Travel

How can you tell when you're staying at a bad motel? Renee's here with another short and wacky Top 11 list!

On a vast salt lake surrounded by red earth, renowned British sculptor Antony Gormley embarks on a sculptural installation that awakens a small Goldfields town in remote Western Australia.

Stretching further than London to Moscow – from the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef to the heart of the Australian outback – the newly crowned Route 66 Australia is challenging its famous American namesake as THE road trip for dreamers and adventurers the world over. This fascinating documentary reveals the amazing characters, rich history and World Heritage Listed natural wonders of this unique 2000 kilometre journey through the heart of Australia

On her third day in Andalusia Mona takes a trip to Jerez de la Frontera to discover the world of famous Sherry wine and a unique riding University. While going back to her hotel our host stops by a real bullfighting school to meet some of the students in their quest for glory in the “arenas”. The last day is dedicated to the visit of Arcos de la Frontera, one of the famous “white villages” of Andalusia and to the historical city of Cadiz, starting point for ships during the conquest of the “New World”. After a visit to the colorful market of the city the episode ends on a romantic sunset on Cadiz beach.

On her third day of stay in Austria, Geraldine goes up to the very top of the so called Kitzbuhel horn, where the story of this ski resort started. After that she realizes a real tyrolean recipe and she tries to milk a cow in the same way farmers around here used to do. The night is the right time to enjoy a party in the trendiest club of the town. The last day is entirely dedicated to snow activities, so viewers will see how to do some snowshoe hiking, where to try a real wooden sleight and learn to sing some “jodel”. The episode ends with a visit to an incredible safari park in the snow.

Mona continues her quest for sea and sun this time in the most photographed island of Greece: Santorini. Here she arrives by boat from mainland and after a quick stop in her fantastic hotel she shops around in the peculiar village of Oia before going for a tour of the island’s capital Fira. On her second day Mona is very determined to find out the story behind the Caldera, the basin in front of Santorini, believed to be the legendary Atlantis. After sailing she has a nice meal in the small hamlet of Thirassia before reaching the magic atmosphere of Good Friday in Pyrgos.

In this episode Mona relax herself paying a visit to the art village of Megalahori and after strolling on the three famous beaches of the island: the red, the black and the white beaches. To complete an enjoyable day she takes a Thai massage and a yoga lesson in front of a breathtaking blue sea. The last day is Easter so our host helps some new friend cooking sweets and lambs for the special meal of the day. The party is hold in a beautiful home of a very colorful family.

This time Geraldine reaches the village of Samnaun close to the Austrian border. After visiting the old and the new village our host assists to a suggestive party on the snow at night. The following day, being her birthday, Geraldine enjoys herself skiing and relaxing in a beautiful spa. The treatments offered in this spa are the best any woman could look for.

In this episode Geraldine wakes up early to work out in the gym. After that she goes for a visit in two places for which Switzerland is famous around the world: a cheese factory and a chocolate factory. In the evening she is a challenger in a curious ski tournament. Her last day in Switzerland is dedicated to the new trends in snow sports, like the ski-doo and the rack track. A chocolate fondue is the perfect end of a nice weekend in the mountains.

Mona’s third day in Portugal begins with a visit to the capital Lisbon. Here starting from the famous Belem tower and Navigators monument she decides have a taste of the delicious Pasteis de Belem in the oldest pastry of the city. From there she walks in the characteristic streets of the ancient Alfama neighbourhood and she boards a typical tramway to complete her visit. In the evening after a glass of perfectly chilled sherry in the trendy area of Docks she has a moving experience listening some typical Fado music in an old restaurant. Mona decides to spend her last day in Portugal in the country’s beautiful nature. So from Praia Grande she reaches Cabo da Roca the most westerly point of continental Europe to finish the trip in front of the impressive Boca do Inferno where she meets a very brave fisherman

Geraldine loves legends and medieval times so what’s better than going there where the most famous knights once lived? And here she arrives in Malta and its sister islands. Besides being an interesting mix of cultures Malta will show to Geraldine its past and its natural beauties along with the characters of its inhabitants. She starts to explore the ancient town of Medina and after she takes off to visit the beautiful coastline of the main island to arrive in the incredible Popeye Village built in the 90’s to film the movie starring Robin Williams. The following day Geraldine goes to the second major island of this archipelago, Gozo in order to discover the legendary Calypso cave, the salt ponds and the city of Vittoria. Back in her hotel she meets the heir of the mythical St. John’s Knights.

On the third day of her Malta’s visit Geraldine goes for a stroll in the Presidential gardens before reaching the Blue Grotto, one of the most impressive natural caves existing in the Mediterranean. Her next stop for the day is the Neolithic temple of Gantija and of course the Island capital, La Valletta. Geraldine’s last day in Malta brings her to visit the so-called three cities, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua and after a gulf exploration on a beautiful Maltese gondola and a quick look to a curious art gallery she finally goes for some gambling in the famous Casino. To end her stay in the archipelago Geraldine stops in a colourful market of a cute fisherman village and goes to an international rugby match.

