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Travel programmes on tv

(92 Posts)
Riversidegirl Thu 15-Jan-26 16:31:42

How many more of these are we going to get? So-called celebs getting free holidays, showing us stuff we have seen many times before. Latest offering is Favourite Railway Stations by the remaining Hairy Biker who I have never heard of. If I see one more free trip up Snowdon.......

Lilypops Sat 17-Jan-26 19:10:15

Love Tom Read Wilson. He did the same trip in Florence as Rob and Rylan , did the night before. Those two who were so irritating, but Tom was so interesting and enthusiastic.
He comes across a lovely man.

Grandmadinosaur Sat 17-Jan-26 19:23:30

I loved Tom Read Wilson’s programme and was sad when it came to an end. Having been to Florence I knew he would love it there. A few places on his trip I have yet to explore but he certainly sold them to me. More from
Tom please.

Up2u Sat 17-Jan-26 20:12:13

They should all be taken off tv. Paid holidays for over paid so called celebrities. Along with all reality tv shows. Rant over

Millie22 Sat 17-Jan-26 20:44:41

Jane Mcdonald ... please no more and definitely no singing at the end.

Primrose53 Sat 17-Jan-26 21:24:17

I don’t mind Robson Greene but turned off when Revd Richard Coles joined him for a holiday. Cannot stand that man he is on a par with creepy David Walliams.

Wouldn’t watch Lorraine Kelly on anything.
I enjoy watching Michael Portillo and Michael Palin on their travels.

MayBee70 Sat 17-Jan-26 21:48:30

Grandmadinosaur

I loved Tom Read Wilson’s programme and was sad when it came to an end. Having been to Florence I knew he would love it there. A few places on his trip I have yet to explore but he certainly sold them to me. More from
Tom please.

Which programme is that? Is it on catchup?

Kate1949 Sat 17-Jan-26 22:09:48

Tom Read-Wilson's Grand Tour.

Grandmadinosaur Sat 17-Jan-26 22:14:10

Kate1949

Tom Read-Wilson's Grand Tour.

On channel 5.

Kathmaggie Sat 17-Jan-26 22:33:55

I agree, there are too many of these travel programmes. I loved Judith Chalmers.

Kate1949 Sat 17-Jan-26 22:39:33

Grandmadinosaur. We too have been to Florence and my obsession is Venice. We are lucky enough to have been five times. I loved Tom's wonder at wonderful Italy.

Lilypops Sat 17-Jan-26 23:36:14

Does anyone know the aria Tom Read Wilson sang with the musicians in the studio and walking along with the musicians, I think it was a Pavarotti , I have heard before but just can’t remember it ,

Mojack26 Sun 18-Jan-26 02:04:46

I'm more fed up with Game shows,like Traitors,I'm a Celeb etc,Soaps and Reality shows and repeats of them all on a Sundayas well as iplayer etc

Kitty55 Sun 18-Jan-26 13:57:30

I’m fed up with watching celebs on tv whatever programs they are in. Give me someone who knows what they are talking about and doesn’t have to be trained or follow a script. I watch very little tv now, unless a program has been recommended I keep it off.

kissngate Sun 18-Jan-26 14:32:44

My favourite travel programmes are presented by Michael Portillo or Simon Reeve. Recently I have added a new favourite to my list which is Ian Hamilton and his guide dog Major. My kind of Town on BBC2 is wonderful. He visits small towns in Scotland not necessarily the prettiest but talks to the folk who live there. We are just catching up on iplayer just finished Series 1 (six series only 30 mins an episode) looking forward to watching them all.

Chestnut Sun 18-Jan-26 15:13:02

The only ones I watch now are Michael Palin exploring countries I'd never be brave enough to visit. The first was North Korea, then Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela. He climbed high places that I wouldn't have dared even when younger! He is amazing, totally unafraid of anything despite being in his 70s. I am in awe of that man.

EmilyHarburn Sun 18-Jan-26 16:18:00

Agree - Monty Don and Micheal Portillo fine Some of the others can be a wste of time.

Grandmadinosaur Sun 18-Jan-26 16:24:52

Kate1949

*Grandmadinosaur*. We too have been to Florence and my obsession is Venice. We are lucky enough to have been five times. I loved Tom's wonder at wonderful Italy.

I echo your comment re his wonder of Italy it was entirely genuine.

I haven’t been to Venice so I envy you. Not been to Rome either but they have been on my list . I think we shall do one this year and save the other for next year - a big birthday for me. A friend of mine went to Venice in December a few years ago and said it was a delight without the hordes of tourists.

Kate1949 Sun 18-Jan-26 16:49:42

Grandmadinosaur. I'm not sure I'd go in winter as it can flood although to see Carnivale in Jan,/Fe would be a sight t

Kate1949 Sun 18-Jan-26 16:58:26

Oh dear. ...a sight to behold. Personally I think the sunshine adds to the beauty. Yes there are crowds (and I hate crowds), it's expensive but to me anyway totally magical. You can find quiet, cheaper areas.

I sound like an expert. I am definitely not. However, after the upbringing I had, to be on that fabulous place is a dream come true.

springishere Mon 19-Jan-26 12:18:45

I watch all Simon Reeves programmes, as he writes his own scripts and goes to dangerous places. Not for a holiday but for information we wouldn't otherwise know. Such a nice person. His autobiography is very interesting.

PinkCosmos Mon 19-Jan-26 13:44:22

I like the Monty Don garden ones. I am also enjoying Michael Portillo in Portugal and Spain.

I have watched a few of the Jane McDonald ones if she is going somewhere that we would consider going to. She is more down to earth and give helpful advice to ordinary travellers. She gets a bit irritating at times though

I used to love Michael Palin when he started out on his travels. I haven't watched many of the recent ones.

I suppose there is a difference between what is educational and what is just entertainment with these types of programmes.

I would also like to see more of the places they visit rather than watch someone visit yet another vineyard - which takes up half of the programme.

Missiseff Mon 19-Jan-26 13:56:01

Robson Greene can take me on a weekend escape anytime grin

Stillness Mon 19-Jan-26 14:03:22

There’s nothing as depressing as seeing the likes of Lorraine Kelly on holiday when they’re privileged enough anyway. Can’t stand her nor most of the other women in similar programmes. But I do enjoy the more informative travel ones with Monty Don, Ben Fogle etc.

Cyclistmumgrandma Mon 19-Jan-26 14:44:52

I'm confused by the whole "it's not fair that the licence payers fund these free trips abroad" attitude. If people don't like the series, then they won't watch and if people don't watch they will stop making them. Obviously it's a cheap way to fill the schedules and they are popular. The basic rule of what brings in the viewing figures will continue to be made, applies.

Greciangirl Mon 19-Jan-26 15:37:18

Yes. A mention for Ben Fogle.

A lovely chap. And he visits interesting people and interesting places too.