In the fifth episode of this eye-opening series, Giles Coren and Monica Galetti experience the warm embrace of Fogo Island Inn on a rocky, sea-sprayed outpost of remote Fogo Island in Newfoundland. White, angular and perched atop zig-zagged stilts like the local fishermen's houses, it pays homage to the European settlers that arrived from Ireland and Devon to fish cod - most islanders still have Irish or West Country accents. For years, cod was the primary source of income but overfishing saw stocks plummet, and a cod-fishing moratorium was put in place in the 1990s. The island's population subsequently shrank as families moved away in search of other work.\n\nDelving beyond the lobby, Giles and Monica meet founder Zita Cobb, the little girl who grew up to be a multimillionaire and realise a dream to build a hotel that would revive her island home and its folklore. Her family has lovingly folded its rich heritage into a unique retreat for guests, including celebrities, from all over the world. Giles is initiated as an honorary Newfoundlander by eighth-generation sisters Cynthia and Lori, the inn's housekeepers, who rope him into a community boat race. Monica spends time with local guide Norm, who reveals surprising secrets of growing the perfect potato for use at the inn. Monica and Giles both help to put on a traditional Fogo Inn 'wedding scoff', resulting in unexpected mummification. Above all, they tell the poignant story of the fight to revive the island through the hotel.
Source: BBC 2
Series 5: 6. Borgo Egnazia, Italy
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder visit Italy to go behind the scenes of Borgo Egnazia - a hotel modelled on Puglia’s historical local villages. They work with the local staff ...
02-05-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 5. Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
At Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder join forces with the hotel staff to learn how to deliver a luxury safari experience. The hotel is o ...
25-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 4. Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Monica and Rob travel to the highlands of central Sri Lanka to learn about Ceylon Tea Trails - a series of colonial era bungalows that have been renovated and revisioned by a lo ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 3. Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Nusfjord Arctic Resort is a preserved 200-year-old cod fishing village in the Lofoten Islands of Norway. Working alongside the dedicated team, Monica and Rob learn to appreciate ...
11-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 2. Joali Maldives
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder travel by seaplane to a paradise island in the Indian Ocean. Joali Maldives offers guests a luxury experience despite its remote location, but just ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: Kasbah Tamadot
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder travel to Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. With Sir Richard Branson as their boss, they discover how genuine Berber hospitality an ...
28-03-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 8. Hotel Hubertus, Italian Alps
In the Tyrol region of northern Italy lies Hotel Hubertus - a family-run resort which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains thanks to its panoramic aspect.\n\nTh ...
31-12-2023
BBC 2
Series 5: 7. Glenapp Castle, Scotland
In Scotland, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder discover Glenapp Castle, where guests are treated to a magical stay made possible by a dedicated team of local staff. \n\nMonica and R ...
12-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Hacienda Vira Vira, Chile
In this insightful and entertaining programme, Monica and Giles travel to South America to work in Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira - a unique hotel near Pucon, the adventure capital of ...
10-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 4: 5. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Giles Coren and Monica Galetti visit Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, an extraordinary hotel built where people usually struggle to survive - deep in a Middle East desert.\n\nSurrou ...
11-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 5: 5. Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
At Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder join forces with the hotel staff to learn how to deliver a luxury safari experience. The hotel is o ...
25-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 6. Borgo Egnazia, Italy
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder visit Italy to go behind the scenes of Borgo Egnazia - a hotel modelled on Puglia’s historical local villages. They work with the local staff ...
02-05-2024
BBC 2
Shorts: 2. Icehotel, Sweden
Giles and Monica don their best thermals and extreme weather gear, and travel 200km north of the Arctic Circle to Sweden's Lapland. They enter a magical world of snow, ice, inky ...
14-11-2018
BBC 2
Shorts: 4. Royal Mansour, Morocco
In the fourth episode of this eye-opening series, Giles and Monica arrive at Royal Mansour, one of the world's most discreet hotels, hidden deep in the heart of Marrakech's anci ...
07-07-2021
BBC 2
Series 4: 5. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Giles Coren and Monica Galetti visit Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, an extraordinary hotel built where people usually struggle to survive - deep in a Middle East desert.\n\nSurrou ...
11-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 3: 6. Shangri-la, London
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren stay in their own city to work at the Shangri-La, Britain's highest hotel. Their expectations of a standard business guest experience are blown aw ...
19-03-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Ashford Castle, Ireland
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren hop across to Ireland to scale the imposing and ancient ramparts of Ashford Castle. Set in 350 acres, it was founded 800 years ago by the Anglo-No ...
09-03-2021
BBC 2
Series 5: 8. Hotel Hubertus, Italian Alps
In the Tyrol region of northern Italy lies Hotel Hubertus - a family-run resort which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains thanks to its panoramic aspect.\n\nTh ...
31-12-2023
BBC 2