With but weeks to go in the 2012 ratings season, the return of Getaway to Thursday nights feels a little hollow. It’s been a massive success at times for Channel 9, but as the profitability of the show slid downward so did the programming love and it was most unceremoniously shunted to a late afternoon weekend slot. The show has been a great nursery for presenters and crew over it’s time on air, and offered many a new talent the chance to stand in a bikini on a tropical white sandy beach and tell us all about how idillic the location was… Not least of which the delightful Catriona Rowntree. Let’s hope this last resuscitation offers the show some dignity before it plays out a summer series and then vanishes forever. From the press release:

Australia’s longest running lifestyle and travel program returns to its familiar timeslot on Channel Nine at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 8, when the Getaway team take viewers to explore more of the world’s finest destinations.

BEST GETAWAYS EVER: Thursday, November 8, at 7.30pm
The Getaway team reveal their favourite destinations after 20 years of travelling the globe. On the must-do list is New York, New Zealand’s Milford Sound, and exploring Bora Bora in Tahiti. Check out the best things to see and do in the Cook Islands and Canada, and take a trip to Western Australia to swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef.

HEAVEN ON EARTH: Thursday, November 15, at 7.30pm
Some of the most amazing sights will be witnessed when Getaway travels to Croatia to see the astonishing views of Plitvice Lakes and the Northern Lights in Finland. A tropical paradise in Vanuatu is discovered, and a luxury lodge in New Zealand. The breathtaking Maldives and Australia’s most beautiful island, Lord Howe, are two other destinations not to be missed.

AMAZING JOURNEYS: Thursday, November 22, at 7.30pm
From the wilds of Tasmania to the Martian-like landscape of Siberia’s volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula, this week Getaway showcases some of the world’s most amazing journeys – including driving through the Burgundy region of France, trekking through the Andes in Peru, and sailing a yacht around the Greek islands.

THE WORLD FROM THE AIR: Thursday, November 29, at 7.30pm
Getaway explores the world from the air this week – a fascinating aerial tour of spectacular sights including Rome, London and Barcelona. To witness and truly explore the world from above, Getaway takes a ballooning trip over the unique cave houses of Cappadocia in Turkey and a chopper flight over the Canadian Rockies. A seaplane tour of the Great Australian Bight, Kakadu by helicopter and an incredible scenic flight over the Cape Reinga region of New Zealand wrap up the sky-high adventure.

More exciting and inspiring travel destinations are in store when Getaway returns over summer. Grab your passport, pack your suitcase and get ready to travel when Getaway lands at 7.30pm Thursday, November 8, on Channel Nine.