travel shows similar to rick steves

× Do you know these Musicians from their Movies?

Travel Shows Like Rick Steves

Travel shows have become increasingly popular over the years, as viewers seek to escape their everyday lives and explore the world from the comfort of their own homes. One of the most well-known and beloved travel shows is Rick Steves’ Europe, hosted by travel expert Rick Steves. This show has been on the air for over 20 years and has inspired countless viewers to pack their bags and explore the wonders of Europe.

One of the things that sets Rick Steves’ Europe apart from other travel shows is its focus on cultural immersion and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Rick Steves is known for encouraging his viewers to travel like a local, and his show often features interviews with locals, visits to small towns and villages, and tips on how to experience a destination like a true insider.

In addition to its informative and engaging content, Rick Steves’ Europe also features a diverse range of music from the regions he visits. Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of each episode, and Rick Steves has a knack for selecting the perfect songs to accompany his travels.

To give you a taste of the incredible music featured on Rick Steves’ Europe, here are 13 song examples and interesting details about each:

1. “O Sole Mio” by Luciano Pavarotti

This iconic Italian aria is a staple of Italian music and culture, and is often heard in Rick Steves’ episodes set in Italy. Its soaring melody and passionate lyrics perfectly capture the beauty and romance of the Italian countryside.

2. “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf

This classic French chanson is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in France. Its dreamy melody and heartfelt lyrics evoke the charm and elegance of Paris, making it the perfect soundtrack for a stroll along the Seine.

3. “Gracias a la Vida” by Mercedes Sosa

This hauntingly beautiful Argentine folk song is often heard in episodes set in South America. Its poignant lyrics and soulful melody capture the spirit and resilience of the people of Argentina, making it a fitting tribute to this vibrant and diverse country.

4. “Oye Como Va” by Santana

This iconic Latin rock song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Mexico. Its infectious rhythm and fiery guitar solos capture the energy and passion of Mexican culture, making it a perfect accompaniment to Rick’s adventures south of the border.

5. “Zorba’s Dance” by Mikis Theodorakis

This lively Greek folk dance is a staple of Greek music and culture, and is often heard in episodes set in Greece. Its driving rhythm and energetic melody capture the joy and exuberance of Greek life, making it a favorite of Rick Steves and his viewers.

6. “Buona Sera” by Louis Prima

This classic Italian-American song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Italy. Its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics capture the festive and lively atmosphere of Italian celebrations, making it a popular choice for Rick’s travel adventures.

7. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee

This chart-topping Latin pop song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Puerto Rico. Its infectious beat and catchy chorus capture the laid-back and carefree spirit of the Caribbean, making it a perfect soundtrack for a beachside getaway.

8. “Volare” by Dean Martin

This classic Italian song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Italy. Its soaring melody and upbeat tempo capture the joy and romance of Italian culture, making it a popular choice for Rick’s travel adventures.

9. “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens

This iconic Mexican-American song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Mexico. Its lively rhythm and catchy chorus capture the festive and vibrant spirit of Mexican fiestas, making it a perfect soundtrack for Rick’s travels south of the border.

10. “Gangnam Style” by Psy

This viral K-pop hit is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in South Korea. Its catchy beat and quirky dance moves capture the fun and energetic vibe of Korean pop culture, making it a popular choice for Rick’s travel adventures in Asia.

11. “La Cucaracha” by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

This traditional Mexican folk song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Mexico. Its lively melody and humorous lyrics capture the playful and vibrant spirit of Mexican culture, making it a perfect accompaniment to Rick’s travels south of the border.

12. “Torna a Surriento” by Luciano Pavarotti

This classic Italian song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Italy. Its tender melody and heartfelt lyrics capture the beauty and romance of the Italian countryside, making it a popular choice for Rick’s travel adventures.

13. “Bésame Mucho” by Andrea Bocelli

This romantic Mexican song is a favorite of Rick Steves, and is often featured in episodes set in Mexico. Its passionate lyrics and soaring melody capture the beauty and romance of Mexican culture, making it a perfect soundtrack for a sunset stroll along the beach.

As you can see, the music featured on Rick Steves’ Europe is as diverse and eclectic as the destinations he visits. From classic Italian arias to Latin rock anthems, each song adds a unique and memorable touch to the show, enhancing the viewer’s experience and transporting them to faraway lands.

Now, let’s take a look at some common questions about travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe:

1. Why are travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe so popular?

Travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe are popular because they offer viewers the opportunity to explore new and exotic destinations from the comfort of their own homes. These shows provide valuable insight and information about different cultures, customs, and traditions, while also inspiring viewers to embark on their own travel adventures.

2. What sets Rick Steves’ Europe apart from other travel shows?

One of the things that sets Rick Steves’ Europe apart from other travel shows is its focus on cultural immersion and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Rick Steves encourages his viewers to travel like a local, and his show often features interviews with locals, visits to small towns and villages, and tips on how to experience a destination like a true insider.

3. How does music enhance the travel experience on Rick Steves’ Europe?

Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of each episode of Rick Steves’ Europe. The diverse range of music featured on the show adds an extra layer of authenticity and emotion to the travel experience, helping viewers to connect with the culture and spirit of each destination.

4. What are some of the most memorable songs featured on Rick Steves’ Europe?

Some of the most memorable songs featured on Rick Steves’ Europe include “O Sole Mio” by Luciano Pavarotti, “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf, and “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee. These songs capture the essence and beauty of the countries and cultures they represent, making them fan favorites among viewers.

5. How does Rick Steves choose the music for his show?

Rick Steves is known for his eclectic taste in music, and he personally selects the songs featured on his show based on their cultural relevance and emotional impact. He often chooses songs that capture the spirit and essence of a particular destination, adding depth and richness to the travel experience.

6. What role does music play in capturing the essence of a destination on Rick Steves’ Europe?

Music is a powerful tool for capturing the essence of a destination on Rick Steves’ Europe. Each song featured on the show evokes a specific mood or emotion, helping to transport viewers to the sights, sounds, and sensations of the places they are exploring. Whether it’s a tender Italian ballad or a lively Greek dance tune, the music on Rick Steves’ Europe adds an extra layer of authenticity and immersion to the travel experience.

7. How can viewers discover new music through travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe?

Travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe are a great way for viewers to discover new and exciting music from around the world. By paying attention to the songs featured on the show, viewers can expand their musical horizons and explore different genres and styles from diverse cultures and regions.

8. What impact does music have on the overall mood and tone of Rick Steves’ Europe?

Music has a significant impact on the overall mood and tone of Rick Steves’ Europe. Each song featured on the show is carefully chosen to enhance the viewer’s experience and evoke the spirit and character of the destination being explored. Whether it’s a festive Mexican mariachi band or a contemplative Italian opera singer, the music on Rick Steves’ Europe sets the stage for a memorable and immersive travel experience.

9. How does music help to create a sense of place on Rick Steves’ Europe?

Music helps to create a sense of place on Rick Steves’ Europe by capturing the unique sounds and rhythms of each destination. Whether it’s the haunting melodies of a French chanson or the energetic beats of a Latin dance tune, the music featured on the show transports viewers to the heart and soul of the countries and cultures they are visiting, creating a vivid and immersive sense of place.

10. How does Rick Steves use music to connect with his audience?

Rick Steves uses music as a powerful tool for connecting with his audience and creating an emotional bond with his viewers. By selecting songs that resonate with the spirit and essence of each destination, Rick is able to evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and excitement in his audience, inspiring them to embark on their own travel adventures and explore the world around them.

11. What are some of the benefits of incorporating music into travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe?

Incorporating music into travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe has many benefits, including enhancing the viewer’s experience, creating a sense of immersion and authenticity, and evoking the spirit and character of each destination. Music adds an extra layer of depth and richness to the travel experience, helping viewers to connect with the culture, history, and beauty of the places they are exploring.

12. How can viewers use music to enhance their own travel experiences?

Viewers can use music to enhance their own travel experiences by creating playlists of songs from the destinations they are visiting, listening to local radio stations, and attending live music performances and festivals. By immersing themselves in the music of a place, travelers can deepen their connection to the culture and spirit of the destination, and create lasting memories of their adventures.

13. What can viewers learn from the music featured on travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe?

Viewers can learn a great deal from the music featured on travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe, including the history, traditions, and values of the countries and cultures they are exploring. Music is a powerful form of expression and communication, and by paying attention to the songs featured on the show, viewers can gain insights into the heart and soul of each destination, and develop a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of the world around them.

In conclusion, travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe offer viewers a unique and immersive way to explore the world through the power of music. By featuring a diverse range of songs from the regions he visits, Rick Steves is able to capture the essence and spirit of each destination, creating a rich and vibrant tapestry of sounds and sensations for his audience to enjoy. Whether it’s a tender Italian ballad or a lively Latin dance tune, the music on Rick Steves’ Europe adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the travel experience, helping viewers to connect with the culture, history, and beauty of the places they are exploring. So sit back, relax, and let the music of Rick Steves’ Europe transport you to faraway lands and exotic adventures, as you embark on a journey of discovery and delight through the magic of travel and music.

Final thoughts:

Travel shows like Rick Steves’ Europe offer a unique and immersive way to explore the world through the power of music. From classic Italian arias to Latin rock anthems, each song adds a unique and memorable touch to the show, enhancing the viewer’s experience and transporting them to faraway lands. Whether you’re a fan of Italian opera or Mexican mariachi, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on Rick Steves’ Europe. So pack your bags, grab your headphones, and let the music take you on a journey of discovery and delight through the magic of travel and music. Bon voyage!

Common Questions and Answers:

50 Best Travel Shows Of All Time (& How To Watch Them)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Most of us can't reasonably travel all of the time. Thankfully, we can live vicariously through our screens when we cannot be globetrotting ourselves. Travel shows are a dime a dozen, mainly because many of us would rather explore than deal with our responsibilities. But how do you know which shows are worth your time? That depends mainly on your tastes and interests, but we can provide some solid starting points.

From celebrities heading their own adventurous docuseries to food-loving vagabonds visiting remote destinations, travel shows can show us scenes and cultures we would otherwise have no concept of. In fact, television often inspires travel, and watching world wanderers eat their way through exotic destinations is a great way to help plan your next trip. These 50 series are some of the best TV has to offer, and even if you don't make it through all of them, you may find a gem that piques your particular interest.

50. Nomad with Carlton McCoy

Classically trained chef and expert sommelier Carlton McCoy seeks out the best in international cuisine, music, and art in the CNN series "Nomad with Carlton McCoy." Premiering in May 2022, McCoy travels everywhere in the travel series, from the overlooked pleasures of Mississippi to the corners of Ghana. For McCoy, the show's focus lies in adventures and delights found away from the well-worn paths frequented by tourists. Instead, he enjoys savoring hometown favorites from local populations. What McCoy may lack in experience and poise, he and "Nomad" make up for with its premise to go behind the scenes of some of the world's most recognizable locales.

The first "Nomad with Carlton McCoy" season is available to stream on Prime Video with Discovery+.

