. Dinner that night is dried reindeer meat, which seems to be a staple of the Sami diet. Before leaving Lapland Ian is invited to a colourful Sami wedding. After the ceremony the guests enjoy a lavish feast of, not surprisingly, reindeer meat! Ian dons his wellies, hat and white overalls and spends three days gutting fish to earn enough money for a helicopter flight to Spitzbergen, the Northern most point of Norway. With a greater population of polar bear
Ian Wright travels through the grasslands, mountains and deserts of Mongolia. He begins his journey in Beijing, once the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire, and catches the train to the present day capital – Ulaan Baatar.
Jonathan Atherton finds himself among snap-happy tourists on the trail of famous landmarks such as Trafalgar Square and Soho, then explores the alternative London of Gay Pride and Bangladeshi Brick Lane.
Justine Shapiro begins her journey in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and a great starting point for a journey through Eastern Europe. Since the collapse of Communism in 1989, Prague has become an incredibly popular destination for travellers.
Jonathan Atherton explores the rivers, mountains, and towns of Papua New Guinea and uncover vibrant tribes, wily wildlife and stunning nature and crafts.
Traveller Ian Wright starts his journey in the bustling and expanding modern day capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. He visits the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, Pashupatinath Temple and the home of the young princess goddess. Whilst in Kathmandu Ian takes the opportunity to sample some Nepalese food, and has a night out Kathmandu style. He then hitches south to the Royal Badia National Park where he goes looking for Bengal tigers with a local guide, astride an Indian Elephant. Unfortunately the rare and reclusive tiger is not spotted that day by anybody. Ian spends the evening in a small village nearby where he is introduced to some of the local families and witnesses a local celebration. From the Terai region Ian flies to the Lukla, in the eastern Himalayas. Here he plans to make his way to the popular bazaar at Namche, before trekking along a section of the Everest highway. At Pangboche monastery Ian also catches a glimpse of what is alleged to be a Yeti skull. Avoiding the Yaks on the pathways, Ian continues his trek to Tengpoche Monastery where he witnesses a traditional Buddhist celebration. Ian joins up with a sherpa guide who has been up Everest twice, and can offer Ian some insight into the nature of trekking in the heights of the Himalayas. Together they make a simple offering to the gods that are said to protect trekkers and climbers. On the last leg of his journey Ian flies to Humla. This town is well off the trekkers track, and his four hour horse ride takes him even further into an area of Nepal seldom visited by tourists. Ian's last night is spent at a local wedding celebration. To Ian's surprise the wedding involves five grooms and one bride. Ian enjoys the ensuing party, which involves a fair bit of barley wine.
Justine Shapiro spends a week in Paris, the capital of France and one of the most cultural and romantic cities in Europe. Justine’s first night in Paris is spent with an old American friend, who now lives in Paris. He takes her to a traditional café, where they enjoy copious amounts of traditional French fare and a few glasses of vin rouge before they join the other customers in their songs that go on till the early hours of the morning. The following day Justine attends a cookery class at the Ecole Cordon Bleu. Cooks from all over the world come here to learn a little about French haute cuisine. In the evening she takes part in an event that reflects a different side of Paris: she joins over 3,000 roller-bladers and their police escorts in their weekly night-time skate through and around the city centre. The architecture of Paris provides some fabulous views, and after her trip to the Arc de Triomphe in the morning, Justine spends the afternoon visiting and climbing some of the more contemporary buildings that Paris is renowned for, such as La Grande Arch de la Defence, L’Opera Bastille, and the Bibliotheque Nationale de France. She also rides the the number 73 bus, which offers some of the best views of Paris for a fraction of the prices charged by official sight seeing buses. Later, Justine attends one of Paris’ most famous shows, the cabaret at the Lido. Justine goes shopping in the markets which cater for Paris’ ethnically diverse population. Here she is shown around by a Ghanaian gentleman, who explains the uses and properties of various African foods. Later, she shops for the goods that Paris is more famous for: with a professional designer she is taken to some of the designer boutiques, although in the end she save her francs and picks up some bargains in the popular store, ‘Tati’. Paris is famous for its galleries and museums that represent both the traditional artistic movements of France, as well as some of its more avant-gar
Justine Shapiro begins her journey in Rome, the capital of Italy and the gateway to the south. She rents a scooter to get around and goes first to the Colosseum. This was the scene of some of the Roman Empire's bloodiest excesses. The first games were held here in 80 AD and lasted for 100 days and nights - enough time for 5000 animals to be slaughtered and 9000 gladiators to fight to the death.
Jonathan Atherton arrives in Amsterdam, a city notorious for its liberal attitudes to drugs, sex, and hedonism. Although he is intent on discovering the less infamous sides of Amsterdam, its museums, its canals, and its architecture, Jonathan is not going to let the alternative Amsterdam pass him by. His first night is spent in the Hemp Hotel, a hotel pioneering the use of Hemp in the construction of fabrics, food, and cocktails.
Traveller Megan McCormick begins her journey in the island paradise of Hawaii on Kauai, the least explored of the islands. She is invited to a Hula ceremony and learns that dancing was how the natives expressed their history and culture in the days before the Hawaiian language evolved. The main staple of the Hawaiian diet is a vegetable called taro. Megan lends a hand with the harvest, and is invited to taste the fruit of her labours at a Luau the following evening. Meanwhile, she kayaks down the Wailua River into the rainforest and treks into the forest to an isolated spot where she takes a refreshing dip in a waterfall. From Kauai, Megan flies to Oahu, the most populated of the islands. At the tourist haven of Waikiki she heads for the beach and takes a surfing lesson, learning how to feel the manna and ride the waves. The next morning Megan goes to the Honalulu fish market to find out how to tell the quality and shelf-life of a fresh catch. Although Hawaii has been an American state since 1959, the Japanese community makes up a quarter of the population and Megan learns that today there's a growing sovereignty movement among native Hawaiians. She attends a ceremony in remembrance of the attack upon the US marine base by Japanese bombers on December 7th 1941, when more that 2500 people were killed and the course of the Second World War was irrevocably altered. Megan hitches a ride with a bunch of young marines who are heading for the North Shore to check out the surf. Further along the north shore, Megan is invited to an intimate marriage ceremony. Same sex marriages are commonplace in Hawaii, although a recent referendum asking Hawaiians to vote in favour of same-sex marriages was lost by a narrow margin. Nevertheless, David and Scott make a great couple. Megan flies to Maui and, as hitch hiking is illegal on this island, she hires a car. She takes the Hana Highway all the way to the Haleakala Crater, the largest inactive volcano on earth and camps
Megan McCormick's journey in one of the ultimate travellers' destinations, West India, begins in the small holy town of Pushkar. Along with hundreds of thousands of visitors, she takes part in the annual religious festival and receives a blessing on the shores of the lake. The town is also famous for its camel fair every November and Megan drives a hard bargain with the traders. After a gruelling 8 hour bus ride north to Bikaner, a remote desert city, Megan puts on a brave face and visits the extraordinary Karnimassar Temple. The temple is filled with rats, which are worshiped as the reincarnations of story tellers. In a small village just outside the city she bears witness to fire-dancing at the Sidh sect festival. The golden city of Jaisalmer, which was built in the 12th century, is at the very heart of Rajasthan. Megan, with her hands freshly adorned with henna, wanders through the market streets and samples Bhang Lassi, the infamous local speciality, at the Jaisalmer Fort. Megan makes the most of the renowned tailors in Udaipur, 'The Venice of the East', and has a traditional Punjabi suit made in just a few hours. Meanwhile a famous astrologer tells Megan what the next few years have in store for her. Megan makes a brief stop at Ranakpur, the site of one of the oldest and most impressive Jain temples in India, before heading 400 miles south by plane to Mumbai, formerly Bombay - the biggest, fastest and richest city in India. Startled by the number of street children in Mumbai, Megan pays a visit to a children's hostel and learns that travellers can volunteer to teach English at the hostel while in Mumbai. Whilst in Mumbai, Megan goes to Bollywood, where 750 feature films are made every year, and meets popular actor Jackie Shroff. Before leaving town Megan samples local cuisine at Juhu Beach, Mumbai's answer to New York's Coney Island. Some people come to India just to visit Pune, the home of the Osho community. Megan takes instruction in the co
Pilot Guide traveller Ian Wright discovers that New Zealand, far from merely being home to a larger population of sheep than of humans, is a land of wonderful landscapes, ancient Maori culture and the most extreme sports under the sun. After a long flight he arrives in Auckland. Next day he gets to know the city in true kiwi style 'rap jumping' down 13 stories of a city skyscraper. Ian has been invited to a Maori community in Rawhiti, so he catches the ferry across to the Bay of Islands. About 15% of the country's population claim descent from the Marae tribes who first came to New Zealand a thousand years ago from Polynesia. Outsiders can only visit a Marai (the church and hall at the centre of every Maori community) by invitation. On arrival Ian has to undergo the powhirl ceremony to find out if he's friend or foe. Catching a ride back down south Ian arrives in Rotorua, the Sulphur City. Because it's on a fault line the underground activity bubbles up and comes up here as sulphur springs. It's a thermal wonderland but it don't half stink! Before leaving town Ian experiences Zorb, another weird kiwi pastime which involves rolling through the countryside in a giant transparent sphere. The Kiwi Experience bus is a great way to see the country. It's cheap and easy and Ian is dropped off in the Akatarawa Valley near Wellington. He's arranged to work on an emu farm for a couple of days, as part of a scheme called Willing Workers on Organic Farms. For 2 or 3 hours work a day you can get free board and lodging. The Cook Strait is named after Captain Cook, and Ian takes the ferry to the South Island, and on to Christchurch by train. There's an amazing view from the train and Christchurch itself is a twee, leafy city built to a plan by members of Christchurch College, Oxford, 150 years ago. Queenstown is the extreme sports capital of the world. Overlooked by the Remarkables mountain range on the shores of Lake Wakatipu it's popular with tourists, many of
Justine Shapiro explores the heart of South East Asia: modern Malaysia, with its ancient forests and vibrant mix of cultures, and the beaches of Southern Thailand just across the border.
Traveller Justine Shapiro spends a week in Sydney, the gateway to Australia. On the eastern Pacific coast in the state of New South Wales, Sydney was the first port of call for the convict ships of the 1800s, carrying their cargo of outcasts from British cities to the penal colonies. The best way to get your bearings in Sydney is to take a ferry tour around the harbour. Justine buys a weekly travel ticket, then finds a cheap hostel to rest her weary backpack in the King's Cross district. On a mission to overcome her fear of heights Justine gets up early to scale Sydney Harbour Bridge. The climb can only be done with an organised group, so in spite of her vertigo Justine is in safe hands and the panoramic harbour view is definitely worth it. Back on terra firma Justine sets off to explore of Sydney's history at The Rocks, an early settlement, and at the Colonial House Museum. Bondi Beach, the most famous beach in the world, is the place to flaunt the body beautiful or just check out the lifeguards. Bondi is also the starting point for the coastal walk, a scenic cliff top promenade which many Sydney-siders incorporate into their fitness regime. En route to the Waverley Cemetery, which is surrounded by stunning coastal vistas, there's the less populated Tamarama Beach and Bronte Beach, more popular with the locals but no less spectacular. For all its European heritage Australia's closest neighbours are Asian countries. The Sydney suburb Cabramatta is populated by a vast Vietnamese community. Also of non-European descent are the Aboriginal peoples, who, although they lived on the land for 64,000 years before the arrival of the first convict ships, have only been counted as citizens since the referendum of 1967. Justine joins a tour which takes in cultural aspects of aboriginal life and gives an insight into the way the Aborigines have been brutally treated by the European colonisers. Justine ventures outside the city limits to Katoomba, gateway to the B
Megan McCormick journeys to West Africa, where 500 years ago Europeans uncovered bounties of gold in Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast) and ivory in the Cote d'Ivoire. Her trip begins in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Here Megan visits an intriguing coffin shop and is invited to attend a funeral. For the Ga people it's traditional to be buried in a coffin which symbolises what you did in life.
