When we think about an escape, our minds often turn to destinations like France, Spain and America, and of course all the sunshine that comes with it.
But so often our own country is overlooked with plenty of beautiful and unique escapes right under our noses. From luxury tree-houses to hiring your own boat and having a private chef cook you what you want - yes, this is available in Scotland - our country has a whole host on offer that people are yet to explore.
And packing their bags to show us what's on offer, presenters JJ Chalmers and Grado are travelling the length and breadth of the country to uncover unique holiday destinations as part of Scotland’s Greatest Escape TV programme set to air on February 15.
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Each week, three different holiday locations will vie for the chance to be awarded the coveted title of Scotland’s Greatest Escape with experiences such as wellness retreats and adrenaline fuelled activity breaks all being tested and reviewed by lucky holidaymakers with four categories being considered before before crowning top spot.
This includes accommodation, activities on offer, customer service and overall experience.
In this first episode, lifelong friends from Glasgow known as ‘The Karens’ visit three unique destinations trying to scoop the crown in the ‘Luxury’ category visiting the Hideaway Experience deep in the Angus countryside on Scotland’s east coast. After that, the pair are headed off to Dunoon and Argyll Cruising who offer bespoke, luxury overnight cruises around the west coast of Scotland exploring the inlets and islands of Argyll, Arran and the Outer Hebrides.
And finally, they end their journey with in Glenapp Castle on the Ayrshire coast.
Sitting down with Glasgow Live to talk about the show and what it means to them, JJ and Grado were both in awe of how much Scotland has to offer. And while not surprised that their country isn't short of brilliant places, it's the people who are at the heart of the show and make these destinations what they are.
People are going to be blown away with what Scotland has to offer, says Grado, adding that the show will open eyes to what is on our doorstep which is often experiences we wouldn't normally Google with many nowadays typing 'holidays in Spain'.
He added: "I've always wanted to do something I've never done before and go somewhere I've never been before. I couldn't believe what we've got on our doorstep.
"We filmed this in September and October when the weather wasn't too great and yet there's still so much to do like seeing the wildlife and trying the local food."
Touching on the people he met throughout his journey, he adds that the experiences are not being reviewed by professionals but instead your "everyday people" who are giving their honest verdict.
Putting 10,000 miles on his motor for eight weeks solid and heading to the destinations straight after his live radio shows, Grado knows the show will shine a light on Scotland and "appreciate what Scotland has to offer because it is a beautiful country."
Scottish television presenter JJ Chalmers couldn't agree more with the public speaker and Invictus Games medallist talking about the "absolute privilege" he felt of being able to do the show. This, in his own words, made him realise "you don't need to go far at all to have ridiculously beautiful experiences, really unique ones too".
Calling the BBC series an "obvious show to make", JJ stressed that "just because you've done one, doesn't mean you've done all." And whilst you can find similar experiences elsewhere, it's the location and the people that separates the two.
Speaking about the heart of the show the former Strictly Come Dancing Star added: "There's so many characters and they're the real difference I think. It shouldn't surprise me but these locations are so much more than the buildings, it's about the people who host them and I think that what makes the show lovely."
Touching on the last few years which has impacted so many he noted that many business owners are going through a difficult period and need our support: "This is such a hard industry to be in, particularly in the last few years. They work weekends, they don't really take holidays and these guys have an amazing story as to why they decided to do what they're now doing."
Not every place you go to has to be deemed 'Insta-worthy' with Scotland having always been picturesque, even if social media influencers don't tell you that.
Touching on this, JJ added: "People are quick that if they want yoga they will type that in followed by a different country. If it's a spa break they'll look to go to a world renowned place but actually there are world-class places right here.
In agreement, Grado says it's the perfect way to unwind and during his time filming, he saw "more of Scotland in the last couple of months than I have in my whole life time" joking that there is "no wifi or kebab shops that you can run to at night so you have to embrace your surroundings".
He teased he's had to eat BBQ leaves, forage for his own dinner and took part in sheep meditation - where he was told the animals could pick up on his energy, stress and IBS - the Two doors Down actor said it was "mind-blowing stuff" as he tucked into local produce.
Despite having had to deal with a flat tyre "in the middle of nowhere with the worst rain ever" and JJ joking that "trouble seems to find Grado", the pair were in agreement that they are "proud" to come from Scotland with JJ adding: "I have been lucky to work all over the country in my career in the military and television but there is nothing like coming home and I just love this country.
"I sum this up a lot of the time by saying that you can go to the other side of the world, walk into a bar and you'll see a bottle of whisky on the top shelf - and its that sense that actually of all the countries in the world, Scotland has this reach - people do know it.
"And for reasons other than watching Braveheart.
"So to be able to make a programme that shows everything that is great about it, and everything that is unique and beautiful about it, that was a really cool thing to get to work on."
You can watch episode 1 on Wednesday, February 15 on BBC Scotland at 10pm and every week thereafter.
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