Belgian travel series De Columbus is back on the road after a year-long hiatus, with a new twist: the celebrity guest now chooses the destination. The present, which features Flemish personality Wim Lybaert, resumed airing on January 11, 2026, on VRT 1 and VRT MAX.
De Columbus pairs Lybaert with a well-known Flemish figure for a four-day road trip. The premise involves the guest drawing a ball from a machine to determine their destination. The show isn’t about reaching a specific location, but rather the journey itself, focusing on conversation and unexpected experiences.
This season’s guests include Tom Waes, Petra De Sutter, Elodie Gabias, Viktor Verhulst, Ruben Van Gucht, and Pascale Naessens. The first episode, which aired on January 11, 2026, featured Tom Waes, and took place in southern Sardinia.
The show originated as a combination of the word for bus (“autobus”) and the explorer Christopher Columbus. Previously, the show’s route was determined by a “sjiekenbak” – a somewhat mysterious device – but the sixth season gives the power to the guest. According to reports, the show had been somewhat neglected before its recent revival.
Two episodes have aired as of January 18, 2026, with Petra De Sutter featured in the most recent installment. Viewers can find all episodes of De Columbus on VRT MAX or through TVGemist.be. The series is a production of Panenka for VRT 1.
The return of De Columbus adds to the growing popularity of travel-based reality programming, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of Belgian celebrities and the landscapes they explore.