Neil GibsonThe Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and as well Finland are this time the target of Neil Gibson.
Presenter Ian Wright travels the south-east coast of Brazil, where exports in sugar cane, gold and coffee once made Rio de Janeiro one of the greatest cities of the colonial era. Nowadays the capital city of Brazil and the carnival capital of the world is most renowned as the home of samba & soccer. After checking into a cheap hotel, Ian checks out the beach at Copacabana. After a white-knuckle bus ride to the overcrowded half-mile strip of seashore where the locals cariocas hang out, he's quick to find instruction in beach etiquette from two seasoned beach regulars. From the Centro district of the city Ian takes the only remaining tram in Rio to the wealthy district of Santa Tereza. Since 1971 this area has been called home by notorious ex-train robber Ronnie Biggs. He was sentenced to 30 years for his part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963 but escaped from his British jail and went on the run. He's still a wanted man in Britain but he's enjoying his twilight years in Rio running barbecues for carnival-goers and telling his life story to tourists. A tourist train takes Ian to the top of Corcovado, the 2,200 foot mountain at the top of which is the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer is the most enduring picture-postcard image of Rio as it towers over the entire city. He then takes in the Taguca National Park, a seventy square-mile tropical rainforest right in the centre of the city. The Peak at Pedra Bonita is a natural wonder, and for the best aerial views of Rio, Ian goes hang-gliding over the city vistas. The favellas of Rio are well off the usual tourist trail and many visitors don't venture into these shanty towns to find out how a third of the population lives. Ian is shown around this city-within-a-city by tour organiser Marcelo Armstrong. A short trip across the bay is the Museum of Contemporary Art at Niteroi. It's Rio's most modernist building and architect Oscar Niemeyer based his design on a champagne glass. He doesn't stop to admire
Traveler Megan McCormick visits Egypt. She goes to Gizeh to admire the millennial Pyramids and the Sphinx, she goes on a 5-days journey through the desert and she finally discovers the secrets of the temple of Abu Simbel
Ian Wright travels as far north as he's ever likely to get - to Arctic Canada, the Land Of The Midnight Sun. He begins his trip in Montreal, the heart of the Quebec and the world's largest French speaking city after Paris. After sampling gourmet delights in town he heads out to a 'sugar shack' where, when the sap rises in March, Canada's renowned maple syrup is made. He learns all about the process of tapping the sap from the trees and boiling it down, and at the end of the day tastes the fruit of his labours. From Montreal Ian takes a trip to the Madeline Islands. The region used to be a hunting ground for the seal pups which are born on the ice fields each March but these days the only trade the pups are mixed up in is tourism. Ian is accompanied by an expert on seals and it's an incredible experience. Ian is warned about the wintry weather in Yellowknife, nevertheless he's intent on journeying to the Northwest territories, known as the Great White North. The capital, on the Great Slave Lake, was built just 50 years ago by pioneers looking for gold. He's there at the time of the Caribou Carnival, an annual festival originally held to welcome the spring. It's a whacky event where anything goes, from computer-bashing to ugly dog & truck competitions. In the evening Ian joins a Japanese group heading out of town to see the spectacular aurora borealis, the northern lights. This unbelievable sight which occurs when the earth's magnetic field generates electric energy by inter-reacting with solar winds. Even further north is Baffin Island in the territory of Nunavut. It's the only territory in history that has been peacefully handed over to its native people. In Iqaluit, the capital of the province, he hears the ancient Inuit tradition of throat singing and shares tales of abating frostbite in temperatures that can reach as low as -89°F. It's a four day dogsled trek from Iqaluit to Kimmirut across a plateau called Meta Incognita, 'the dreaded unknown'. L
Christina Chang journeys through Greece, the cradle of the ancient world which has an archaeological legacy bearing testament to its varied past.
Traveller Ian Wright journeys through a land which, though ripped apart by political conflict, is renowned for its hospitality. The spirit of good time is known only in Ireland as the craic. Ian begins his trip on the spectacular Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, boasting a geological wonder known as Giant's Causeway. The origins and name of this rocky landmark are enshrouded in myth and speculation, though Ian has his own theories. Belfast is the city where Northern Ireland's political troubles have been most intense. Ian takes a cab ride through the city and learns about the perils of Belfast life, and the terrifying events his driver has witnessed. That evening Ian tours the lively bars and clubs of the city on a mission to discover for himself the true meaning of craic. From Belfast Ian heads south towards Dublin. His journey takes him through the county of Armagh - known as bandit country due to the troubles - where he joins a game of road bowls. He also takes a detour to Boa Island in Fermanagh in order to visit a statue called Janus - a 2000 year old fertility symbol which was one of the first Christian burial sites. When he finally reaches Dublin Ian spends the evening at the Dublin Music Centre, hotbed of burgeoning Irish talent following in the footsteps of the internationally successful band U2. Also on the entertainment agenda is the semi-final hurling match between Kilkenny and Cork. It's the world's oldest surviving stick and ball game, faster than hockey and even more violent then rugby. Ian travels by train to Cobh in County Cork, a seaside town which was once a major shipping port and final resting place of victims of the Lusitania, sunk by a German submarine in the first World War. While he's in the vicinity of Cork Ian visits Blarney Castle, Ireland's most popular tourist spot where each year thousands come to kiss the Blarney stone, reputed to give you the gift of the gab. Not that Ian needs it! From Cork Ian gets on his bike
Ian Wright journeys through America's 'Bible Belt' - the Deep South, home to the civil rights movement, the American civil war, and blues, jazz and rock. His trip begins with a trek in the stunning Smoky Mountains on the Tennessee / North Carolina border. It's the most visited National Park in the country but there's still incredible remote wilderness and breathtaking vistas all the way to the top of Mount Le Cont. Driving south, Ian's first stop in North Carolina is Asheville. The town is best known for its home-grown entertainment and the lively mountain music festival in the summer. Back on the road he learns a little about the Cherokee Indians who lived in this region until the white man arrived, a whole tribe of Cherokees was to walk to Oklahoma. In Scottsboro, Alabama, Ian pays a visit the baggage reclaim superstore. Ian discovers there's thriving business to be made out of bargains and bizarre articles which never find their way back to their owners hands at airports all around the world. In the conservative, fundamentalist southern states of the 'Bible Belt' it is thought that the snake is the embodiment of the devil. Ian meets Reverend Carl Porter uses deadly snakes during his sermons, believing that if you can master a snake you can master the power of the devil. Not surprisingly, his five hour services have had a few casualties! Ian begins his day in Atlanta, gateway to the Deep South, with the ultimate southern breakfast of country fried steak and grits & gravy. Atlanta is the place where the world famous drink Coca-Cola was invented. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr, Atlanta's most famous son, is situated at the end of 'Freedom Walk'. The house is now a national monument. When he was shot dead in Memphis in 1968 his body was returned home and every year thousands of pilgrims inspired by dreams of interracial harmony pay their respects. From Atlanta Ian takes a greyhound bus to Tuskegee, Alabama, for the public reunion of Americ
Traveller Megan McCormick heads beyond the southern tip of India, to two of the most beautiful tropical locations on earth: Sri Lanka and the Maldive Islands. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has been an important trading port and commercial centre since the 1870s. It here that Megan begins her trip, travelling around town on a bajajs and sampling some exotic foods. From Colombo Megan sets our along the coast for Matara. On the way she sees toddy-tappers at work high in the coconut trees and stops off at Weligama, where the local industry is a peculiar type of fishing: stilt fishing. Megan wades out to the stilts embedded into the seabed and tries her hand with little success. Next day she reaches Matara and just outside the town is the temple of Wewurukannala, site of Sri Lanka's largest statue of Buddha. In Buttula Megan stays at a sanctuary called Yala Tissa. It's situated in the midst of beautiful countryside where reforestation programmes are in progress. She then takes a bus to Arugam Bay, a fantastic place for hardcore surfers but also an area which has been caught in the crossfire of the civil war between the government and Tamil rebels. Megan sees the evidence of political turmoil first hand when she takes a tour of the bombed cinema. From Arugam Bay Megan hitches a ride to Ratnapura, which means 'City of Gems'. This is the town where miners come to sell their gems to the dealers the most abundant being pink and blue sapphires and the occasional ruby. Megan goes down the nearby mine accompanied by a guide - it's a terrifying experience but they do find some topaz to reward their efforts. Megan then hires a car to drive up into the hills to visit the tea plantations. Also in hill country is Pinjnewala, home of the famous elephant orphanage. The parents of the orphan elephants have been poached for their ivory and Megan hears some incredible stories about the backgrounds of the animals that live here. A few miles up the road is Sigiriya, the
Presenter Ian Wright explores Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in Latin America but one of the richest in culture and landscape. His journey begins on Lake Titicaca. It's the highest navigable lake in the world and covers some 3000 square miles, linking Bolivia and Peru. The Island of the Sun is the place where the Inca Empire began and Ian learns that the first Inca married his sister, then convinced the people that they were the children of the sun god who had risen up from the lake. An hour by boat from the Island of the Sun is Copacabana, where every Sunday the locals bring their cars for a blessing by Father Bernadino. The ceremony is Christian but has its roots in the Inca tradition. From Copacabana Ian hitches a ride to La Paz where he hunts out some bargains at the Market of Sagarnaga. Next door is the Witches Market, the place to find bizarre cures for uncommon ailments, such as llama foetus. Ian flies to Sucre and plans to catch a bus to Potosi from there, however there's a bus strike and Ian has to spend the night at an enchanting hacienda just outside town. Next morning he resumes his journey and en route to Potosi he witnesses preparations for a bull fight. He also stops off Tarabuco, famous for its handmade clothes and weavings. At last Ian reaches Potosi, one of the richest cities in South America due to the discovery of silver in the 16th century, by a llama herder called Diego Huallpa. Ian plans to go underground and experience the mines for himself, but first he stops at the miners market to purchase gifts for the miners: cigarettes, alcohol, coca leaves and a few sticks of dynamite! Miners start their career at the age of 8 or 10. They are self-employed and gifts from visitors supplement their meagre incomes. During colonial times millions of African and Indian slaves died due to the harsh conditions in the mines. From Potosi Ian makes his way to Uyuni. Just outside the town is the largest salt flat in the world and Ian hooks u
Presenter Ian Wright travels through Madagascar, 'the red island' 250 miles off the east coast of Africa. It's the 4th largest island in the world, with landscapes ranging from rainforest to arid desert, and animal and plant life found nowhere else in the world. His journey begins in Antananarivo (Tana), the capital of Madagascar. Here he learns about the unique history and culture of the Malagasy. The earliest rulers were the highland 'Merina' tribe, and the first king Andrianampoinimerina united the island by marrying one wife from each of the 12 tribes. His granddaughter, Queen Ranavalona, came to power in 1828 and became the most notorious ruler - she threw foreigners out of the country, banned Christianity and slaughtered her own people in the most brutal ways.
Megan McCormick explores the foods of Vietnam. The Pho Binh noodle shop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; imperial cuisine; traditional banquet hosted by the Flower Hmong tribe; seafood feast.
Megan McCormick discovers Micronesia, a little known region in Oceania consisting of over 2,000 islands and making up over a quarter of the world’s atolls. Making a splash: Megan hits the waves She begins her journey in Guam, the gateway to Fox Hill, which boasts one of the most important military bases in the Pacific. Megan is invited on board the USS Freight and Cable’, where she learns about how the island was liberated by the marines at the end of World War II. She also visits a traditional tattooist and learns about the art, which is indigenous to Micronesia.
