AFTER 18 MONTHS grounded, Ireland’s beloved adventurer Hector Ó hEochagáin is returning to his travels — and to the small screen. Hector: Balkans go Baltics, Hector’s latest season, airs on Thursday, October 27, at 9.30pm on TG4 or you can catch up on the player if you miss the main event. 

Mark your calendars and make sure you’ve got the telly tuned and snacks at the ready as Hector sets off on a 3000km journey east from the Baltics of Eastern Europe to the Baltics of the north. The series kicks off in Istanbul, Turkey, and continues on through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Poland and Lithuania. The series finishes up in Riga, Latvia, after 3,000km of travel. 

Whether you’re a fan of Hector’s previous travel programmes, or an avid fan of the Tommy, Hector & Laurita podcast, or even just love watching travel shows, Hector Balkans go Baltics will be must-watch TV.

As an experienced traveler and mischief-maker, Hector always manages to achieve peak banter with the people he meets along the way. He kicks off the series in Istanbul, where he immerses himself in the locals’ love for soccer, investigates the phenomenon of hair transplants in the city and wakes up at 4am to enjoy an unforgettable Turkish bath experience. He heads out on a boat trip along Bosphorus before heading to Gallipoli to reflect on the Irish lives lost during the Battle of Gallipoli.  

In the second episode, Hector makes his way to the oldest country in Europe: Bulgaria. Hector visits one of the world’s best preserved ancient Roman theatres, witnesses Nestinari dancing, fire jugglers, bagpipe music and a performance by local band The Cosmonauts. Hector reflects on Bulgaria’s communist history at Buzludja Monument and explores the natural treasure that is the Seven Rila Lakes. 

In episode three, Hector visits Serbia, starting with a stop in Belgrade at a local sheep farm. He meets comic writer Marko and tastes Rosti meat in a traditional Serbian restaurant. He also reflects on the effect Covid-19 has had on Serbia, tastes some famous Donkey cheese and joins in on a clean-up of the Danube River, the most contaminated river in Europe. 

Episode four sees Hector visiting Bucharest, Romania, where he meets modern witches, stops by the Palace of Parliament, and learns more about the country’s Eastern Orthodox religion. He also visits a Roma community, witnesses the life and work of one of Romania’s largest minorities and even gets a chance to speak to the King of the Romas along the way. 

Through the rest of series, Hector attends an ice hockey match in Krakow, experiences Poland’s crisp, white winter, through skiing and ski jumping, and visits the hometown of Pope John Paul. In Lithuania, he learns about laser technology, takes a walking tour in total darkness, and tries his hand at ice fishing. 

And finally, Hector’s travels finish in Latvia, where he experiences a one-of-a-kind sauna and fire ritual, and takes a survivalist crash course. 

If you haven’t been able to hop on a plane, or if you simply enjoy seeing wild and wonderful adventures in new places, make sure you tune into Hector: Balkans go Baltics with Hector Ó hEochagáin Thursday evenings starting October 27th at 9.30pm on TG4 or catch up on the player.