Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure

Joanna Lumley is on an epic quest to explore ancient trade routes, travelling thousands of miles across a variety of countries in search of spice. Her voyage begins on the Banda Islands, a remote destination that was once the only place where nutmeg grew. She discovers the island once attracted A-list celebrities such as Mick Jagger, but also possesses a dark, hidden history.

Joanna returns to her birthplace, India, in search of a kitchen cupboard staple once known as 'black gold'. She starts this enthralling travel documentary in the ancient city of Hampi, where 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.

Joanna Lumley’s spice journey continues on the African island of Madagascar. In this glorious travel documentary, she discovers the secrets of the world’s second most expensive spice: vanilla. Along the way, she searches for gold and finds out how cacao is used to make some of the world’s best chocolate. The trip ends on the island of Nosy Be, where a dangerous martial art is practiced.

The last leg of Joanna’s journey takes her by dhow to Zanzibar, the spice island of Africa. In this engaging travel documentary, she discovers that merchants from around the world have left their mark on the area’s architecture, religion and music. She travels to Jordan to encounter a Bedouin tribe via camel, then her trek ends at one of the great wonders of the world, the ancient city of Petra.