10 Binge Worthy Travel Shows to Keep Your Wanderlust Alive
Quarantined at home but want to keep the travel bug alive? Here are 10 binge worthy shows that will provide that spark you need to keep wondering until we’re able to wander again. Cheers!
If your quarantine is going as well as mine, then congratulations on working your way through the new season of Ozark, a complete re-run of The Office, and all six seasons of Community! Now what?
No, the answer is NOT Tiger King and I’ll be offended if you even so much as think about suggesting it!
In all seriousness, there’s been a lot of creative ways to continue to “travel from home” and all of the streaming services that we’ve been relying on so much make it easier than ever to keep wandering this beautiful planet.
Here’s a list of 10 binge-worthy shows to stimulate your mind and pique your curiosity. Grab the popcorn and let’s dive in; happy travels!
1. THE KINDNESS DIARIES - Netflix
Photo credit: Deseret News
In a world that’s desperate for good news, let’s just cut to the chase: watch The Kindness Diaries on Netflix.
Leon Logothetis ships his vintage Volkswagen Beetle to Alaska and sets out on the journey of a lifetime as he drives from the last frontier all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina while relying solely on the kindness of strangers.
Throughout his travels, Leon builds connections and, when the timing is right, spreads joy through the gift of opportunity whether it’s seed money for a non-profit, building an addition to a house, and or funding a street musician’s travels for a year.
Sure, there are definitely moments that feel scripted and it’s hard to tell if he actually relied only on the kindness of strangers from start to finish, but that’s not what makes the show so incredible anyways! It’s the adventure, stunning landscapes, and human connection that make it worth the watch.
Get ready to be filled with joy and hope; two things that we can always use more of in life.
2. SOMEBODY FEED PHIL - Netflix
Photo Credit: Eater
Combine a comedian with exotic foods from around the world and what do you get? Somebody Feed Phil!
In all honesty, I too would like a television show that not only allows me to travel the world but also ever-so-bluntly demands to be fed.
Follow Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, on his quest for total enlightenment through food.
Ok, that description might be a bit much, but he does seek out some delicious destinations! Chowing down on crawfish in New Orleans, exploring the floating markets of Bangkok, and re-connecting with his heritage in Tel Aviv are just a few of his adventures.
It’s a far cry from the strict street food diet I so often follow during travels of my own, but it’s a great show to learn about the various origins of cultural cuisine and how local food scenes are adapting to the changing times.
Season 3, The Third Course, is released on May 29th and I can’t wait to dive in!
3. SAMANTHA BROWN’S PLACES TO LOVE - PBS Online
Photo Credit: Samantha Brown
Some may call it a blast from the past, but the truth is Samantha Brown never left the hearts of travelers and she’s back with a brand new series: Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.
The epitome of a traveler and a master of inclusion, Samantha bridges the oft-ignored gap between being a tourist and connecting with local culture on a deeper level.
Learn about the chicken & beer fad in South Korea, dip into the famed hot baths in Budapest, or start to plan your next adventure stateside. Whatever your budget, the show brings a variety of destinations, both in the USA and abroad, straight into your home.
All 38 episodes can be streamed for FREE at PBS.org, so bonus points for Samantha Brown!
4. THE AMAZING RACE - Hulu
Photo Credit: The Travel Channel
The Amazing Race is the only reality television show worth watching because it’s less about drama and more about the world.
Of course, the producers do a great job of pitting teams against each as all reality shows do, but it’s much easier to focus on the insane filming locations than the squabbles themselves. It’s doesn’t take much to get hooked as contestants soar high above the Swiss Alps, deliver goods through the hectic streets of India and race to make the next train, leaving nothing but blood, sweat, and a lot of tears behind.
Honestly, it’s the adventure we all dream of having.
The best part? Every single season is streaming on Hulu. That’s right, folks. You can take twenty-nine trips around the world by binging The Amazing Race.
Quarantine seems like the perfect time to begin crafting the next great audition tape and studying up on potential opponents, no?
