Programmes Grannies On Safari

1 - South Africa - A Country Of Cultural Mosaics

Join the grannies as they travel to the new South Africa and explore the cultural mosaic of this extraordinary country. Visit the major cities, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, and walk through historically important museums and galleries. Meet artists, designers, musicians and everyday people in their homes and visit a Zulu village of doll makers. The grannies ride rickshaws, taste Indian curry and meet a group of singing church ladies in Soweto.
Duration: 30

2 - South Africa - On Safari

Travel with the grannies as they explore exceptional wildlife, including sightings of the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Join them as they witness major conservation efforts for the cheetah and other animals at Kapama Private Game Reserve. At Kagga Kamma, travel to ancient grounds where they view 6,000 year old cave drawings by the San people. At an exceptional five star safari lodge, Camp Jabulani they ride an elephant on safari. Lastly experience their visit to the Lesedi Cultural Center, a recreated cultural village where the six major tribal groups of South Africa are represented.
Duration: 30

3 - Discovering the Wonders of Morocco

One of North Africa's most exotic countries is Morocco. The grannies trek through this scenically diverse country bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains. Come aboard as they ride camels in the Sahara and partake in a huge feast at the home of Berbers in their middle-Atlas mountaintop enclave. Experience the magic of its cities, the blue city (Fes), white city (Casablanca) and the pink city (Marrakech). Highlights include the nightly madness of Jamaa El Fina Square in Marrakech, goats in the trees on the road to Casablanca and the beautiful fishing village of Essaouria. Morocco is a country of modern and ancient mosques, including one of the world's largest in Casablanca.
Duration: 30

4 - Istanbul - Ancient Crossroads

The grannies travel to Istanbul, the confluence of the great Christian, Muslim and Byzantine cultures. Framed by its seas, the Marmara, Black Sea, Mediterranean and the mysterious Bosporus, Istanbul is considered home of one of the wonders of the world, Hagia Sofia. Straddling both Asia and Europe, the country is a repository of ancient and modern art, ruins and culture. Places like the Blue Mosque take their breath away. The Grannies view ancient Roman underground cistern ruins, travel back in time to the treasures of Topkapi Palace and have a private view of its rare artefacts. On the tour, Pat and Regina meet with three famous Turkish artists and Bedri Baykam, internationally known visual artist, filmmaker and writer.
Duration: 30

5 - Japan - The Contemporary And The Ancient

Join the grannies as they spend colourful nights in two of Japan's greatest cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, experiencing the sights and sounds of some of their most stimulating and exotic haunts. The itinerary includes great temples, fabulous restaurants and new 21st century structures including the Rappongi Hills District. Retreat to Kusatsu (a mountain village) at the base of a volcano, to experience the therapeutic sulphur springs "Onsen." Pampered like Japanese Royals in a five star elegant Royokan, the grannies enjoy the ultimate spa experience. During their visit, The grannies toured one of the leading Anime studios and saw previews of upcoming video programs. Of course, they had time for a little Karaoke in Tokyo before they departed!!
Duration: 30

6 - Korea - Off The Beaten Path

The grannies go off the beaten path to explore Korea. With a focus on its largest city, Seoul, this episode highlights its bustling cultural assets including world-class museums and galleries that make the country come alive. Regina and Pat visit the internationally renowned World Ceramics Center, Korean Folk Village where ancient dwellings have been created to show visitors how life was in the 15th through 18th-centuries, and have an overnight stay at a Buddhist Temple. They climb thousands of stairs to view the many ancient temples that dot the provinces of the country and a traditional Korean feast and dance performance at Korea House is the highlight of Seoul. The Grannies even dress up as Korean empresses to stroll around a park! While in Busan they visit the Jagalchi Fish Market and view fish never seen in North America.
Duration: 30

7 - Ottawa- Canada’s Best Kept Secret

The grannies explore Ottawa, the beautiful capital of Canada. They visit historic Parliament Hill and marvel at the splendour of the changing of the guard, taste prize-winning barbeque, visit a one-of-its-kind Aboriginal display, tour the sprawling grounds of Rideau Hall, home of the Governor General, and take an evening boat ride along the pristine Ottawa River. The grannies discover a prairie atop the architecturally significant Canadian War Museum, eat "Beaver Tails," learn to "throat-sing" from the Inuit, and even cook with a master chef at the world famous Cordon Bleu Cooking School. Marvel as the Grannies navigate their way out of a cedar maze - or do they?! There are plenty of hands-on experiences in this show including a journey back in time to Upper Canada Village - a 19th century pioneer community. Watch as the grannies turn themselves into "ladies" of the prairie and travel in period costume on a very hot summer day in a first-class horse drawn carry-all.
Duration: 30

