Series synopsis
Globe Trekker is an Australian documentary television series that premiered on Channel 4 on December 31, 1994. It stars Ian Wright, Nikki Grosse, Shilpa Mehta and Neil Gibson.
Globe Trekker is an adventure tourism television series produced by Pilot Productions. The British series was inspired by the Lonely Planet travelbooks and began airing in 1994. Globe Trekker is broadcast in over 40 countries across six continents.
Each episode features a host, called a traveller, who travels with a camera crew to a country—often, a relatively exotic locale—and experiences the sights, sounds, and culture that the location has to offer. Special episodes feature in-depth city, be ...
Premise
Globe Trekker is an adventure tourism television series produced by Pilot Productions. The British series was inspired by the Lonely Planet travelbooks and began airing in 1994. Globe Trekker is broadcast in over 40 countries across six continents.
Each episode features a host, called a traveller, who travels with a camera crew to a country—often, a relatively exotic locale—and experiences the sights, sounds, and culture that the location has to offer. Special episodes feature in-depth city, beach, dive, shopping, history, festival, and food guides.
The show often goes far beyond popular tourist destinations in order to give viewers a more authentic look at local culture. Presenters usually participate in different aspects of regional life, such as attending a traditional wedding or visiting a mining community. They address the viewer directly, acting as tourists-turned-tour guides, but are also filmed interacting with locals and discovering interesting locations in unrehearsed sequences. Globe Trekker also sometimes includes brief interviews with backpackers who share tips on independent travel in that particular country.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Ian Wright as Traveler
- Nikki Grosse as Presenter
- Shilpa Mehta as Presenter
- Neil Gibson as Presenter
- Jonathan Atherton as Presenter
- Estelle Bingham as Presenter
- Katy Haswell as Presenter
- Megan McCormick as Presenter
Supporting cast
- Justine Shapiro as Presetnter
- Sami Sabiti as Presenter
- Lavinia Tan as Presenter
- Alex Riley as Presenter
- Brianna Barnes as Presenter
- Andrew Daddo as Presenter
- Zay Harding as Presenter
- Mark Crowdy as Presenter
- Holly Morris as Presenter
- Judith Jones as Presenter
- Christina Chang as Presenter
- Adela Úcar as Presenter
Episodes
This series spans 18 seasons with 223 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 11 | ||
| Season 1 | 13 | December 31, 1994 | December 31, 1994 |
| Season 2 | 13 | December 31, 1996 | |
| Season 3 | 13 | April 18, 1998 | |
| Season 4 | 13 | October 20, 1998 | |
| Season 5 | 13 | April 29, 2002 | |
| Season 6 | 13 | August 15, 2002 | |
| Season 7 | 13 | September 29, 2002 | |
| Season 8 | 15 | November 15, 2009 | |
| Season 9 | 13 | November 9, 2003 | |
| Season 10 | 13 | December 21, 2004 | |
| Season 11 | 14 | February 26, 2006 | |
| Season 12 | 13 | May 13, 2007 | |
| Season 13 | 14 | October 19, 2008 | |
| Season 14 | 14 | September 27, 2015 | |
| Season 15 | 12 | August 9, 2015 | |
| Season 16 | 0 | July 12, 2015 | |
| Season 17 | 13 | November 27, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotland | |
| 2 |
Snowshoeing in Austria Get your snowshoes on for some crazy fun, catching the wind in your hair and a bear or two on the way. |
|
| 3 |
Reagan Presidential Library Ronald Reagan's famous adult themed comic collection is finally unveiled in this historic setting. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Indonesia: The Eastern Islands Traveller Mark Crowdy |
December 31, 1994 |
| 2 |
La Ruta Maya: The Yucatan, Belize & Guatemala Traveller Justine Shapiro |
August 21, 1994 |
| 3 |
Morocco Traveller Ian Wright |
August 28, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Israel & The Sinai Desert 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. |
July 12, 1995 |
| 2 |
Central Asia: Uzbekistan and Kirghizstan Traveller Ian Wright |
December 31, 1995 |
| 3 |
South West China Traveller Justine Shapiro |
April 17, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Syria, Jordan & Lebanon 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. |
January 15, 1998 |
| 2 |
Ethiopia 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. |
January 22, 1998 |
| 3 |
Cuba & Haiti 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. |
January 29, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
North Thailand & Laos Ian Wright treks to a travel haven, exploring backpacker life and floating markets in Bangkok through to village life and outstanding festivals. |
April 30, 1998 |
| 2 | Central America: Costa Rica & Nicaragua | May 12, 1998 |
| 3 | Indonesia: Bali & Sulawesi | May 19, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | September 4, 2000 |
| 2 | West India | September 18, 2000 |
