Wed, Aug 31, 2022
Host Sorin Mihailovici throws the dart at the world map in an incredible setting: a 400- year-old temple located in Berhampore, India. Joined by his sidekick Matt Liberto, Sorin explains how Travel by Dart started and why it is essential to his life. At this initial dart-throwing ceremony, the dart hit one of the most remote islands in the world: Easter Island. Also known as Isla de Pascua, the island becomes their first destination, so they have to go. However, challenges seem to appear as Sorin and Matt start doing their research about the place. As Easter Island had many cannibalism cases in the past, fear starts settling in. Since it is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the island also brings up another challenge: not only a costly airfare but a detour to Chile, the country that governs Easter Island. To gather enough courage to stand off Isla de Pascua, Sorin and Matt visit a Chilean winery and have a great tasting experience. The boys educate the viewer about a few exciting things, such as how the winemakers change the color of the wine or how they can open a bottle of champagne without making noise. Easter Island, here they come.
After an arduous trip, the Travel by Dart team arrives on Easter Island from Chile. The hosts discover the mystery of the world's most remote island, while the episode is packed with history, inspiration, and action shots. From the unveiled legend of the Rapa Nui heads to the present struggle of its inhabitants, this episode of Travel by Dart also answers the question: do the famous Easter Island heads have bodies underneath? Sorin and Matt hear it from the horse's mouth and have unprecedented access to the islands' key people. However, a critical moment occurs when Sorin and Matt are invited to a "welcome party", but everyone talks about what will happen to them around 1AM. Thoughts on cannibalism history start to come up. Tension arises as midnight gets closer. Polynesia might not be that friendly.
As Sorin and Matt survive the 'welcome party' from the previous episode, they will befriend everyone on the island, including Miguel - a typical Polynesian giant that nobody messes around with. After getting his trust, Matt and Sorin are invited to join the local Kari Kari dance ensemble and asked to dance on stage in front of hundreds of people. In the second part of this episode, the hosts are going through an all-time high goosebumps experience that they will never forget: a traditional Isla de Pascua body-painting ceremony that teaches them - and the viewers - the ancient war strategies the local Rapa Nui people used to protect their land. This memorable episode also features Sorin and Matt going through a unique scuba diving experience in the colorful waters of Isla de Pascua.
After the Easter Island unforgettable visit, Sorin throws a new dart at the world map. He hits Indonesia and decides to arrange the trip's timeline exactly around his best friend's (Matt Liberto) birthday. Both the vacation and location are determined in a non-traditional way, with a dart, so why would a trip to Indonesia be average? The two friends reunite and go on a pirate ship for almost a week. The experience is filled with adventures on and off the boat, so this is an episode to watch. Matt's birthday doesn't go unnoticed by the ship's crew, while the boys are also surprised by a visit from a couple of friends from India, where they first threw the dart. The boat owner takes Sorin on a golf challenge and prepares a new dart throw ceremony on the ship's deck. However, a big surprise happens when the dart is thrown.
Sorin and Matt split ways, so Sorin decides to throw a new dart at a map and take on the world by himself. And, wow, what an enigmatic location is now on the horizon: the Bermuda Triangle. This episode features an incredible trip to one of the most mysterious regions of the globe: the Bermuda Triangle. Sorin dives into it and discovers the real story of this place with the help of a few local people. Did ships and planes vanish into the Triangle because of unexplained forces or human errors? After seeing a shipwreck with his own eyes at the bottom of the ocean, Sorin looks more into the history of this country. Additionally, he educates the viewer about the famous Bermuda shorts - how they came around and what's so intriguing about them. The episode ends with a new throw at the world map in a crazy, fascinating setting: a cave. As per the next destination, Sorin will remain around the Atlantic Ocean, so watch the next episode.
While in Bermuda, during the last episode, Sorin threw a new dart at the world map and hit Portugal. The dart landed in the Atlantic Ocean, but the closest country was Portugal. This episode features the host taking on Lisbon, the capital city. From discovering Fado - a famous Portuguese song ritual, usually with a melancholy theme and accompanied by mandolins or guitars - to visiting Castle Sao Jorge, Sorin immerses himself in the Portuguese culture. The episode also looks at the popular tram system, the Ginginha drink, and the incredible Lisbon aquarium. As usual, the show ends with a new dart at the map, this time the set being entirely unconventional: the balcony of his rented apartment. The new location determined by the dart takes him back to a Spanish-speaking language.
