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The Best Travel Documentaries and TV Shows to Watch Now

1 September 2020 • Written by Olivia Michel

Changing travel restrictions may make organising a holiday difficult now, so if you’re missing travelling abroad then you can watch the best travel documentaries and adventure and nature TV shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and Disney+. Still in need of some travel inspiration? Take a look at our favourite travel movies and boat films for a journey from your sofa.

The Best Netflix Travel Documentaries and Shows

Down to Earth with Zac Efron

Join movie star Zac Efron on his travels from Iceland’s Blue Lagoon to the Amazon rainforest as he investigates how different countries practice sustainable living.

Our Planet

Watch the latest David Attenborough-narrated documentary to get a glimpse of this planet’s most amazing natural phenomena. Each episode focuses on the wildflife of a different geological region of the earth, from frozen mountain tops and arid desserts to life below the surface of the sea.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father

Beginning with Jack’s Gap Year travels around Asia in season one, Travels with my Father is now in its third season, which follows the comedic pair of Jack and Michael Whitehall as they journey across the US.

Somebody Feed Phil

Foodies in need of some home-cooking inspiration should watch Phil Rosenthal as he samples the cuisine of Marrakesh, Seoul, Chicago and London.

The Best Amazon Prime Travel Documentaries and Shows

Maiden

Maiden documents the voyage of skipper Tracy Edwards and her all-female crew as they participate in the 1989–1990 Whitbread Round the World Race on board 18 metre racing yacht Maiden.

Joanna Lumley: Jewel in the Nile

British national treasure Joanna Lumley takes a river cruise along the entire length of the Nile, from sea to source. Following the upstream route of the earliest adventurers she visits the people and places that are connected to the world’s longest river.

Richard Ayoade: Travel Man

Spending just 48 hours in each destination, British Comedian Richard Ayoade is joined by celebrity guests as he travels the world, visiting cities across the US, Europe and the Middle East.

The Best Disney+ Travel Documentaries and Shows

Gordon Ramsay Uncharted

Famously unfiltered chef Gordon Ramsay travels to the remote corners of the earth to sample the cuisine and culture of off-the-grid destinations.

Into the Grand Canyon

The awe-inspiring Grand Canyon spans more than 750 miles, but a pair of journalists decide to voyage through the entire national park on foot to raise awareness of the issues that threaten its very existence.

Titanic: 20 years later

Two decades after the release of his blockbuster film, Titanic director David Cameron travels back to the site of the sunken ship to delve deeper into its history.

The Best BBC iPlayer Travel Documentaries and Shows

Japan with Sue Perkins

Intruiged by Japenese culture? So is Sue Perkins. Join the British TV presenter as she learns about sumo wrestling, Geisha entertainment and more.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Inspired by Phileas Fogg travels in Jules Verne’s novel, Actor Michael Palin circumnavigates the globe, starting at the Refrom Club in London and ending in Venice.

Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey

Put aside your cook books and get some culinary inspiration from chef Rick Stein as he jouneys across Asia, sampling delicacies from countries including Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia.

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