A great travel show can be almost as great as great travel itself. There’s nothing like the real thing, of course, but for those on a budget, or those looking for travel recommendations, travel shows and documentaries can be very helpful. We’ve put together an amazing list of shows to stream about all of the beautiful, strange, and mysterious places in the world, including some you wouldn’t go to even if you could.
Featuring food and cooking, comedy, drama, and some celebrity appearances, you’ll see the world from an entirely new perspective. Travel shows can inspire, captivate, and above all else, remind us of how vast and wonderful the world really is.
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father (2017)
5 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Reality
Cast
Jack Whitehall, Michael Whitehall, Hilary Whitehall
Created by
Jack Whitehall
Over the course of five wonderful seasons, comedian Jack Whitehall traveled all over the world with his stuffy, curmudgeonly father. Whitehall’s effortless charm makes the two a wonderful odd couple, and their adventures are filled with both whimsy and genuine moments of bonding between the two. Whitehall’s show is so good in part because he grounds it in an experience that all travelers are familiar with: The pains and joy of traveling with family.
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005)
9 Seasons
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Anthony Bourdain
Featuring the late great Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations follows the esteemed chef and writer around the world for 15 long seasons as he eats his way toward bliss. Not only does Anthony delve into the culture of every community he visits, he also tries all the strangest foods and cocktails along with keeping up with the current events and historical tales of wherever he ends up.
Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020)
1 Season
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Zac Efron, Darin Olien
If you’re looking for a newer travel show to binge on Netflix, Down to Earth is exactly what you need. Zac Efron travels around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to highlight different sustainable ways of living. By shining a light on solutions to problems rather than the problems themselves, this docuseries has an overall positive message, and Zac’s bro-like presence only makes it more enjoyable.
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (2019)
3 Seasons
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Gordon Ramsay
In another show about a celebrity traveling the world (mostly for food), we find Gordon Ramsay out of his usual Hell’s Kitchen element and into deep and unknown waters all around the world. While this show is also centered on food, it has features that focus on wildlife, cultural customs, and festivities that you just have to try while you’re there. Backed by National Geographic, this show will have you discovering things about the world you never knew, an extra bonus if you are a big fan of Gordon Ramsay.
Man vs. Wild (2006)
7 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Documentary
Cast
Bear Grylls
In this classic Bear Grylls adventure show, Man vs. Wild gives us some awesome tips on how to survive in very particular situations should you get stuck in a bad one. With some gross moments of desperation (though not truly life-threatening — he does have a crew with him, after all), a few moments of disbelief, and one hilarious episode featuring Will Ferrell, Grylls shows us the way to survive in any sort of setting against all kinds of odds.
Street Food Collection (2020)
1 Season
Genre
Documentary
Cast
David Gelb, Brain McGinn
Created by
David Gelb
This series on Netflix from the creators of Chef’s Table will explore a different region each season. We start off on the streets of much of Asia — Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and more — to see the carts, stalls, and markets that folks visit on the go, in the middle of the night, or even every day. Unlike other food shows, Street Food spends each episode highlighting the intense personal connection between the meals and the people who make them. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds, then pretend you can smell all the smells.
Expedition Unknown (2015)
12 Seasons
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Josh Gates
The devoted and lesser-known archaeologist Josh Gates takes us on many adventures around the world to discover temples, lost trails, and artifacts that may pique the interest of any historian or simply raise a curious person’s attention. Following him around the world is much less of a high-quality, sparkly experience than some on our list today, but you get to see some real and rich history of each and every region he chooses to travel to.
Dark Tourist (2018)
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Documentary
Cast
Sebastián Treviño, David Farrier
Created by
Carthew Neal, David Farrier, Polly Fryer, Mark McNeill
Cults, rituals, gangs, warzones, crime scenes, and ancient ruins: In this documentary, our host, David Farrier, travels the world in search of the dark, the devious, and the dastardly. Unlike the other features in this list, this series will show a whole new side of tourism, where the darkest sides of humanity are shown all around the world.
Travel Man: 48 Hours in... (2015)
9 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Documentary
Cast
Richard Ayoade
Positively British and dryly hilarious, Travel Man follows comedian Richard Ayoade to top travel destinations around the world to witness their glory and what they have to offer in under 48 hours. Focused on comedy and featuring some surprise guests, the show features Richard and his guests traveling around to taste food, drink wine, visit local architecture hotspots, and occasionally try out a fascinating local attraction.
You vs. Wild (2019)
1 Season
Genre
Reality, Action & Adventure
Cast
Bear Grylls
In one of Netflix’s few interactive streaming shows, You vs. Wild takes you on a journey with Bear Grylls through harsh deserts, deep jungles, and frozen tundra. This show is much like his popular show Man vs. Wild, but you get to make one of two decisions every few minutes that decide how the episode goes. Differing from your run-of-the-mill “turn it on and turn off” model, this can be a fun way to incorporate watching your shows into a game night.
The World's Most Extraordinary Homes (2017)
2 Seasons
Genre
Documentary
Cast
Caroline Quentin, Piers Taylor
All over the world, people choose their homes to fit their climate, the local architecture, their personal interests, or all of the above. This show (associated with BBC) will challenge your idea of what a home can be and redefine traditional architecture for any and all regions they take us to. Each home we tour has different theatrics, some for art inspiration, some for ultimate comfort, and some for practicality. These homes are dug into the fabric of their environments in truly innovative ways.
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