Traveller Ian Wright ventures to the heart of south-east Asia, to Cambodia - a country which has endured a history of famine, civil war and mass genocide, but in recent years has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. Ian starts his journey with a trip through the mango swamps to the oldest temple in the country. In the sixth century Phnom Da was the capital of the Chenla dynasty. Nowadays it’s home to a community of monks and nuns who invite Ian to stay overnight so that he can witness the Buddah’s Day celebrations the next day. From Phnom Da Ian travels to Kampot, at the foot of the Elephant Mountains. The mountain used to be a major Khmer Rouge stronghold but as Ian discovers from his Italian guide David, its now safe for trekkers and travellers to visit the extraordinary Bokor Hill Station, built by French colonisers in 1912. Cambodia’s trains are notoriously slow and it takes a whole day for Ian to reach the seaside resort of Sinhanoukville. He meets up with a group of tourists who have hired a boat to take them to the nearby island of Koh Rong, where a local chef prepares a fantastic seafood dinner for his guests. Next, Ian heads for the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. He hitches a ride with some members of the Mines Advisory Group who take him on a detour via one of the villages which the group is clearing of mines. It is estimated that there’s about 6 million unexploded mines in Cambodia, remnants of the fighting which has consumed the country for much of the last 50 years. Ian is dropped off at a killing field just outside the capital - one of the 450 sites where the Khmer Rouge carried out mass extermination of their countrymen by the most gruesome means. He meets Yuk Tang, a local historian who has been documenting the genocide for 20 years who tells him some poignant tales about the troubled times he has lived through. Ian finally arrives in Phnom Penh, where traditional arts and culture are enjoying a revival and a
Justine Shapiro travels to the Eastern Caribbean, a 600 mile long group of islands also known as the Lesser Antilles. Most people think of the Caribbean as a luxury vacation destination for the rich and famous. But as Justine discovers, the Caribbean has a unique history and fascinating culture that will captivate the independent traveller.
Ian Wright journeys to Russia, the largest country in the world which covers more than 10 million square miles and spans 11 time zones. For 70 years travellers were unable to visit the then USSR, but since the collapse of communism Russia has become an increasingly popular destination. Ian begins his trip in Moscow, the most affluent city in European Russia. He visits the Kremlin, the seat of the Russian government, and takes a tour of the palaces, churches and bell towers. He witnesses the changing of the guards, sees Red Square and the tombs of Russian dignitaries, as well as the embalmed body of Lenin. Later that day he takes a tour of the rest of city on horseback. Next morning, Ian ventures out to the Izmaylovsky Market, which is held in the east of Moscow every Sunday. It’s a great place to find eccentric Russian souvenirs and communist memorabilia. Another relic of the communist era is Moscow’s impressive metro system: clean, safe and reliable, it was built in the 1930’s to showcase Soviet engineering, and is one of the great achievements of the Stalinist period. Ian heads out of Moscow to Star City, home of the Russian space programme. This was where Yuri Gagarin trained to be the first man in space in 1961. It was once a top secret location, but these days it’s open to tourists who want to try out simulated moon walking, tour a replica of the Meer space station and even experience zero gravity in a special training jet used to prepare cosmonauts for space travel. Ian takes the train from Moscow to St Petersburg, stopping off at the Monastery of St Boris and Gleb in Torzhok. Since the fall of communism, the Russian Orthodox Church is experiencing a revival and places of worship such as the wooden church built in 1742 are now being restored. He finally reaches St Petersburg, which is the second biggest city in Russia with a population of 5 million. When Lenin died in 1924 the city was renamed Leningrad but 65 years later the people
Justine starts her historical journey dodging swords at the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, then travels up the coast to visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Passing through London she takes a canal ride up to the Yorkshire Moors where she boards a double decker bus/hotel. Next stop Whitby, the eerie coastal town which inspired Bram Stoker to write the world famous horror story, “Dracula”. Then a stroll along the Roman built Hadrian’s Wall, a chance meeting with a Roman centurion, and a ride on a steam train before visiting Liverpool to pay homage to “The Beatles”. Venturing south in a vintage car into England’s West Country, Justine meets the very eccentric Marquess of Bath, and joins a pagan celebration in Glastonbury before ending her journey in Ottery St. Mary. Here fearless locals terrify spectators by running through narrow streets with huge, flaming tar barrels, to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.
Christina Chang travels to Southern Spain. Although these days it’s commonly associated with golf, fast food, concrete and spoiled beaches, it is one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in all of Europe.
Megan McCormick travels to Queensland, Australia’s second largest state whose 3000 mile coastline borders the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living organism. She begins her journey at Surfers’ Paradise on the Gold Coast. Surfers were originally attracted by the beautiful deserted beaches and gigantic waves, but unfortunately they were followed by the big developers eager to exploit 70 kilometres of idyllic coastline. From here, Megan heads north by bus to Noosa – another surfers’ mecca but one which has avoided the scourge of the poms. It’s also renowned for it’s fabulous cuisine, and Megan meets a local chef called Gary Rhodes, who combines produce form Queensland with Thai food to make innovative dishes unique to Noosa. She then continues her journey along the Bruce Highway to Harvey Bay, from where she catches the ferry to Fraser Island.
Gerhard Church, Lake Sevan and the Armenian Genocide Memorial; Tbilisi, Georgia; the Caucasus Mountains; roots of Georgian song and dance; the carved city of Vardzia.
Megan McCormick is now visiting several islands from Greece: Hydra, Patmos, Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, Crete and Gavdos. She sees a traditional festival, visits interesting archaeological places, learns about Greek History, discovers beautiful beaches and enjoys the night life.
Situated on the West Coast, California is the most populous state in America. From the gold rushes of the 1800's to the Hollywood of today, California has long been the land of dreams. Traveler Justine Shapiro begins her journey in Palm Springs, a sparkling oasis in the middle of the desert. From there she travels to sprawling Los Angeles and tours the Hollywood Hills. Heading north she continues to beautiful Big Sur before heading inland to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She ends her journey in Humboldt County - home of the Giant Redwoods.
Megan McCormick is our guide to discover Scotland. She visits cities such as Glasgow, Stirling or Edinburgh. She doesn't waste the chance to wear Scottish traditional clothes or take their food. She gets to take part in the Highlands Games, visits Loch Ness and even spends a night in a haunted castle.
From Shanghai, and all along the Yangtze River, Megan McCormick discovers the traditions, culture and beauty of the central area of Earth's most populated country: China.
Ian Wright presents an independent travel guide to Venezuela, including paragliding from the Andes and sampling a traditional drink made from fruit, milk and bulls' eyes
Presenter: Megan McCormick Megan’s journey starts by air, in the Roman town of Aosta, an ideal location for observing the spectacular and historic valley of Val Da Oasta. In Ivrea she experiences the strangest and most ancient carnival celebrations in Italy. A three day battle using oranges for ammunition to commemorate the 12th century revolt against the tyrannical Count Rinari, who had his wicked way with all new brides, until a feisty miller’s daughter named Violetta beheaded him. Up to 100,000 contestants bombard the nobility represented in the carts paraded in the square. Teams are selected from the neighbourhoods in which they live, so rivalry is fierce! On to Alba to discover the secrets of one of the world’s rarest gourmet delicacies, truffles, the fungal equivalent of gold. Setting off with a pack off trained dogs, she joins the hunt. Next stop is cosmopolitan capital Milan, she takes in the Duomo, which is the world’s largest statue adorned Gothic cathedral, and see the magnificent view of the alps. The cathedral contains one of Italy’s most prized holy relics, the Santo Quioto, a nail from the crucifix of Christ which is shown to the public just one day each year. Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world and it seems like people here are impossibly stylish, in Quatrolatero Duoro - the Golden Square even the police uniform is made by Armani. Failing to get a ticket for the world famous opera house La Scala, Megan visits the burial ground of opera comopser Giuseppi Verdi where you can actually hear his music still filtering down. It’s a short train journey to the magnificent Medieval towns of Parma, Modena, Mantua and Verona. She samples the local Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, a staple part of the local diet for 700 years and learns how to make Parmesan traditional in copper vats. In Modenello, home to the Ferrari dynasty she visits a Ferrari museum. In the lakeside city of Monteva she visits the Gonzagas palace of
The lively markets of Tunis; hunting with desert greyhounds; cave dwelling in Matmata; the souks of Tripoli; Roman ruins at Leptis Magna.
Ian's journey starts in Tahiti, where he starts off by judging the Mr. Tahiti contest. From there he visits the Gaugain museum. He then heads out to the neighboring island of Moorea, where he witnesses a wedding special: Tahitian style weddings for westerners. His island hopping continues on to Bora Bora, where he goes for an underwater reef walk, wearing a huge aqua helmet. On Bora Bora he meets with "the Shark Man", who takes him out to meet some sharks and manta rays. Continuing on, Ian flies to Western Samoa. While there he stays in a traditional village, where he goes fishing, meets the tattoo artist, and partakes of a huge feast and dance. His final island destination are the Marquesas, where Ian treks through some mountains to join villagers in a traditional wild boar hunt. The end of his journey culminates back in Tahiti for the Heiva festival, which includes canoe racing, fire walking, dancing…a perfect end to a trip in paradise.
Estelle Bingham explores Goolwa's boat festival; food and wine festival in Adelaide; making wine in the Barossa Valley; opal mining; Karjini Gorges.
Estelle Bingham starts her exploration of the ancient city of Istanbul at the famous Topkapi Palace, former home of sultans and their concubines. From there she visits the former seat of Christendom, the beautiful Aya Sophia church. She interrupts her sight-seeing for a day trip to Gallipoli, the site of an infamous World War I battlefield in which thousands of Anzac soldiers died. Continuing her journey around Istanbul, she visits the opulent Pera Palace hotel, visited by Agatha Christie amongst many others, and has a belly dancing lesson from some gypsies. She visits the Florence Nightingale museum and has some retail therapy in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world. She takes another day trip to the amazing Edirne Wrestling Festival, with over 1000 well-oiled men competing for the gold belt. Her last day in Istanbul has her visiting the famous Blue Mosque, and going to see some Whirling Dervishes.
Christina starts her journey in the wine region of Bordeaux, where she gets a very unique beauty treatment: vinotherapy, or wine therapy.
Suffused with colonial history, New England boasts a mixture of Old World Charm and New World sophistication. A visit to New England at this time of year guarantees a fantastic spectacle of autumnal natural beauty throughout the region. Our journey begins in Plymouth, site of the first Pilgrim community in America, where Megan visits the restored Plymouth Plantation. From there she heads to Boston, the lively and cultured hub of New England. She passes by the Boston Tea Party Ship, and visit some other Revolutionary War sites in and around Boston. A quick visit to Harvard, a college football game and some delicious local oysters rounds out her Boston visit. Heading out of town in her rental car, Megan meets some witches in notorious Salem, eats at the original hamburger stand in New Haven, and takes in a biker convention in Danbury Connecticut. From there she heads west to the Hancock Shaker Village, then drives through historic Deerfield before landing in Stowe Vermont for some gorgeous fall foliage and hiking. She continues north into Maine for some rafting and lobster, before getting some sun in New Englands' summer playground of Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. She ends her journey in Newport, taking in the famous mansions and having a sail on a beautiful old 12 meter yacht.