49. Down to Earth with Zac Efron

The world is a beautiful place, and it's easy to showcase such on film. This is why a travel show has to be about more than just pretty scenery, and "Down to Earth with Zac Efron" delivers in a big way. The series puts a highly informative spin on the genre by taking viewers on whirlwind journeys worldwide in search of health secrets. We're not talking about avocado toast or juice cleanses, either.

Efron and wellness expert Darin Olien visit destinations to learn about topics like renewable energy, superfoods, and water quality. Have you ever heard of a water sommelier? The experts know a thing or two about what kind of water makes our bodies happy, and a "Down to Earth" episode in France consults one of the few professionals in existence. The series also has episodes on a seed bank stocked for the end of the world, Iceland's Blue Lagoon, and the Amazon rainforest.

Although "Down to Earth" earned Zac Efron a Daytime Emmy, lack of viewership caused the series to be canceled quickly. It had one season at Netflix and was picked up for another at The CW, only to be on the chopping block two episodes later. Lack of quantity does not mean lack of quality, though, and the "High School Musical" star's travel show is a solid viewing.

You can watch "Down to Earth with Zach Efron" on Netflix and The CW .

48. The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals

Sometimes, a typical hotel on vacation doesn't cut it, with intrepid travelers opting for more unique and luxurious digs during their stay abroad. The Netflix original series "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals" explores everything from treehouses to alpaca farms to rent worldwide. Hosted by Megan Batoon, Jo Franco, and Luis D. Ortiz, the show reminds viewers that far more than cheap motels and chain hotels are available to make a vacation even more authentic and unique. While some of the rentals visited on the show run on the pricier side, these are balanced out with more cost-effective rentals for travelers not looking to shell out top dollar on accommodations.

"The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals" is available to stream on Netflix .

47. Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci reconnects with his ancestral roots in the CNN travel series "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy." Premiering in 2021, the show has Tucci visit different regions in Italy to learn more about the local cuisine, culture, and history in a sun-soaked tour of the Mediterranean country. Though the major tourist centers of Italy are among the destinations in Tucci's tour, the host takes the time to explore restaurants and locations off the beaten track to reveal a more authentic Italian experience. Buoyed by Tucci's understated yet quietly charismatic presence, "Searching for Italy" has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, winning two for its achievement in nonfiction television.

Available to purchase and rent through most digital retailers, "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy" is also available to stream on Discovery+ .

46. Mysterious Islands

Accomplished pilot and explorer Kellee Edwards invites viewers to join her on his globe-trotting adventures with the Travel Channel series "Mysterious Islands." Edwards particularly takes an interest in some of the most remote islands on Earth, visiting them with her private seaplane to examine them from above and by foot. A refreshing contrast to the hustle-and-bustle of travel shows revolving around heavily populated locales, "Mysterious Islands" offers a more serene, nature-focused look at isolated getaways. Before hosting "Mysterious Islands," Edwards hosted and published a travel vlog through her website that catapulted her into the public eye.

"Mysterious Islands" is currently available to stream on fuboTV and Philo .

45. Ride with Norman Reedus

"Cool" is the only way to describe "Ride with Norman Reedus." Cruising on a slew of bikes, "The Boondock Saints" and "The Walking Dead" actor meets up with a different travel partner in each episode to explore the open road of America and international destinations. With six seasons as of 2023, the series has become a lasting one on AMC.

Norman Reedus isn't the first to make a travel show centered on biker culture, so what makes it so unique? His vibe, for one. However, it's also the particular variety that his program offers viewers. Reedus does not stick to just one style or motorcycle manufacturer; he also has many celebrity guests. He has the bikers' seal of approval.

From Dave Chapelle to Keanu Reeves, you'll be surprised that some of your favorite celebrities ride and are just as captivating in an environment you don't usually see them in. Fans of Reedus' work will also be happy to see quite a few familiar faces as his "The Walking Dead" co-stars, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Steven Yeun, join in on the fun.

You can watch "Ride with Norman Reedus" on AMC+ .

44. Epic Drives

Car expert Arthur St. Antoine entered the pole position with the automobile travel series "Epic Drives," premiering in 2010. Backed with a whole fleet of cars, often with some of the world's coolest and fastest sports and luxury automobiles, St. Antoine opens the engine up and cuts loose on roads around the globe. From traversing the Pacific Coast Highway to showcasing winter driving tips on the frozen roads of Scandinavia, St. Antoine guides viewers through truly stunning international roadways. Though "Epic Rides" puts its slick automobiles in the forefront, the travel series is also keenly aware of how to capture the natural beauty of the gorgeous destinations visited.

"Epic Drives" is available to stream on Roku and Prime Video with a MotorTrend extension.

43. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern

Prolific chef, author, and television personality Andrew Zimmern delves into the off-kilter local cuisine from around the world that outsiders may view as strange in the Travel Channel series "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern." Running steadily since 2006, "Bizarre Foods" has become a large television franchise in and of itself, spawning spinoff series and specials, while the main series has undergone several rebrands. Later, carrying the subtitle "Delicious Destinations," Zimmern's unique perspective on local cuisine proved as engaging as ever. Traveling anywhere from remote settlements in the untamed wilderness to local gastronomy usually avoided by tourists, Zimmern doesn't just focus on the cuisine and preparation itself but where the key ingredients come from.

A Travel Channel staple for over a decade, "Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern" is currently available to stream on Max and Discovery+ .

42. Samantha Brown's Places to Love

Prolific travel television personality Samantha Brown created the acclaimed PBS series "Samantha Brown's Places to Love," which premiered in 2018. Markedly different from her previous programming on the Travel Channel, Brown's PBS show offers ways for prospective travelers to blend in more naturally with places they visit rather than disrupt local scenes. Featuring a more subdued approach, Brown presents a more authentic, understated cultural experience in the destinations she showcases. "Places to Love" was widely praised for its approach to travel programming and won two Daytime Emmy Awards for its outstanding achievement.

"Samantha Brown's Places to Love" is available to watch through local PBS outlets.

41. A Cook's Tour

Chef and author Anthony Bourdain's first foray into travel television was on the Food Network series "A Cook's Tour," which was filmed while Bourdain was simultaneously writing a book about his experiences. Running for two seasons from 2002-2003, the show took Bourdain around the globe to sample local cuisine and culture, with Asia being a prominent recurring destination. In Variety's review of the first season, "A Cook's Tour" was praised for focusing on destinations less well-documented by other travel shows while providing a man-on-the-street perspective. The series offers a fascinating look at Bourdain discovering his voice as a television host while still possessing his acerbic wit.

"A Cook's Tour" is currently available to stream in full on Prime Video and Tubi .

40. America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston

Notable writer and commentator Baratunde Thurston expanded from his usual political fare to launch the PBS travel series "America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston." Thurston travels around the United States, from Death Valley to the Appalachian Mountains, to document America's distinct and immersive outdoor destinations. More than simply hiking and camping, Thurston engages in local activities, including trying his hand at collecting wild rice and surfing, to better appreciate local cultures. Thurston takes the premise behind "America Outdoors" more liberally than most travel shows with similar scopes, with an entire episode reframing outdoor culture in Los Angeles.

An engaging look at the United States' relationship with its outdoor spaces, "America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston" is available to stream on Prime Video with PBS Living or PBS Documentaries and PBS with WOSU Passport.

39. Travel Man

Popular British actor and comedian Richard Ayoade launched the breakneck travel series "Travel Man," blending comedy with hectic itineraries. Paired with a celebrity guest, Ayoade and his travel companion have 48 hours to take in the sights and cuisine in different international cities. Starting with the show's tenth season, Ayoade was replaced by British comedian Joe Lycett, but the overall formula remains largely the same. Buoyed by Ayoade and Lycett's hilarious personalities and its limited-time premise, "Travel Man" is as freewheeling and fun as travelogs get.

"Travel Man: 48 Hours in..." is available to stream on Prime Video and Peacock .

38. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Beloved chef and restauranteur David Chang covers all the most important meals of the day around the world in the original series "Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner." Joined by different celebrity guest stars in each episode, including Seth Rogen and Kate McKinnon, Chang learns what constitutes traditional daily meals in major cities from Marrakech to Phnom Penh. Elevated by thoughtful and entertaining discussions between Chang and his guests, the series offers a broader perspective on the meals we take for granted each day. As with Chang's other travel and cooking shows, the international cuisine-driven travel series focuses on authenticity and a society's connection to its defining food.

"Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner" is available to stream on Netflix and Prime Video with Fuse+.

37. No Passport Required

With a country as richly vast and varied as the United States, there are plenty of interesting travel spots without ever having to go abroad. This underlying truth provides the basic premise to the PBS travel series "No Passport Required," which is focused on exploring the legacy of immigrant traditions and cuisines within the country. Hosted by noted chef Marcus Samuelsson, six major American cities are showcased as Samuelsson examines the immigrant legacy and food that lovingly define each locale. Going beyond the typical fare that colors each city's perception, Samuelsson meets with everyone from the Armenian community in Los Angeles to the Chinese legacy behind Las Vegas, showcasing some of the cultures that help to make each city great.

"No Passport Required" is currently available to stream on Roku , Prime Video with PBS Living or PBS Documentaries, and PBS.

36. Big City, Little Budget

The prospect of living in or visiting major American cities isn't cheap, but host Oneika Raymond guides audiences through more cost-effective approaches to modern metropolises in "Big City, Little Budget." Produced by the Travel Channel, the web series has Raymond visiting cities from sea to shining sea while also providing tips on how to navigate each place without having a robust budget at one's disposal. From frugal dining tips to which neighborhoods won't break the bank, "Big City, Little Budget" offers invaluable advice. With its bite-sized episodes, Raymond offers clear and concise guidance through cities from Miami to New York as she leans into approaching each destination on a budget without compromising the fun.

"Big City, Little Budget" is available to stream through the Travel Channel's YouTube channel .

35. I'll Have What Phil's Having

After helming the long-running sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond," prolific television writer and producer Phil Rosenthal turned to travelog hosting, starting with the 2015 series "I'll Have What Phil Is Having." Running on PBS for six episodes, the show follows Rosenthal as he travels around the world to check out the local food scenes. Joined by celebrity guests like Martin Short and Ray Romano, Rosenthal's comedic perspective helps give the usual travel show proceedings a more engaging approach. Though short-lived, "I'll Have What Phil Is Having" provides an early look at the type of travel programming Rosenthal would host to greater success on Netflix.

"I'll Have What Phil's Having" is currently available to stream on Roku , Prime Video with PBS Living or PBS Documentaries, Pluto TV , and PBS.

34. Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost

Even the same iconic locales can offer vastly different experiences depending on the visitor's financial situation, and this dichotomy is explored in the travel series "Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost." Hosted by siblings Alex and Marko Ayling, the two showcase how to navigate major travel destinations on a budget or take advantage of the visit when flush with cash. Whether they're discussing different approaches to visiting Hong Kong or trying the varying cuisines of France, the Ayling brothers provide plenty of information and varying perspectives on the same destinations. One of the things that work in favor of "Basic Versus Baller" is that the show's premise isn't necessarily binary, as tourists can mix the frugal and luxurious options provided as they see fit.

