Francis Brennan’s Grand Tour South Africa, Episode 6 of 6, RTÉ One, Sunday, August 26th, at 8.30pm
Francis Brennan and his fellow travellers prepare to say goodbye as they leave South Africa after a whirlwind tour. Francis has planned a trip around the Cape Peninsula stopping to see the famous penguins at Boulders beach, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Francis also takes his group on an emotional visit to the Langa township and on the last day a selected few go on an early morning boat trip to tag some sharks!
Series Overview
Ireland’s best known and most loved hotelier Francis Brennan is back on the road. He’s taking a break from his five star hotel to act as a tour guide to twelve paying guests who are about to embark on a surprise trip of a lifetime.
The series kicks off with Francis’s guests gathering at Dublin Airport where their mystery destination is revealed – South Africa. Francis has organised a thirteen day epic tour starting in Johannesburg, where they visit Soweto, before heading south. In the Eastern Cape they experience a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, followed by a drive down the world famous Garden Route (with a surprise bungee jump) ending up in beautiful Cape Town.
As always, there’s a mixed bunch of guests on the Grand Tour – with ages ranging from an 83 year old great grandmother to a 23 year old, with occupations from dog groomer to pest controller. Can Francis manage to keep this unlikely crew happy and on schedule?
This year Francis’s guests are:
Collette (51) and Barry (59) McDonough from Ashbourne, Co Meath, experienced travellers, they have been to South Africa before but travelling around the country with Francis is still an eye-opener.
Patricia McGrath (64) and Patricia Brady (56), from Dublin, best friends who met on a bus. Meeting Francis at the airport, Patricia Mc says: “I’m breathless. I feel as if I’m going get married. You know when you’re expecting to get married and there’s a hunk in front of you and there’s my man. Thank you, God!”
Darren Delaney (26), from Douglas in Co Cork, who has a fear of dust and isn’t too enamoured with the crocodile the group get to taste in on their first night. “Well, I suppose it is something that you can say to the grandkids if I ever have them. I ate croc in Carnivore. In fact I won’t eat croc ever again, so at least that’s done now,” he tells the cameras.
Best friends Iveta Mangulsone (39) and Inga Sangovica (33), originally from Latvia, they have been living in Mullingar, Co Westmeath for more than 12 years.
Couple Craig Byrne (24) from Hartstown and Lucy Slaven (23) from Lucan. Lucy is well travelled but Craig has only been as far as Spain before.
83-year-old Frances O’Brien from Drombanna in Co Limerick, whose verve for life is inspirational to her fellow travelers.
Wexford native, but now living in Longford, Edel Casey (45) who describes the trip as one the “most amazing experiences” she has ever had.
Finbarr Goggin (57) from Bantry in Co Cork whose travel up to now has been limited to Ireland and the UK with one trip to Portugal being the furthest he has been.