Estelle starts her trip to Rome touring the famous Forum, the hub of ancient Rome. Starting her second day she tastes as many different forms of espresso as possible before continuing her exploration of the city by visiting Michelangelo's beautiful Piazza Campidoglio, and the historic museums flanking the piazza. She then learns how to make a real Roman pizza, before strolling through charming Trastevere, and visiting the oldest church in Rome, Santa Maria. Her next day finds her watching a mass in St. Peters, trying on the latest in clerical garb on some streets nearby, and visiting the home near the Spanish Steps where Romantic poet John Keats died. Taking a break from Rome, she goes on a day trip to Anzio, site of a famous Allied landing and victory during World War II. Back in Rome she visits the Piazza Navona before taking in the sumptuous sights of the Villa Borghese, one of the greatest private art collections in the world. She looks at the balcony where former dictator Mussolini exhorted the crowds, before visting the famous Colosseum. She takes another day trip away from Rome to go to a unique festival in Tuscany: a duck derby. On her last day in Rome she has lunch with a movie star, and visits the Pantheon, the resting place of Raphael.
Ian starts his journey at the unique Day of the Dead festival in Pazcuaro. After reveling late into the night, he goes to the old colonial town of Guanajuato, where he spends time bull riding with some Mexican cowboy. From there he goes to Acapulco, where he takes in the glitzy nightlife and watersports before watching the famous cliff divers. Continuing his search for the perfect beach, he heads to Puerto Escondido for the annual surfing festival. He then travels to the Mayan ruins of Palenque, before visiting the Zapatista stronghold of San Cristobal. He ends his journey with an amazing trek through the Lancondon jungle.
Megan McCormick's journey of Indonesia takes her to two of the most fascinating and sophisticated countries in the South China Sea. She starts her adventure in Java's capital Jakarta where she tries her hand at Car Jockeying, the street people's response to the three in one car pooling system introduced by the Jakartan government. From there she Heads north of the city to Sunda Kelapa Harbor, a 800 year old port originally used by the Dutch. After sampling the nightlife and the Jakartan answer to fast food Megan travels to the site of one of the most volcanically active places on the earth Krakatau. Megan climes Anak Krakatau the volcano that grew on the site of one of the most violet eruptions of all time. She also dives the seas around Krakatau which have some of the most wonderful sea life due to its undersea thermal springs keeping the water warm. From here Megan takes a train ride to Yogyakarta, Java's old capital. On the way she stops off to take in the splendor of one of Indonesia's religious biggest attractions, the Buddhist temple of Borobudur. Heading north takes Megan to the Islamic center, Kudus, where she learns how to make the much loved Indonesian cigarette Kretek. Sumatra is Megan's next destination and it's just a short flight to the Capital Medan, from there an hour bus journey to the travelers chill out resort of Danau Toba. After a visit to the witch doctor in Lake Tuba, Megan meets Solomon who tells her of the speculation surrounding the ancient tribe of this area the Batak. With stories of sacrifice and cannibalism behind her Megan heads north again to Sumatra's Gunauagleuser National park, and Bukit Lawang nature reserve to meet our closes ancestors the beautiful Orangutans. After a 10 hour ferry ride Megan's last stop is the island of Pulau Nias, where she meets the Niasans, who are more willing to exhibit the traditions of life where war was a frequent occurrence. A more modern tribe to emerge from Nias is that of the surfers, wh
Ian Wright starts his amazing journey of South Korea in the Capital Seoul. After finding a place to stay, he takes in the delights of the Kyongdong market with a hired guide. Still in Hog Head Farm: street food in KyongdongSeoul Ian tries his hand at Tae Kwon-Do with the national team of Korea, and gets to train with the Womans Olympic team. After taking in the nightlife of Seoul, Ian heads north to the North - South Korean Boarder to experience Military power at it most dramatic at the DMZ.
Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China has been described by tourists as China's largest theme park; for the Chinese it is the 'Promised Land' with its lure of prosperity. Tiananmen Square, the former stage of Cultural Revolution rallies and now a place of recreation is where we begin this journey to the beat of the daily flag-raising ceremony where PLA soldiers are drilled to march at 108 paces per minute, 75cm per pace as the sun rises. Not far away lies the largest and best preserved group of ancient buildings in China, the Forbidden City, kept out of bounds for 500 years by the Ming and Qiung dynasty emperors and now a place that welcomes visitors. Following a climb to the roof of the Ancient Observatory for a great view of the city, we sample Mao's revolutionary cooking prepared by his townsfolk whilst admiring the grounds of the Lama Temple, the most colourful in Beijing, with its beautiful gardens, stunning frescoes and tapestries. Inside we look for the image of the Buddha having sex, formerly used to educate Emperors' sons, and that evening carrying colourful paper lanterns, we join revellers of the Lantern Festival during the evening of the 15th day of the first moon, before driving to the Longquin Gorge, a canyon in Yanquin County about 60 miles north-west of Beijing where we end our journey at Beijing's Ice Lantern Festival amidst a colourful fiesta of ice and light.
In seven days, Ian Wright explores the home of Mozart, Freud, the Hapsburgs and of course the nation that brought you the sausage! At the centre of Europe, Vienna, the capital of Austria flaunts some of the best and most varied architecture on the continent and the Hofburg Palace is no exception. Home to the Hapsburgs at their height, Ian explores the crypt holding the remains of many Hapsburg bodies, admires the stunning emerald (the largest in the world) and marvels at the bizarre collection of relics including the tooth of John the Baptist. On to the city's cemetery which houses 2 ½ million bodies including Schubert, Brahms and Beethoven. After taking a look around the Freud museum and sitting in his old waiting room, Ian travels to Mauthausen, a Nazi concentration camp. Witnessing 100,000 deaths, Mauthausen is an example of one of the many torture camps existing during the Second World War. Ian is shown around the site and speaks to a survivor of the camp. In the conclusion to his trip Ian winds his way away from Vienna to Salzburg, the home of Mozart, and the Danube before enjoying his final night back in the capital at one of the city's stunning balls.
Famous for its cuisine, art and architecture, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination. Visitors are lured by the romance of Paris and the sophistication of the south – but is there life beyond the Eiffel Tower, can-can girls and haughty waiters? Justine Shapiro travels to the western and northern regions of this surprisingly diverse nation to find out.
Traveller Ian Wright makes the cultural pilgrimage to the extraordinary Italian region of Tuscany - a finely made combination of cultural wealth, beautiful landscapes, quality food, fashion and passion. Ian starts his journey in Florence, a massive, beautiful monument to the Renaissance. It's a cultural treasure trove as Ian discovers touring the Piazza della Signoria, the Accademia and the Uffizi Museum, coming face-to-face with priceless works like Michelangelo's David statue and Caravaggio's Medusa shield. Inspired, he tries his hand at painting himself, at the Palazzo de Cataloni that's been teaching art since 1975 - amazingly he's not too bad! No visit to Florence would be complete without a tour of its dominating cathedral the Duomo which is so big there's nowhere in the city where you can see in all its entirety. A climb into its dome takes his breath away. As does the Palio, a crazy version of football combined with wrestling, boxing and rugby, dating back to the fifteenth century. He's had his fill of Florence, but not before he tucks into two city favourites, ice-cream and a Florentina steak. In Carrara, Ian meets an American artist who gives him the lowdown on the area. Its marble has been quarried since Roman times and 40 per cent of US marble comes from here. Michelangelo even spent five years up in the mountains here, such is the quality of its stone. Then it's off south to the home of another Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci, where he visits a museum showcasing the designs of his great scientific mind - he not only invented the bicycle but even an underwater diving suit! Chianti is synonymous with its fine wines - Ian meets the owner of Castello de Brolio where Chianti Classico was invented in the 19th century. Then it's off to Castello di Cafaggio to visit a beautiful old farmhouse near the village of Impruneta. The farmhouse is owned by Enrico Benci and is part of the Italian agriturismo home-stay movement. But... Ian so
Traveller Megan McCormick ventures into perhaps the most misunderstood region in the world - the Arab Gulf States. Megan's journey begins in the oil fields of Kuwait, which were set alight and destroyed by the invading Iraqi army of 1990. The nation then celebrates Liberation Day and Megan joins in the festivities on the streets of Kuwait city. Megan is then invited to stay with a Kuwaiti family who were camping in the desert, a tradition that many Kuwaitis hold dear, and samples some local dishes. She then makes her way south, across the Arabian Gulf to the United Arab Emirates, where she explores the exciting cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Megan stays at the world famous Burj Al Arab hotel, a landmark of modern Dubai, before going abayya shopping in one of the city's many shopping malls. In Abu Dhabi, she tees off at a unique desert golf course and meets one of the most flamboyant sheiks in Arabia, who car collection includes a giant custom made Dodge pickup truck! She travels across the border into Oman and discovers one of the hidden jewels of the Gulf. Immersing herself in the natural beauty, Megan finds herself irresistibly charmed by the country, as she goes swim-trekking in the Wadi Bani Khalid and cattle shopping in Nizwa. Megan's adventure ends in the south of Oman, in the city of Salalah. She visits the mystical tomb of Job and finds the source of one of the treasures of the ancient world - frankincense. Led by a Bedouin guide, she treks into the Empty Quarter, which is one million square miles of nothing but sand.
Ian Wright and Megan McCormick take a journey through mysterious Morocco, the meeting of Europe and Africa and a land of richly cultured cities, high mountain ranges and inhospitable desert landscapes.
The Middle East is known as the 'cradle of civilisation' for good reason. The area has been home to some of the most formidable empires the world has ever known and is the birthplace of the world's three biggest monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Pilot team go in search of the major empires, religions and conflicts that have, and continue, to shape the region. The Ancient Egyptian Empire flourished for over 3000 years and bequeathed us some of the most amazing structures in the world. Estelle Bingham visits the Giza plateau, home to the Pyramid of Khufu, the only remaining wonder of the world where renowned Egyptologist Dr Selima Ikram explains the significance of the Sphinx and the Pyramids. Then Megan McCormick travels south down the Nile to the Valley of the Kings and cycles round this working archaeological site. Dr Badir takes her into Tomb No. 34 where he deciphers the scenes and texts depicting the trip through the afterlife. Rameses II built his sun temple at Abu Simbel on the southern border of Egypt to awe travellers from Africa. Megan discovers that the effect hasn't waned even after thousands of years. Meanwhile, the Persian civilisation was flourishing to the northeast on the site of modern-day Iran. Ian Wright visits the ruined city of Persephelis built by Darius the Great over 2,500 years ago. Then it's north to the Tombs of Naghsh-É-Rostam where the four greatest shahs of the empire are buried. The Nabatinian empire's capital was Petra, a city carved out of sheer rock in the sixth century BC and now in modern-day Jordan. Ian checks out this premier tourist attraction and puffs his way up the to the 2500-year-old monastery above. In 100 BC the next great empire appeared on the scene. Justine Shapiro goes in search of the Roman's premier archaeological sites in the Middle East. Ephesus in Turkey was a powerful and influential city in its time; nowadays it's a stunning site with some wonderfully preserved mansio
Megan McCormick visits Hong Kong and travels from there to the remote Orchid Island.
New York has always been a city of superlatives: biggest, brashest, best - at least that's the opinion of its proud inhabitants - and with over 30 million visitors a year it seems that there are plenty of others who agree! Ian Wright and Megan McCormick return to New York to seek out a city that is now known as much for its resilience in the face of tragedy as its economic power, cultural dominance and ethnic diversity.
London with Jonathan Atherton & Megan McCormick
Lavinia Tan
Zay Harding
China, with 1.3 billion people and a land mass larger the U.S., no one would question its incredible diversity. Join Justine Shapiro, Zay Harding and Megan McCormick to travel throughout China, from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzen, to Hong Kong, You do not want to miss seeing the Great Wall and the Three Gorges Dam.
Justine Shapiro takes an exhilarating journey around the heartland of the United States, from skyscrapers, hip hop and gangsters in the city, to breathtaking scenery, old , Chicagotraditions and adventure in the countryside.
