Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey

Watch Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey

  • 2012
  • 1 Season
  • 8.1  (204)

Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey is a British travel documentary series starring actress and presenter Joanna Lumley. The series premiered on ITV1 in 2011 and features Lumley exploring the country of Greece and delving into its rich history and culture. Throughout the series, Lumley travels to various parts of Greece, including Athens, Crete, and the Peloponnese, to uncover the country's ancient mythology and history. She meets with locals and visits historic landmarks, including the Acropolis and the Palace of Knossos, to learn about the notable events and figures that shaped Greece's past and present.

Throughout her journey, Lumley is accompanied by a team of experts, including archaeologist Petros Chytiris and chef Spyros Bakas, who provide insight and context for the places they visit. Chytiris offers historical background on the sites they visit, while Bakas introduces Lumley to the country's culinary traditions, including fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes like moussaka.

One of the highlights of the series is Lumley's visits to the Greek islands, where she immerses herself in the local culture and observes the way of life there. She participates in traditional festivals and ceremonies, such as a grape harvest on the island of Samos, and also visits monasteries and remote villages to learn about the country's lesser-known customs.

In addition to its cultural and historical focus, the series also emphasizes Greece's natural beauty. Lumley explores the country's diverse landscapes, from the mountains of Crete to the beaches of Santorini, and marvels at the stunning scenery throughout her travels.

Offering a fresh perspective on Greece and its history, Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey is a compelling travel documentary for anyone interested in the culture and heritage of this ancient country. The series has received critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling and stunning cinematography, making it a must-watch for fans of travel and exploration.

Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey
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Seasons
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
May 29, 2012
Joanna climbs Mount Olympus, home of the ancient gods, and encounters gods of today: athletes who run in the annual marathon. She tours Thessaloniki with its controversial mayor; attends a fortune-telling festival where vulgar jokes are part of a tradition reaching back to Homer's day; and ends her journey in Meteora, where monasteries perch on sandstone pillars in the sky.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
May 22, 2012
Greece is a maritime nation with more than 1,400 islands. Each has its own tales to tell and a history spanning thousands of years. Invited on board a shipping magnate's yacht, Joanna visits Crete and learns of its role in the Resistance against the Nazis; travels to Kos, the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine; and steps gingerly around the blowholes of Nisyros's active volcano.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
May 15, 2012
Traveling from the western island of Corfu to the eastern border that Greece shares with Turkey and Bulgaria, Joanna learns how centuries of invasion and occupation have left their mark. She visits a tension-filled military outpost, retraces Lord Byron's journey by horseback through the western highlands, and hears a wrenching story from one of the last known survivors of a dark time in Greek history.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
May 9, 2012
High above Athens, Joanna views the painstaking restoration of the Parthenon and battles vertigo. She explores mythical and historic sites in the Peloponnese, meets an Englishman who worships Apollo, visits a hedonistic nightclub, and tours the ancient theatre at Epidaurus with legendary singer Nana Mouskouri, who gives a rare performance for Lumley and a few astounded tourists.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    May 9, 2012
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (204)