A dual-perspective on the travelog formula, "Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost" is currently available to stream on Hulu , Prime Video with Tastemade, and Peacock .

33. Ugly Delicious

Chef and author David Chang looks at the cultural history and deeper meaning behind popular cuisine in the Netflix original series "Ugly Delicious." Premiering in 2018, Chang and a group of celebrity guests explore the origins of different foods through extensive interviews and traveling to informative points from the cuisine's origins. A thoughtful discussion about food and its inextricable links to societal identity, "Ugly Delicious" blends serious insight with Chang's quick wit to great effect. Widely acclaimed for its approach to asking the hard questions about cuisine's impact on culture and cultural perception, the series was nominated for an Emmy Award.

"Ugly Delicious" is currently available to stream on Netflix .

32. United Shades of America

The United States is, like any nation, an incredibly complicated and occasionally contentious place to live, from sea to shining sea, across a variety of communities. Comedian W. Kamau Bell spotlights these communities, their traditions, and their struggles in the CNN documentary series "United Shades of America." From speaking with indigenous communities in South Dakota to the extensive Black populations in the Appalachians, Bell provides an all-encompassing tour of the modern American experience. Bell's thoughtful approach to admittedly somber subject matter paints a more complete look at the country and the many voices that bring it to life as he travels nationwide.

The winner of multiple Emmy Awards for its sweeping work, "United Shades of America" is available to stream on Discovery+ and Max and purchase and rent via online retailers.

31. Booze Traveler

A lot can be learned about a culture through its gastronomy, and host Jack Maxwell is determined to get to the bottom of this search for identity – and the bottom of many bottles – in the Travel Channel show "Booze Traveler." Exploring domestic and international destinations, Maxwell reveals how drinking culture informs daily life in places like Seoul and Dublin while partaking in local spirits himself. With Maxwell's easygoing personality at the forefront, "Booze Traveler" looks at how communities bond over their love of drink. As a former South Boston bartender, Maxwell lends an everyday perspective to his global travels. He is more interested in looking for a good time than asking the hard questions as the show breezily chugs along.

A fittingly rambunctious travelog, "Booze Traveler" is available to stream on Discovery+ and rent and purchase through most digital retailers.

30. Street Food

While acclaimed filmmaker and documentarian David Gelb focuses primarily on haute cuisine with his award-winning "Chef's Table" series, his other Netflix original show, "Street Food," takes a different perspective. Rather than spotlight a single cook per episode like his previous work, Gelb examines an entire city's street food scene, exploring the origins of the cuisine that defines it. From the robust marks of Singapore to hole-in-the-wall restaurants in New Orleans, "Street Food" and its rotating set of hosts provide an authentic culinary portrait of the show's destinations. Gelb's everyman approach and broader scope per episode, in contrast to "Chef's Table," is an effective change that "Street Food" takes full advantage of.

The first season of "Street Food" is set in Asia, the second in Latin America, and the third in the United States, with the series currently available to stream on Netflix .

29. The Kindness Diaries

Connecting with your fellow humans and experiencing people of different backgrounds and cultures is one of the enormous benefits of traveling; for some, it's their entire purpose. In a way, "The Kindness Diaries" encapsulates the spirit of travel, as host Leon Logothetis traverses the globe depending on the kindness of strangers.

Equipped only with a bright yellow motorbike swapped for an equally yellow vintage convertible in the second season, Leon Logothetis searches for kind-hearted people to supply his needs on his travels. This includes food, accommodations, and gasoline. You'll be pleasantly surprised how far one can get in the world just by simply asking — though, he does sleep in his motorbike's sidecar when necessary. While the destinations range from all over the United States to Europe, Cambodia, and Vietnam, this feel-good travel doc is more about the people we meet along the way. Even though "The Kindness Diaries" only has two seasons behind it, the beautiful souls depicted stay with viewers for the long haul.

You can stream "The Kindness Diaries" on Discovery+ .

28. Gordon's Great Escape

Famous chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay decided to visit the originating countries of some of his favorite cuisines in the British television series "Gordon's Great Escape." In an interview with The Guardian , Ramsay shared his lifelong love of Indian food and chronicled his first trip to India in the show. Beyond his visit to India, Ramsay filmed the second set of interviews exploring other parts of Southeast Asia and its cuisine, including Thailand and Vietnam. Offering Ramsay a chance to escape the limelight he was experiencing in America and the United Kingdom, the show reveals him rediscovering his love of cooking while learning about overseas culinary traditions.

"Gordon's Great Escape" is available to stream through Prime Video , Tubi , Roku , and Fox.

27. Long Way Down

Actors and longtime motorcycle aficionados Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman reunited for another international motorcycle voyage with the British travel series "Long Way Down." A follow-up to their 2004 series "Long Way Round," the 2007 offering has the two bikers travel from Scotland all the way to Cape Town, South Africa. Along the way, the pair rides through 18 countries by motorcycle as they traverse Europe and the length of Africa. Even for those not particularly enamored by motorcycles, "Long Way Down" is a fascinating look at life on the open road across two continents anchored by two charismatic leads.

"Long Way Down" is currently available to stream on Apple TV+ .

26. Globe Trekker

One of the longest-running travel shows from the United Kingdom is "Globe Trekker," originally broadcast from 1994 to 2016. With a rotating set of hosts for each episode, the British series highlights a different region and provides audiences with a thorough guide to the sights and culture. More than simply presenting the major tourist attractions, the hosts examine local traditions, including interviews with local industries beyond tourism and hospitality. With such an impressive breadth of episodes, "Globe Trekker" set an enduring standard for travel programming in the United Kingdom against which all other travel shows are to be judged.

Unfortunately, "Globe Trekker" is unavailable to stream or purchase in the United States.

25. Man v. Food

Eating challenges can say a lot about a culture, from the type of cuisine competitors consume to the quantity eaten to succeed. Actor and television personality Adam Richman took it upon himself to travel all over the United States to face all manner of eating challenges in the Travel Channel series "Man v. Food." Heading to a different destination each episode, Richman singlehandedly subjects himself to various regional eating challenges, from consuming massive steaks to an entire platter of chili dogs in a limited time. "Man v. Food" gave the Travel Channel its highest-rated debut upon its premiere in 2008 (per the Los Angeles Times ), with the show revived in 2017 and Richman replaced by current host Casey Webb.

An amusing look at different American regions by the eating challenges that help define it, "Man v. Food" is available to purchase and rent through most online retailers and to stream on Discovery+ and Max .

24. Tales by Light

If a vacation isn't documented and shared on Instagram, did it actually take place? Photography in some of Earth's most jaw-droppingly gorgeous places is the central premise behind the Australian travel series "Tales by Light." Each episode follows different professional photographers who tell an immersive story about exotic destinations through their pictures and videos. The perfect travel series for the social media-oriented generation, "Tales by Light" delivers truly breathtaking photographs and videos from the overlooked corners of the world.

All three beautifully rendered "Tales by Light" seasons are currently available to stream on Netflix .

23. Conan Without Borders

As an extension of his popular talk show on TBS, veteran host Conan O'Brien took his series on the road on multiple occasions to experience different cultures around the world. These special episodes were compiled in the online "Conan Without Borders," as O'Brien eschewed his typical talk show format. Traveling everywhere from Cuba to South Korea, O'Brien explores the societal morays of each of these destinations with his usual comedic antics and insight. A welcome change of pace from his usual formula, O'Brien blends biting political commentary with a genuine appreciation for local cultures, with "Conan Without Borders" winning an Emmy for its efforts.

"Conan Without Borders" is currently available to stream on Max .

22. The Moaning of Life

When British comedian and actor Karl Pilkington faced something of a midlife crisis, he decided to examine the lives and cultures of others around the world to gain a better sense of perspective (per Cinema Blend ). The resulting international tour was filmed for the British travel series "The Moaning of Life," as Pilkington contemplated love, life, and mortality on the road. To expand his view on the human condition, Pilkington visits drive-thru weddings in Las Vegas, professional mourners in Taiwan, and fertility clinics in Japan. The Hollywood Reporter's review of "The Moaning of Life" complimented the show's existential subject matter and Pilkington's hilarious perspective on the world to make its messaging less somber.

A good-natured look at life, death, and everything in between with an international scope, "The Moaning of Life" is available for purchase and rent on most major digital retailers, including Prime Video and Vudu .

21. Long Way Round

The first of a trilogy of documentary series, 2004's "Long Way Round" puts Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in the driver's seat as they ride motorcycles from London to New York City eastward. The 19,000-mile journey is undertaken to promote the international humanitarian causes spearheaded by UNICEF, while McGregor and Boorman endure pitfalls and injuries in their journies around the globe. Inspired by the experience, McGregor and Boorman wrote a book detailing their journey, including McGregor adopting an orphan encountered along the way. The kind of celebrity road trip that doesn't feel overly pretentious or self-indulgent, McGregor and Boorman provide a unique perspective as they embark on a truly epic journey.

"Long Way Round" is currently available to stream on Apple TV+ .

20. Three Sheets

Not all cuisine is solid, which is why the 2008 travel series "Three Sheets" showcased a decidedly liquid diet as it visited drinking cultures around the world. Hosted by comedian Zane Lamprey, the show highlights local alcoholic beverages at a multitude of destinations, learning about their history and cultural impact. Of course, this examination goes beyond a mere history lesson, with Zamprey partaking in the beverages, usually in impressive quantities. Part travel series and part televised pub crawl, Lamprey is often accompanied on his journeys by a group of guests, including his college friend Steve McKenna.

After starting on MOJO HD, "Three Sheets" was broadcast on various platforms before ending its run on Spike in 2011. Most of the series is currently available to buy on Prime Video .

19. Worth It

The popular Buzzfeed series "Worth It" offers three different and simultaneous perspectives on the worldwide dining scene in each episode. The show has the three hosts, Steven Lim, Andrew Ilnyckyj, and Adam Bianchi, order three different dishes from a range of price points at varying destinations. This can entail a cheap cup of coffee or designer espresso costing hundreds of dollars while visiting Tokyo. The underlying question is whether or not the dishes are worth the price. Winning a Streamy Award, "Worth It" has been credited with changing how people approach food criticism online, actively comparing quality with price points worldwide (per SBS ).

Available to stream on Hulu , "Worth It" helps viewers know how best to check out the food scenes and types of cuisine in several countries.

18. Somebody Feed Phil

After getting his start travel hosting on PBS, Phil Rosenthal went bigger and better for the Netflix original series "Somebody Feed Phil" in 2018. While maintaining the broader premise of his previous show, "I'll Have What Phil Is Having," Rosenthal's Netflix series feels like a more personal experience for its host. Occasionally checking in with his brother, parents, and son while he is on the road, Rosenthal continues to sample local cuisine from around the world. As Rosenthal visits major international cities, he spotlights local charities and nonprofit organizations active in the destinations, providing a more community-based scope.

"Somebody Feed Phil" is currently available to stream on Netflix .

17. Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

Popular British comedian Jack Whitehall and his longtime television producer father, Michael, take their paternal dynamic on the road for the Netflix original series "Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father." With a decided focus on familial comedy, the Whitehalls find themselves in countless awkward and hilarious situations worldwide as they bond together over their international trips. The two men learn about the cultures they visit, from Cambodia to Turkey, with the final season bringing the father-son duo back to the United Kingdom. Though Jack and Michael Whitehall's antics are played for laughs, the societies they visit are largely treated with the utmost respect as they travel through the jungle and desert together.

All five "Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father" seasons are available to stream on Netflix .

16. Extreme Engagement

Journalists and producers PJ Madam and Tim Noonan decided to put their then-recent engagement to the test around the world for the Netflix original series "Extreme Engagement." The miniseries has the happy couple travel around the globe for over a year to see how their relationship endures. While the premise feels relatively scripted, rather than providing an authentically spontaneous show, "Extreme Engagement" offers a romantic twist on the travelog format. Noonan and Madam visit romantic destinations that keep the focus on love and lasting relationships, from observing ancient fertility rituals to meeting cultural practices promoting romantic love.

A love odyssey that spans the islands of Indonesia to remote villages in Africa, "Extreme Engagement" is currently available to stream on Netflix .

15. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Restauranteur and television host Guy Fieri has become something of a cultural icon himself, and Fieri's flagship series is the enormously popular "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Premiering in 2006 on the Food Network, the show has Fieri travel across North America, stopping at diners, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and dive bars to sample their signature cuisine. Occasionally joined by an impressive set of celebrity guest stars, Fieri has visited hundreds of locations as part of his cross-country odyssey. Due to the sheer popularity of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," many of these spots have seen a noticeable increase in business following episode airings.

As the gold standard among Fieri's travel and food reality shows, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" is available to rent and purchase via most online retailers and to stream on Discovery+ and Max .

14. Survivorman

Travel isn't just luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts; for some, vacations involve roughing it in the wild and returning to nature through camping and other immersive experiences. The Canadian travel and wilderness survival series "Survivorman" takes these sensibilities to their extreme as host Les Stroud spends over a week alone in remote locations. With only a handful of tools and the clothes on his back, Stroud has to make do with local flora and fauna to survive these conditions for the allotted time. As a much more stripped-down and extreme approach than "Man vs. Wild," Stroud takes audiences everywhere, from the frozen expanse of Alaska to the predator-filled Amazon rainforest.

For those looking for the ultimate survivalist approach to the world's most unforgiving locations, "Survivorman" is available to stream on Discovery+ and Roku and to rent and purchase through most digital retailers.

13. An Idiot Abroad

When comedian Karl Pilkington's friends and frequent collaborators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant learned he had no interest in world travel, the two created the series "An Idiot Abroad" in response. Capitalizing on Pilkington's often innocently naive worldview, the British travel show is primarily played for laughs as Pilkington makes wry observations about the destinations he visits. Not content to simply let Pilkington take in the picturesque sights, sounds, and cuisine, Gervais and Merchant have Pilkington endure several challenges, including bungee-jumping in New Zealand and swimming with sharks in Australia. MSN's review of "An Idiot Abroad" praised the mishaps for Pilkington's voyages orchestrated by Gervais and Merchant, with Pilkington's odd perspective and observations elevating the entire show.

A humorous look at the most gorgeous international locales, "An Idiot Abroad" is available to purchase and rent on most digital retailers, including Prime Video and Vudu .

12. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

After two seasons on the Food Network with "A Cook's Tour," Bourdain made the leap to the Travel Channel to host his popular travel series "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations." Running for nine seasons from 2005-2012, Bourdain upped the scope considerably from his previous series while still retaining its everyman qualities. Backed by a more ambitious production, Bourdain visits a wider range of locales while incorporating his love of pop culture and inviting celebrity guests, including Bill Murray and Sean Penn. One of the more notable episodes sees Bourdain and his film crew trapped in Beirut during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War. "No Reservations" went on to win two Emmy Awards and multiple nominations as a testament to the show's captivating perspective on the world.

"Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" is available to purchase from most online retailers and to stream on Discovery+ , Max , and through the Travel Channel website with a linked television provider.

11. Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted

After exploring and experiencing culinary traditions in Southeast Asia firsthand in his first travel series, chef Gordon Ramsay expanded the scope of his follow-up show " Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted " to encompass the whole world. Premiering on National Geographic in 2019, "Uncharted" has Ramsay visit different countries to learn about their cuisine and cooking techniques and take advantage of local thrills. From white water rafting through Laos to climbing up Alaskan mountains and glaciers, Ramsay showcases a more outdoorsy side of himself beyond the world of restaurants and kitchens. In Forbes' review of the series, Ramsay's genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter and destinations he visits was praised for elevating the premise and showing a new side to the temperamental chef.

"Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted" is available to stream through Disney+ and Hulu .

10. Chef's Table

After directing the universally acclaimed documentary film "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" in 2011, filmmaker David Gelb teamed up with Netflix for its original documentary series, "Chef's Table." Premiering in 2015, the show focuses on a different cook for each episode, from a Korean monk renowned for her kimchi to Mexican street food in Philadelphia. With its highly detailed and stylized cinematography and in-depth portraits of its subjects, "Chef's Table" is one of the best documentary series currently on the air. "Chef's Table" brings a global scope to cuisine while never losing sight of the very grounded and human story behind each of the cooks that make every dish possible. The show has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards as it shines a light on everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to hole-in-the-wall dining locations.

The main "Chef's Table" series and its numerous spinoffs are available to stream on Netflix .

9. The Amazing Race

In contrast to "Survivor," which keeps its contestants in a single remote location for an entire season, CBS' long-running reality series "The Amazing Race" takes full advantage of its global scope. Teams of two speed through different legs around the world, following clues and completing challenges to gain an edge. On the air since 2001, "The Amazing Race" has showcased some of the most stunning locales on the planet while pitting its teams in genuinely thrilling competitions each season. With many seasons of "The Amazing Race" offering a journey with contestants circumnavigating the globe, the travel element to the reality competition series is unmistakably at the forefront.

"The Amazing Race" is available to stream on Hulu , Netflix , and Paramount+ .

8. Expedition Unknown

With so many legends and historical mysteries around the world demanding answers, archaeologist Josh Gates sets out to find the truth in the Discovery Channel series "Expedition Unknown." From cryptozoology searches for mythical creatures like Bigfoot to attempting to discover clues linked to the lost city of Atlantis, Gates positions himself as a real-life Indiana Jones. Part globe-trotting history lesson, part debunking widely known myths, "Expedition Unknown" provides a fun twist on international travel off the beaten path. As an immensely popular show, "Expedition Unknown" has spawned several spinoff specials, miniseries, and after shows as Gates widens his worldwide search for truth.

"Expedition Unknown" is currently available to stream on Discovery+ and Max and is available to purchase or rent through most online retailers.

7. Dark Tourist

Not every tourist is going to check out conventional art museums or major family-friendly attractions in their voyages around the world. The Netflix original series "Dark Tourist" offers travelers a chance to check out the more off-beat elements of local cultures, sometimes venturing into the outright macabre. Hosted by journalist David Farrier, "Dark Tourist" visits the purportedly haunted areas of major cities and tourism sites capitalizing on local tragedies and notorious figures around the world. From exploring irradiated sites to touring museums dedicated to infamous serial killers, "Dark Tourist" certainly isn't every traveler's cup of tea by the way it provides a morbid twist on the genre.

"Dark Tourist" is currently available to stream on Netflix .

6. The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Celebrated documentarian Ken Burns, who has crafted documentary series chronicling numerous elements of American culture and history, turned his attention to the country's national parks. The 2009 six-episode miniseries "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" recounts the history behind the parks and how they each capture the stirring beauty of the United States. From the enduring legacy of John Muir to the evolution of the National Park Service, "The National Parks" is a must-watch for anyone planning to visit the natural wonders nationwide. Universally acclaimed, "The National Parks" won two Emmy Awards, with critics praising how the documentary series presented the parks as a gorgeous extension of the national identity.

Released with a companion book expanding its story, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is currently available to stream on PBS with WOSU Passport and Prime Video with PBS Documentaries.

5. The Grand Tour

After being ousted from hosting "Top Gear," Jeremy Clarkson and his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May took their globe-trotting automobile expertise to Prime Video for "The Grand Tour" (via Variety ). Retaining much of the format from their previous work together on "Top Gear," "The Grand Tour" has participants travel to different destinations using an impressive array of cars. From Cambodia to Madagascar, "The Grand Tour" showcases thrilling routes and cars, backed by the hosts' irascible wit. The Independent's positive review of "The Grand Tour" praised the show as distilling the best elements from "Top Gear" while boasting a significantly larger production budget.

With jaw-dropping destinations and high-octane action, "The Grand Tour" is currently available to stream on Prime Video .

4. Passport with Samantha Brown

Television personality Samantha Brown has built an impressive empire of travel shows on a number of platforms. One of Brown's most enduring lines of programming to date is "Passport," which sees Brown extensively explore different regions around the world for the ultimate experience. Starting with 2004's "Passport to Europe," Brown launched several different shows, taking her informative style to examine Latin America, China, and eco-friendly tourism. Brown's "Passport to Europe" won a Daytime Emmy Award while the subsequent "Passport to Latin America" was nominated for an Emmy, as a testament to Brown's eye for entertainment and educational quality.

Brown's "Passport" series are currently available to stream on Discovery+ .

3. Anthony Bourdain: The Layover

As someone who hosted travel shows since 2002, Anthony Bourdain has experienced a lot of extended layovers and quick detours between trips to larger destinations. This premise of enjoying a locale on a tight turnaround time drives the core premise behind his Travel Channel series "The Layover." With only 24-48 hours in each location, Bourdain enjoys as much of the tourist-oriented and locally authentic experiences as he can before departing once more. A more tightly paced approach to Bourdain's usual travel fare, "The Layover" still finds the time to provide an informative look at different city cultures all over the globe.

Invaluable for those looking to make the most of their time on a tight schedule, "Anthony Bourdain: The Layover" is available to stream on Discovery+ , along with purchase and rent options on most digital platforms.

2. Rick Steves' Europe

Perhaps the gold standard in public broadcasting produced travel shows, "Rick Steves' Europe" follows travel author and television personality Rick Steves as he explores cities in Europe. Running from 2000 to 2021, Steves not only shares the biggest cultural landmarks and defining fare in each destination, but he provides audiences with valuable travel tips along the way. More than simply focusing on the biggest tourist spots, like London and Paris, Steves adds plenty of overlooked getaways, including Slovenia and Oslo. With a steady hand and wealth of knowledge, Steves has provided his even-keeled traveler wisdom to those interested in visiting Europe for decades.

"Rick Steves' Europe" is currently available to stream on the show's website , PBS with WOSU Passport, Prime Video , and Tubi .

1. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Television personality Anthony Bourdain's final travel show was "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," which ran for 12 seasons on CNN from 2013 to 2018. Though "Parts Unknown" certainly retains the focus on local cuisine prominent in Bourdain's past travel shows, the CNN series weaves in more sociopolitical commentary in examining its locales. The series came to an abrupt end following Bourdain's tragic death , with the remaining episodes becoming a tribute to the late host and his unique worldview. Led by Bourdain's insightful and incisive perspective on the places he visited around the world, "Parts Unknown” was widely acclaimed and won numerous Emmy Awards across its run. More than just a show about food and culture, "Parts Unknown" examines the overlooked qualities of its destinations and what brings people together on a universal level.