Traveller Justine Shapiro explores what is arguably the world's most stunning city, Venice. Situated in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea off mainland Italy, this city built on water is a maze of over 100 tiny islands linked together by a network of bridges. The way to explore Venice is either by boat or on foot - there are no cars in the city. Justine hops aboard a public waterbus, or vaporetto, that takes her along the Grand Canal to her evening's accommodation, an elegant palazzo with amazing views over the city. Justine begins her sight-seeing at the epicentre of Venice, St. Mark's Square. Napoleon described it as the 'the finest drawing room in Europe' but Justine finds it full of tourists and pigeons today. She marvels at the basilica, and its ornate mosaics that tell of how daring Venetians stole St. Mark's body from the Orient and brought it to the city for prestige and honour. As Justine leaves the main sights behind and explores Venice's backstreets she finds that it's all too easy to become lost in the labyrinthine alleyways, although she also discovers this is a perfect way to stumble upon hidden treasures. No visit to Venice would be complete without a ride in a gondola; Justine gets a romantic ride and a cheeky insider's view on the city from pin-up gondolier Gianbattista. Justine takes a ten-minute boat ride from Venice across the lagoon to the island of The Lido for some glamour. It is the setting for the annual Venice Film Festival and she lines up with other tourists along the red carpet hoping for a glimpse and a chat with some of Hollywood's hottest stars. Next stop is Burano, a complete contrast to The Lido. This sleepy fishing village is famous for its brightly coloured houses and lace-making. Justine tries her hand at the intricate needlework with the help of an octogenarian islander. Back in Venice, Justine mingles with young Venetians at a popular bar and tries the local seafood tapas before taking an unusual night tour w
Megan McCormick takes a trip to the South East States of America. A place where tobacco farms and cotton fields populate the countryside, and breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains provide a backdrop for the colonial houses of the cities.
Ian's adventures begin at the ancient port of Malacca (known locally as "Melaka"), birthplace of Malaysia and one of the region's top cultural heritage sites. Its rich and varied architecture bears witness to its former rulers - from crumbling old colonial mansions, beautiful Chinese shophouses, and the windmill on Dutch Square, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and English colonists have all left their mark here. Ian decides to soak up the local culture with a trip around town in a trishaw, with its garish décor and cowboy driver, it’s loud, cheap and extremely cheerful! But don't get stuck there during bank holiday because you can't get any money and have to live like Flowers In The Attic for 4 days with nothing more than a Liverpool game to keep you amused. Malacca also happens to be the arm wrestling capital of Malaysia and Ian simply can't resist signing himself up for the annual Arm Wrestling Championship. Naturally, he can’t say no when asked to challenge the reigning champion, a former Mr. Asia! Watch the show to find out who wins...
The Indian Ocean Islands, off the east coast of Africa, are a paradise on earth. With superb resorts, sun-kissed beaches, and sparkling turquoise seas - countless Africans, Indians, Europeans, and even pirates, have all settled in this timeless, tropical location. From horse racing to hedgehog hunting and swimming with whale sharks, to the sheer indulgence of 6-star luxury hotels, traveller Ian Wright samples slow-paced island life at its best with a whole lot of action thrown in! Ian starts his trip in the Republic of Mauritius and the capital city Port-Louis, where he samples some delicious local fare at a street market and learns all about the Dodo in the place where these now extinct, flightless birds once made their home. Then it’s off to the Champ de Mars, the second oldest racecourse in the world, for 'a flutter' on the horses. Next stop is the Flacq region, where Ian stops off at the 6-star Touessrok Hotel to enjoy his racecourse winnings and indulge in a spot of pampering at one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of the Indian Ocean. Never one to miss a trend, Ian discovers a lot of couples get married in Mauritius, and… just happens to bump into a couple who not only plan to hold their wedding ceremony 20 feet under the sea, but also invite Ian to be their best man! Leaving the underwater world behind, and the newly-weds to enjoy their honeymoon, Ian decides to get back to nature and go in for a spot of hedgehog hunting. He gets to tuck into his first tasty mouthful of a local delicacy called ‘tang’, otherwise known as hedgehog meat. He also makes the acquaintance of a 90-year old giant tortoise, not to mention a whole bunch of hungry crocodiles. And, as if that wasn’t adventurous enough, he heads to Reunion, the ‘Island of Adventure’ and takes to the hills to try his hand at canyoneering - an extreme adventure sport which involves abseiling, sliding, jumping, swimming and climbing down waterfalls and steep canyons. Then it
The motivations of those who left China and the impact they've had on their new homes are explored.
Filmed in June 2006, 2 weeks before the latest outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, Megan McCormick travels to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. It is a city with a long history of political and social unrest, but retains an atmosphere of optimism and hope for the future.
Megan McCormick travels to the lands of Abba, Vikings and Smorgasbords as she uncovers what Sweden and Denmark can offer to the global traveller. Starting in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, Megan takes herself on a city tour to learn more about the famous mermaid and Hans Christian Anderson, all with the aid of a free city bike! In Aarhus on the Danish mainland, one of the biggest Viking festivals in the world brings together 300 warriors for one almighty battle, and a weekend of living and drinking like the Vikings! Then it’s onto one of Denmark’s most famous attractions, the free state of Christiania. Megan is welcomed by the locals and spends time learning about their lives, taking a tour of the collective and sussing out a few passing policemen!
Ian Wright spends a week in Las Vegas, the non-stop party city, exploring the fantastical hotels and neon casinos of "The Strip". He gains a bird’s eye view of the city from atop the Stratosphere tower and takes his chances on the world’s highest thrill ride, before undertaking some alternative sightseeing at Vegas' famously kitsch wedding chapels.
Megan McCormick takes an epic trip through Colombia and Panama: 2 countries that remain refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. Panama, in Central America is a country world famous for its canal, with mesmerising landscapes and vibrant cultural life. She then travels down to South America and Colombia where - despite its recent troubles - she discovers an amazingly beautiful country steeped in fascinating history.
Ian Wright island hops around the pristine coral atolls of the Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. He begins his adventures on the most developed island, Providenciales, which is a real draw for tourists. After kicking back on iconic Grace Bay Beach, he enjoys a spectacular dive and then tries out the local food speciality - an aphrodisiac - conch! Heading east, Ian’s next stop is North Caicos, where he learns about the island's heritage at the Wade's Green Slave Plantation and in town meets some real island characters, who he teaches how to say Hooman Bean. He then takes a ferry to the neighbouring island of Middle Caicos, for a stunning trek along its wild and deserted north coast. On South Caicos, Ian helps out on an environmental study of the lemon shark before ending his journey on Grand Turk - renowned for its beautiful colonial architecture - in search of majestic humpback whales. MILFORD TRACK, NEW ZEALAND Zay Harding prepares to trek the Milford TrackWe then meet up with Zay Harding, who is hiking the Milford Track, the most famous and spectacular trekking route in New Zealand. To reach the remote trailhead on the southwestern tip of the South Island, Zay sails in a traditional wooden ketch across beautiful Lake Te Anau, where he starts the 3-day trek up and over the MacKinnon Pass en route to the Milford Sound. On day 1 of the trek, as Zay climbs up through the narrow Clinton River gorge, a continuous downpour of torrential rain creates hundreds of waterfalls which thunder down the towering cliffs of the gorge, causing a flood surge that forces Zay to wade up to his chest through fast-flowing waters in order to make it through to his overnight stop at the mountain lodge at the head of the gorge. On day 2 the weather transforms for Zay's climb up and over the mountains. Reaching the MacKinnon Pass in glorious sunshine, the summit of the trek at nearly 4,000 feet, Zay is rewarded with a magnificent 360 degree panorama of high
Globe Trekker Zay Harding ski tours the legendary Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, traversing three Western European countries: France, Italy and Switzerland, and taking in Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn along the way. The trek begins with a training day on the world’s steepest and longest ski slope: La Vallée Blanche. After meeting up with his Irish mountain guide - Robbie Fenlon - Zay takes the highest cable car in Europe. Zay temps fate and frequent avalanches, masters the technique of off-piste skiing in powder-snow and learns how to negotiate his way out of a deep crevasse. Zay also visits a local cemetery where thousands of intrepid climbers have lost their lives in pursuit to concur the Alps.
Globe Trekker travellers Adela Ucar Innerarity and Justine Shapiro explore the city of light, love and culture and enjoy a wonderful week of museums, romance, haute cuisine and superb entertainment.
Adela Ucar Innerarity heads to the Greek island of Crete to learn more about the island's World War II history. Meanwhile, K.T. Comer travels throughout the nearby Mediterranean island of Cyprus. She visits the ruins of Kourion and pays a visit to the island's most revered Greek Orthodox monastery at Kykkos.
Megan, Ian, Neil, Justine, Eils, Bradley and Holly explore the great natural wonders found around the world.
Over the millennia the elements have create some of the most breath taking landscapes imaginable. From ancient rock formations caused by molten lava, to massive waterfalls caused by endless erosion, this program guides you around the world's most extreme and beautiful landscapes.
Foxy Megan McCormick spends a week in Southern California, USA, exploring one of the world’s most exciting and glamorous cities: Los Angeles. Like thousands of wannabe stars who over the years have flocked to L.A.'s most famous suburb Hollywood in the hope of finding fame and fortune in the movies, Megan starts her trip by displaying her new bob and signing on at the Central Casting agency with other hopefuls trying to land a part in a movie as an extra. After taking a tour around Paramount Studios, she heads to Beverly Hills to learn the tricks of the trade used by the paparazzi who follow the every move of the stars who frequent the area.
Holly Morris follows Livingstone on his most famous journies.
.Join Brianna Barnes, as she visits two of the least known counties of latin america. A banana plantation in Honduras; the Mayan ruins of Copan; Izalco volcano in El Salvador; El Imposible National Park; rodeo fiesta in San Luis del Carmen.
Zoe Palmer journies from Dakkar to Fogo.
Holly Morris on the trails of cowboys and miners.
Globe Trekker Zoe Palmer travels to the spectacularly beautiful islands of St Lucia, Martinique and Montserrat. Steeped in a hybrid of English, African and French culture, dotted with volcanoes, lush with tropical rainforest, surrounded by turquoise oceans, and teeming with marine life, these islands are a real picture postcard.
Megan McCormick is joined by Ian Wright, Adela Ucar Innerarity, Justine Shapiro and Estelle Bingham visit places across europe's key world war II locations.
Megan McCormick and Justine Shapiro travel to take a deeper look at the real Germany.
Zay Harding travels through the countries that fomed former Yugoslavia: Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Megan McCormick, Ian Wright, Justine Shapiro, Alex Riley, and Sami Sabiti explore the world's most spectacular volcanoes.
Port cities where slave ships originated their routes on the west coast of Africa; plantations in Brazil, the Caribbean and the U.S. Justine Shapiro is at Ouidah in Benin, Megan McCormick travels to Elmina in Ghana, whilst Zoe Palmer visits Goree Island in Senegal, as well as the Cape Verde islands just off the African coast.
Showcasing the rarest monkeys and apes from around the world.
Zoe Palmer and Matt Young explore the pacific.
