Anita Rani is a familiar face from BBC Countryfile and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. An award-winning broadcaster, bestselling author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, she’s known for bringing stories to life with warmth and insight. Here, she reflects on her own path – and what it means to say yes to adventure.
I found myself at a major crossroads in the journey of my life. I took charge and made a drastic change. I veered off the beaten track and here I am, an unmarried woman with no children in my mid-40s, able to do whatever the heck I want. It’s been hard work to get here. The question is – what next? Saying yes to adventure because why not.
For me, travel matters more than most things. When you look back and connect the dots of your life, you see that actually where you are now makes sense. The first job I wanted was to be an air hostess, my favourite kids tv character was Uncle Fraggle in Fraggle Rock, and the first time I got on a plane I was two years old, heading to India, this is when I got the travel bug. My mother grew up there, so we would go to visit family. Holidays for me meant culture, experience, adventure, immersion – meeting people who wanted to pull my cheeks and speak to me in Punjabi and feed me delicious food, regardless of if I was hungry or not. I’ve been craving that hit ever since.
When I travel, it’s not simply a holiday, it about enhancing my life. It’s about having an adventure, coming back feeling nourished and having learned something new. For me, travel is about understanding other people, their places and their stories, it’s fundamental to life.
What I look for
I want to experience as much as I can. I want pleasure of course, it is a holiday, but I also want purpose in everything I do, including travel. So, I’m saying yes to adventure.
One of the most significant trips I remember is after finishing my degree – I went backpacking and hitchhiking through East Africa to see a total eclipse in Zambia. I watched it from Kafue National Park, then hitchhiked through Zambia for a month and another month through Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and into Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas. It was transformative.
That’s the sort of holiday that brings me joy. I spent time talking to locals, eating local food, and being invited into people’s homes. But it’s not just about people and culture – and the food, don’t forget the food! – I find nature utterly breathtaking and totally humbling. Seeing the migration of the wildebeest in the Serengeti and looking out across the rift valley reminds us of our insignificance and of the wonder of being alive to witness it.
Iceland and Greenland with Discover the World
My recent trips to Iceland and Greenland with Discover the World were, quite frankly, extraordinary. And right up my street. I first fell in love with Iceland in 2000 when I was sent there for work. I’m lucky to have been to many places making TV shows. Everyone thought I was a member of the Asian Dub Foundation – I was just the only other Asian person in Iceland that day! I was smitten. Iceland felt like being on the moon. I fell for Iceland in a big way and made a pact with myself to one day return.
Fast forward to February 2025, returning to Iceland was even better. Icelanders are great, warm and hilarious with such a dry sense of humour. Being connected to a land that is so alive and is either dark or bright must shape who they are. It impacted me on a spiritual level. I saw glaciers, Arctic foxes, breathtaking beauty. And those hot springs at Hvammsvik – I want to go back there and take a group of friends for a birthday party because it was so beautiful and calming. I’ve made another pact with myself to return there over and over again. Maybe write my next book…
But the Greenland expedition was the real game-changer. A Quark expedition to Greenland is not a cruise – think of it more as a five-star safari on sea. The ship was extraordinary with only 140 passengers and 140 staff. The food was exquisite, my room was like a floating five-star hotel, and that sauna – it has the best view of any sauna on the planet, with a different perspective every day.
What blew my mind were the icebergs. Going around them in Zodiac boats was like being on another planet – so otherworldly and ethereal. They’re majestic, beautiful, terrifying. The blue colour was like being in nature’s sculpture park. I saw whales and polar bears, went on land and met locals growing vegetables in their summer house on a beautifully sunny day, climbed to the top of hills for magnificent views. And yes, I did the polar plunge – one degree water, followed by a shot of vodka then straight into the sauna!
The people you meet on these expeditions are like-minded travellers who want adventure, who have a thirst for knowledge and want something extra from their travel experience. I think I’ve made friends for life. And have my eyes on the expedition to the Antarctic.
Looking ahead to Costa Rica
Next on my list is Costa Rica, and I’m genuinely excited to immerse myself in the beauty, wonder and heat of this incredible place. I’m drawn there for all the reasons that matter to me – it’s got that perfect combination of culture, nature, and adventure, plus it’s one of the most stunning eco-friendly countries on the planet. I’m excited to see sloths, explore the coastline, and yes, I’m excited to wear a swimsuit again!
Embrace the adventure
I don’t want to get to a point in life where I look back and have regrets – wishing I’d done this or that. If only this had happened. I’ve made a huge choice to live life as I want to, and travel is central to that. Whether it’s the spiritual meditation of Iceland, the otherworldly beauty of Greenland’s icebergs, or whatever Costa Rica has in store, I’m committed to saying yes to experiences that challenge me and change me.
So my challenge to you? Say yes to that trip you’ve been considering. Choose the destination that excites you, even if it feels a bit daunting. Because that’s where the magic happens – in those moments when you step outside your comfort zone and discover not just new places, but new parts of yourself.
Life’s too short. Say yes to adventure. You won’t regret it.
Get ready to say yes to adventure
Discover more about Anita’s year of saying #YesToAdventure and her trips to Iceland and Greenland with us. Or browse our collection of holidays, all of which can be tailored to your kind of adventure.