Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure (2023)

Joanna Lumley sets off on one of her most epic voyages yet, a journey through the world’s greatest spice continents to discover the rich tapestry of flavours and cultures which have shaped our world. Touring Indonesia, Zanzibar, India and Madagascar, Joanna explores the centuries-old spice trade in this brand new four-part series of discovery.

Chapter 1: Indonesia
Beginning in the remote Indonesian islands so small that her first challenge is finding them on a map. She meets a family on the Banda Islands making their living from harvesting nutmeg and uncovers the dark history of Banda's past.

Chapter 2: India
Joanna returns to her birthplace, in search of a kitchen cupboard staple once known as 'black gold'. Starting in the majestic ancient city of Hampi, she's invited to a dazzling Hindu festival by a local rock climber. Then it's onwards to the lush backwaters of Kerala, where she meets a great grandmother who teaches the oldest martial art in the world and spends the night in a magical houseboat inspired by the old spice traders.

Chapter 3: Madagascar
Joanna continues her journey on the African island of Madagascar, where she discovers the secrets of the world's second most expensive spice, vanilla. She also searches for gold with a poor gold-mining community, and finds out how cacao is used to make some of the world's best chocolate. Later, Joanna travels to the tourist island of Nosy Be, where the men participate in a dangerous martial art called Morengy and the women are paving the way for female equality.

Chapter 4: Zanzibar and Jordan
The last leg of Joanna's journey takes her by dhow to Zanzibar, the spice island of Africa where merchants from around the world have left their mark on the architecture, religion and music. Finally, she travels to Jordan where the spice trail continued on land. She explores the vast plains of Wadi Rum from the back of a camel, meets one of the last nomadic Bedouin families and visits Za'atari refugee camp, home to Jordan's newest arrivals. Her journey ends at the one of the great wonders of the world, the ancient city of Petra.