Brianna Barnes and Jonathan Atherton travel to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. They start by exploring the compact city centre, built around a network of beautiful Jonathan Atherton canals overlooked by the gabled mansions of 17th century merchants. Whilst Jonathan looks around using the locals’ favourite means of transport, the bicycle, Brianna takes a tour of the waterways with the free-spirited Saint Nicolaas Boat Club. Amsterdam is renowned as one of the world’s most liberal cities, and en route they check out the city’s famously tolerant attitude to soft drugs like marijuana, and the nefarious goings-on in the city’s infamous Red Light District. As befits one of Europe’s major cultural centres, Amsterdam is also home to numerous excellent museums. Jonathan visits the Rijksmuseum, which has a magnificent collection of paintings by the great Dutch Masters, whilst Brianna marvels at the artistic genius of Vincent Van Gogh at the Van Gogh Museum. On the rougher fringes of the city, beyond the lovely 17th century Golden Age mansions and canals of central Amsterdam, lie the city docks. Brianna visits a replica of an East Indiaman cargo ship moored here, discovering how the great wealth of the city during its Golden Age depended predominantly on the riches that its merchants were able to extract from the Dutch colonies in Asia. Jonathan, meanwhile, visits a dockland squat — Amsterdam, it seems, has a severe housing shortage, in part because of the difficulty of building new apartment blocks in the historic city centre preservation zone. On their final day in the city, whilst Jonathan does what he does best – having fun – Brianna by contrast follows the trail of the city’s darkest days during World War II. In particular, she visits Brianna Barnes, Amsterdam the Anne Frank House, once home to the young Jewish girl whose famous diary recorded her family’s last days as they hid from the Nazis in an attic, before their hiding place w
Part two of the Holy Lands is an exciting adventure through the heartland of Israel. Host Zay Harding walks in the footsteps of Jesus, traces the mysteries of Kabbalah, explores the Crusader tunnels of Akko, lives it up in the secular city of Tel Aviv and treks the Negev Desert.
Anyone who has experienced the Taj Mahal, taken in the natural beauty of the Victoria Falls, or braved the wilds of Antarctica cannot fail to be moved by our planet earth. Whether man made or a natural phenomenon, our heritage is irreplaceable. But it is also under threat as never before. And the biggest threat comes from us – human beings. Tourism, wars, pollution, development, mining, decay and neglect daily threaten some of the most precious places on earth. Our presenters take us on a trip round the world to explore some of our most endangered places and ask what we can all do to help the world we live in. Justine Shapiro shows us the beautiful city of Venice, which has slowly been sinking for 1,000 years. Zay Harding witnesses chunks of a glacier melting into the sea in Antarctica as global warming continues to heat up the earth. Ian Wright travels to the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas where A bombs were tested in the 1950s and finds out just how destructive they really were. Adela Ucar visits an ancient Turkish town, Hasankeyf, before it is sunk under the River Tigris as part of plans for a new dam. Megan McCormick has to fight for a place on the beach in Algarve as she looks at the invasion of tourism that takes place there every year. The fight for the future of our world starts right here, right now…
Join Zay on a 60 foot yacht ‘The Spirit of Sydney’ as he embarks on a journey like never before. After a peaceful first night in Paradise Harbour, Zay wakes up to clear blue skies - the perfect day for sea kayaking. On board the yacht, Zay sails on to the UK historic site Port Lockroy and visits Ukranian science base Akademic Vernadsky for a firsthand glimpse into what life is like for scientists working in the Antarctic. Zay’s last stop on the peninsula is at American science base Palmer Station where he meets leading biologist Jim McClintock. Crossing the most perilous stretch of water in the world – the Drake Passage – Zay learns what it is like to sail through a Force 8 gale and be seasick for three days straight.
Megan McCormick visits Barcelona, the catalunian capital. A traveller’s delight, Barcelona is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, thanks to its geographic location, history, tradition and cultural influences. Antonio Gaudi’s works are numerous and scattered all over Barcelona, so don’t miss El Park Guell, Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia, which is still under construction after 120 years. Miro Foundation, is one of Barcelona's major art galleries; though not everyone's cup of tea, Miró’s works – like Gaudí’s – is found all over Barcelona. The world famous Las Ramblas starts at Plaça Catalunya and end at Barcelona’s harbour; come enjoy the colourful atmosphere with numerous street performers, painters and cages with birds for sale. On day trips out of town, remember to visit Cadaques, home to eccentric artist Salvador Dali and Sitges.
The Netherlands consists of 12 connected provinces and is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It’s also one of the most accessible. Its rich cultural heritage, laid back spirit and outdoor life make it a great destination. In this episode Brianna Barnes visits 4 provinces. Starting her journey in South Holland, our traveller explores the art and architecture of De Stijl, one of the 20th century’s most influential art moments. She takes to the seas, recounting one of the country’s most prolific maritime battles and visits a very contemporary surf compound on Scheveningen Beach.
Globe Trekker Traveller Zay Harding explores the Holy Lands – a fascinating region with a unique religious, historical and political identity.Ge takes in the ancient city of Jerusalem,Zay Hardingventures into the Palestinian West Bank where he explores one of the world’s natural wonders, the Dead Sea.
Adela Ucar explores the vivid spanish capital. El Rastro flea market in Madrid; Spanish Civil War landmarks; El Escorial; Roman aqueducts of Segovia; hillside town of Toledo.
Adela Ucar starts her journey through nigeria from Lagos. Begin your journey in the capital of Lagos, an anarchic and electric city with a vital night life. Leaving Lagos, visit the southwest of the country known as ‘Yoruba Land’, once home to one of the most powerful empires on the West African coast. In Oshobogo, the centre of Yoruban art, everything takes a backseat to the massive sculptures and monumental shrine dedicated to the river goddess Osun. Then, stroll through the walled old cities of Zaria, Katsina, and Kano, and hunt for bargains in the ancient Kurmi Market, a maze of alleyways and lanes. The journey ends in the eastern highlands of the country, home to deep wooded valleys, waterfalls, the largest mountain in Nigeria, and where at least four separate gorilla populations have been discovered in recent years.
Zay goes on an adventure to the ends of the Earth, from the southernmost tip of Argentina to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Following the footsteps of explorers, adventurers and conservationists from Charles Darwin to Ernest Shackleton, Zay meets today’s pre-eminent scientists working in the field such as British Antarctic Survey’s Jonathan Shanklin, the man who discovered the hole in the Earth’s ozone layer in 1984. Along the way, Zay marvels at the stunning array of wildlife from the king penguin to the fur seal, with soaring albatrosses in between.
Holly begins her journey in Syria’s second largest city, the ancient trading centre of Aleppo, and checks into the one of the cities most famous landmarks, Hotel Baron. After a visit to Aleppo’s ancient markets and the impressive Citadel, Holly heads out of town on a day trip to see the awe-inspiring Greco Roman city of Apamea and the Dead Cities. Holly then boards a train into Syria’s coastal mountains to visit two of the most impressive Crusader castles ever built, Saladin’s Castle and Krak de Chevalier, before heading south to the country’s capitol city, Damascus. For the final leg of her journey, Holly heads east into the Syrian desert to the legendary desert oasis of Palmyra.
Our Turkish adventure begins in the historical town of Konya, home town of the Whirling Dervish orders. A bastion of Islamic faith and Seljuk culture, it is a city where ancient history meets modernity, filled with ancient mosques and myriad markets, perfumed with Eastern spices, where Muslim pilgrims mingle with secular citizens in tranquil tea gardens. Our journey continues along the coastline of the Aegean Sea where we trek along the Lycian Way, before heading down to Adana, Turkey’s fourth largest city and home to the Sabanc Mosque, the largest mosque between Istanbul and Saudi Arabia. Journeying off-the-beaten-track, we visit the historic southeastern region of Anatolia and the city of Diyarbakr, the epicentre of Kurdish culture.
Ukraine is an off-beat destination for most travellers, including Holly Morris, who nonetheless, dives right into her Globe Trekker journey to discover...
Untamed and unspoiled, the islands of Papua New Guinea are not your classic beach paradise. But, pristine beaches and world class dive sites, combined with wild jungles and active Zay Harding, East New Britain, Islands volcanoes are an invitation to adventure. Globe Trekker Zay Harding rises to the challenge of a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
In Globe trekker Bangladesh we follow host Holly Morris on an adventure through one of the poorest and most populated countries on the planet. It’s a tough but rewarding journey and Rickshaw, Dhaka contrary to expectations Holly discovers a country overflowing with life, culture and incredible hospitality.
Located at the heart of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is around 100 miles long by 30 miles wide, with a population of some 4 million. Part of the U.S. Commonwealth, it’s known as the “island of enchantment“, boasting sun-kissed beaches, dramatic mountains, a rich colonial history, and great music. Starting his journey in Puerto Rico’s vibrant capital, San Juan, host Zay Harding looks around the beautifully preserved old city, dating back to the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.Zay Harding, San Juan Sampling the local cuisine and the fabulous national drink, the piña colada, he salsas the night away before getting to meet the man who rolled the world’s longest cigar. From San Juan, Zay heads east to El Yunque National Forest, one of the best preserved rainforests in the Caribbean. Home to over 240 species of trees, and a lot of rare wildlife, it’s the last refuge of the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. Checking out the breeding project that aims to save these beautiful birds, Zay is reassured that the future of the species is in good hands. From El Yunque, Zay leaves the main island of Puerto Rico to catch a ferry to the small island of Vieques, which is blessed with a spectacular coastline. During WWII, the US military used the island as a weapons test site, and Zay discovers how the island’s glorious beaches are now being decontaminated and opened to public access for the first time since the war. Zay Harding salsas the night away After enjoying a fabulous horse-ride along the coast of Vieques, Zay takes the ferry back to the main island of Puerto Rico, before heading west to explore the Camuy River Caves National Park. Having eroded through the region’s soft limestone over millions of years to create huge sinkholes and caves, the Camuy is the third largest underground river system in the world. Zay rappels down a 250 foot deep sinkhole, before plunging through the dramatic underground river caverns. Nearby the Camuy caves, Zay visi
Join Nova Scotia native Zoe D Amato as she travels across Eastern Canada. Starting at Cape Spear, the eastern most point of North America, Zoe's adventure takes her to St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and finally to Toronto, Ontario. She finishes her journey at majestic Niagara Falls.
