Travel with Katie Butler of Total Travel: TV travel shows to inspire your next getaway
As we fly (no pun intended) through January, it’s hard to believe that Christmas was so long ago. The Quality Street supplies are looking a bit rationed in-store but the kettle and heating are working hard. It has been a cracking month for holiday bookings but also travel inspiration, especially if, like me, you love a good travel programme.
Those of you who read this column regularly will know I’m rather partial to settling down on an evening with something travel related on the tell. I call it research, though it mostly involves a brew and a blanket. This January hasn’t left me disappointed. From sun-soaked beaches to bustling markets and scenic rail journeys, travel programmes do a wonderful job of reminding us that there’s a big wide world beyond the Yorkshire drizzle.
Our household favourite is the BBC hit Race Across the World. I love watching it, partly for the scenery and partly because it’s a reminder that travel doesn’t have to be five star all the way.
This week, two new food-focused series have landed on our screens (another love of mine), giving plenty of food for thought for future travels. Ainsley Harriott is off to sunnier climes with Ainsley’s Taste of The Bahamas, which began on ITV earlier this month. Over ten episodes, he explores the islands beyond the glossy hotels, from Nassau and Paradise Island to quieter corners of the archipelago. Along the way, he visits aquaponic farms, historic rum distilleries and local kitchens, proving that the Bahamas is about far more than white sand and turquoise seas – though there’s plenty of that too.
Meanwhile, Rick Stein is back Down Under with a new six-part series focusing on Australia’s New South Wales. Australia’s food scene has long been a draw, with its world-class wineries, excellent coffee and creative use of local ingredients. This time, Stein tackles a 3,000-mile road trip, showcasing coastal towns, inland landscapes and the people who shape the region’s food culture. It’s the sort of programme that has you Googling flights before the kettle’s even boiled.
Closer to home, we’ve once again been rather lucky in our part of the world, escaping major disruption from Storm Goretti. However, parts of Europe have been battling some bitterly cold temperatures, particularly across Eastern Europe, affecting airports and flights. It’s a timely reminder that winter travel always comes with an extra need for flexibility and patience, our teams included.
On the airline front, there has been some uncertainty surrounding Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services from Manchester. The airline has announced that it’s no longer selling transatlantic flights from Manchester for travel from March 31, affecting routes to New York, Orlando and Barbados. Flights between Manchester and Ireland remain unaffected, but the news has understandably caused concern for some travellers. Thankfully, alternative indirect options via Dublin are being arranged where needed, and my thoughts very much go out to the Manchester-based staff affected by the uncertainty.
I’ll finish, as I often do, with a little snapshot of booking trends from last week. Bookings were pleasingly busy, with May 2026 continuing to lead the way, accounting for 11 per cent of new holidays booked. February and June 2026 followed closely behind with nine per cent each, while late bookings made up 22 per cent of the total. Cruises from Southampton topped the destination list, followed by Tenerife and Lanzarote – proof, if ever it were needed, that sunshine and the sea never go out of fashion, even in January, here in West Yorkshire.