Not traveling is hurting my soul. We all want to get back out there and experience the world, but for so many reasons, many of us can’t right now. One of the things that has helped fuel that travel fire through the pandemic is finding new places and experience to add to my bucket list. That hasn’t been hard at all lately because of all the amazing travel related shows that have been streaming. You know what they say, “If you can’t travel… watch other people travel” … nah, that doesn’t sound right, but here are some of my favorites anyway:

Somebody Feed Phil
Netflix

The theme song for this show is straight out of a 80s sitcom, and that’s about all you need to know to get into “Somebody Feed Phil”. Philip Rosenthal is best known for creating “Everybody Loves Raymond” and has worked on other sitcoms throughout the years. I have no idea how he ended up with his own food/travel show, but I’m really glad he did. Phil is just the right amount of goofy and loveable. Lots of corny jokes, lots of genuine “mmmmm”s when he tastes something delicious. This show is great. My absolute favorite thing though is that towards the end of every show, he does a video chat with his elderly parents and talks to them about the location. It’s endearing and sweet without going over the top, and makes me love Phil even more.

Parts Unknown
HBO Max

Anthony Bourdain was a writer and chef who offered a more punk rock vision of the world. His shows over the years were great television, because he made sure to change up how he presented locations based not on his own style (which is present throughout) but on how best to tell the story of what he just experienced. He didn’t just go to Tokyo and do the normal stuff, he went and hung out at a fetish club and a Medieval Times style robot show. Unfortunately, this was the last show Bourdain would host, because he took his own life while filming the final season, but he’ll always be one of my favorite travel documenters.

Street Food (Asia and Latin America)
Netflix

Street food is unique in that it doesn’t have a host. The director just introduces you to a location and a the people in that location who are pushing street food, by using the locals voices. They reflect on the food, and their own contribution to the street food culture in that location. It’s interesting because, we’re so used to a host telling the story of an area, but it isn’t until you listen to a little old lady who’s been selling noodles for decades explain why it’s important, you really can’t get a feel for an area. It reminds me of when we traveled and we’d talk to people serving food, and they’d tell us their stories. This is as close as you can get to sitting at a street stall just listening to some amazing lives.

Expedition Unknown
Hulu

Most travel shows these days are very food heavy, and why not? There’s only so much you can show a picture of the Taj Mahal, and food is one of the realist ways to experience a culture. But in Expedition Unknown, Josh Gates went a different way. Like a modern day Indiana Jones, he explores the world by exploring its legends. Whether he’s looking for Gold in Africa, tracking down Robin Hood in England, or trekking through a jungle in the Papua New Guinea looking for Amelia Earhart, it is awesome to explore the world in a way that brings history alive instead of hearing the same old stories.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Hulu

Definitely more food show than travel show, this one still takes you from one destination to another, spotlighting food and culture. Guy Fieri is your guide around (mostly) America, as he shows you some amazing lesser known eateries around the country. I love this show so much that when I’m visiting a new city, I immediately go to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Locations Page to check out which places he’s featured are there. Guy is goofy and fun, and the more you watch, the more you can really tell which food he’s really loving, and which one’s he’s just being camera nice for. It’s years and years of dad jokes and delicious eats.

What’re some travel shows that you’ve been using to fill your bucket list? Let me know and I’ll feature some your recommendations after I check them out!

Bonus Views:

An Idiot Abroad: A comedian took his friend, who had never left the country, and sent him on solo trips around to world. To say the guy experienced culture shock was an understatement. Hilarious and heartfelt, I really love this show because the “Idiot” reminds me of my friend Foster.
No Reservations (Hulu): One of Anthony Bourdain’s earlier shows, No Reservations shows a slightly younger, slightly less confident Bourdain’s view of the world he’s seeing. If you want an even younger, greener Bourdain, check out A Cook’s Tour (Tubi)
Restaurants on the Edge (Netflix): If you love home makeover shows, or Bar Rescue, but want a travel twist, this is the show for you. The team goes from one international location to the next
The Wonder List (HBO Max): I just started this one, but I’m already loving it. Bill Wier has a list of places he’s trying to visit before they shift from “paradise” to commercial tourism.

Salt Fat Acid Heat (Netflix): This limited series is based off the cookbook by the same woman who hosts the show, Samin Nosrat. It explores what she considers the 4 basic elements of any good meal, and she goes to a different location to accentuate that element. Only 4 episodes, but heartfelt.
Dark Tourist (Netflix): If you like a little darkness in your travel, check out Dark Tourist. Dark Tourism is tourism that involves visiting places associated with death and tragedy. David Farrier tours the location of the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the Manson Family Murders.
Rick Steves' Europe (Amazon): A very traditional travel series, Rick Steves goes into amazing detail about the locations he’s spent decades exploring and writing about, instead of venturing to new frontiers. If you want in depth on Europe, no one does it better.
Bizarre Foods (Hulu): Andrew Zimmern had the original show that turned food travel shows on their head by tasting some of the weirdest stuff from all over the world, and while he may be a little braver than me, it still helped make me a little more adventurous when eating while I traveled.