Available to purchase on most digital retailers, "Parts Unknown" is also available to stream on Max and Discovery+ .

Our ranking methodology

Everyone has that one show they're connected to, whether popular or not. "Best" is always subjective, and your all-time favorite series may not even be something someone else knows exists. That doesn't mean it's any less valid, though. We've tried to keep our personal opinions from this list and instead relied on more tangible elements when compiling our rankings. You'll find some of the most beloved, compelling, and critically acclaimed travel shows — and some you may have never heard of.

A travel show's host can be as important as the places traveled. There's a reason why Anthony Bourdain will always appear on lists like this one. His captivating storytelling capabilities and genuinely raw nature make for compelling TV that viewers resonate with. This kind of grab power shows up throughout our list of picks, with the face and voice of a program helping to boost some of the programs in our rankings.

We've considered the likability of the shows chosen here by scouring reviews from multiple sources, like Reddit, Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb. We've also factored in the number of seasons and any accolades a show may have been given. A lack of awards certainly doesn't dull a hidden gem's luster, though, so don't be surprised that many shows featured here have gone under the award committees' radar.

The Best Travel Shows Of All Time (TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime & More)

If you are like me and always yearning to travel, then one of the best ways to do this from home is to watch amazing travel shows on TV.

Over the years I have spent way too much of my spare time consuming every travel show under the sun. And, I thought it was high time I shared some of them with you.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best travel shows on TV – whether it be DVD, Netflix or Amazon.

1. Long Way Round

I remember watching the Long Way Round years ago (2004), which is still clear in my memory. The world-famous Ewan McGregor and one of his best friends Charlie Boorman, pursue their passion for BMW motorbikes and adventure travel and head east from London, as far as possible.

The journey was nearly 19 thousand miles (33,000 kms) and took them through Europe, overland through Asia (Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia) to the USA and New York.

Of course, they do take a crew with them, but this is hardcore overland travel at its best. No script, all the hardships are shown. Boy, they had a difficult time in some parts of Asia!

Update: They have the latest episode in this series, Long Way Up, which features the boys riding from Ushuaia in Argentina to Los Angeles. This is more or less the classic Pan-American Highway route that travelers love!

2. Long Way Down

Following on from the 2004 success, Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman set out again in 20017. This time North to South from Scotland to Cape Town in the Long Way Down . This is yet another infamous overland route and also not a simple one.

Many of the roads and countries in Africa are not in the same state as their European counterparts, so they had some challenges with their suspension. They also had quite some adventures and exciting visits, even with presidents!

If you liked the first one of the series, then this is an equally good follow-up.

It’s also available on Amazon.

Below is a quick intro to the show. It’s worth taking a look.

3. Anthony Bourdain (Parts Unknown, No Reservations, A Cook’s Tour & The Layover)

With the sad news of his recent passing, how can I not include one of the food travel show classics from Anthony Bourdain and his team at CNN? This series was still being filmed at the time of this death, and they have since tried to finalise it without being able to use him for voiceovers. However, there is so much material in this series, you won’t be stressed looking for things to watch.

Anthony was actually made famous by his book, Kitchen Confidential , where he revealed how things work in the restaurant business. I actually read this book over 20 years ago, long before I even realised he was on TV.

Parts Unknown is a unique take on travel from Anthony where he visits various countries around the world that interest him and explores all the great food they have on offer. But, he does not go for the classy restaurants and showy food, he looks for the best of what locals enjoy.

And dives right in himself! It’s super-inspiring to see someone so famous get down and dirty and have absolutely zero pretence. He loves food. He loves people. And he loves to travel. What more could you ask for in a TV Show.

Some of the series from Parts Unknown is available on Amazon .

As are some of his older series like No Reservations , A Cook’s Tour , The Layover

And here is a quick preview of season 7 from CNN.

4. Departures – with Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach

Two best friends from Canada decide they need a little excitement in their lives and head off for a year of adventure. They end up exploring vast areas of the world and looking for as many unique experiences as possible.

The series is quite in-depth, covering 43 episodes , and almost as many countries. And by the time you have finished it, I will be surprised if you don’t just get up and go traveling yourself.

You can grab it on Bluray on Amazon.

Here is a quick intro to the series.

5. Simon Reeve Travels

I absolutely love to watch Louis Theroux on TV. His bumbling, almost nerd-like charm somehow disarms all the crazy nut-jobs that he interviews.

Simon Reeve, at least to me, seems like his equal in the BBC travel world. He is not a gung-ho daring, Tom Cruise look-alike. He is a down-to-earth, easy-to-like, bumbling reporter who takes to the most interesting places on earth. And makes you fall in love with them all as much as he does.

We have started watching some of his earlier shows. We have started with his crazy trip around the Equator. But some of the others are available on the BBC (if you live in the UK) including such trips as: the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Australia, Africa, Colombia and many more.

Here is a quick intro to the Caribbean series.

6. Rick Steves Travel Series

Another prolific traveler and creator of travel-related content both on and offline is Rick Steves. If you type in many European-related travel searches in Google, you will often find his website in the top ten.

He seems to have been everywhere worldwide and made a TV show about most of it. He appeals to an older demographic in my opinion, as his commentary is a little stiffer, but you can certainly learn a lot from this guy.

You can check them out on his website.

And below is an intro to Season 9 of his European series.

7. Michael Palins (Various Adventures around the world)

Michael Palin, a former Monty Python member and Jon Cleese, has been producing top-notch travel series for years and is a little more old-school than Rick Steves. His shows focus on longer adventures, similar to A Long Way Round, although perhaps not as challenging.

They are fun to watch, and you certainly get to see some of the lesser-explored regions of the world. Although some of these series will be a little dated by now – I remember watching some decades ago!

And just as I said that I took a look and saw he has since made some new series on Channel 5 in the UK, including a trip into the forbidden land of North Korea !

Michael Palin’s Around the World in 80 Days

8. An Idiot Abroad

Venturing into a little bit of Travel Comedy, An Idiot Abroad is the brainchild of the creator of the British (original) The Office, along with a few co-creators. The idea is to send someone who has almost never left their town, let alone lifestyle and send them to some very foreign destinations.

Along the way, they experience some extremely challenging destinations and situations all in the name of broadening their horizons. Karl Pilkington will never be the same again, and maybe neither will you.

You can grab Season 1 and Season 2 on Amazon.

Here is a quick Best Of from the China episode to give you a taste of the show.

9. Travel Man with Richard Ayoade

Another long-running comedy travel show from the UK, Travel Man is very short episode focused on 48 hours in various cities, mainly in Europe. Of course, now that he is on about his 10th season, he has started to venture a little further afield. Apart from his sarcasm, one of the best things about the show for me is the wacky things he (or his team) finds in every location. Not your run-of-the-mill tourist attractions.

Each episode is extremely sarcastic and accompanied by another usually British comedian, so people outside the UK may have trouble laughing or even understanding what he is saying. His accent is strong and his vocabulary is broad. You might have seen him as one of the wacky IT experts in t he IT Crowd (which you can see on Netflix ), a little like the British version of Silicon Valley, albeit filmed years before.

There are various seasons up for grabs on Amazon .

If you want to see if it’s up to your alley, here is a quick taste of Richard with some of his fellow comedians on the show.

10. Top Gear

Intended as a bit of a petrolhead’s show about cars, Top Gear has also done a significant amount of travel-related shows over the years too. From the drives down the most dangerous roads in the world to almost killing themselves in places like Switzerland. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May will show you a great time on the road and while traveling.

You can check out Season 1 here on Amazon and other seasons that follow.

11. Joanna Lumley’s Travel Series

Joanna Lumley became famous back in the 70s, but for me, she became even more famous for her role in Absolutely Fabulous. Since then, she has traveled and filmed it all for us. She has also done a “making of” series that I enjoyed. She may seem very posh and British when you first see her shows, but if you love sarcasm and comedy then just wait a bit and she will deliver!

Here is a list of her extensive travel shows you can catch on BBC or other online streaming services:

Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean
Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon
Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights
Joanna Lumley’s Japan
Joanna Lumley: The Quest For Noah’s Ark
Joanna Lumley’s India
Jennifer & Joanna: Absolutely Champers

The Best Travel Shows On Netflix

Netflix is a bit of a special category in this post because they don’t have many of the more famous shows above at the moment.

12. Dark Tourist

One of the more recent and perhaps more infamous trends in travel right now is called Dark Tourism. With the recent airing of the series about Chornobyl, it seems to have accelerated even more.

One wacky New Zealand traveler, David Farrier heads to some quirky and sometimes dangerous locations in eight episodes of Dark Tourist , which sees him head to most continents. From the recent Japanese nuclear disaster to perhaps shooting a cow in Cambodia, he tries it all.

13. Street Food: Asia

If you like to combine mouth-watering food and travel, a popular past-time, then this is a recent addition to Netflix that I am currently devouring. It shows you some amazing chefs who are almost always out on the street and serving the locals with something of an obsession. From Thailand to India, you get to see it all – no-frills cooking from some of the best street food vendors in the world.

14. Tales By Light

Another show I have been checking out lately is Tales By Light , a travel and photography-based series up to season 3. It follows a famous Australian photographer all around the world, delving into the lives of the people he meets and how he experiences travel through the lens.

15. Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father

A show I have not had a chance to see, but it certainly looks like a travel comedy worth checking out. It involves a comedian and his stuffy father taking far-flung adventures to foreign lands and trying to teach each other a thing or two.

16. Somebody Feed Phil

A more modern version of a travel & food show, Somebody Feed Phil , is about exploring the places and food no one talks about. Phil is quite the quirky and loveable character, so you will either love him or loathe him. I watched half the first season and did not fall in love with it. However, given that Netflix has commissioned 6 seasons of the show, there must be a lot of people who love it.

17. Conan Without Borders

Following famous TV night show host Conan O’Brien to some adventurous destinations around the world, this is yet another travel and comedy combination you won’t want to miss. From Haiti and Cuba to K-Pop in South Korea this is as wacky as it is travel.

18. Restaurants on the Edge

“Restaurants on the Edge” is a Canadian reality TV series premiered in 2020. It showcases chef Dennis Prescott, designer Karin Bohn, and restaurateur Nick Liberato assisting struggling restaurants in scenic, remote locations like seashores, lakes, and mountains. This is a little like Gordon Ramsay’s old show Kitchen Nightmares, but more travel related.

The goal of the visits on this show is to rejuvenate these places by integrating them with the local culture. Additionally, the show offers a travel experience, with episodes featuring the experts exploring local areas, meeting artisans, and tasting authentic local foods.

Pin It For Later!

The best travel shows on TV combine travel with a little relaxing in the armchair! Here are some of the best on TV, DVD, Netflix and Amazon Prime right now.

About the Author Roger Timbrook

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

Shows like Rick Steves' Europe

Rick steves' europe.

