In the past, travel books and diaries were our primary source of exciting impressions and insights from adventurous expeditions. Today, however, vlogs and travel documentaries are becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to cameras, they are full of authentic experiences, allowing even those who haven't found the courage or opportunity to set out into the world on their own to experience adventures to the fullest.
Trabant: There and Back Again
You can travel around the world even without the achievements of the modern age. Expensive and robust off-road vehicles are a relic that you simply do not need for experiences and successfully reaching your set goal. A crazy idea, the right group of people, and the courage to step out of your comfort zone are more than enough. This is how the projects of Dan Přibáň, realized under the Transtrabant banner, could be characterized. And the road movie Trabant: There and Back Again is the latest installment in the series.
If you haven't seen any of the films with the yellow Trabants in action, it's time to fix that. They are available on more than just DVD. And for those who prefer a series, there is a chance for you too. Cult hits full of adrenaline and humor against the backdrop of a crazy expedition around the world won't let you walk away from the screen.
All Trabant adventures in a nutshell:
- Trabant on the Silk Road (2009)
- Trabant across Africa (2011)
- Trabant to the End of the World (2014)
- Trabant through South America (2014) – TV series
- Trabant from Australia to Asia (2016)
- Trabant: Last Breath (2016)
- Trabant from India to Home (2019) – TV series
Africa on a Moped
An adventurer in body and soul, and a native of Banská Bystrica – Marek Slobodník – is not afraid of any challenge. After successfully crossing South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia as part of the Trabant expeditions, he decided to continue his passion. This time, it was Africa's turn, and the goal of the expedition was to cross it entirely from north to south (from Egypt to South Africa) on Jawa Pionýr mopeds.
At the beginning, Startovač helped with the project, and then it was off! Marek and his "bunch of fools" spent a total of 5 months in the saddles of their mopeds. And that there was no shortage of experiences is proven not only by the action-packed trailer but also by the series of sold-out lectures that Marek held after his return in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Your evening entertainment is sorted!
While watching the very successful travel documentary Africa on a Moped, you will be breathless not only from the adventurous escapades of the whole team but also from the unique nature shots and interactions with the inhabitants of the third-largest continent.
The complete team of the Africa on a Moped project consists of:
- Marek Slobodník (project author)
- Martin Kochaník (cameraman and trials rider)
- Marek Duranský (photographer)
- Ondrej and Milan Hurár (technicians)
Are you interested in mopeds on the road? Read another interview with Marek on our blog.
Long Way Down
What happens when two great friends who have loved motorcycles since childhood get together after years? British actors Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor decided to take a unique chance and set out with their machines and an action team of other enthusiasts to discover the world!
The motorcycle trip from Scotland to South Africa, during which the crew covered an incredible 24,000 km in 85 days and passed through 18 countries, thrilled millions of viewers, including motorcycle fans all over the world. Funny but also challenging moments are accompanied by a series of reflections, jokes, and witty comments from the main actors, which will make you smile more than once. During the trip, they even managed to provide humanitarian aid under the auspices of UNICEF, so you can see that if a person wants to, everything is possible. The experiences were also published in book form.
Long Way Down was not Charley and Ewan's first project. The first joint travel series of these two likable guys was created back in 2004 and is known in the Czech Republic primarily under the official title Long Way Round. Their journey in this case starts and ends in the UK, but thanks to the route eastward through Europe, Asia, and North America, you can admire the natural wealth and picturesque scenery of many countries.
With two other friends – cameraman Paul Mungeam and director Russ Malkin – Charley Boorman undertook an expedition in 2008 called By Any Means. On this ride, the enthusiastic travelers set out again eastward across Europe. The goal, however, is to use as many different means of transport as possible, including many local ones, while traveling by land, water, and air.
Traveling with Michael Palin
A British actor, comedian (member of the legendary Monty Python troupe), and enthusiastic traveler with a sense for typically British humor. The first project on Michael Palin's account is the quirky travel documentary Around the World in 80 Days, filmed for the British BBC in the 1990s. The show was based on the book by Jules Verne, which Palin adapted himself and traveled and filmed with a five-member crew. So if the name Willy Fog and his journey along the 30th meridian east from north to south of the Earth means something to you, then you probably have an idea of what to expect from the successful mini-series.
Michael Palin found himself in the role of traveler and guide in one person, and in collaboration with the BBC, he filmed a whole series of travelogues in which he visited not only developed but also underdeveloped countries scarred by war and regimes. For now, the latest documentary in the series remains the 2018 expedition with the telling title Michael Palin in North Korea.
If you like humor and exploring "to the fullest" with maximum commitment and without avoiding sometimes unexpected, other times embarrassing situations, then you won't be disappointed. Filming Michael Palin's travelogues is also famous after years for the number of injuries or intestinal problems endured. And what about when a blind barber shaves you or local residents stone your car during a visit? Some of Palin's adventures have also been published as books.
Other travel documentaries by Michael Palin:
- Pole to Pole (1992)
- Sahara with Michael Palin (2002)
- Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004)
- New Europe with Michael Palin (2007)
- Brazil with Michael Palin (2012)
Balkans Up and Down with Adam Ondra
Not just sport, but also huge enthusiasm for nature and the courage to push the boundaries of what a person can handle. That is what the new Czech Television series with Adam Ondra in the lead role is about. The very gripping performances of the young multiple world champion in lead climbing do not leave emotions calm. Whether you are a fan of climbing or not, this demanding discipline brings not only plenty of adrenaline but also views of beautiful natural scenery in the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
Adam's journey to conquer paradise begins in Romania, followed by a move to Bosnia, Croatia, and Macedonia. The mini-series of adventures then ends in Albania. The amazing climbing (first) ascents are really hard work, but believe me, they can captivate you as a viewer so much that your jaw will drop.
The 6-part cycle was created under the baton of director Petr Horký in collaboration with Czech Television, so you can watch it for free directly on iVysílání ČT.
Places Adam Ondra visited in the documentary:
- Domogled mountains (Romania)
- Tiesno canyon (Bosnia)
- Paklenica National Park, Drašnice, Split (Croatia)
- Mavrovo National Park, Duf waterfall, Bigorski and Rajčica monasteries, Skopje (Macedonia)
- canyon near the village of Brar, Boville dam, Tirana (Albania)
- Prilep, Pozar thermal baths (Macedonia)
Have you already seen any travel documentaries or series? What caught your attention and which one would you recommend? Share your opinions with us in the comments!
