The world’s greatest adventures
TV presenter Simon Reeve offers SARAH MARSHALL tips on recreating some of the memorable trips featured in BBC2’S Incredible Journeys
AN AVID traveller, always curious to learn about new cultures, TV presenter Simon Reeve has been to more than 100 countries, filming all over the world for the past 15 years.
But being grounded by the pandemic has paused his plans, giving him an opportunity to take stock, reflect upon the wonderful people he’s encountered, the epic landscapes he’s covered, and the events that have transformed his life.
Many of those highlights feature in new BBC2 four-part series, Incredible Journeys, a retrospective of his greatest trips, given a present day spin.
Time at home has also helped Simon re-evaluate the importance and value of travel.
“There’s a risk we think travel is something we invented recently through the likes of easyjet, but that’s totally untrue,” he says.
“Throughout history, adventurers, explorers and even ordinary folk have created epic changes in society and life.”
Inspired to make your own mark once travel restrictions lift? Here’s how to follow in Simon Reeve’s globetrotting footsteps.
UNRAVEL SURPRISES IN THE ‘STANS
HARDLY a fly and flop holiday, traversing Central Asia’s five ‘stans is a cultural eye-opener destined to broaden the mindsets of even experienced travellers. Diving in at the deep end, Simon visited for his first TV assignment, Meet The Stans, in 2003.
“I was an author who’d written books about terrorism, and I had no desire to go on telly. But when they asked me, I thought, why not?” he confesses.
“I loved it from the moment I landed at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan in the middle of the night. It was completely bonkers and crazy. Every day was an experience; every hour I was learning something.
“The idea was get out there properly and explore without a script; seeing what happened and trying to experience it as a proper adventure. It completely changed my life.”
How to do it: Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk; 020 7666 1244) offers an eight-day Essential Kazakhstan tour from £2,885 per person, including flights, transfers and sightseeing with an English-speaking guide/ driver.
DISCOVER UNIQUE CULTURES IN MADAGASCAR
FORTUNATE enough to visit Madagascar twice – during filming for Tropic Of Capricorn and Indian Ocean – Simon was stunned by the scenery and colourful culture of the island.
“It blows your mind with overwhelming diversity, printed in such a big squealing mix of Africa and Southeast Asia,” he says.
“It’s like the Galapagos Islands but on a much bigger scale. Life has evolved there in spectacular ways – but not just on four legs or in flight, on two legs as well.
“Humans have had centuries of isolation, and that’s created a real difference and great imagination.”
How to do it:
Explore (explore. co.uk; 01252 883 954) offers the 15-day Lost Continent escorted tour from £2,150, including accommodation, some meals, transfers and guiding. Excludes international flights.
GET BACK TO NATURE IN BOTSWANA
SAN Bushmen have lived harmoniously within their ecosystem for more than 20,000 years. Even though their hunting rights have changed in modern times, they still live by the land, sourcing medicine from plants and even finding water in the roots of tubers deep in the arid ground.
Simon recalls going deep into Botswana’s Kalahari Game Reserve
with some “legendary” San Bushmen trackers.
“So many Westerners still have this idea that Mother Nature is something separate to us. We refuse to believe that we’re animals,” he says. “But the San taught me that, in reality, we are the most spectacular and fascinating creature that’s ever existed.
“They had a profound connection to nature, more than any other indigenous group I’ve ever encountered.”
How to do it: Aardvark Safaris (aardvarksafaris. co.uk; 01980 849 1600) offers a five-night stay at Tau Pan camp in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve from £2,743 per person, including transfers, accommodation, meals, activities and drinks. International flights are extra.
APPRECIATE SIMPLE THINGS ON THE ISLE OF LUNDY
AFTER the UK’S first lockdown, one of Simon’s first adventures beyond his front room was a trip to the Isle of Lundy, off the north Devon coast.
“I camped out, which was a moment of isolation,” he says, scorning some “telly types” who pretend to bed down and then stay in a bed and breakfast.
“I had a drink in a pub– definitely the best experience following all the Covid restrictions,” he chuckles.
“It’s funny how your world contracts. Hopefully I, like everybody else, will never take travel for granted again in the future.”
How to do it: The MS Oldenburg ferry and supply ship carries passengers from Ilfracombe and Bideford between March and October, taking less than two hours and costing £44 for a day return ticket.