TV programmes to give you wanderlust this week

Take the train to California this week
Take the train to California this week Credit: AP
Saturday February 10

Great Canal Journeys (Channel Four, 7.00pm)

Timothy West and Prunella Scales return to Wales to explore a canal that has eluded them for more than half a century. The Monmouthshire and Brecon canal is cut off from the rest of Britain's network of waterways by the Black Mountains, and meanders its way through the tranquil Usk valley. Repeat

Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs (BBC Two, 8.30pm)

Paul Murton explores lochs close to the densely populated Central Belt, beginning on the banks of the Lake of Menteith and visiting Loch Ard, Loch Arklet, Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, before ending by climbing Ben Venue in the Trossachs.

Sunday February 11

South Korea: Earth's Hidden Wilderness (BBC Two, 8.00pm)

Documentary exploring the wildlife, traditions and landscape in the country's rural areas. The programme features footage of dolphins swimming alongside conch divers in the volcanic islands of Jeju, a falconer flying a goshawk in the country's mountainous forests, and raccoon dogs hunting for cicadas that only emerge from underground once every five years.

Jeju
Jeju Credit: CoolbieRe/coolbiere photograph
Monday February 12

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC Four, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo's journey through California continues south toward Santa Clara in the heart of Silicon Valley and ends at Santa Cruz, where he takes to the water on a surfboard.

Food Unwrapped (Channel 4, 8.30pm)

Jimmy Doherty, Kate Quilton and Matt Tebbutt return to unveil more secrets about the world of mass-produced food. Doherty heads to the US to find out how those big chunks in American ice-cream stay so crispy, Quilton  investigates a rise in olive oil prices and finds a disease wiping out olive trees in southern Italy, and Tebbutt discovers why Bloody Marys are so popular on planes - and why airline food tastes very different on ground level.

The World's Most Luxurious Airline (Channel 4, 9.00pm)

While leading airlines battling it out for the number one spot as the world's most luxurious flyer, this documentary reveals the exacting standards first-class passengers expect when wining and dining in the skies - with Michelin-style food, limitless champagne, and a deluxe first-class suite for the super wealthy. With exclusive access to Singapore Airlines, the film reveals the lengths the airline goes to building a first-class suite for the super wealthy, spending $850m over the course of four years

On board Singapore Airlines
On board Singapore Airlines Credit: CHRISSISARICH
Tuesday February 13

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC Two, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo continues his railroad travels through southern California. In the port of Monterey, he raises the Bear Flag of the one-time Republic of California, and above it, the Stars and Stripes. He also tours Hearst Castle in San Simeon, and stops off at a former cattle ranch outside Santa Barbara.

Wednesday February 14

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC Two, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo arrives in the city of Los Angeles, where he heads for the Warner Brothers studio, before taking a walk down the famous Walk of Fame. Outside of the city, Portillo  travels to San Marino to visit The Huntington, a cultural and research centre with libraries, galleries and over a dozen botanical gardens.

Thursday February 15

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC Two, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo continues his tour of Los Angeles, joining the locals for Mexican Independence Day, and discovering the secrets of backyard oil drilling in a county that is home to the largest urban oil field in the US. Moving on to Laguna Beach, he learns how artists from the east coast travelled west on the Transcontinental Railroad to found a colony of painters attracted by the beautiful coastline and glorious light to paint outside.

The Cruise: Return to the Mediterranean (ITV, 8.30pm)

As the summer season draws to a close, the captain and crew of the Royal Princess face one final challenge - two weddings on one day. Passenger services manager Ina has the job of coordinating the task, from the galley team making two cakes, a buffet and a gourmet meal, to ship's florist Jess, who has eight bouquets to make in a tight timeframe. Before he officiates at the ceremonies, Captain Nick Nash has a tricky manoeuvre to make into the Spanish port of Cartagena, while a problem with the fountain display is proving a mystery for the engineers.

Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive (Five, 9.00pm)

The presenter begins the second leg of his 1,500-mile journey in Miami, at Casa Casuarina, the boutique hotel that was formerly the home of Gianni Versace until his death in 1997. The fashion designer's influence is visible throughout, from leopard-print cushions to the swimming pool made out of thousands of 24-carat-gold tiles. After a detour to the seafront workout area Muscle Beach, he visits Little Havana, where he is taught how to make cigars and the delights of Cuban coffee.

Friday February 16

Great American Railroad Journeys (BBC Two, 6.30pm)

Michael Portillo nears the end of his 1,000-mile rail journey from Reno, Nevada, to San Diego in southern California. In this final leg, he joins the US Navy Pacific Fleet, birthplace of the elite flying academy Top Gun. Aboard the Pacific Surfliner, he arrives first in the coastal town of La Jolla, where he takes to the water in a kayak to explore the 75 million-year-old caves.

Nigel Slater's Middle East (BBC Two, 9.00pm)

The writer visits Iran, starting in its bustling capital Tehran, where despite the boom in fast food outlets the dishes of the past still have a place in the hearts and culture of the people. Slater is taken to lunch at his taxi driver's house to sample a popular stew known as dizi, then ventures north to the shores of the Caspian Sea to meet those who once fished for the famous beluga caviar, but now have to find other livings since sturgeon stocks have declined.

Tehran
Tehran Credit: Copyright 2015 Emanuele Mazzoni/Emanuele Mazzoni

Cruising with Jane McDonald (Five, 9.00pm)

Setting off from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, the singer acquaints herself with her vessel. The Ocean Diamond began life as a ferry, but now braves the freezing Arctic seas to provide her passengers with breathtaking views along Iceland's rugged shorelines. After seeing the country's lagoons and hot geysers in daytime, she settles down on the deck at night to witness the Aurora Borealis.

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