What's your favorite travel show on TV?

vko

Hello friends,

Was curious if any of you had specific favorites when it comes to travel shows on TV (be it current or archived)? Below are my favorites (in descending order of interest):

1. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - I absolutely love this series. The guy is an ex-chef and so the journeys focus on food. Although, some regard Bourdain's presentation style as an acquired taste - he is mean, he is rough, he is sarcastic, but he is great. You can watch it on Discovery Travel and Living channel (in India), although I'm not sure of schedule (don't get enough time for TV nowadays). Currently in Season 5. Google videos and Youtube can help you catch older episodes.
   
2. Michael Palin - I love all Michael Palin travel shows - Around the world in 80 days, Pole-to-Pole, Full Circle, Hemingway Adventure, Himalayas, Sahara. Absolutely fantastic. One of my inspirations. Don't know why don't they show these on TV. I had to download the stuff on torrents (Don't sue me Michael if u are reading this ).
   
3. Lonely Planet / Globe Trekker - They changed the name but I like most episodes with Ian Right as the traveler. Discovery travel and living keeps showing repeat telecasts of old episodes. Worth watching.

I strongly recommend the above shows to everyone. Please share your favorites too.

Vikas

Saulteaux_woman

I have been watching By Any Means, also known as Ireland to Sydney by Any Means, is a television series following Long Way Round and Long Way Down star Charley Boorman. I really enjoy it.

RWeHavingFunYet

Looks like you did not use the India Mike search, first.

Check this: Films that evoke a sense of travel. There are more ...

vko

Never heard of that one, but thanks... I'll search for it now.

Forgot to mention a series on National Geographic called "Don’t Tell My Mother I’m In… <name of the place>" hosted by Diego Buñuel. I saw just one episode on "Holy Land" and rather liked it. But I guess it may not qualify as travel series as it only shows war torn areas and focuses more on the effects of the conflict.

vko

That thread is specific to films... This one is for sharing favorite travel shows/series on TV.

Shiver me Timbers

For some reason I really dislike Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor, they visit all these amazing places, but never come up with anything interesting to say about them. Basically, I find them really dull and boring, particularly Ewan McGregor.

Michael Palin is pretty good, although as has been mentioned before on IM, he can come across a bit patronizing to the 'natives'.

Basically, the two best travel related presenters on TV (IMO) are:

1. Ray Mears - he's a survival guy, and a great cook. All his shows contain valuable tips for anyone camping in the wild, or planning on doing a bit of trekking. He's a very likeable guy.

2. Bruce Parry - can't believe he hasn't been mentioned here. 'Tribe' was probably the greatest travel-related TV show ever, if you haven't heard of it, go and get you hands on it. Bruce lives not just with the world's most remote tribes, but lives their lifestyle, really throwing himself into it - that means initiation ceremonies, hunting, cooking, building, and everything in between. He's my favourite person on the TV these days.

Shiver me Timbers

Here's Ray Mears hunting in Namibia - Hunting in Namibia - Ray Mears World of Survival - BBC

and here's Bruce Parry off his head on some seriously strong hallucinogens in an initation ceremony - Bruce tripping on mind-altering drugs - Tribe - BBC

(Edit):- Bruce Parry also did a great episode in Arunchal Pradesh, which I can't find on youtube right now.

theyyamdancer

Shiver-me-Timbers, I second your recommendation of Bruce Parry. He was a very strong influence on my decision to travel in Arunachal Pradesh. What a guy! He eats live bugs; he builds his own house; he climbs ferocious-looking spiky trees; he eats barbequed rat; he laughs when he gets bronchitis and is cured by the lady priestess cum witchdoctor who tells him that is a "normal" illness not the result of evil spirits. I could continue, but better watch the programme!

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vko

I admit, haven't heard of him. Problem is, only channels easily available on cable in India that show travel related content are Discovery, Travel & Living and National Geographic. Discovery does re-telecast some good BBC documentaries like Attenborough's Planet Earth (a series on wildlife) but not all - so we miss some great ones from BBC. I'll go find more about Bruce Parry and Ray Mears. Thanks for the tip.

If we are discussing Survival shows too, then worth mentioning is a show by Bear Grylls called "Man vs Wild"- he eats pretty much everything too in nicely staged survival situations (with a camera crew to accompany ofcourse). Also, there is one called the "Survivorman" (more realistic without a camera crew). But I find these shows lacking in travel content - they rarely meet any people or explore local culture and food (that's why I like Bourdain the most). One can get great tips on hiking and survival techniques though. Cheers!

Hal

I'm a fan of Anthony Bourdain, but find his programs to be hit or miss.

My favourite current travel show is departures. Two Canadian guys travel the world for a year, then another in season 2. The photography is incredible and the hosts are very likeable.

Ignite

Samantha Brown's european adventures on Travel Channel are pretty good.

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Epicure

Travel & Living channel--- 1000 places to see before you die, Indian Rendezvous

Discovery Channel -- Alaska Experiment, Man Vs Wild

Ranranami

Andrew Zimmerman. He just seems so pleasant. He's always cheerful (at least on the show) and willing to try just about anything that's offered to him. Plus...his show is a bit more educational than Anthony Bourdain...at least in my opinion.

tigerranch

MAN Vs Wild.... Bear Grylls..

vko

I know what you mean and I agree. Some of the episodes like Iceland and Uzbekistan were no doubt "out of the league" - nothing could impress Bourdain causing him to get irritable and ruin the show. But these are exceptions - I found most episodes quite interesting (I missed many of the latest seasons - need to catch them on youtube). I especially liked: Malaysia, Indonesia, Jaipur, Saudi Arabia, China and Japan, Korea, Jamaica, .... But the best of all was Beirut - the crew got caught up in Israeli air strikes on the city, nothing went as planned but that episode keeps you glued to the screen.

Guys.. keep posting your favorites... after reading your posts I realize I have missed many good shows. Need more!