5. STREET FOOD (ASIA) - Netflix
Photo Credit: Indulgent Eats
The moment I stepped inside of Gwangjang Market in Seoul I could feel the tradition oozing from halls. It wasn’t hectic like other places I’ve been around the world. No one was trying to usher my bum to their stall or waving menus in my face. This was different.
I didn’t know the extent of the untold stories here until Netflix released their Street Food documentary, chronicling the lives of street vendors around the world, including the Gwangjang Market of South Korea.
The nine-part series itself is a masterpiece of familial ties, deep-rooted tradition, and resilience while offering a rare glimpse beyond the packed stalls and smoke-filled air and into the lives of those who make it all happen.
Next time you find yourself engulfing a bowl of steamy pho on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, pause for a moment to wonder about the story behind it. Chances are you won't be disappointed!
6. ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS - Hulu
Photo Credit: Vietnam Travel
It’s difficult to find the words to adequately express how significantly Anthony Bourdain’s work has impacted my life. His ability to mix wonder with cynicism to create the perspective and humility required to explore and learn about the world is unmatched, especially in the travel television sphere.
He had a good run with CNN’s Parts Unknown and, to be honest, I will gladly ingest any piece of his work, but there’s something special about his original role with No Reservations.
What does this show have that others don’t?
There’s no gaudy facade, rather a travel experience that’s stripped to the bare bones of humanity. It can be difficult to watch at times but to see his reactions and how his experiences affect and ultimately transform him over time is what draws me in.
The rawness of it all makes it relatable and, especially now, we could all use a new lens to understand the world through. No Reservations is the gateway to a fresh perspective.
7. HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL - Hulu
Photo Credit: The Toast
Anyone else in the “ex-pat wannabe” club or is it just me?
Either way, House Hunters International is the perfect mindless binge while still satisfying that nagging dream of owning a beach house in the Caribbean. After all, it’s always fun to reminisce about the life that was just one lottery number away from coming true!
It’s inevitable that the lure of living through these lucky travelers will wear off so when the interest levels peak and jealousy and contempt rear their ugly heads (come on Karen, you can paint a wall… just pick house #3 already), there’s only one proper solution: the House Hunters International drinking game.
Let the house tours (and drinks) begin!
8. INTO THE OKAVANGO - Disney+
Photo Credit: Disney+
Into the Okavango is a modern-day exploration film for the ages, spanning four-months, 1,500-miles, and three countries.
The goal? To save the Okavanga Delta, one of Earth’s final wetlands. During my first viewing of the documentary, I was simply in awe of the stunning scenery.
It was certainly enough to get the wanderlust juices flowing and as I closed my eyes that night I couldn’t help but visualize just how much of the world is still untouched.
The second time though, the incredible story of this band of first-time international explorers came to light as they mapped previously unknown landscapes while overcoming a treacherous journey for the greater good and protection of both animals and humans alike.
Truly an inspiring story and a great flick for a family movie night!
9. SALT, FAT, ACID, HEAT - Netflix
Photo Credit: Variety
Sharing the title with her New York Times bestselling book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nosrat opens the door to the culinary world that often feels closed to travelers that are passing simply passing through.
It’s a must-watch series for culinary artists as Samin travels the world and explores the four basic ingredients to delicious food, but it’s equally enjoyable for those clumsy cooks in the kitchen, such as myself.
My personal favorite is her trip around Japan, exploring the role of salt in two key ingredients of cooking that both have a deep-rooted tradition: miso and soy sauce.
Get ready to learn some new recipes to try during quarantine after binging Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat!
10. BIZARRE FOODS - Hulu
Photo Credit: The Travel
Is it possible to name a show more aptly than this? Probably not, although I suppose The Amazing Race is pretty spot-on, too.
From beef lungs in Panama to tuna eyeballs in Japan and even jellied moose nose in Canada, Andrew Zimmern gives even the most open-minded eaters a run for their money while simultaneously assuring those that are picky that they made the right choice. He’s living proof that the slimy creature you saw squiggling around the market will not kill you and, in all likelihood, will taste delicious.