This time Mona arrives in the green and bright Ireland. From the magnificent hotel located in the countryside of Arthurstown she decides to have a riding lesson and a golf lesson before taking a look of the pretty little villages of Dunmore East and Tramore well known for their cliffs and beaches. The following day she travels to Waterford which she discovers accompanied by Jack, a fun Irish guide. After visiting the Waterford Treasure Museum and the famous Waterford Crystal factory she ends her day playing and singing celtic music in a very trendy pub.

Geraldine starts her trip in the land of Rubens Van Gogh and Rembrandt visiting beautiful Amsterdam by bike, the most used means of transportation by Dutch. From the nine roads, looking for exclusive products to the red quarter our presenter finally has a close encounter with the art and the genius of a painter worldwide known entering the famous Van Gogh Museum. The following day Geraldine moves north to have a look of three typical Dutch towns: Marken, Edam and Volendam. Nature is fascinating under the snow and she enjoys herself admiring the dawn and the sunset in such an environment recalling the XVII centuries Dutch masterpieces. And to finish the day there are two exceptional events waiting for her: a frozen lake and a frozen port where time seems to stand still.

In this episode our host goes to pay a visit to “girls’ best friends”: diamonds! She shows one of the finest diamond factory for which Holland is so famous. After the visit is time to take a trip on a barge around Amsterdam’s canals before finishing the day in a very trendy restaurant. For the last day of her visit, Geraldine goes to Zaanse Schans. In fact this town is the home of two major Holland icons: clogs and windmills. After some “ritual” pictures is time to move to the little village of Enkuisen just to learn some ice-skating the same way Dutch love to do.

Following the call of her Mediterranean heritage Mona decides to visit the warmest of the Spanish region: Andalusia. Upon arrival at her hotel in the beautiful village of Carmona our host goes for a full immersion in the Spaniards’ culinary culture. In the evening she decides to check the “movida” in the wonderful capital of Andalusia, the legendary city of Sevilla. The second day is totally dedicated to Sevilla and its historical legacy. Furthermore Mona could not miss a lesson in one of the most known “flamenco” school of Spain before spending the evening in the Jewish quarter of the city.

Mona starts her third day in Ireland with a cooking lesson given to her by the renowned chef Kevin Dundron. Along the way to the cute city of Kilkenny she stops to learn some pottery-making in the Nick Mosse workshop. Finally she ends her day visiting the Kilkenny Design Center and the city and its beauties. The day after Mona decides to climb the most ancient lighthouse of Ireland and she also board the famous Famine Ship, a boat used by Irish immigrants in the 19th century to reach America. From there she goes to meet one of the Kennedy’s heirs before ending her trip stepping back into time while visiting the beautiful Irish National Heritage Park.

Geraldine starts her discovery of Hip European places from Brittany, France. From the medieval Vannes and its colorful fishing market, its little peculiar streets, its magnificent fortress Geraldine moves around the region. Visiting the wonderful Conleau Peninsula she reaches Port Anna, a little fishermen village, and a very peculiar beer factory where she appreciates an exclusive beer made out of sea water. She ends her first day enjoying some Celtic music in the most famous pub of Vannes “Pub Paddy”. The second day of her trip starts in the foggy Morbihan’s gulf. While waiting for a weather improvement she visits Port Navaleau, the meeting point of ocean and gulf. Finally she can enjoy the pleasure of sailing stopping in the famous Ile aux Moines, the biggest island in the gulf well known for the incredible variety of flowers blossoming all year round.

After having an early breakfast Geraldine starts her third day in Brittany visiting the Quiberon peninsula ant its golden sandy beaches. After a break watching surfers on the breathtaking Côte Sauvage she stops to visit the mysterious Karnac alignments where dolmens and menhirs from neolitic times stand motionless to the time passage. A taste of the famous “crêpes bretonnes”, a sort of local pancake ends joyfully her day. The last day of Geraldine’s trip is wrapped with the dream and magic of Arthurian’s legends. The sparkling little houses of the medieval village of Lizio are explored by our host followed by the mythical church of Holy Graal. After this Geraldine enters the magical atmosphere of the famous forest of Broceliande where, according to the legend, Merlin the Wizard was born. She finishes her trip to Brittany with a typical local party called “Festnoz”

In her third day in Scotland Mona looks at the history and the legends of the country. After visiting Stirling, “Braveheart’s” hometown (and actually meeting with him!) she reaches the famous William Wallace tower, the unusual Blackness Castle ending her day trying to cope with a strange ghost. The last day of Mona’s trip is dedicated to Scottish products, so firstly she visits the well known Scottish wool center. After a taste of real Scottish salmon in a very hip restaurant Mona goes to learn something about whiskey in an old distillery. Ending her trip in this astonishing country Mona meets a skillful bagpipes and kilts maker.