THE RAVEN BROTHERS
Return to the road
10 stories of adventure
Out of shape and unprepared, The Raven Brothers return to the road in a collection of ten quests to travel to their dream destinations against all odds! After two decades pioneering new routes across the globe, you would expect the authors of ‘Driving the Trans-Siberian’ to be hotshot explorers, with a sixth sense and an ability to survive in almost any situation. Think again! With virtually zero knowledge of the workings of the internal combustion engine and very limited skills of wilderness survival, Simon and Chris struggle into their hiking boots and power across three continents by river, tarmac and trail.
PIONEERING NEW ROUTES ACROSS THE GLOBE
Simon and Chris coaxed a rusty Ford Sierra across Siberia from the UK to Vladivostok. Priding themselves in going it alone, the brothers have been noted by Lonely Planet for their talent to portray an “accurate view of what to expect”.
ROAD TO DAMASCUS
Curiosity and a period of relative calm in Syria, leads The Raven Brothers to embark on a quest to drive to the heart of the Middle East in a region of the world where civilisation on the planet first began. Sampling Syrian beer at the castle of the Knights and, exploring mind blowing history with a backdrop of desert, mountains and awe-inspiring architecture, the brother’s journey to Damascus in a bid to seek wisdom in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
AFRICA IN GUJARAT
In the heart of Gujarat, The Raven Brothers go in search of the rare Asiatic lion. Exploring the region around Sasan Gir by jeep and on foot, a slice of Africa complete with lions, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, hyenas and a thriving African community is unveiled. Led by their trusty guide Raju, the adventurers meet the charismatic people who live with nature, and discover the existence of a wildlife sanctuary that continues to stand strong against humans’ thirst for land.
INTO SPAIN’S WILD WEST
A remote stretch of Spain’s Camino trail pushes The Raven Brothers to their limits as they attempt to hike 75km in two days between the ancient fortified cities of Cáceres and Merida. Not always getting it right, the travel writing duo hobble, curse and fight across cattle country as they traverse the ancient Silver Way “Via de la Plata” through the heart of the Extremadura, a tough land that is home to the notorious fighting bull.
A BOAT, A GOAT & THREE CHICKENS
During the mighty Magh Mela, one of the largest religious festivals on the planet, The Raven Brothers buy a wooden rowing boat with a friend and embark on a voyage to Varanasi. Dolphins, a bandit and a corpse greet them during a journey on the holy River Ganges that rapidly spirals out of control.
WELLNESS IN BERLIN
Hurtling towards middle age, The Raven Brothers address the topic of wellness during a summer living in Berlin, one of the most hedonistic cities in Europe. Experimenting with yoga, singing bowl therapy, sauna infusions and Tai-chi, clarity of mind paves the way for new adventures in the ongoing pursuit of staying alive.
HIKE TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
With a focus on wilderness survival The Raven Brothers drive from the remote Lofoten archipelago to Norway’s North Cape, during an epic tour of Scandinavia in a small hatchback. Hiking the Knivskjellodden trail to the extreme northernmost point of Europe, reindeer and traditional sami people cross their paths as the brothers go wild for a few months on a Norwegian Arctic journey in the mid-summer to the top of the world.
DATE WITH THE DEVIL
Travelling to the high Andes of South America The Raven Brothers explore the depths of Bolivia’s notorious silver mine, and meet the stoic Andean people at the rooftop of the world who for centuries have carved a living from Cerro Rico “the mountain that eats men”.
FRIDA KAHLO EXPERIENCE
A chance trip to Mexico City, presents an opportunity for The Raven Brothers to visit La Casa Azul, the house museum where Mexico’s famous Surrealist painter Frida Kahlo lived for much of her life. Held captive by her crippling disabilities, Simon and Chris peer into the same mirror she painted herself in and discover a woman who regardless of the suffering she endured, found the strength to project alluring positivity.
UP THE ETNA
Wrestling identity on the rapid approach to middle age, The Raven Brothers fire up a 90s executive saloon and make a circuit around Sicily, an island at the furthest point south of Italy’s boot. Driving to the top of Mount Etna and exploring myths in ancient Syracuse, the travel writing duo eat their way around the land of personality, history, mega cuisine and sunshine. Not always getting it right, they end their journey hanging out with the dead in Palermo’s eerie catacombs and experience the ultimate life lesson in how it feels to be tolerated.
OPIUM WITH KONYAK KING
The Raven Brothers travel to the less visited Northeast Indian state of Nagaland. Befriending a local woman called Aunty and a Naga guide, they pay the Konyak king a visit on the Burmese border in a region where tattooed warriors wear headdresses of exotic hornbill feathers and wield machetes once used for removing the heads of their enemies. Catching a glimpse of the ancient past the brothers find a connection with the people and fear for the future of a world that is on the verge of dramatic change.