Programmes Globe Trekker Series 8

1 - Ultimate Australia

Ian Wright, Estelle Bingham and Megan McCormick are off on another set of Pilot Guides. Today Estelle finds herself venturing down under to the wonderful world of Oz. Sydney's her starting point, where she tours the best beaches and goes hang-gliding over some truly breathtaking coastline. There's an expedition into the Outback involving a night encounter in the bush with a dingo, tasting the local food - from Aussie-nouveau-nosh and fresh crab on the beach, to bush-tucker with witchetty grubs and ants in the local lemonade. She meets Aboriginal people, sees spectacular Uluru and gains an insight into the complexity of their beliefs. After a spot of koala cuddling , a few shocking crocs, the Great Barrier Reef and a glimpse of the country's convict past, Estelle's pretty sure she's had the Ultimate Aussie experience.
Duration: 60

 

2 - Istanbul

Estelle Bingham begins her tour of this ancient city of at Topkapi Palace, once home to sultans and their concubines. She interrupts her sight-seeing for a day trip to Gallipoli, the site of an infamous World War I battle in which thousands of Anzac soldiers died. Continuing her journey around Istanbul, she visits the opulent Pera Palace hotel, visited in the past by Agatha Christie, and has a belly dancing lesson from some gypsies. A visit to the Florence Nightingale museum, the Grand Bazaar - one of the largest markets in the world - and her last day has her visiting the famous Blue Mosque and a spin with the Whirling Dervishes.
Duration: 60

 

3 - Southern France

Christina Chang starts in the wine region of Bordeaux, where she gets a very unique beauty treatment: vinotherapy. She visits the ancient pre-historic cave paintings at Grotte du Peche Merle, paddles down the Dordogne and after a tasty meal at a local farm heads south to Bayonne. From here she visits Lourdes, and then on to the Roquefort region, where she learns all there is to know about strong smelly cheese! Continuing east, Christina visits the ancient town of Arles, once home to Vincent Van Gogh and sips a glass or two at the Chateuneuf-du-Pape festival, before heading to Marseilles for Bastille Day.
Duration: 60

 

4 - Kenya

Estelle Bingham starts her journey cycling through Hell's Gate National Park, then heads north to meet a Mau Mau freedom fighter. She continues into the tribal lands of the Northern Frontier, hangs out with some Samburu tribesmen, tracks lions in Laikipia, and participates in a young Pokot boy's initiation ceremony into manhood. From here she takes flight over the Rift Valley to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. After a quick trip to Nairobi, Estelle spends time with baby elephants at an elephant orphanage.
Duration: 60

 

5 - New England

This region of the United States boasts Old World Charm and New World sophistication and a visit in the autumn months guarantees a fantastic display of 'fall-time' beauty. Megan McCormick's journey begins in Plymouth, site of the first Pilgrim community in America. From here we make for Boston, the lively hub of New England, there's a quick visit to Harvard, a college football game and some delicious local oysters. Heading out of town Megan meets some witches in Salem, eats at the original hamburger stand in New Haven, and checks out a biker convention in Danbury, Connecticut. Then it's north to Maine for some rafting and lobster, before catching the sun in New Englands' summer playground - Martha's Vineyard.
Duration: 60

 

6 - Rome

Estelle Bingham starts her trip by touring the famous Forum, the centre of this most historic of cities. Her second day begins by gulping as many different espressos as possible before continuing her tour around Michelangelo's beautiful Piazza Campidoglio. She learns how to create a genuine Roman pizza and visits the home near the Spanish Steps where Romantic poet John Keats died. We visit the Piazza Navona, take in the sumptuous sights of the Villa Borghese which contains one of the greatest private art collections in the world and join Estelle on a day trip to a unique festival in Tuscany - a duck derby. There's a final meal with a movie star - but you'll have to watch to find out which one!.
Duration: 60

 

