I Know This Place - Ute Junker Ute Junker

He’s designed some of Asia’s most luxurious resorts, but what Bill Bensley loves best about Bali is the rich spirituality that infuses daily life. Well, that and fossicking in the junk shops.

The great pyramids at Giza are simply awe-inspiring - and they’re just the start. The ancient Egyptians left behind a dazzling collection of temples and tombs; in this episode, Egyptologist Kara Cooney takes us to some don’t-miss destinations, and tells us more about the civilisation that built these incredible monuments.

When you go to New Orleans, bring your appetite with you. From gumbo to jambalaya to red beans and rice, New Orleans cuisine is intricately bound up with its history, as food historian Liz Williams explains in this mouthwatering episode.

He’s a chef, restaurateur and TV presenter – but what Peter Kuruvita is most passionate about is Sri Lanka. In this episode, he talks about his earliest memories of the country, about what sets Sri Lankan food apart from every other cuisine, and about his favourite places to visit, from ancient rock citadels to verdant national parks. 

After 14 years of living in Rome, Michelin-starred chef Cristina Bowerman says that she knows every cobblestone of her favourite haunts. Here she leads us on a virtual walk through her favourite neighbourhoods, taking in not just some of the city’s most memorable sights but also some of its best bites – and explains what the one must-try Roman dish is. (Surprise: it’s not pasta carbonara.) 

 The world’s largest country is not top of most people’s must-visit lists; in this episode, Australian chef Alla Wolf-Tasker, the child of Russian émigrés, tells us why it should be. She talks about the Russia of her past – from childhood feasts to grim Soviet-era canteens - as well as the highlights of today, and why the midnight train from Moscow is an experience to remember.