8 - Poland - Warsaw And Krakow: Sophisticated Sister Cities

While the grannies didn't need an excuse to go to Poland, they were invited to a wedding, and provided with an excellent chance to do some exploration of two important cities in Europe - Warsaw, restored and thriving and Krakow, exquisite, teeming and full of charm. Join the grannies as they seek hidden treasures and historical makers in the heart of Warsaw. Many of the buildings that were destroyed during WWII have been carefully restored. A park and garden that displays the beautiful bronze statue of Chopin is a must see. The Grannies walk through these grounds and explore three of the restored palaces that represent one of Poland's most powerful kings. This is an old culture and country, and there are many examples of its past and current glories. Krakow - the city of the dragon, was not destroyed during the war and maintains its original old town square (one of the largest in all of Europe), and most of its original buildings,significant and beautiful churches and old castles,
Duration: 30

9 - Cruising The Caribbean

The grannies decided to so something different - take a cruise - and cruise in a big way, on a "really" big ship to the Caribbean. The chance to hop around to several glamorous islands - Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, and Antigua - and see what the locals were up to sounded like great fun. Granny Regina had never been on a "big ship," so join her as she explores all there is to do on board and off. Join the grannies for movies under the stars and encounters with local artists and craftsmen from each Island as they create beautiful and unique items, all with a backdrop of breathtaking beaches and vistas. They visit a sugar plantation, see the monkey's on Barbados and walk the same paths as pirates. The grannies discovered more than they expected and made people connections that confirmed that the Caribbean is still one of the most energizing and inspiring places to visit. Ahoy there matey!
Duration: 30

10 - Buenos Aires: European Charm With A Latin Beat

The grannies fly to one of South America's most charismatic cities, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here is where the charm of European culture is well mixed with the soul and beat of Latin America. "BA," as the local's call their city, is sizzling with energy - new architectural landscapes framed by cranes everywhere, wide boulevards (some say the widest in the world), and gorgeous municipal parks still flourish around the city. This is where the president's house is called Casa Rosada - Pink House - and where on its balcony Evita charmed millions. The country is the home of the famed Gaucho, the sultry and seductive Tango and one of the best places to eat beef in the world. You can bet the grannies experienced it all - a visit with a noted silversmith who makes authentic Gaucho artefacts, a stroll in the famous rose gardens in one of the most beautiful parks in the city, and forays into local markets where they encounter fans of the grannies series from US who are visiting Argentina!
Duration: 30

11 - Montevideo-Uruguay’s City Of The Drums

Montevideo is Uruguay's capital city, home of one of the oldest opera houses in Latin America, this city and its people proved to be a big surprise. The country has more than three million people and half live in Montevideo! A very literate population for one thing - almost 100% -- Montevideo is a colonial city that is making a concerted effort to restore and renovate thousands of structures that date back over 100 years and are succeeding! The Old Town is lively and the pulsating rhythms of drums and chatter can be heard during the evenings and well into the night. The grannies meet with the active Afro-Uruguayan community and learn how their art of drum making and culture has shaped the country's dedication to this art form and adopted it as its own. The Grannies visit the home of an influential Uruguayan art curator and writer who acts as their host while they are in the country and visit the Carnival Museum and a premier winery.
Duration: 30

12 - Toronto-A Cultural And Ethnic Mix

The grannies visit Toronto, a city renowned for its architecture, museums and colourful ethnic neighbourhoods - Chinatown, Cabbage Town and Caribbean Town - to name just a few. It's a city with lots of energy. Cruise with the grannies along Lake Ontario and catch a glimpse of the magnificent CN Tower and the shore line that many compare to the City of Chicago. Watch as they try their hand at "throwing pots" in the well-regarded Gardiner Museum. Examine chopines at the world-class, one-of-a-kind Bata Shoe Museum, where a collection of more than 12,000 shoes from every era and from around the world are housed. Judge for yourself if they master the labour-intensive art of making Chinese dumplings with a legendary Chinese baker in an historic section of the city. Watch as they share their sewing skills on "Caribana" costume making, explore an Inuit Art gallery, search for a ghost at sprawling Casa Loma and learn how a 30-foot floating dragon lantern is constructed by Chinese artisans.
Duration: 30

13 - San Juan-Bienvenidos, Paradise

The grannies ventured into San Juan, Puerto Rico, a US protectorate, after their Caribbean cruise, to explore the happenings on this delightful island with its rich cultural heritage. The locals call themselves Boriquens, a Taino Indian word meaning "strong men" and take pride in their Spanish, Native and African heritage. Not only is the island beautiful everywhere - from the mountains of El Yunque to both of the oceans that lap warmly along its shores, but its food and people are something to experience too. Come with the Grannies as they visit small hamlets and villages tucked along side the winding roads that crisscross the island. Visit El Morro, the large Spanish fort that guards the entry to the islands port, and walk through Old Town with flower draped balconies that overlook old streets and corners. Join them as they explore markets and other gathering places. The Grannies experience the integration of the many cultures found on this island through its music - "salsa!"
Duration: 30