If you like Rick Steves' Europe, you might also like 2010s American Documentary Television Series, Accuracy Disputes From March 2022, American Travel Television Series, and 2020s American Documentary Television Series.

Cross-category suggestions

Lists with rick steves' europe.

Disliked by

The Best Travel Shows On Hulu Right Now

Last Updated: March 17th

We all need a good travel show to binge right now. With so many travel restrictions in place for an undetermined amount of time, it’s how we live vicariously these days. A great travel TV show takes us somewhere, teaches us something new, and hopefully stokes our wanderlust fires to hit the road … one day.

Somewhat oddly, Hulu has a shortage of travel shows (hit us up, Hulu, we’ve got pitches for you!). There are a few gems from Travel Channel and a couple of Hulu-made shows. Otherwise, most of the shows that come up under “travel” are very food-focused. And, yes, travel and food are invariably married by the format. But, food TV isn’t always travel -focused and vice versa.

With the ten travel shows below we tried to lean into shows that are purely travel programing. There are, of course, a couple of shows that delve into food on the road, that’s unavoidable. But overall these are shows where the experience of travel is front-and-center.

Up To Speed

1 Season, 6 Episodes | IMDb: 6.6/10

Up To Speed was Hulu’s first foray into travel TV. The show combined the cinematic genius of Richard Linklater — you know, the guy who made Dazed and Confused , Bernie , and the Before trilogy — and New York City’s eccentric tour guide Timothy “Speed” Levitch. The six-episode single season is one of the most unique travel shows ever filmed. Speed goes around the lesser-known landmarks of six locations in San Francisco, Chicago, Kansas & Missouri, Virginia, New York City, and The Tour Guides Convention. It’s a little wild, very informational, and quirky with a capital “Q.”

The Amazing Race

29 Seasons, 348 Episodes | IMDb: 7.6/10

We feel like The Amazing Race needs little introduction in 2020. The race-around-the-world gameshow is a cornerstone of reality television that’s been around since 2001. There are 29 entire seasons available right now on Hulu to binge-watch. You’ll see diverse locales, drama-laden journeys, and plenty of stunts to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Instagram travel influencers and YouTubers the Vagabrothers launched their first show on Tastemade that has a very useful and unique look at the travel show. The brothers roll into new locations and split up. One takes on the city on a budget and the other goes all out as only a baller only can. It’s a fascinating way to see the same place from two very different POVs. And with only ten episodes to choose from, you can easily binge this show in an evening.

2 Seasons, 8 Episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10

This short series from Viceland starring Ellen Page and her long-time friend Ian Daniel is one of the most illuminating shows on this list. Page and Daniel travel the world examining LGBTQI communities. This is part travel, part culture, and part educational. Episodes focus on the trials and outright hardships that LGBTQI communities still live under in places like Brazil, the U.S., India, Ukraine, and more.

It’s a fascinating and wholly unique travel TV experience that’s a must-watch.

Huang’s World

2 Seasons, 18 Episodes | IMDb: 7.9/10

Chef Eddie Huang’s travel show is a modern and meaningful bit of television. While there’s a very food-centric focus to a lot of the show, Huang’s real purpose while traveling is to delve into varied cultures and learn as much as he can whether food is involved or not. There’s a definite sense of the show being a knock-off of Bourdain’s Parts Unknown and No Reservations . But with Huang’s affability and curiosity always present, that’s okay by our count.

Man vs. Wild

2 Seasons, 12 Episodes | IMDb: 8.1/10

Surviving in the wilds is no easy task. While this feels a little more like survival reality television, travel and adventure are 100 percent at the core of Man Vs. Wild . Bear Grylls goes through the hardships of surviving seemingly impossible situations in the wilderness to help you understand survival techniques while also being very entertaining.

Travel Man: 48 Hours in…

7 Seasons, 28 Episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

In this useful and entertaining British travel show, director-writer-actor Richard Ayoade travels the world with a celebrity pal and jokes ensue. The show does lean into being entertaining upfront but Ayoade and guests always find time to lay down some serious tips for every location they visit. The overall concept is a look at a city within a 48-hour window, the costs of enjoying oneself, and where to do so. It’s fun, fast, and an easy AF binge-watch.

Rick Steves’ Europe

9 Seasons, 103 Episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10

Rick Steves’ Europe is the gold-standard of travelogue shows. Steves has been making travel shows since the 1980s and leading tours to Europe since the 1970s. The guy knows where the good stuff is in Europe is what we’re saying.

What makes Steves’ take on travel stand out is his no-judgment nature. Steves doesn’t have a problem with you seeing the main tourist attractions but always implores you to stay at local hotels or B&Bs and eat where the locals eat, shunning chains and corporate properties. It’s a hard ethos to argue with.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

2 Seasons, 32 Episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10

It’s kind of a shame there are only two seasons of No Reservations left on Hulu. These days, Anthony Bourdain and No Reservations feels like comfort food. Bourdain’s empathetic and no-nonsense approach to travel is still a breath of fresh air, making a binge of these old episodes an easy rewatch for any fan or a great jumping-off place for any newbie.

1 Season, 10 Episodes | IMDb: 8.5/10

This is another wonderfully unique travel show hidden away in Hulu’s travel archives. Legendary skateboarder Rick McCrank travels around the U.S. and Canada’s emptied towns, industrial centers, and neighborhoods with his skateboard underfoot. It’s part eery, part travel, and part skater dreamscape. The show goes beyond the obvious at every turn with McCrank talking to the locals who live in places emptied by nuclear waste spills, economic downturns, and political abandonment. It’s as culturally fascinating as it’s travel-inspiring.

A Travel Guide To St. Kitts — The Caribbean Island You’re Missing Out On

Share full article

Supported by

Rick Steves on the Return of Travel and Why It Matters

The travel writer and TV personality is back in Europe, planning itineraries for next year. Travel, he says, can help us understand the world. Here’s how he recommends doing it.

By Paige McClanahan

On a recent morning, Rick Steves was wandering around the ancient Tuscan town of Volterra with a new crop of tour guides. His company’s trips to Europe are set to resume in February after a nearly two-year pandemic hiatus, and the guides were midway through a nine-day trip around Italy to learn “what makes a Rick Steves tour a Rick Steves tour.” One of the stops on their itinerary was Volterra, a medieval hilltop town whose stone walls are 800 years old. Mr. Steves — who has been to Tuscany many times for his popular public broadcasting show and YouTube channel — was relishing being back.

“We’re surrounded by the wonders of what we love so much, and it just makes our endorphins do little flip-flops,” he said during a phone interview.

That unabashed enthusiasm has fueled Mr. Steves’s empire of guidebooks, radio shows and TV programs, as well as tours that have taken hundreds of thousands of Americans overseas since he started running them in 1980.

Along the way, Mr. Steves has built a reputation for convincing hesitant Americans to make their first trip abroad — and that first trip is often to Europe, which Mr. Steves has called “the wading pool for world exploration.” But he also speaks passionately about the value of travel to places like El Salvador and Iran, and he’s open about how his time in other countries has shaped his views on issues like world hunger and the legalization of marijuana.

But Europe remains Mr. Steves’s bread and butter, and he’s back on the Continent now — both to prepare for the return of his tours and to work on a six-hour series on European art and architecture that he hopes will be broadcast on U.S. public television next fall. As he wandered through Volterra, we talked about why he doesn’t count the number of countries he’s visited, why his tour company will require vaccinations and why a world without travel would be a more dangerous place.

Our conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

What does it feel like to be back in Europe?

I’m working with 20 guides here and people are almost tearfully emotional about the rekindling of tourism. Professional tour guides have been on hold for two seasons, and they’re just so filled with joy to be able to do what they do, because guides are wired to enthuse and inspire and teach about their culture and their art and their history. And it’s just so fun to be here and be filled with hope. And while we’re still in the pandemic, we’re also coming out of it and there’s an energy in the streets and in the museums.

Do you think Americans are ready to travel overseas again?

I would say it’s not for everybody, but if you don’t mind being well-organized and if you’re enthusiastic about following the regulations and rules, it’s not a big deal. And Europe is ahead of the United States, I believe, in fighting Covid. There’s a huge respect for masks. More museums are requiring reservations to get in because they want to make sure it’s not crowded. It’s kind of a blessing, actually. I was just in the Vatican Museum and really enjoying the Sistine Chapel because it wasn’t so darned crowded. That was an amazing experience for me because the last time I was there, I had to wear shoulder pads.

You have long held that travel can do a lot of good in the world, but what about carbon emissions, overcrowding and other negative effects of travel?

Climate change is a serious problem and tourism contributes a lot to it, but I don’t want to be flight-shamed out of my travels, because I think travel is a powerful force for peace and stability on this planet. So my company has a self-imposed carbon tax of $30 per person we take to Europe. In 2019, we gave $1 million to a portfolio of organizations that are fighting climate change. We gave half that amount in 2020, even though we stopped bringing people to Europe after the pandemic hit. It’s nothing heroic. It’s just the ethical thing to do.

And in terms of other problems, when you go to Europe, you can consume in a way that doesn’t dislocate pensioners and ruin neighborhoods. Landlords anywhere in the world can make more money renting to short-term tourists than long-term local people . So, if you complain that a city is too touristy and you’re staying in an Airbnb — well, you’re part of the problem.

But we would be at a great loss if we stopped traveling, and the world would become a more dangerous place. We need to travel in a “leave only footprints, take only photos” kind of way. What you want to do is bring home the most beautiful souvenir, and that’s a broader perspective and a better understanding of our place on the planet — and then employ that broader perspective as a citizen of a powerful nation like the United States that has a huge impact beyond our borders.

How do you try to encourage people to travel in a meaningful way?

The responsibility of the travel writer is to help people travel smarter, with more experience, and more economically and more efficiently. And everybody has their own idea of what that is, but for me, it’s about remembering that travel is all about people. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new. So we’re trying to help Americans travel in a way that’s more experiential and more thought-provoking and more transformational. You know, you can have transformational travel or you can just have a shopping trip and a bucket list.

You’ve said that you don’t keep track of how many countries you’ve visited. Why is that?

Why would you? Is it a contest? Anybody who brags about how many countries they’ve been to — that’s no basis for the value of the travel they’ve done. You could have been to 100 countries and learned nothing, or you can go to Mexico and be a citizen of the planet. I find that there’s no correlation between people who count their countries and people who open their heart and their soul to the cultures they’re in.

I hear you’re working on a big new project. What’s that about?

Something I’ve been preparing to do for 20 years is to collect all the most beautiful art experiences we’ve included in our TV show and weave it together into a six-hour series of European art and architecture. We’ve been working on the show for the last year, and it’s going to be my opus magnum, my big project. It’s going to make art accessible and meaningful to people in a way that I don’t think we’ve seen on TV before. I’m inspired by people who have done art series in the past, and I’ve got a way to look at it through the lens of a traveler. I’m very excited about it. It’s just a cool creative challenge.

What have things been like for your tour company since the pandemic hit?

