Race Across the World Series 1 to 3 (BBC iPlayer)

Very few TV shows have the power to lift you from your sofa and drop you into an ocean of culture, adventure and diversity, but Race Across the World is one of them. Race Across the World is streaming now on BBC iPlayer. This article also features Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour.

Starting its life on BBC Two before migrating to BBC One, Race Across the World is a prime example of the power of reality TV in transporting an audience to new places. It brings together parents and kids, friends and relatives in a race to win £20,000. But there’s a twist: each couple has no more than the price of their airfare to reach the final, and with no credit cards, no phones and absolutely no flying, it’s their wit, determination and ingenuity that must prevail.

The success of Race Across the World is rooted in the intimate journey of discovery each pair takes and the travelogue they create. Very few TV shows have the power to lift you from your sofa and drop you into an ocean of culture, adventure and diversity, but Race Across the World is one of them.

This exquisite and powerful slice of TV heaven highlights the best of our human race, the beauty and fragility of the world around us, and the power of travel to heal wounds, build connections, and embrace life. Full of wonder, adventure and emotion, it’s appointment TV for the whole family. From the dangers and wonders of Argentina to the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies and the bustle of Singapore, every series holds something special, and every episode is a celebration of adventure, culture, friendship, family and love.

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Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour (2024)

Marking the 200th anniversary of Lord Byron’s death, the BBC sent best mates and complete opposites Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark to retrace his Grand Tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome. The result is one of the most delightful TV travelogues of the year. Rob and Rylan’s journey may explore Renaissance art, culture, architecture, and history, but its roots are in both men’s far more personal journeys. One that explores how the past informs the present in our shared experiences of equality, diversity, love and individual expression. I, for one, hope we see this unlikely and beautiful travelling duo return to our screens soon.