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Race Across the World review: Return of BBC smash proves travel is best without a smartphone

The hit bbc travel-adventure show returns for its fourth series, and is best understood as being like tourism but in a more intense, concentrated and indeed exhausting form, article bookmarked.

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I have to admit that I find travel so exhausting that I’m at a loss as to why anyone would willingly watch an episode of Race Across the World , let alone have the stamina to keep up with the whole nine hours of viewing that lies before us.

Having tagged along vicariously for the first leg of their journey, north to south across most of Japan, Race is best understood as being like tourism but in a more intense, condensed, concentrated and indeed exhausting form. The five pairs of contestants, ranging from annoying siblings barely in their twenties to a reassuringly mellow couple in their sixties, are tasked with travelling from snowy Sapporo in northern Japan down to the paradise island of Lombok in Indonesia, via various waypoints in Korea, Cambodia and Malaysia – some 15,000 kilometres in total.

Just like any backpacking holiday, the idea is that you move as fast as possible for the least cost (the budget is fixed at £1,390, the price of two air tickets from Japan to Indonesia), and in order to make the best of the adventure try and squeeze in some sightseeing, local culture and pick up a bit of casual work along the way to pay the bills. So it is a race, in the sense that you want to get to the checkpoints and to Lombok first, and win the £20,000 prize money, but to do it within budget and with some actual pleasure along the way. It’s all about balancing these priorities, and that essential nuance gives the show its charm. The only forms of transport that are banned are planes and the ultra-fast Japanese bullet trains, which would spoil the vibe. They should probably call it “The Sort-of Race Across the World”, if accuracy is the thing.

This, therefore, isn’t a full-on scramble, like some version of Challenge Anneka or a leisurely, carefree Portillo-esque travelogue , but one where the contestants have to find a more optimal vacation balance. It was interesting that the winners on this first Japanese leg are Eugenie and Isabel, a mother and daughter who took a pretty long detour to see the isolated, tranquil and lovely offshore island of Sado, on the “wrong” coast from the point of view of sheer speed. It’s so off the beaten track, even for the Japanese, that it was once used as a place of exile for out of favour politicians and the like.

Yet they still arrived, after five days on the road and having missed a connection, two minutes before twins Alfie and Owen, who just about managed to squeeze in a glimpse of Mount Fuji along their supposedly efficient but actually overly panicky and rushed route. It seems that Isabel’s impressive attempt to get a random Japanese boy to teach her the language on a long bus ride paid off; public signage makes little concession to the foreigner, and the universally friendly citizenry speak surprisingly little English. Our contestants don’t remark on it, but Japanese society is an evidently self-sufficient affair, something visitors always find a novelty.

Stephen and Ivy, the retired couple, aren’t that bothered about coming first, and took their opportunity to tarry at a wasabi farm, pulling up roots, burning their mouths off and cadging a useful lift. Maybe it was something about the famous sauce, but Ivy unloaded how “unintentionally offensive” her husband of many years is, just as he’s asking his hosts how old they all are: “Some have learned to tolerate him, but I love him”. Touching.

What’s also striking about Race Across the World , and something sadly impractical in the “real” world away from reality TV, is how much richer the travel experience of all those involved is because they are deprived, under the rules of the show, of their smartphones. They end up exploring their relationships with their journey partners as much as the picturesque countryside and bustling cities.

The young siblings from Yorkshire, Betty and James, for example, seem to be getting to know each other for the first time on Japanese trains and in random cafes, despite having grown up together. Something similar is also true of the two sets of mum and daughter: Eugenie and Isabel, and Sharon and Brydie. Thrown together and almost forced to talk to one another rather than scrolling through social media, their personal odyssey acquires an emotional and, around the Buddhist shrines, a spiritual dimension. As noted by young James, an unimaginative traveller by his own admission, you don’t get that with a week “having it off in Ayia Napa”. A different kind of pursuit, that.

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• Where To Watch

Joanna Lumley Travel Shows

BBC Select is the place to watch Joanna Lumley travel shows. Join the much-loved British actor turned guide as she visits new and familiar locations, including India, the country of her birth, the Northern Lights, a dream destination, and the mystical islands of Japan.