7 - Southern Mexico

Ian Wright starts his journey at the unique Day of the Dead festival in Pazcuaro. After revelling late into the night, he heads to the old colonial town of Guanajuato, where he spends time riding bulls with the Mexican cowboys. Time for some Fun in Acapulco now, where Ian feels the pull of the glitzy nightlife and watersports and is soon watching the cliff divers do their high-diving-thing and can't help but wonder why. Continuing his search for the perfect beach, Ian's off to Puerto Escondido for the annual surfing festival. He travels to the Mayan ruins of Palenque, before visiting the Zapatista stronghold of San Cristobal and ends his journey with an amazing trek through the Lancondon jungle.
Duration: 60

 

8 - Korea

Ian Wright starts his South Korean odyssey in the capital Seoul, buys some ginseng in the market, gets a lesson in Taekwondo, visits the largest church congregation in the world, and has a wild night on the town. From there he goes on a tour of the DMZ, bordering North Korea, before heading off for a spot of Zen mountain biking. Moving on, Ian finds himself in ancient Hahoe village, where he visits the temple site of Geong-Ju. Final stop is the bustling port city of Busan and a ferry ride to the honeymoon island of Jeju-do.
Duration: 60

 

9 - Beijing City Guide

Megan McCormick begins her visit to China's capital in the huge and impressive Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese Emperors. She spends a day cycling the narrow alleyways of the old city, and has a delicious meal of Beijing duck. There's a boat trip to the stunning Summer Palace, and a look at the unmissable Great Wall. Back in the city, she attends a kung-fu class, shops for pearls, and flies kites in Tian'anmen Square. In Datong she visits an extraordinary hanging monastery with its 50,000 Buddhist statues, and ends her voyage of discovery as she studies to be an extra in the Beijing Opera.
Duration: 60

 

10 - Ultimate Indo-China

A combination of war and government policy kept tourists out but by the end of the 20th century the red doors to Indo-China opened to reveal a unique destination untouched by the Western world. Our travel guides through this corner of South East Asia are Zay Harding, Ian Wright, Justine Shapiro and Megan McCormack. We begin our trek in Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, followed by Cambodia and the Asian nightlife of Phnom Phen. Zay takes us motorcycling through Vietnam, Justin and Megan board the historic Reunification Express train to Hanoi and Ian opts for a boat trip down the mighty Mekong. We see the scars of war, stroll amongst some of the most beautiful temples in Asia, experience the Buddhist full moon celebrations in Laos and enjoy the New Year festivities in Vietnam.
Duration: 60

 

11 - Tahiti & Samoa

Ian Wright's journey starts in Tahiti, where his first task is to judge the Mr.Tahiti contest. His island hopping continues in Bora Bora, where he goes for an underwater reef walk, and meets "Shark Man", who takes him out to get 'up- close-and-personal' with some of his 'finny' mates. Continuing on, Ian flies to Western Samoa, goes fishing, meets a tattoo artist, and partakes of a huge feast and dance. His final island destinations are the Marquesas, where he treks through the 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, and dancing - a perfect end to a trip in paradise.
Duration: 60

 

12 - Vienna City Guide

Ruled by the Hapsburg dynasty for over 600 years, Vienna was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. In this guide to the city Ian Wright will be exploring the Hofburg - home to the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions and the Vienna Boys' Choir, and visiting the summer Palace of Schonbrunn. We chill out in one of the many coffee shops and discover the secret recipe for Sacher Torte. Our trips out of the city take us to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp, where hundreds of thousands of Vienna's Jews perished in the Second World War, and to Graz - birthplace of the most famous Austrian still alive today, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Duration: 60

 

13 - Java & Sumatra

Starting in Jakarta, the bustling capital of Java, and soon head for Krakatoa, still smoking after all these years! After some diving in the lava beds, there's a canoe trip through lush Ujong Kulong Park. Time now to take it easy in Sumatra on beautiful Danua Toba lake, before trekking through the forest to the orangutan sanctuary of Bukit Lawang. Journey's end is the remote island of Palau Nias, where we'll see some world class surfing and the famous stone jumping inhabitants of the island.
Duration: 60