In this Globe Trekker Special, Ian Wright, Megan McCormick, Matt Young and Zay Harding travel across the Pacific, visiting key Second World War locations in some of the world’s remotest and most beautiful places. Zay Harding, Bridge Over The River Kwai, Thailand Our journey starts at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Megan McCormick attends the Remembrance Day ceremony held each year to honour those who died in the surprise Japanese attack on the United States Pacific fleet on December 7th, 1941. Within 6 months of Pearl Harbour the Japanese conquered a vast empire across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and decided they needed to build a new railway line from Thailand to supply their troops in Burma on the front line of their expanding empire. Visiting the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Zay Harding travels along the line which came to be known as the ‘Death Railway’, as a result of the 12,000 Allied Prisoners of War, and more than 80,000 Asian labourers, who were worked to death building the railway for the Japanese. In July 1942 the Japanese attacked Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, from the north, overland along the rugged and mountainous Kokoda Trail. Matt Young treks through remote Papuan jungle in the footsteps of the Australian troops as they retreated from the Japanese advance, and sees many relics of the battle that have survived undisturbed until today. WW2 Wreck Diving, Chuuk, Micronesia By the end of 1943, the tide of the war in the Pacific turned, as a result of the United States increasingly superior air and seapower, putting the Japanese onto the defensive. Zay Harding travels to the spectacular volcano-surrounded harbour of Rabaul, in New Britain, Papua New Guinea, home to a massive wartime Japanese naval base which was heavily bombed towards the end of the war. He dives in the harbour, exploring the wreck of a Japanese Zero Fighter Plane discovered just a few months ago. One thousand miles north o
Presenter Zay Harding makes his way across the urban and rural landscapes of Eastern Texas and he encounters everything from rootin’ tootin’ cowboys, rodeos and oil, to prisons, guns and rockets, and discovers a dramatic and colourful history. Zay’s journey starts in ‘cow town’, Fort. Worth. Once a major cattle exchange, these days it is a showcase for the spirit of the Texan cowboy. Zay’s leaps right in, taking some roping lessons from a former rodeo star Pam Minnick and takes part in the evening’s whip-cracking rodeo show. But no cowboy would be complete without his trusty pistol and Ft. Worth is home to the longest running Gun Show in the State. Having little experience himself Zay explores the show and learns why Texans are so attached to their firearms but none of the answers are as shocking as his encounter with a tazer display! JFK assasination - DallasOnwards to Dallas, where Zay experiences a darker side to Texan history by visiting arguably the most famous spot in the city: the scene of President Kennedy’s assassination. Zay relives JFK’s final moments with the help of Pearce Allman, a local newsman, who witnessed the tragedy first hand. No story on East Texas would be complete without mention of that old ‘black gold‘ – Oil! Zay travels to Kilgore, the heart of the East Texas oil boom of the 1930‘s. This small town was once home to the richest acre in the world and helped to create the oil-rich reputation the state enjoys to this day. Texas also has a long-standing reputation for tough justice. Moving south, Zay stops at one of the most fearsome prisons in the State: Huntsville. Texas executes more people than any other State in the union and all of them occur in the Huntsville State Penitentiary.Texas state penitentiary Zay explores the sensitive subject by meeting a former warden from the prison’s death house and some newly-released prisoners. For the final leg of his journey Zay travels to Houston
They say everything is bigger in Texas and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Western half of the State. With its big landscapes, big history and big steaks, West Texas is bursting at the seams with action packed adventure and offers up a colourful mix of the iconic and unexpected. Fort Worth Cattle Drive In Globe Trekker West Texas presenter Zay Harding begins his journey in the state capital, Austin. With its vibrant music and arts scene, Austin is a shining Mecca for the weird and wonderful and Zay dives right in exploring everything from rattlesnake hotdogs to bingo with chickens. After a night out soaking up Austin’s wild and crazy music scene Zay heads south to visit the laid back city of San Antonio where he explores the Alamo and gets a lesson in what it really means to be Texan. Our next stop is El Paso,a multi layered city defined by its complex relationship with Mexico colourful, vibrant and oozing with Latino charm. Zay meets the locals and learns about the good, the bad and the ugly sides to life on the border. Heading into the desert surrounding El Paso, Zay gets a taste of the old Wild West. In a landscape straight out of a John Wayne movie he boards a stagecoach and travels along the old Butterfield trail. It’s a journey back in time, to a place where banditry and Indian raids were common place and beautiful rock formations like Hueco Tanks provided a welcome respite from the punishing travel conditions of the 19th century American West. For the final leg of his trip Zay takes to the road in a 1960’s mustang and travels to the far north of the state into an area known as the pan-handle. It’s a classic road trip that takes in the stunning Palo Duro Canyon and most of the Texas leg of Route 66. Determined to get his kicks on Route 66, Zay busts a gut in Amarillo’s steak eating challenge, leaves his mark on a bizarre art installation known as Cadillac Ranch and concludes his journey on the border with New Mexico in the
Join Brianna on a whirlwind tour of Britain’s enormous capital city: LONDON! A melting pot of cultures and quirky habits that makes it one of the most unique and thrilling places on the planet. Whether it’s the mockney cheerio chaps and evenin’ guvnor types you’re after in its glorious East End or the altogether calmer atmosphere of meandering canals, we get to the bottom of what makes London so cool! Beginning our tour at the iconic Buckingham Palace, home to the HRH The Queen of England and various Royals along the way, we see the changing of the guards before heading over to Soho for a spot of afternoon tea above a traditional London pub. Onwards to the National Gallery, home to over 2,000 paintings and one of Europe’s finest collections of art. For an altogether different view of ‘Art’ our roving host heads over to the East End to sniff out a Banksy, see if the English really DO hanker after the occasional jellied eel and shops for oddities at nearby Spitalfields Market. Every adventurer needs a hearty breakfast, while others need the occasional splurge so after breakfasting at (arguably) London’s glitziest hotel, The Ritz, Brianna heads into Mayfair for a spot on indulgent retail therapy at the very bastions of English style. Tips from top sommeliers at Berry Bros and Rudd, a fitting at Lock & Co - the oldest hat-makers in London, and more. No trip to London would be complete without a gander through Covent Garden - and while plenty a fair lady is to be seen the original flower girls have since moved on. Ever wondered why London buses are red? Or who the Fat Controller is? Then take a look inside the London Transport Museum - home to over 370,000 objects concerning urban transport. Perhaps just as famous for it’s iconic double deckers, as it is for its cyclists, Brianna embraces the British obsession with cycling and and heads along the canal from Regent’s Park all the way to the Olympic Stadium via Camden Lock. Taking adva
A weekend with a 1950s theme includes stops in Atlantic City and Wildwood, N.J.; Delaware; crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay; the Art Museum in Philadelphia; Flight 93 National Memorial; Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh; and Monticello.
In this Globe Trekker Special, our Globe Trekker hosts explore the world’s most historic sites and empires – travel ling from the heart of Europe, across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and visiting spectacular sites dating from medieval times to the 19th century. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem Exploring great historic sites of The Crusades, Zay Harding visits the Dome on the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Holly Morris travels to Syria to check out the mighty Aleppo Citadel and spectacular Krak des Chevaliers fortress. Built on the back of the Italian city state’s wealth as the most successful trading powers in early medieval Europe, Ian Wright marvels at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, whilst Justine Shapiro explores the Doge’s Palace in Venice. Following in the footsteps of Venetian merchant Marco Polo’s famous journey to the unknown east, Ian Wright visits remote Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire, whilst Megan McCormick enjoys a visit to China’s greatest historic sites, the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City. Holly Morris, Krak des Chevaliers Back in Europe, Ian Wright checks out the wonders of The Renaissance in Florence, while Estelle Bingham explores the Ottoman Empire’s most historic sites in Istanbul – Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. England, Portugal, and Spain were the leading European nations during the Age of Discovery. We explore the great sites of Hampton Court Palace, Lisbon docks, and the Moorish Alhambra Fortress in Granada, the conquest of which in 1491 allowed the Spanish to send Columbus on his famous voyage of discovery in 1492. Megan McCormick visits many of the earliest sites in the New World, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, the astonishing San Filipe Fort in Cartagena, Colombia, and the Puritans’ first settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts. From the era of the brutal transatlantic slave trade, Zoe Palmer explores Rodney’s Fort in St.
In this Globe Trekker Special we explore the world’s most historic sites of the modern era. Our hosts travel from the heart of Europe, across the Middle East, South Africa, the Far East, Australasia, and the USA, visiting spectacular sites dating from the mid 19th century right up to the present day. Eiffel Tower, Paris Exploring the historic sites that shaped the United States, Megan McCormick visits Gettysburg, site of the famous speech given by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, Ian Wright travels to the Little Bighorn battlefield in Montana, site of General Custer’s Last Stand during the Indian Wars, while Justine Shapiro visits the gold mining ghost town of Bodie, once part of the great California Gold Rush that brought vast numbers of settlers to the West. The late 19th century in both the United States and Europe saw revolutionary developments in modern architecture: Justine Shapiro explores the birth of the skyscraper in Chicago, Adela Ucar visits the greatest expression of early steel technology – the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France – whilst Megan McCormick marvels at Europe’s greatest Modernist masterpiece – Antonio Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain. Sadly, this golden age of modern European culture was brought to a shuddering end by the outbreak of World War I. Katy Haswell visits Ypres in Belgium, one of the most appallingly bloody of all Great War battlefields, where around half a million soldiers lost their lives. Megan McCormick, Barcelona After the terrible slaughter of the First World War, the other great upheaval in early 20th century Europe was the Communist Revolution in Russia. Ian Wright travels to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, where the Tsars were overthrown, and to Moscow, to visit Red Square, the Kremlin and Lenin’s Tomb. Moscow is also home to an extraordinary collection of Communist-era Gothic skyscrapers, but in terms of building skyscrapers as high as possible, the Soviet arc
In this programme host Zay Harding travels to two beautiful archipelagos of isolated islands, one in the Pacific and the other in the Atlantic. First he explores the very rarely visited Marshall Islands, some of the world’s remotest islands of all, way out in the middle of the vast Pacific ocean. Subsequently, he heads on to the Atlantic coast of South America, to check out the fascinating former Dutch colonies of Curacao and Bonaire. Bizarrely, when he first flies in to the Marshall Islands, Zay has to pass through a US military airport on Kwajalein atoll, which is part of a high security ballistic missile test site. Swiftly ushered off the military base, Zay catches a boat to the adjacent island of Ebeye, to dive the wreck of a WWII battleship that sank here as a result of damaged sustained during the USA’s controversial post-war atomic bomb tests on nearby Bikini atoll. Attracted by the chance of working at the US military base on Kwajalein, thousands of Marshall Islanders have moved to the tiny island of Ebeye; now hugely overcrowded, it’s been given the unflattering nickname ‘the slum of the Pacific’. Zay watches the local baseball team playing in the only open space on Ebeye big enough for the game – the rubbish dump. Flying on to Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, Zay visits a project set up to preserve and promote traditional Marshallese canoe-building and navigational skills. Zay learns how local sailors have the ability to navigate towards far-flung islands by reading signs from the ocean swells. Marshallese sailing canoes are the fastest in the Pacific, and Zay joins in a dramatic impromptu race, battered by fierce Pacific winds. At Majuro dock, Zay meets up with WWII enthusiast Matt Holly, boarding a dive boat to cross 80 miles of open ocean to the small and extremely remote Mili atoll. Guns, planes, and other wreckage from the WWII Japanese base on Mili, bombed by the Americans, can still be seen s
In this one-hour Globe Trekker Special to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series, we go behind the scenes to find out how the world’s longest running and most popular travel series is made.
Sexy, passionate and sophisticated, Buenos Aires is one of South America’s most alluring cities and the perfect place for Globe Trekker newcomer Judith Jones to find her feet…or should we say Tango heels!
Zay Harding explores the colonial history of the State of Victoria in Australia.
Most people descend upon the Cote D’Azur in search of sun, sea, fine wine and fine dining but the Riviera isn’t just a holiday destination for sun-worshippers. The region also presents the traveller with an extraordinary art trail once touched by the greatest artists of the modern era: Paul Cezanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Paul Signac, Pierre Bonnard, Fernand Leger, Marc Chagall and even the avant garde poet, Jean Cocteau all made the French Riviera their home. The most remarkable fact is that it is here that they produced some of the masterworks which changed the face of art as we know it.
In this Globetrekker special, Zay Harding treks along five of Australia’s greatest hikes, which showcases the country’s incredible landscape, nature and pioneering history.
After international sanctions were lifted in 2012, Myanmar has been put to the top of travel destination lists and it has quickly become the hot new place to visit. Closed off to the world for centuries, this is a fascinating country which is as warm and welcoming as the ruling military junta were harsh and oppressive. Megan McCormick dives in to the heart of the country to get the low down. Schwedagon Pagoda with MeganMegan starts her journey in Yangon where she explores the juxtaposition of modern life and Myanmar’s colonial past, so prominent throughout the country that some people still refer to it as Burma. She finds out more from Yangon Heritage Trust founder, Thant Myint-U. Before she leaves this city, she can’t resist the pull of the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in the country. Flying to the centre of the country, she visits popular Inle Lake where she discovers just how diverse the country really is. Contrary to popular belief, the Padaung women Megan meets don’t seem to mind at all that they are being paid to draw in the tourists… provided foreigners actually respect their choice. Next, she heads north to the town of Hsipaw where she visits a Shan Palace and uncovers a tribal rivalry dating back centuries. Chatting to the current resident, Fern, she realises that people still bear scars from the recent dictatorship. Megan takes a bumpy train journey to Mandalay, stopping briefly at the British hill station of Pyin-oo-Lwin. In Mandalay she discovers a city devastated by WW2 and reinvented by the Chinese. Getting to the cultural heart of this city, Megan visits the golden Mahamuni Buddha, tries her hand at the dying art of puppetry and opts for evening entertainment in the form of the Moustache Brothers, only to realise that the recent politics of this country pervades everything, even comedy. Mindat-Munn-women-with-Megan-McCormickLeaving Mandalay Megan heads far from the main tourist destinati
In this Globe Trekker Special, Zay Harding travels across Northern France and Belgium, visiting key World War One locations on the Western Front.
