Travel news
An avid traveller, curious to learn about new cultures, TV presenter Simon Reeve has been to more than 100 countries.
Now, grounded by the pandemic, he has been reflecting on the wonderful people he’s met and the epic landscapes he’s covered.
Here’s how to follow in Simon’s globetrotting footsteps.
Stans surprise
Traversing Central Asia’s five Stans, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was a cultural eye-opener for Simon in his first TV assignment, Meet The Stans, in 2003.
“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,” says Simon.
How to do it – Regent Holidays (regentholidays.co.uk) offers an eight-day Essential Kazakhstan tour from £2,885.
A unique culture
Fortunate to visit Madagascar twice – during filming for Tropic Of Capricorn and Indian Ocean – Reeve was stunned by the scenery.
“Life has evolved in spectacular ways – but not just on four legs or in flight, on two legs as well,” he says.
How to do it – Explore (explore.co.uk) offers the 15-day Lost Continent escorted tour from £2,150.
Get back to nature
Simon recalls going deep into Botswana’s Kalahari Game Reserve with some San Bushmen trackers. “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) offers a five-night stay at Tau Pan camp in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve from £2,743.
Appreciate simple things
After the first lockdown, one of Reeve’s first adventures beyond his front room was a trip to the Isle of Lundy, off the coast of north Devon.
“I camped out, which was a moment of isolation,” he says “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 from Ilfracombe to Bideford costs £44 for a day return ticket. Visit landmarktrust.org.uk