Whether gearing up for a game of food roulette on my next adventure or simply living vicariously through a man that quite literally gets paid to eat his way around the world, this is a timeless show that’s guaranteed to expose viewers to how vastly different the world can seem through food, yet how interconnected it is through human connection.
Bon appetit!
What’s your go-to travel shows? Are they any great ones that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay safe, healthy and, above all else, wash your hands! Hope you and your loved ones are safe.
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25 Quotes to Fuel Your Wandering Soul: It's time for your next adventure
When I’m feeling stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I turn to these quotes to put my head on straight and inspire my next great adventure. In the very least, I hope by posting them here they might spark something in you, too. After all, the world is waiting… all we need to do is get up and go. Here are my top 25 quotes to fuel your own wandering soul!
When I’m feeling stuck in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I turn to these quotes to put my head on straight and inspire my next great adventure. In the very least, I hope by posting them here they might spark something in you, too. After all, the world is waiting… all we need to do is get up and go. Here are my top 25 quotes to fuel your own wandering soul!
1. “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir
2. “ Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful.” - Anthony Bourdain
This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Sometimes those marks are beautiful, and sometime’s they’re not. I’ve returned from trips with more questions than answers at times. But that’s ok. It’s all part of it. It makes me a better person in the long run and for that, I am eternally grateful.
3. “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” - Anna Quindlen
How often do we feel stuck in the perceived direction of our lives? Probably too many times than we’d like to admit. I know that’s the case for me, at least. But it’s during those times that we forget to look around us. There are no guardrails on this path. There’s nothing to keep us moving in a linear and forward direction other than what society engrains in us. It’s ok to veer elsewhere for a bit and eventually, you’ll find your way back.
4. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” - Lin Yutang
5. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” - Helen Keller
6. “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber
7. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
8. “If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel - as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them - wherever you go.” - Anthony Bourdain
9. “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu
Throughout life, we’re taught that anticipation breeds success. If you want to get to the top then you must know what people want before they know it themselves. Traveling is different. The more you anticipate, the more you open yourself to frustration and letdowns. What happens when your picture-perfect itinerary is derailed by a broken-down bus? What happens when a canceled flight pushes your departure by a day? React and adapt is the name of the game. Sure, it’s always good to have an idea of things you’d like to see and do but be flexible. You never know where the journey may take you!
10. “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” - Jawaharial Nehru
11. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Anthony Twain
12. “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” - Dalai Lama
Seriously, though. Have you tried holding yourself to this? Even if it’s a new restaurant in town or a weekend getaway to a place you’ve never been. You don’t have to go far to experience something new, but it’s important to gain perspective and open yourself up to your surroundings.
13. “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” - Stephen Covey
14. “Happiness is letting go of what you think your life should look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.” - Mandy Hale
15. “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been. Travelers don’t know where they’re going.” - Paul Theroux
16. “Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-determined, self-motivated, often risky - forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind - and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing again will ever be black-and-white.” - Mark Jenkins
17. “At its best, travel should challenge our preconceptions and most cherished views, cause us to rethink our assumptions, shake us a bit, make us broader minded and more understanding.” - Arthur Frommer
I can vividly remember stepping off of a broken-down train in Morocco and seeing the vast landscape, but I can’t remember to buy bananas from the grocery store. Why? It’s because these experiences from the road are the ones that expanded my horizon and transformed my views. The people I remember from along the way are the ones who shattered my preconceptions about a culture or a place. They have morphed me into who I am. How could I possibly forget something so impactful?
18. “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
19. “We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” - Hilaire Belloc
20. “Do you really want to look back on your life and see how wonderful it could have been had you not been afraid to live it?” - Caroline Myss
21. “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal.” - Paul Coelho
22. “Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul.” Jamie Lyn Beatty Thi
23. “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” - Terry Pratchett
24. “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” - Rachel Wolchin
When you think about, she’s not wrong. We were given the ability to roam, so what are we waiting for?
25. “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.” - Anthony Bourdain
BONUS:
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float. To gain all while you give; to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” - Hans Christen Anderson
Which quote was your favorite? Have one that’s not on the list? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time, stay safe & happy travels!
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