Well, 2019 was our best year ever. We took 30,000 Americans on about 1,200 different tours and we were just euphoric. We had 2020 essentially sold out when Covid hit, and then we had to cancel everything, so we had to send back 24,000 deposits. We all hunkered down, and I’ve done what I can to keep my staff intact. A couple of months ago, we decided we’re confident about the spring of 2022, so we opened the floodgates and immediately those 24,000 people that had to cancel two years ago — basically, they re-signed up. And now we’ve got 29,000 people signed up out of 30,000 seats for next year.

So we’re doing really good, but we just have to continue the diligence in our society and in Europe of fighting Covid responsibly. So I’m kind of losing patience with anti-vaxxers. Maybe they’re exercising their liberty, but they’re also impacting a lot of other people. So we’ve just decided to require that people have vaccinations to go on our tours. Here in Europe, unvaccinated people would be standing outside most of the time anyway — because they couldn’t get into the restaurants, onto the train, onto the bus or into the museums. The world is getting progressively smaller for people who want to travel but not get a vaccination.

Do you think travel will ever feel normal again?

There were certain people who decided they didn’t want to travel after 9/11 because they didn’t want to deal with security. You know, those people have a pretty low bar for folding up their shop. I got used to the security after 9/11, and I’m getting used to Covid standards now. But I do think that, come next year, we’ll be back to traveling again — and I hope that we’ll all be better for it.

Paige McClanahan is the host of The Better Travel Podcast .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list .

Rick Steves’s Advice for Vacationers in Europe This Summer

The TV host and travel guide reflects on how travel has—and hasn’t—changed since COVID.

When the Washington State–based travel guide and TV host Rick Steves decided to return to Europe in early 2022, he wasn’t sure how many of his favorite local spots had survived two years of pandemic life. Steves, who has hosted Rick Steves’ Europe for the past two decades and operates tours aimed at introducing American travelers to the continent, was pleasantly surprised by what he found: Many of his beloved places—the kind of mom-and-pop places that have been owned by the same families for generations—had made it through, and the streets were alive anew. “They’re kissing cheeks with a vengeance in Paris right now,” he told me. “And I’m really thankful for that.”

Steves and I caught up to discuss the rebound in tourism and how travel has changed since the start of the pandemic. He also warned that this summer may be a particularly busy one—perhaps the continent’s busiest yet—and offered practical tips for traveling amid crowds. (Consider heading to less-popular destinations, and don’t bother checking a bag!)

Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Caroline Mimbs Nyce: Is COVID the biggest challenge that you’ve been thrown in your career?

Rick Steves: With every terrible event that stops travel for a little while, the demand does not dissipate; it just backs up. And then, when the coast is clear, all of those travel dreams are dusted off, and people turn them into reality.

In the course of my career, we’ve been through many tragic disruptions, but they didn’t really stop people from traveling. But for COVID, we were out of business. I had 100 people on my payroll and no revenue for two years. And that’s really tough to get through. Everybody in tourism is really thankful to get back at it. Guides are tearful on the bus after they’ve had a chance to give their historic walk to ancient Rome or through the back streets of Venice.

Read: For one glorious summer, Americans will vacation like the French

Nyce: There’s always the big, philosophical question of “Why do we travel?” Did the answer change for you during the pandemic?

Steves: If we travel, we are better connected with other nations, and the family of nations can work more constructively together. And to me, that means all of us are individual ambassadors—individual forces for peace. When we travel, we get to know each other better. We humanize people that we don’t otherwise understand.

Nyce: We most often associate travel with leisure, but you’re making a geopolitical case for it.

Steves: Well, if you want a rationale for why: I’m feeling very serious about climate change lately. When people travel, they contribute to climate change. A thoughtful traveler—an ethical traveler coming out of COVID—can reduce the toll of travel by paying for their carbon .

Nyce: Do you have any other tips for the ethical traveler of 2023?

Steves: Recognize that we have sort of a herd mentality when it comes to travel these days.

Nyce: The Instagram effect.

Steves: Exactly. It’s Instagram, crowdsourcing, and Tripadvisor. When I started my work, there was not enough information. Now there’s too much information. As consumers, we need to be smart and know where our information is coming from. Who’s writing this, what’s their experience, and on what basis do they say this is the best hot chocolate in Paris? People say, “Oh, this hot chocolate’s to die for.” It’s their first time in Paris, and they think they know where the best hot chocolate is.

Also, the crowds are going to be a huge problem. Just like in the United States, it’s hard for restaurants to staff the restaurants and for airlines to staff the planes. That means you need to double-confirm hours and admission. You need to anticipate chaos in the airports. Book yourself a little extra time between connections, and carry on your bag.

Another thing is that museums and popular cultural attractions learned the beauty of controlling crowds by requiring online booking. At a lot of sites, you can’t even buy a ticket at the door anymore.

Everybody goes to the same handful of sites. If you just go to those sites, you’re going to have a trip that is shaped by crowds. Or you can break free from that and realize that you can study the options and choose sites that are best for you. You can go to alternative places that have that edge and that joy and that creative kind of love of life. “ Second cities ,” I call them.

Rick Steves: I’m traveling, even though I’m stuck at home

Nyce: How much have you had to update your guidebooks since COVID? Are there favorite spots of yours that have closed because of the economic ramifications of lockdowns?

Steves: In 2019, we were euphoric about how well our guidebooks were doing. Everything was up to date. And then, of course, COVID hit, and everything was mothballed for two years.

In early 2022, we decided to go back and research . The things that distinguish a Rick Steves guidebook are all of the little mom-and-pop places. And I was really, really scared that these were going to be the casualties of two years of no business.

The great news is, by and large, all those little mom-and-pops survived. There were very few closures. There were lots of changes with bigger companies and places that just focus on tourists. But our local favorites—the little bed-and-breakfasts and bistros—they survived. They’re mission-driven. They’ve been in the same family for generations. They just trimmed sales, hunkered down, and got through this. Last year, they were back in business, and this year, they expect to be making a profit again. We’ve cleaned out the places that did close.

Nyce: What have you noticed about the post-COVID tourism rebound?

Steves: First of all, we’re not done with COVID. We don’t know what curveballs COVID is going to throw at us in the coming year. Last year, we took 25,000 people to Europe on our Rick Steves bus tours, on 40 different itineraries all over Europe. Four percent of our travelers tested positive for COVID on the road. None of them, as far as I know, went to the hospital.

I can’t say what’s safe for you or some other traveler, but I can say that if you’re comfortable traveling around the United States, you should be comfortable doing the same thing in Europe or overseas. It’s a personal thing, how much risk vis-à-vis COVID you want to take. And it’s an ethical issue for travelers: If you’ve got COVID, do you isolate yourself, or do you put on a mask and keep on traveling? I think the ethical thing to do is not expose other people, hunker down, and self-isolate.

We’re meeting with our guides each month, and we’re making our protocols in an ever-changing COVID world for that coming month. It was workable last year, and I think it’s going to be better this year.

Nyce: You sound pretty optimistic about the recovery of the industry. I wasn’t sure from when I got on the phone with you if you were going to say, “It’s forever scarred. Europe is a different continent.”

Steves: Oh, no. I measure the health of Europe, from a travel point of view, by the energy in the streets. In Madrid, the paseo is still the paseo. You’ll still enjoy the tapas scene, going from bar to bar, eating ugly things on toothpicks, and washing it down with local wine with the local crowd. In Italy, it’s the passeggiata — everybody’s out strolling. People are going to be busy on the piazzas licking their gelato. In Munich, they’re sliding on the benches in the beer halls, and clinking their big glasses and singing, just like before.

People said, “No one is going to be kissing cheeks in Paris, because everybody’s going to be so worried about germs.” They’re kissing cheeks with a vengeance in Paris right now, because they have survived COVID. And I’m really thankful for that.

A weekly one-hour conversation with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and author of 30 best-selling guidebooks, Rick now brings his passion for exploring and understanding our world to public radio. Related travel information and message boards on www.ricksteves.com.

959 episodes

Travel with Rick Steves Rick Steves

Society & Culture
10 MAY 2024

367a Driving in Europe; Getting Around Ireland; Exploring Provence

A pair of tour-bus drivers offer their expert tips on what to expect when navigating the highways of Europe. Then we discuss ideas for exploring two of Europe's most scenic regions: the lush Irish countryside and the floral landscapes and villages of southern France — and pop into a Dublin pub for a wee sing-along.

753 German Views; Mudlarking the Thames

A German journalist shares some timely thoughts on what his fellow citizens find appealing about America, as well as his insights into the intriguing differences between our two societies. Then a London "mudlarker" who searches the River Thames at low tide for buried objects describes how discarded items can connect us with life in the Victorian era, and even as far back as Roman times.

26 APR 2024

752 Amsterdam Canals; The Last Island; Coimbra

A Dutch guide invites us to imagine a day on the water exploring Amsterdam's iconic canals. Then a historian shares what little we know of the elusive Sentinelese — likely the most isolated, least contacted people on earth — and what he learned by traveling to nearby islands in the Bay of Bengal. And a tour guide from Portugal tells us why the venerable university of town of Coimbra is such a delight to explore.

19 APR 2024

751 Eyewitness to Climate Change; Endangered Eating; Shakespeare in Stratford and South Sudan

Celebrate Earth Day by considering the ways you can address climate change at home, with practical advice from a scientist who's seen its effects around the world. Then hear from a culinary historian about the crops, farm animals, and agricultural traditions that we risk losing in America. And mark Shakespeare's birthday by learning how his works have played a key role in shaping Africa's newest nation and by getting tips for enjoying a visit to his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

12 APR 2024

591a Polynesian Explorers; Northern Greece; Greek to Me

We admire the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians and hear how a cultural faux pas led to Captain James Cook's fateful encounter with 18th-century Hawaiians. Then tour guides from Athens and Thessaloniki recommend attractions to visit in northern Greece, and The New Yorker’s "Comma Queen," Mary Norris, explains what an appreciation for Greek language and mythology can add to your own Greek odyssey.

750 Mini Italian Lesson; Geography of Genius; Timbuktu Haircut

We learn some surprisingly useful Italian phrases from one of Italy's most popular newspaper columnists, then consider why certain places have fostered more than their share of world-changing innovations, and hear about Timbuktu's history as an important center for scholarship. Plus, we find out about the thrill of dropping in on a choir practice in small-town Wales.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

You might also like, more by rick steves.

Smaller Text Larger Text
Home /

The Travel Show Circuit

These days, it seems like there are only a handful of speakers who can draw a big crowd at travel shows: Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Patricia Schultz (of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die fame), Samantha Brown, and me. And we’re hired as headliners to help get people to attend travel shows at big cities around the USA. People pay $12 to stoke their travel dreams by browsing through hundreds of booths representing everything from Yosemite to Yap. And they go to the various theaters to hear from travel experts or celebrities. There’s usually folk dancing, cooking demos, zip lines, rock-climbing walls, and Segway trials to boot.

While I could spend many more weekends on the road at these events, I limit my bookings to four a year. I just finished trips to Chicago and San Jose, and I’ll be in Los Angeles and Washington DC in February. Learn more at Adventure Expo.com .

(Photos by Trish Feaster, http://thetravelphile.com/ )

For the last couple of shows, my partner Trish and I have enjoyed double dates with Samantha Brown and her husband. This shot is called “Two Travel Hosts and a Crab.” Samantha is as delightful off camera as she is on.