| 3 |
New Zealand New Zealand is a beautiful land of contrasts. The North Island is flat, green and densely populated, while the South Island is rugged, mountainous and snowy. The Maori originally called it Etirea, the land of the long white cloud. Globe Trekker traveler Ian Wright starts his journey in Auckland, where the city skyscrapers are home to the most extreme sports in the world. He then heads up the coast to Matauri Bay and the Bay of the Islands. On the South Island he visits Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, before climbing the amazing Fox Glacier. Along the way... Wreck dive the Rainbow Warrior. Attend a Pofari ceremony in a Maori community. Go punting in Christchurch. Sample a piece of Kiwi madness and do a bit of Zorbing. |
November 30, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainland Greece | May 24, 2002 |
| 2 | Ireland | May 31, 2002 |
| 3 | Deep South USA | June 7, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef | September 1, 2002 |
| 2 | Georgia and Armenia | September 7, 2002 |
| 3 |
Greek Islands 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. |
September 9, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Istanbul City Guide | October 11, 2002 |
| 2 | South of France | October 13, 2002 |
| 3 | Kenya | October 15, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern France | August 17, 2003 |
| 2 | Ultimate France | August 24, 2003 |
| 3 | Tuscany | August 31, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium & Luxembourg | September 28, 2004 |
| 2 | Cameroon | October 5, 2004 |
| 3 | Florida & The Bahamas | October 12, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | England and Wales | November 13, 2005 |
| 2 | Midwest USA | November 20, 2005 |
| 3 |
Venice City Guide 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 with the romantic city's most infamous lover and libertine, Casanova. The following day, Justine heads to Doge's Palace. This palace, resplendent in gold and sumptuous oil paintings, was the political heart of the Republic of Venice. It was home to the city's elected leader, the Doge, and its Bridge of Sighs leads to the city's incarcerated. Venice's unique status of being built on water also means that it faces a precarious future, as the city is regularly prone to flooding. Justine takes a boat ride with a local scientist who explains how heavy water traffic and industry are threatening the equilibrium of the lagoon, and what counter-steps are being taken. Back on a boat on the Grand Canal, Justine completes her Venetian adventure - by taking part in one of the city's most colourful and joyful festivals - the annual Rowing Regatta. A flotilla of historic boats is followed by fast and furious racing to determine the city's speediest gondoliers. |
November 27, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden and Denmark | April 1, 2007 |
| 2 | Spanish Islands | |
| 3 | Las Vegas City Guide |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Los Angeles City Guide 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. |
|
| 2 |
Germany 2 Megan McCormick and Justine Shapiro travel to take a deeper look at the real Germany. |
|
| 3 |
World War 2 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. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amsterdam City Guide 2 Brianna Barnes and Jonathan Atherton explore the capital of the netherlands. |
|
| 2 | Madrid City Guide | |
| 3 |
Syria Megan McCormick visits Barcelona, the catalunian capital. |
April 17, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Papua New Guinea Islands In the South Pacific, to the North of Australia, Zay Harding visits the so-called "island provinces" of Manus, New Ireland, and New Britain. |
|
| 2 |
Bangladesh Between India and Myanmar, Holly Morris tours Bangladesh. |
April 22, 2012 |
| 3 | Trekking in Uganda & The Congo | April 15, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Art Trails of the Riviera | October 26, 2014 |
| 5 | Myanmar (Burma) | April 6, 2014 |
| 6 | World War 1 Special | July 20, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Building England 2: The Age of Architects Judith Jones visits Queen's House; St. Magnus the Martyr and St. Paul's Cathedral in London; townhomes of Bath; Osterley House; Trafalgar Square; Buckingham Palace. |
November 8, 2015 |
| 2 |
Road Trip Ruta 40: Patagonia Zay Harding visits Patagonia on Hwy 40. He climbs Volcan Lanin, visits the Lake District in San Carlos de Bariloche, the former Hippie colony of El Bolton, Cueva de las Manos (cave of hands), Mount Fitzroy and Cabo Virgenes Lighthouse. We see beautiful scenery. He has to fill gas containers as some areas of the road have no services. |
July 19, 2015 |
| 3 | Road Trip Ruta 40: The Andes | November 1, 2015 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 31, 1994 |
| Last aired | April 22, 2012 |
| Runtime | 52 minutes |
| Status | continue |