Armchair Travel

The cat pack

(top–bottom) The lions of Botswana’s Okavango Delta are some of the largest around; actor and all-round good guy Stanley Tucci is charming company as he goes in search of his culinary heritage

Smiling for the cameras

It’s wall-to-wall glitz this month, as the red carpet rolls out for the greats of small-screen travel, plus the arrival of some big new wildlife shows

here’s lots of star power on the telly this issue,

Twith some old friends, fresh faces, new shows and returning favourites to catch up with. Firstly, book into some of the most exciting – and expensive – accommodation options on the planet with the fourth season of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby (BBC iPlayer), which sees chef Monica Galetti and journalist Giles Coren snoop behind the scenes of remarkable rooms in Iceland, Croatia and the Middle East, culminating with a rare gander at what’s reputed to be London’s most expensive and exclusive hotel, The Lanesborough. For those on a (slightly) smaller budget, Sandi Toksvig brings a celebrity guest to six equally characterful, often-remote UK stays, from Cornwall up to East Scotland, for the second season of her Extraordinary Escapes (All 4).

Joanna Lumley also returns to lavish affection on Europe’s big hitters with her three-part Great Cities of the World (ITV Hub) series, exploring Berlin, Paris and Rome. She might not stray too far off-the-beaten-rues, yet it’s a timely reminder why these dense capitals continue to draw our attention. But even La Lumley can’t compete with the charisma of Stanley Tucci, who gets to indulge his culinary expertise and passion for Italian cuisine in the first season of Searching for Italy (BBC iPlayer): a history, culture and food lesson in one ridiculously charming and flavoursome bundle.

Lending even more charisma to the screen this month are the wildlife offerings from Netflix and the BBC. They each boast some mega-wattage superstars, with the former’s movie-length Sur viving Paradise giving top billing to the lions, painted wolves, elephants and birdlife of Botswana’s Okavango Delta as the region faces some of the most extreme seasonal changes on the planet. The four-part Dynasties II (BBC Player) also has one eye on the impact of climate change as it takes viewers from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Zambezi River. Narrated by a certain silver-haired TV legend (Sir David Attenborough), each episode follows a different pack – elephant, cheetah, puma, hyena – focusing on the family’s leaders as they steer their group to survival. And yes, you’re going to get something in your eye by the time both shows have finished.