Watch Joanna Lumley travel series on BBC Select. Start your free trial of BBC Select with any of the streaming platforms listed below. Free trial restrictions apply*.

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Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights

Watch Joanna Lumley In the Land of the Northern Lights  on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

Joanna Lumley’s Japan

Travelling Japan by boat, train, plane and foot, British actor and activist Joanna Lumley (The Wolf of Wall Street, Absolutely Fabulous) turns travel reporter to explore the uncharted corners of the country’s 6,800 mystical islands. From rustic mountains to sprawling super-cities, this epic journey takes her across a beautiful and perplexing country of extremes – with a population to match.

Watch Joanna Lumley’s Japan on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

Joanna Lumley: The Quest For Noah’s Ark

Noah’s Ark and the catastrophic flood is one of mankind’s oldest tales – a story that has great meaning to Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. BBC Select presents this documentary in which Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley goes behind the scenes of the British Museum and travels from a small UK village church, to Turkey, India and Oman to discover more about the truth surrounding the tale.

Watch Joanna Lumley: The Quest for Noah’s Ark on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

Joanna Lumley’s India

A year older than Independent India itself, Joanna Lumley travels back to the country of her birth and celebrates the great nation that it is today. Exploring India’s beauty, culture and history, her journey takes her on an exploration of India’s past, present and future. She experiences the mind-blowing mix of industry, imagination and humanity that the world’s largest democracy has to offer.

Watch Joanna Lumley’s India on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

Jennifer & Joanna: Absolutely Champers

Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are two of Britain’s best-loved comedy icons. In classic sit-com Absolutely Fabulous, their alter egos loved nothing more than cracking open a bottle of bubbly. Now, Joanna and Jennifer are reuniting as BBC Select joins them for a road trip to France’s Champagne region. But will Eddie and Patsy finally discover how the bubbles get into their ‘Bolly’, sweetie?

Watch Jennifer and Joanna: Absolutely Champers on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

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Published: 25/04/2024

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The dancer recently stated he'd be taking a break after a hectic few years

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Giovanni Pernice has shared an exciting career update with fans after previously stating he'd be "taking a break".

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 33, confirmed he'd sold out The London Palladium for another year with his tour, Let Me Entertain You and was delighted as he shared the news on social media.

The dancer has been hitting headlines a lot since last year after becoming embroiled in a bitter row with actress Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with him in last year's Strictly.

The 52-year-old decided to quit the series a few weeks in following reports of a "feud" between the pair.

This year, it was reported she had sought legal action after claiming her time on the show left her with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Ever since, Pernice's role on the show has been debated, particularly after details emerged about how Abbington, 52, met with two more of Pernice's former Strictly partners, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, to discuss their similar experiences.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐆𝐢𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 (@giovannipernice)

However, Pernice hasn't spoken publicly about the feud except to brand Abbington "talented".

He recently stated he'd be taking a break form work but this week shared a career milestone on social media.

In view of his 1.1million followers on Instragram, he posted a video of himself and other dancers on stage receiving a standing ovation.

He penned: "Don't mind me, I'm just a bloke from Sicily, taking in that I have managed to sell out The London Palladium for another year with my OWN SOLO SHOW..."

Pernice shared a career update with fans

Instagram - giovannipernice /ITV

He added: "What a surreal night and amazing atmosphere. Thank you to every person who came along and made this such a speacial night. I love you all, G."

It came after the choreographer announced he'd be taking a break following a hectic few years.

After joining BBC competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, he went on to win with former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.

He launched his tour earlier this year and has also been on screens alongside dancing judge Anton Du Beke in their travel show.

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Giovanni and Anton have also been on screens together lately after fronting a travel show

Last week, he penned on Instagram: "I have had a wonderful time this year on my solo tour and already looking forward to even bigger and better next year!

"After performing in front of over half a million people for seven years in row, I plan to take a little break after next year’s tour, so book your tickets in advance for ‘GIOVANNI - THE LAST DANCE’ now at www.giovannipernice.com ."

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