Top Travel TV Shows

My picks for top travel TV shows (in chronological order). Did I miss your favorite? Please comment with what I’m missing or if you enjoy any of the shows below, too.


Michael Palin, "Sahara with Michael Palin"
Michael Palin, “Sahara with Michael Palin”

1. BBC’s Michael Palin’s Travels:

      • Michael Palin’s Around the World in 80 Days (1989)
      • Michael Palin’s Pole to Pole (1992)
      • Full Circle with Michael Palin (1997)
      • Michael Palin’s Hemingway Adventure (1999)
      • Sahara with Michael Palin (2002)
      • Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004)
      • Michael Palin’s New Europe (2007)
      • Brazil with Michael Palin (2012)

Rick Steves, Rhine River, "Rick Steves' Europe"
Rick Steves, Rhine River, “Rick Steves’ Europe”

2. PBS’s Rick Steves series:

      • Travels in Europe with Rick Steves (1991-1998)
      • Rick Steves’ Europe (2000-present)

3. Globe Trekker (1994-2017) with Ian Wright, et al.


Barack-Obama-and-Anthony-Bourdain-meeting-in-Vietnam
President Barack Obama with Anthony Bourdain, “Parts Unknown,” in Hanoi, Vietnam

4. Anthony Bourdain in…

      • Food Network’s A Cook’s Tour (2002–2003)
      • Travel Channel’s No Reservations (2005–2012)
      • Travel Channel’s The Layover (2011–2013)
      • CNN’s Parts Unknown (2013–2018)

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, "Long Way Down"
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, “Long Way Down”

5. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in…

      • Long Way Round (2004-2005)
      • Long Way Down (2007)

Guy Fieri visits Hruska’s Kolaches on
Guy Fieri visits Hruska’s Kolaches on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”

6. ‎Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2006) with Guy Fieri


Stephen Fry, "Stephen Fry in America," Maine
Stephen Fry, “Stephen Fry in America,” Maine

7. BBC’s Stephen Fry in America (2008)


Scott Wilson (right) and Justin Lukach,
Scott Wilson (right) and Justin Lukach, “Departures”

8. OLN’s Departures (2008-2010) with Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach


Greg Aiello,
Greg Aiello, “Motion”

9. Live Well Network’s Motion (2009-2010) with Greg Aiello


10. Australia’s 7TWO The Travel Bug (2009-2015) with Morgan Burrett


11. ABC’s Rock the Park (2014-2020) with Jack Steward and Colton Smith


12. National Geographic Society produced television