Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole

In this episode, she takes three days and four planes just to reach her starting point – the Antarctic peninsula. It's as close to the South Pole as she can get and the beginning of her epic expedition. This frozen landscape is not for the faint-hearted and, as her helicopter flies over snow-capped mountains and jaw-dropping icebergs to land safely on her Discovery Yacht, she's beginning to appreciate the enormity of the journey ahead. Jane being Jane, there is just time for a relaxing glass of champagne in the ship's bar to mark the start of her adventure. Jane's first exploration includes a thrilling zodiac ride around Winter Island getting up close with icebergs and the native wildlife. Back onboard, Jane gives long haul packing tips from her suite and meets fellow passengers for supper to share some transglobal tips and stories. Later, Jane braves the dangerous Antarctic waters in a two person kayak – and her guide Simon has to call for back-up when the weather turns and things get a little too ‘spicy'. To calm her nerves, Jane tries aerial yoga on the yacht to stay limber on her journey, before taking a Zodiac boat out to land on the volcanic Livingstone Island. On foot, Jane explores the mountainous glacial terrain of Livingstone Island and comes face-to-face with larger-than-life elephant seals – they're the size of a car and, as Jane discovers, can move just as fast! Finally, at the end of the first leg of her Pole To Pole journey, Jane takes a musical moment to share a very appropriate song and becomes one of just a handful of people to have performed on the Antarctic Continent.

In this second episode, Jane's not-for-the-fainthearted voyage continues to the British Overseas territories of South Georgia and the Falklands Islands. She follows in the footsteps of famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, learns about our brutal whaling history and celebrates conservation victories, while meeting people who've chosen to settle in some of the remotest outposts on earth. Sailing from the Antarctic peninsula to the South Georgia Islands, Jane reconnects with civilization, starting in Grytviken, meeting a museum curator on the site of an historic whaling station. Then she follows in the footsteps of renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton to learn more about his daring missions. At Fortuna Bay, Jane comes face-to-face with the ten thousand King Penguins, discovers a safe haven for former whalers and explorers and shares tips on staying warm in extreme weather, before heading to the Falkland Islands. Jane immerses herself in the Port Stanley community, enjoying a delicious afternoon tea that showcases locally grown produce, meets singers from the most southerly Military Wives Choir in the world. And, back onboard her yacht, shares tips on how she keeps her skin healthy in the most challenging climates. On a Saunders Island sheep farm, Jane rounds up the herd on a quad bike and has a go at shearing. And then, inspired by her epic expedition, Jane breaks into song in one of the most remote – and spectacular – places she's ever performed on the planet. Then her Pole To Pole journey continues to South America and Uruguay.

On the first South American leg of Jane's journey, she tours Montevideo to learn about its colonial past and its rich, vibrant present, savouring authentic beef barbecue in a gastronomic hub in the historic port. Jane then travels to a Maldonado vineyard in one of Uruguay's fastest-growing wine regions, where she samples a selection of flavours. Back on board the yacht, she is invited to the bridge to meet the captain. Jane's journey continues to Brazil, beginning in beautiful São Francisco do Sul, where she learns traditional weaving techniques and is taken on an impromptu tour of the area's highlights by a local resident she meets by chance. From Pontal do Sul, Jane embarks on a thrilling speedboat tour along the south-eastern coastline, exploring caves, learning about local legends, and seeing dolphins up close.

For the first time on Jane's epic journey, she's visiting more traditional tourist hotspots. First up is a guided jeep tour of beautiful Ilha Bela, where she witnesses the strange phenomena of singing rocks. Sailing along the Costa Verde coastline, Jane stops at exquisite Paraty, to explore the biodiverse Mangroves; a UNESCO world heritage site, by Kayak. Jane sails in to the beautiful bay of Buzios, known as the Saint Tropez of Brazil - made famous by Brigitte Bardot - and explores the peninsula on a tourist trolley bus, chatting to fellow yacht passengers about their favourite places so far. On the final leg of Jane's Brazilian adventure she takes a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain for panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, and savours her final taste of Brazil at a mountain top bar.

The Mediterranean leg of Jane's journey begins as she sails through the impressive 19th century Corinth Canal, a man-made waterway that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas to reach Italy. The singer visits historic Gallipoli in Southern Italy and savours the famous local delicacy - purple prawns. After catching up with cruising first-timers over sunset cocktails, she sails to Sicily to hitch a ride on a vintage three-wheeler around the medieval town of Savoca, immortalised by the Godfather movie trilogy.

Jane reaches her final destination, deep in the Arctic Circle, exploring the world's most northerly inhabited archipelago, Svalbard, a remote and rugged wilderness. There she kayaks in icy fjords, encounters polar bears and Atlantic walruses in their natural habitat, and visits the longest glacier in the Northern hemisphere