Do you like to watch travel shows as much as you love outdoor travelling? Exploring places in-person is an fun-filled experience one can have and cherish for years. But, what if that mission of yours is suddenly interrupted by unforeseeable circumstances. What would you do? Don’t feel bad, for you can still have a virtual experience, which can be equally entertaining. That’s right, folks! We are talking about having the same fun by watching travel shows as if you were exploring those places yourself.
In this travel guide, we have compiled a couple of interesting travel shows that you can watch at home when you are not travelling.
Television Programmes and Web Series about Travel to Watch at Home During Lockdown/Quarantine
Since the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has forced everyone to stay indoors as much as possible, people are finding ways to pass time, even if it’s a bit of entertainment they need. Fortunately, if you have an internet connection at home (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspot, or 3G/4G/5G mobile data), you can also stream on various channels, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and many more.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of various TV programmes, web series and even traditional shows (with a little description about each travel show) you can watch from home when you’re not travelling. The following list is in no particular order.
The Layover
Where to Watch: Travel Channel, Amazon, YouTube, Hulu, Sling.
The Layover is a travel and food show that was started by Anthony Bourdain just a decade ago. This TV series mainly focuses on how to spend one’s “layover” during a flight trip, which is typically not more than up to 48 hours.
In this programme, now also available online, the host explains from a traveller’s point of view as to what the person do, eat, visit and enjoy in a layover city. Each episode of the show is less than 60 minutes.
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Where to watch: CNN
Here’s another very popular TV show about travel and food hosted by Anthony Bourdain, called ‘Parts Unknown’. In this show, the host explores various places that are lesser-known to most travellers, and also experience the cultures and cuisine of such “unexplored” regions.
The TV programme was started in the year 2013 and each episode of the series is just about 60 minutes runtime.
Rick Steves’ Europe
Where to watch: RickSteves.com, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu.
Rick Steves is another popular traveller and explorer that hosts his own TV show called ‘Rick Steves’ Europe’. His show mainly focuses on tours and travels in the European countries only, for now. The TV series started back in the 90’s and each episode is of 30 minutes.
Through his programme, travellers can find great tips on European trips that not only fun and affordable, but also experience diverse cultures and history in every region of the continent.
Planet Earth
Where to watch: BBCEarth.com, BBC One, BBC HD, YouTube, Amazon
If you love everything about our planet’s nature, the Planet Earth TV series will keep you glued to your couch all day long. It is a documentary series with narration that covers nature and the lives that surround it and depends over it. The crew of the show explores every corner of our beautiful planet and brings to us interesting picturesque of places, their landscapes, mountains, caves, oceans, flora and fauna, deserts, wildlife and civilisation.
This travel documentary series was started in the year 2006. It’s also available in high-definition (HD) format. Each episode of the series has a run time of about 50 minutes. In addition, at the end of each episode, they will show you a short clip of their behind-the-scenes, i.e., the making of the episodes.
Globe Trekker
Where to watch: PilotGuides.com, Travel Channel, TV.LonelyPlanet.com, Discovery Travel & Living, Amazon
This TV show has been around since the 90’s era and is still one of the popular travel shows to watch and learn. Each episode of the show’s seasons is about 60 minutes.
Globe Trekker has covers a vast selection of destinations, including their places, landscapes, history, culture, lifestyle and food from across the globe. The show is hosted by different persons.
Dark Tourist
Where to watch: Netflix
The travel series called ‘Dark Tourist’ is actually a documentary series that mainly focuses on what is called “dark tourism”. David Farrier, who is a journalist, is also the host of this fact-filled travel programme. It was started in the year 2018, so it’s still pretty new. Each episode of the series’ seasons has a run time of less than 50 minutes.
This unique travel show explores not only historical places, but also investigates places that are known for events that have taken place there. For example, he visits Medellin to investigate the legacy of Pablo Escobar for his involvement in drugs. But, that’s not all. He also joins fellow tourists to explore and investigate places that have a significance in history and other true events.
Expedition Unknown
Where to watch: Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling
This reality TV series focuses on investigating mysteries and legends of different places throughout the world. Josh Gates is the host of this travel series, where he explores places of interest and historical significance.
The programme began its broadcast in the year 2015 and now has several seasons that are available to watch, both online and on TV screens. Also, each episode of the series’ seasons is about 45 minutes of run time.
Long Way Round (LWR)
Where to watch: Sky One, Apple TV+, Amazon
If you love to travel places by road, even if it’s a thousand mile trip, then you will also love watching this travel show called ‘Long Way Round’. The TV series shows two explorers Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman taking road-trips on their motorcycles (and on flights for certain routes not accessible by road). They explore almost every continent, from the Americas to Europe and Asia. In addition, they also have related shows called ‘Long Way Up’ and ‘Long Way Down’, respectively.
The travel series was started in the year 2004. Each of the series’ episode has a run time of less than 50 minutes.
Samantha Brown’s Places to Love
Where to watch: PBS, Samantha-Brown.com, Vimeo
Samantha Brown explores different places around the world and present them to viewers through her new travel show called Samantha Brown’s Places to Love. Her travel experience will certainly refresh you, as she also highlights culture, living and people.
Samantha Brown is a popular TV host and even appears on a couple more shows, such as Passport to Europe, Great Hotels, Passport to Great Weekends, Passport to Latin America, and more.
The travel show was started recently, in the year 2018.
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Where to watch: National Geographic Channel, Disney+, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling
If you know the popular chef and traveller Gordon Ramsay, you will love his new TV series as well. In this travel show, he journeys across continents, even remote destinations, to experience cuisine, culture and adventure. He has a great passion for food and enjoys culinary travelogues of different places. You will see him visiting restaurants, street stalls and many more, and also, try his hands on, of course, he’s a professional chef, but he loves local delicacies too.
The travel show started recently, in 2019. Each episode of the series is 60 minutes.
Conclusion
The travel shows which are listed above will give you a plethora of information about various destinations that you wish to visit in the future. So, if you are at home and still crave for the wanderlust, watch these shows with your family, relatives, friends, neighbours, or just by yourself.
