Simon Reeve names his 'favourite' country - and you can see 'weird stuff' there
BBC presenter Simon Reeve has opened up about his favourite country - and says it has 'staggeringly beautiful' landscapes and wildlife that can't be found 'anywhere else'
Renowned adventurer Simon Reeve has revealed his top destination on the planet, where travellers can experience sights unlike "anywhere else on the planet". Throughout his illustrious career, Simon has explored some of the world's most breathtaking and treacherous regions, including run-ins with the KGB and narrow escapes from cheetahs.
In his latest three-part BBC series, Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, the fearless presenter embarks on a journey across the Nordic nations, taking in the dramatic landscapes of tundra, forest, and fjord. This latest adventure adds to Simon's impressive tally of over 130 countries visited, a remarkable feat considering he didn't board a plane until he was "an adult and working full-time".
Simon reflected: "You know, I'm a very lucky bloke. I've been to more than 130 countries now and travelled pretty extensively, I grant you, but almost all as an adult. You know, I don't come from a 'travel-ly' family. I didn't get on a plane until I was growing up and properly working."
Simon shared that his childhood didn't involve "fancy foreign holidays", but he believes this has made him "appreciate" his role even more.
In fact, he remains humble about his incredible job, recalling his time on the dole as a teenager, which has left him "very aware" of "how lucky" he's been. Choosing a favourite from his extensive travels proved a tough call for the seasoned globetrotter, but with some persuasion, one destination holds a special place, reports the Express.
Simon shared: "So, I've always got my eyes open when I'm travelling. I'm always trying to soak it up like a human sponge, and I absolutely love the journeys still. If you twist my arm and you say: 'You've gotta come up with somewhere that you really love', Madagascar."
Famous for its unique creatures, Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, boasts an unmatched array of wildlife seen nowhere else on earth.
According to the WWF, this 144-million-acre landmass off Africa's southeast coast shelters diverse ecosystems ranging from lush jungles to stark deserts.
Expanding further, Simon added: "Madagascar was staggeringly different and beautiful and surprising, and obviously, that's off the east coast of Africa. It's got a bit of Africa in it. It's got a bit of Asia in it. But it's quite unique, as well.
"You see stuff there that you don't see anywhere else on the planet. You know, a group of cowboys wearing huge floppy hats taking a huge herd of buffalo across the country to market."
According to Simon, clambering up another rise might unveil a vast "huge plain of spiny cactus", revealing the island's curious charm.
He added with a sense of wonder: "You know, when humans first arrived on Madagascar, there were lemurs the size of gorillas. You know, things have evolved there in very different and special ways, so that is a place that has really amazed me."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Unexpected rule on UK beaches that can spell £2,500 fine if you're caught out
With many families heading to the coast over the summer, it's important to be aware of local by-laws that could unexpectedly turn your beach day into an expensive lesson As the summer season rolls in, British families are flocking to the seaside for day trips or staycations. However, a lesser-known regulation could turn your beachside fish and chips into a hefty bill. In several coastal spots nationwide, feeding seagulls is actually illegal, with fines potentially exceeding £1,000. Last year, a 97-year-old woman faced a potential fine of £2,500 and even court proceedings after a neighbour reported her for feeding birds in her garden in Fylde, near Blackpool. With this incident in mind, Luxury Group Stay, a leading provider of high-end holiday homes in the UK, is advising holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with local by-laws that could disrupt their well-deserved getaway. In Suffolk, visitors to Aldeburgh will encounter signs cautioning that anyone caught feeding gulls may be prosecuted under public health and anti-social behaviour by-laws. This regulation was implemented in the seaside town back in 2009 in response to escalating complaints about the gulls' conduct, including aggressive swooping, incessant begging, and damage to bins and properties, reports the Express. And it's not just Fylde and Aldeburgh enforcing these restrictions. Numerous councils across the country have introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) or other measures in an attempt to curb gull feeding. Luxury Group Stay's spokesperson revealed, "With more local fines and by-laws catching guests off guard, we're seeing growing demand for private stays where families can relax, dine outdoors, and enjoy themselves without worrying about unexpected restrictions." Article continues below Given that rules can differ widely across localities and signage might be overlooked, holidaymakers are urged to be vigilant with local guidelines – or they could find their day at the beach costing more than anticipated. They've also pinpointed a selection of destinations where you might cop a fine for giving snacks to the gulls. Destinations where you may be fined for feeding seagulls: East Devon - £80-100 fine on beaches in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Beer, and Seaton. Dorset - Up to £100 fine in Lyme Regis, West Bay, and Bridport. Jersey (St Saviour Parish) - Fines of up to £1,000 in many residential areas, including Clos Paumelle. Cornwall - Up to £100 in St Ives. North Yorkshire - Up to £100 in Whitby and Scarborough. East Sussex - Fines of up to £100 in Eastbourne and Hastings.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
One of world's friendliest countries plans to charge tourists more than locals
In 2024, Japan set a new tourism record as visitors from across the globe flocked to the island nation. The rising number of tourists has led to a "new challenge" One of the friendliest countries in the world is planning to charge tourists more than locals in restaurants. Japan is developing a strategy to manage its booming tourist industry. In 2024, the country smashed its previous tourism records as international travellers swarmed the archipelago. The nation was voted Best Country for a second year running in last year's Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, and it secured sixth place as the friendliest country globally with an impressive score of 93.25. Despite these accolades, Japan faces a "new challenge" due to the overwhelming tide of tourists. Hokuto Asano, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, told Fox News Digital of the challenges facing the country. "Overtourism is a new challenge for the Japanese community. So we need to pursue how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists." A potential solution cited in the report may involve a "two-tier" pricing model at eateries, theme parks, and attractions, placing a higher price tag on those coming from abroad. READ MORE: Tiny unspoilt Greek island which rivals bustling Santorini and Mykonos Mr Asano remarked: "The price of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel - the price is also increasing. So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot enjoy the domestic tourism. But there should be a difference in the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There should be a difference in the price and also product or service toward the international tourists." Mr Asano noted that last year's tourist figures hit 36 million, revealing that Japan aims to almost double its visitor numbers within the next five years, reports the Express. Across the world, a number of countries are grappling with the booming tourism trade and attempting to work out how best to manage demand. Earlier this month, protesters hit the streets in nations across Europe, demanding legislative changes to lessen the impact of tourism on locals. READ MORE: Brits avoid Spain after protests and warn 'we won't go if we're not wanted' While the campaingers in Spain have been grabbing most of the headlines, there is a growing overtourism protest movement in Italy. At the start of June campaigners came out in full force in Venice. The watery city has been at the sharp edge of overtourism issues for years, with locals selling up and moving out of the limited supply of homes on the central island, and holiday let landlords moving in. 'We've been emphasising for a couple of years now that there are more tourist beds than registered residents,' said Remi Wacogne of Ocio, a civic observatory on housing. 'Tourism is physically and practically taking over homes.' In Venice, a couple of dozen protesters unfurled a banner calling for a halt to new hotel beds in the lagoon city in front of two recently completed structures, one in the popular tourist destination's historic centre where activists say the last resident, an elderly woman, was kicked out last year. The upcoming wedding of Amazon founder Jezz Bezos in the city has also become a point of tension among overtourism protesters.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Mexico's hidden 'bat volcano'
Bats are crucial to the local ecosystem in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. They keep the pest population down by eating millions of insects every night and they also help to pollinate plants in the jungle. Qasa Alom visits a hidden bat volcano, home to three million bats who sustain the local ecosystem. This video is from The Travel Show, the BBC's flagship travel programme.