3 Replies to “The Travel Show Circuit”

It is funny all the travel that we have done, I have never thought of going to one of those travel shows. We go to home shows, but not travel. When Samantha Brown had her first shows on the Travel channel I loved to see her snappy our fits and the way she traveled. Always staying at splurge places. We actually did stay at one of her suggestions in Costa Rica.

I’m so excited to see Mr. Steves in Washington, D.C.! I have been listening, reading and watching him and his work for years and can’t wait to potentially meet him – I’m so excited I wrote a blog post about it!! Thanks, Rick Steves and Samantha Brown for doing these shows – it’s my first and I’m looking forward to it!

Isn’t the NYC travel show the biggest? Is Rick Steves represented at that show?

Comments are closed.

Save On Food While Traveling In Europe With These Tips From Rick Steves

W hen you dream about a European vacation, you're probably thinking about which sights you'll see, where you'll be staying, and who you'll be exploring with. Something else you're likely also pondering is all the amazing food you're going to have. Coq au vin in Paris, pasta with truffle oil in Rome, an array of tapas in Madrid — it all sounds mouthwatering. But it can also get expensive quickly.

This is especially true if you're eating every meal out instead of cooking for yourself. That's all part of the deal, of course, but there are ways to eat cheaper while dining in Europe. Many of us have heard, for instance, that walking a few blocks away from a tourist attraction will likely find you lower prices at restaurants, but that isn't the only way to save money when you're traveling in these beautiful places.

Travel expert Rick Steves has some great tips for saving money on food while traveling in Europe that might end up giving you an even better dining experience.

Read more: Tips For Spending Less On Food When Traveling

Look For Smaller Places With Handwritten Menus

The first tip for eating more frugally in Europe is to avoid larger restaurants you might spot right away. Instead, you should opt for a smaller place that looks like it might be family-run. You should also be scouting for places that have lots of locals eating there. If the place is super busy, take a look at the faces of the diners. Do they look happy? If so, this might be just the place to indulge in some culinary delights.

Additionally, if you see a handwritten menu in the local language outside, perhaps on a chalkboard, it likely means that this place is changing things up often enough that ingredients will be fresher and more seasonal. Even better? Look for a shorter menu, which indicates a focus on local favorites and specialties rather than trying to appeal to tourists from all over the world.

Another tip to keep in mind is that many European restaurants offer specials, business lunches, and even early bird dinner deals that travel expert Rick Steves claims will end up costing you less than $20 in many cases. Keep in mind that dinner is often eaten later on average than it is in America, though.

Steves also suggests checking out cafeterias at department stores for lower-priced meals, like from their salad bars. Museums, universities, unions, or churches are also good bets. And another option is fast food like a European McDonald's, which is a great, inexpensive choice.

Picnic In The Park Like The Locals

Rick Steves has shared that locals in some of the priciest countries, like those in Scandinavia, often eschew alcohol in restaurants because items like wine and champagne tend to be much more expensive than they would be at a store. In fact, such items can be marked up as much as 400%. So instead of ordering alcohol while dining out, grab a bottle of something at a local grocery store to drink later.

Another great option is skipping restaurants entirely and taking that bottle of wine you bought, some sandwiches, or some local and inexpensive street food to the park for a picnic, weather permitting of course. You should also check beforehand to see what local restrictions are around public consumption of alcohol. Another thing Steves points out is that some places like Norway sell disposable grills (called engangsgriller) for one-time picnic cookouts.

Again, make sure to check the local rules, particularly if there's a ban in place due to forest fires, for instance. Even if you're not grilling and just having a baguette, some French brie, charcuterie, and wine in a park, it's very likely going to be less expensive than a restaurant, plus you'll be immersed in a different part of the local culture!

Read the original article on Explore .

IMAGES

7 Travel Television Shows To Binge Watch
Rick Steves offers his travel tips at San Diego Travel and Adventure
Tuscany's Dolce Vita
An Interview with Everyman Travel Expert Rick Steves
Rick Steves Just Told Us Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to
Travels in Europe with Rick Steves

VIDEO

Amsterdam (plus a June Trip Report) with Rick Steves
Watch with Rick Steves
Rick Steves Art of Europe: Ancient Rome (promo)
Watch with Rick Steves
European Artisans
Rick’s Fall Trip Report: Poland and Istanbul

COMMENTS

50 of the Best Travel-ish Shows to Watch When You Can't Travel
Here are 50 of our favorite travel tv shows. Traditional Travel Shows 1. Rick Steves' Europe. Rick Steves might be a bit bookish but that's one of the things we love about him. The man knows Europe—and the continent's history—like the back of his hand, and his love for the region is clear.
Is there a more modern travel series, like Rick Steves Europe?
Karl Watson travel documentaries on Youtube are high quality despite his goofy looks. Rick Steves is still God tier though. You might try Rick Steves' long and short videos. He has an incredible video called "Travel as a Political Act" and another called the "Rise of Fascism in Europe".
Travel Shows Like Rick Steves
Travel shows like Rick Steves' Europe are popular because they offer viewers the opportunity to explore new and exotic destinations from the comfort of their own homes. These shows provide valuable insight and information about different cultures, customs, and traditions, while also inspiring viewers to embark on their own travel adventures. ...
50 Best Travel Shows Of All Time (& How To Watch Them)
26. Globe Trekker. One of the longest-running travel shows from the United Kingdom is "Globe Trekker," originally broadcast from 1994 to 2016. With a rotating set of hosts for each episode, the British series highlights a different region and provides audiences with a thorough guide to the sights and culture.
The Best Travel Shows Of All Time (TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime & More)
Rick Steves Travel Series. ... This is a little like Gordon Ramsay's old show Kitchen Nightmares, but more travel related. The goal of the visits on this show is to rejuvenate these places by integrating them with the local culture. Additionally, the show offers a travel experience, with episodes featuring the experts exploring local areas ...
The Best YouTube Travel Shows to Binge Right Now
With IRL travel on an indefinite hiatus, now's the perfect time to delve into a new travel show. Lest you find yourself plodding through Rick Steves' Europe or re-watching Parts Unknown again ...
Tastedive
American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. If you like Rick Steves' Europe, you might also like 2010s American Documentary Television Series, Accuracy Disputes From March 2022, American Travel Television Series, and 2020s American Documentary Television Series.
The Best Travel Shows On Hulu Right Now
Rick Steves' Europe PBS. 9 Seasons, 103 Episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10. Rick Steves' Europe is the gold-standard of travelogue shows. Steves has been making travel shows since the 1980s and leading ...
Rick Steves' Travel Guide: 5 Shows to Stream Now
Rick Steves' Europe. Whether it's hiking the Swiss Alps, tracing the birth of the Renaissance in Florence, or experiencing the quintessence of Spanish culture in Gibraltar and Tangier, travel writer and expert Rick Steves offers something for everyone in this beloved PBS series.Transport yourself to Europe's bustling cities, quaint villages, and picturesque countryside, learning the best ...
Rick Steves on the Return of Travel and Why It Matters
Published Oct. 30, 2021 Updated Nov. 1, 2021. On a recent morning, Rick Steves was wandering around the ancient Tuscan town of Volterra with a new crop of tour guides. His company's trips to ...
Travel Is Back, and So Is Rick Steves
Grant Hindsley. March 25, 2023. When the Washington State-based travel guide and TV host Rick Steves decided to return to Europe in early 2022, he wasn't sure how many of his favorite local ...
Rick Steves' Europe Behind the Scenes: Simon and Karel, the Crew of Two
I have watched these two with Mr. Steves for years and have enjoyed seeing how they produce the shows. As a footnote, travel shows like Rick Steves' Europe made me want to take students around the world (which I have done for 15 years now). P.S. Mr. Steves lectured on our campus a few years ago, and not surprisingly, it was standing room only.
Rick Steves' Europe
Watch Rick Steves' Europe, the most popular travel show on public TV, and explore the rich culture, history, and scenery of the continent.
Travel Videos: All "Rick Steves' Europe" TV Episodes
Watch Full Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe. Rick Steves' Europe is public television's most-watched, longest-running travel series. Written and hosted by best-selling guidebook author Rick Steves, each half-hour show takes viewers to Europe's most interesting places, from great cities to off-the-beaten-path discoveries. Browse for Rick's ...
Rick Steves
Steves also has a public radio travel show called Travel with Rick Steves (2005−present) and has authored numerous travel guides, the first of which was the popular Europe Through the Back Door. In 2006, he became a syndicated newspaper columnist, and in 2010, his company released a mobile phone application called "Rick Steves' Audio Europe ...
Why We Travel
After a lifetime of exploring Europe — and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration — Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who ...
Travel with Rick Steves
Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and author of 30 best-selling guidebooks, Rick now ...
Tour Companies Other Than Rick Steves
04/12/20 06:52 AM. 13989 posts. I've done 11 Rick Steves tour as well as 11 Road Scholar tours. Road Scholar is my go to company if Rick doesn't offer an itinerary in the area I'm interested in. I've done 6 of their European tours including one to Provence last October. It may be a few days longer than you want.
‎Travel with Rick Steves on Apple Podcasts
A weekly one-hour conversation with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television trave…
Monday Night Travel
June 3: Normandy and D-Day Beaches with Steve Smith and Dale Booth. 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in World War II, Monday Night Travel welcomes back France expert Steve Smith. Together with special guest and local battlefield expert Dale Booth, they share the remarkable ...
Rick Steves' Europe
As host and writer of the popular public television series "Rick Steves' Europe," and best-selling author of over 50 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as "temporary locals."
What was your travel like before Rick Steves?
I also do a combination of home exchanges, apartment rentals, hotels/B&B's etc.. I love the planning almost as much as the trip. I love Rick Steves guidebooks because I (1) share his travel philosophy of living like a local (2) have a limited budget, and (3) other guidebooks put me to sleeeeep!
The Travel Show Circuit
These days, it seems like there are only a handful of speakers who can draw a big crowd at travel shows: Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Patricia Schultz (of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die fame), Samantha Brown, and me. And we're hired as headliners to help get people to attend travel shows at big cities around the USA.
Rick Steves' Top Destinations When Traveling To The Netherlands
Rick Steves is a renowned travel expert who started "Rick Steves' Europe" in 1976. According to his website , he "brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually."
Rick Steves Europe: Tours, Travel, TV & Vacations
Learn about Rick Steves' small-group tours with 46 finely crafted itineraries for 2024! ... Watch all of Rick's TV shows, right here. ... Search our free video library for teachers and students with 400+ video clips from Rick's TV shows. Monday Night Travel. Join Rick and his team of travel-savvy teachers every Monday night on Zoom as we ...
Rick Steves Reveals The Best Way To Challenge Yourself While ...
Travel Guru Rick Steves believes that travel should bring people out of their comfort zones. More specifically, he feels that travel should be used as a way to challenge yourself. This relates ...
Save On Food While Traveling In Europe With These Tips From Rick Steves
The first tip for eating more frugally in Europe is to avoid larger restaurants you might spot right away. Instead, you should opt for a smaller place that looks like it might be family-run. You ...