This episode is probably the most random travel show you will ever see but - at the same time - one of the most complete when it comes to Uruguay's traditions and customs. Sorin falls in love with this country, as it is one of the most developed nations in South America. A pleasant surprise is up for grabs. From learning about local wines to visiting the most extensive pencil collection in the Guinness Book of Records, Sorin gets to dive into the local dances and traditions - such as the Murga. Face painting and weird-looking behavior - here are some perfect ingredients for this episode's success. This is a must-see show, as the host takes you not only through Montevideo but the spectacular towns of Colonia and Punta del Este - the best-kept secrets of Uruguay.
During his trip to Uruguay, Sorin Mihailovici threw a new dart at the world map and hit Cuba in a dreamy setup. This episode represents a refreshing way of looking at things in the beautiful country, which endured too much over the last decades. Sorin starts in Havana and introduces the viewer to the famous classic cars, explaining why they are so many and what's so special about them. He then takes a trip to Vinales, the world's most-renown area when it comes to producing cigars. You get to see how the high-sought Cuban cigars are made, from start to finish, as Sorin receives unprecedented access to a tobacco plantation and discovers the process of making the cigars, from seeds to consumption. The episode also features a visit to Ernest Hemingway's favorite spot in Havana, La Bodeguita del Medio, where the famous American author got inspired to write most of his pieces.
The incredible Cuba trip continues with a visit to one of the most colorful cities in the world, Trinidad, where Sorin finds the human Google version. After being surprised by a street performer who seems to know too much, the host settles for a few days in Santiago. Here, Sorin is in for a treat and embraces a new group of friends. He visits an African priest who reads his past and future and tells him what he needs to do to better his life. One cannot visit Cuba without referencing Fidel Castro. The host goes for a visit to Castro's unusual grave. Watch the episode to learn more about this culture and its beautiful people.
Spanish is one of the languages that Sorin speaks, so when it comes to countries that he visits for Travel by Dart, a Latino region is a gift. This episode features the only country in the world that doesn't have an army but provides a million happy adventures in between. Mihailovici jumps into a series of adrenaline-rushed activities, from getting to the hardest-to-access waterfall in the world to ziplining and ATV riding. While in Costa Rica, Sorin also finds himself in a crazy, magnetic field, in the middle of nowhere, as his car starts moving by itself up the hill. To sweeten up the things, a full-body massage in chocolate is a bucket list item that finally comes true during the filming of this episode. This incredible scenery brings visual treats to the viewers. It educates them on how Costa Rica and its equatorial climate became a top attraction for the rest of the world after the pandemic. Pura Vida.
Travel by Dart is a series that features countries that are not necessarily top tourist attractions. However, Sorin finds all the hidden gems that make a region stand out. It is the case of Cambodia, too, a country that became one of Sorin's all-time favorites. This episode shows the host discovering the unseen beauty of the nation. The host takes part in an emotional Buddhist monk ceremony, then plants mangroves and immerses himself in the villagers' lifestyle. A great visit to the famous Angkor Wat is a must, but his favorite part was a sunset expedition on Samsara, a water version of the Orient Express train. The episode is not complete without a few personal touches and stunts, so this is another must-see show. At the end of it, the dart throw ceremony brings up a huge surprise.
While blindfolded in Cambodia, Sorin threw the dart at the world map and hit Thailand ("the Land of Smiles"). An incredible journey that spreads throughout two episodes, this adventure features everything you need to know about Thailand and its culture. The first part showcases Bangkok and its crazy good vibe and balances modern times with history. Sorin meets Yvonne, a Brit who came to Thailand to visit the famous River Kwai Bridge, not for tourism, but to track her father's footsteps. The old man was a Prisoner of War here during the World War II during the bridge building, and now Sorin and his friend are looking for clues about his ordeal. A significant breakthrough takes place.
The second part of the Thailand visit shows Sorin embracing adventure to the fullest. If you plan to visit this country one day, this is a show to watch. Going to Koh Samui island has its perks. Incredible experiences, from joining a safari trip to paying respects to cultural choices, are part of this visually stunning episode. Sorin tries to cook Thai food, even though he is not chef-material. James Bond-looking-like islands, elephants, and other adrenaline-rush activities complete the show and this season 1.