Meat eating contests in Texas; sausages in India; Paris, France, and the South Pacific; Africa.
Incomprehensible dialects, terrible weather, a grim industrial backwater - these are phrases traditionally used to describe the Northern stretches of England. This Globe Trekker puts an end to the myth, as we follow traveller Judith Jones through Yorkshire and Northumberland. Her journey begins in rural Suffolk, continues on to the university city of Cambridge, Sheffield, Bradford and York. Her journey concludes on a boat to the Farne Island, the ancient sanctuary of the monk Saint Cuthbert and a present sanctuary to the puffin.
Part 1 of 2. Globe Trekker presenter Judith Jones takes us through story of the English building and shows us how it came to be. It’s a journey from the birth of early Christian settlements to the creation of the baroque mansion in the 17th century; of how a Romanesque church became a cathedral, and how a castle became the Englishman’s home.
Conclusion. An architectural tour of England. Included: Queen's House in Greenwich; Christopher Wren's Church of Magnus the Martyr and St. Paul's Cathedral in London; the urban townhomes of Bath; and Osterley House in Middlesex. Also: Hammerwood Lodge in East Sussex; Saltaire in Yorkshire; Trafalgar Square; Buckingham Palace; and the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Megan McCormick tours Japan. She starts the journey in Kyoto, where activities include browsing a flea market, meditating with a Buddhist monk and being entertained by geishas at a banquet. She also visits the Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine and the Toji Buddhist Temple. Later, she travels to Osaka, where she spends time at a cat café and the Kidzania theme park; and visits Iga-Ueno, which is best known as the home of the ninja. She concludes the tour with sailing trip to the remote island of Sado.
A Ruta 40 tour of Argentina features Volcan Lanin, the highest peak in the area; Seven Lakes Drive; the Lake District in San Carlosde Bariloche; and the former hippie colony of El Bolson. Also: Butch Cassidy's hideout in Cholila; Trevelin, a town that was founded by Welsh immigrants; and the Cabo Virgenes lighthouse.
A motorcycle journey along Ruta 40 in Argentina. Included: the Salinas Grandes; the natural wonders of Seven Colors Hills; and Tilcara, a city that dates back some 10,000 years. Also: pre-Columbian ruins in Pucara; and the National Park of Leoncito.
In this Globe Trekker Special, we travel all across South America, to Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil – in search of the continent’s Top 10 adventures.
Poland is not a country one would normally associate with jolly travel destinations but think again! This country is rich in folklore and history – and surprisingly, not all of it is dark. Certainly, this is what globe trekker, Megan McCormick, discovers on her traipse across Silesia, Pomerania and Warmia Masuria for this very insightful Globe Trekker in Poland.
We visit some of the planet’s most spectacular and grandest mosques. Islam, founded in the 7th Century in what is now Saudi Arabia by the Prophet Muhammad, spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and into Europe, Africa and Asia.
Delhi is an incarnation of 7 cities all borne out of a bloody history. It’s a city teeming with extraordinary life flowing through the 22 million plus inhabitants who make India’s capital one of the most vibrant in the world.
In this program, Zay Harding embarks on a five day voyage from Cape Town on the last authentic British Royal Mail Ship, travelling 2000 miles across the South Atlantic to one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands – the tiny British Overseas Territory of St Helena, marooned over 1300 miles from the nearest mainland. The island is blessed with spectacular scenery and a fascinating history, but as yet it has no airport, so it’s very rarely visited.
We travel all across Africa – to Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Madagascar, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and Cape Verde – in search of the continent’s Top 10 adventures.
The “Raj” – stout British governors of 18th and 19th century India - gets the Globe Trekker treatment in a sweeping history special presented by travellers Bobby Chinn, Zay Harding, Katy Haswell, Holly Morris and Ian Wright. They span the Asian subcontinent to illustrate the spectacular story of the rise and fall from grace of the once mighty British Empire.
In this Globe Trekker Special, Zay Harding, Sami Sabiti, Holly Morris, Justine Shapiro and Ian Wright explore the extraordinary history of America’s spectacular Wild West.
Globe trekker Zoe D’Amato sets out on a grand adventure to explore 4 of Hawaii’s mounds of beauty – Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai.
A road trip through Pittsburgh, Detroit and Flint, Mich.; Cleveland, Toledo and Akron, Ohio; American industries; Rust Belt.
Spanning the American Midwest and its Great Lakes states for innovations that ignited an industrial revolution.
Zay Harding encounters a Bollywood artist in Bandra; explores Dharavi, India's largest slum made famous by the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire;' takes in the fish market at Sassoon Docks; checks in to the luxurious Taj Palace Hotel; tours the sea fort of Murud Janjira; visits the open-air laundromat, shops in the Chor Bazaar; flies to the World Heritage site of Ellora; tries his hand at the ancient form of pole yoga and meets Mahatma Gandhi's grandson.
Get your snowshoes on for some crazy fun, catching the wind in your hair and a bear or two on the way.
Ronald Reagan's famous adult themed comic collection is finally unveiled in this historic setting.
Paint the walls red with this amazing trip through Cuba, Russia, Vietnam and North West Norfolk.
We then meet up with Zay Harding, who is hiking the Milford Track, the most famous and spectacular trekking route in New Zealand. To reach the remote trailhead on the southwestern tip of the South Island, Zay sails in a traditional wooden ketch across beautiful Lake Te Anau, where he starts the 3-day trek up and over the MacKinnon Pass en route to the Milford Sound.
Globe Trekker Best Beaches takes traveller Justine Shapiro on a month-by-month tour of the world's number one hot spots and chill-out destinations. Whether you're an intrepid traveller, seasoned back-packer or just pleasure seeking holiday maker, whatever your style your dream beach awaits. January - In the Northern Hemisphere the cold grey month of January is time to head off on your hols, where sunshine, white sands and clear blue waters await you. Justine doesn't mess about, she hot-foots it to the ancient Mayan city of Tulum on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. February - Neil Gibson discovers the finest beaches around the fishing village of Montezuma in Costa Rica, where a strict eco-friendly tourist policy preserves its natural assets and wildly contrasting beaches. March - The Mexican state of Baja California, surrounded by hundreds of miles of unspoilt coastline, is dream destination for nature lovers. In March the whale watching season is in full swing and Ian Wright explores the region to find the best beaches off the beaten track. April - The coolest, driest month to visit the South American tropics and Ian Wright visits the country that invented beach culture, Brazil. There's secluded beaches all along the coastline but they don't get more remote than the northern village of Jericoacora. It's a rough journey but well worth it for the stunning scenery and fantastic fishing you'll find there. May - The Philippines has an island for everyone and Shilpa Mehta checks out paradise on earth on the island of Boracay. There's a variety of active pursuits on offer for those whose dream vacation involves more than lounging on the sands. Shilpa takes a diving trip to some of the best diving sites the islands have to offer. Best Diving Beaches - On the Banda Islands in Eastern Indonesia there's incredible marine life just waiting for the underwater explorer. Ian Wright goes to the Solomon Islands whose waters are loaded with shipwrecks sunk during World
History comes to life in this episode of the travel series Globe Trekker from Escapi and Pilot Productions. In Globe Trekker: Great Historic Sites, viewers are given looks at such famous ancient landmarks as Egypt's great pyramids and Iran's mosque of Esfahan
Justine Shapiro kicks off the journey with a road trip west across the United States, following in the footsteps of the American Dream. Starting in Washington DC she follows the Blue Ridge Parkway to Nashville and Memphis, birth places of American country and soul. Justine takes a brief respite in Arkansas and then hits the legendary Route 66, stopping at a giant cattle auction in Oklahoma City. She then joins the ‘Trail of Tears’ memorial walk for Native Americans before crossing the Texas Panhandle into Arizona where she visits the world’s best preserved Meteor Crater.
Judith Jones travels through Mexico from northern Chihuahua to the central state of Zacatecas learning about the history of the Spanish conquistadors, visiting the pre-Incan Toltec site of Tula, and discovering civilizations which pre-dated the Mayans and Aztecs. In Michoacán she witnesses the butterfly fishermen of Lake Patzcuaro, while in Mexico City she visits the remains of the Aztec temple Huitzilopochtli and the National Palace before travelling to Cuernavaca and a 900 year old Aztec Pyramid in Tepoztlán.
Brianna Barnes travels through Peru exploring the land of the Incas, from Cajamarca to Cuzco, the nearby Sacred Valley, and the ruins of the former Incan fortresses of Ollantaytambo. After taking a train to the abandoned mountain-top city of Machu Picchu, she takes a spectacular bike trek in Colca Canyon, then ventures to Arequipa where Inca buried their dead around the summits of spectacular volcanoes. She finishes with a trek to the summit of Nevado Pichu Pichu, sacred to the ancient Inca and Peruvians today.
Zay Harding begins his Pacific journey in Santiago de Chile, gateway to Easter Island. From here he heads to Tahiti, the Polynesian paradise that enticed Captain Cook, Captain Bligh and his Bounty Mutineers to stay longer than planned. Zay embarks on an ocean voyage along the waters charted by these famous explorers, including a perilous crossing to Pitcairn Island--which the descendents of the Bounty Mutineers call home today--and concluding his epic adventure by diving the remains of the HMS Bounty..
Zay Harding explores the Kingdom of Tonga, and then on to multi-cultural Fiji, where cannibals, sugar cane and Indian temples make for an exciting stay. In Norfolk Island he learns about its convict past and then on to New Caledonia. Zay ends his journey in Noumea, where the Kanak’s people’s culture is celebrated at the Tibijao Cultural Centre, an architectural marvel that combines ancient knowledge with modern techniques.
Megan McCormick travels along China’s section of the Silk Road trade route, exploring the country’s ancient past and dazzling future. Beginning in Xi’an, ancient China’s capital city, she visits the Terracotta Warriors, and the Muslim Market. Continuing through China’s Gansu Province she visits the oasis towns of Jiayuguan and Dunhuang. She then camel rides across Dunhuang’s sand dunes into Xinjiang, digs for jade in Khotan and visits the livestock market in Kashgar before ending her journey in the stunning Pamir Mountains at China’s Western border.
Holly Morris continues our journey across the ancient Silk Road. Beginning in the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan, she travels to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan before catching the train to the ancient city of Samarkand and the nearby city of Bukhara. She then treks through remote desert visiting Turkmenistan and the rarely seen ruins of ancient Merv. From here she travels to Azerbaijan, exploring Baku, before catching the train to Tbilisi in Georgia. From Tbilisi, Holly heads on to Konya in Turkey, capital of the ancient Seljuk Empire, travelling in a camel caravan. Her final destination and terminus of the Silk Road, is Istanbul.
In the final episode of Globe Trekker’s Round the World Series, Ian Wright bridges the gap between East and West on an iconic journey from the exotic and cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, to one of Europe’s grandest and most sophisticated hubs,Vienna. It’s an incredible adventure that takes in seven countries and a multitude of rich and varied cultures steeped in ancient history and set against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty.
