15 Travel Shows To Watch In Self-Isolation

If you’re looking for some escapist TV during self-isolation, My Late Deals have rounded up a list of the best 15 travel shows you can binge on through quarantine. 

It’s time to travel the world while at home.

1. Our Planet (Netflix)

1 series, 8 episodes | IMDb: 9.3/10

This groundbreaking series narrated by Emmy and BAFTA winner Sir David Attenborough takes viewers to corners of the world where the most amazing natural events happen and reveals the key issues that urgently threaten their existence. The show was filmed by more than 600 crew members over four years in 50 countries.

Destinations Visited: The Arctic wilderness, the deep sea, Africa and South America. 

2. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Amazon Prime)

12 series, 104 episodes | IMDb: 8.8/10

This series follows celebrity chef, author and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain as he journeys to less explored locations, like Colombia, Peru and Congo. Bourdain delves into the history, local culture and people in each location to highlight their way of life.

Destinations Visited: Myanmar, Libya, Colombia and Congo to name a few.

3. The Grand Tour (Amazon Prime)

4 series, 39 episodes | IMDb: 8.7/10

The motoring/travel show follows Clarkson, Hammond and May as they rampage around the world in an array of different vehicles. At each location, the presenters undertake extraordinary tasks like training with the SAS in Jordan and saving coral reefs with car body shells in Barbados

Destinations Visited: USA, Portugal, South Africa, Jordan and Italy to name a few. 

4. James May: Our Man in Japan (Amazon Prime)

1 series, 6 episodes | IMDb: 8.5/10

The title is pretty self-explanatory, but this travelogue centres around James May’s journey around Japan. May travels by land, sea, air and go-kart and tries cutting-edge Japanese cuisine, sumo wrestling and even attends a penis festival. 

Destinations Visited: Cape Soya, Tohoku, Fukushima, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Shikoku. 

5. An Idiot Abroad (Now TV)

3 series, 19 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

Joke-turned-sociology experiment, Karl Pilkington is sent by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on once in a lifetime trips. Series one follows him as he visits the New Seven Wonders of the World, series two documents him as he performs activities from a generic bucket list and in the third series, Pilkington is joined by Warwick Davis and they travel the route taken by Marco Polo to China. 

Destinations Visited: The New Seven Wonders of the World, the South Pacific, Russia, Australia, Thailand, Alaska, Africa, America, Japan, Venice, Macedonia, India and China. 

6. The Americas with Simon Reeve (BBC iPlayer)

1 series, 5 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

This show follows British presenter, author and adventurer Simon Reeve as he travels the length of the American continent. The first series is focused on North America and follows Reeve as he journeys from Alaska to Costa Rica. The second series (which has not yet aired) will see Reeve make his way down through South America. 

Destinations Visited: Alaska, Vancouver, Montana, California, Texas, Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica. 

7. Travel Man: 48 Hours in… (All 4)

10 series, 43 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10

Travel Man is a British travel documentary series presented by actor and comedian, Richard Ayoade. In each episode, Ayoade travels to a popular city with a celebrity guest. Guests include Rob Beckett, Johnny Vegas and Greg Davies. The show is funny, fast-paced and informative.

Destinations Visited: Barcelona, Istanbul, Iceland, Marrakech, Vienna and Paris to name a few.

8. Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland (BBC iPlayer)

1 series, 4 episodes | IMDb: 8.1/10

According to Frankie Boyle, “There comes a time in every comedian’s career when they decide to do travelogues”. In this series, Boyle travels across Scotland on his stand-up tour and explores his homeland. He meets a heady mix of people and places, filtering his nation’s past and present through his unique mind.

Destinations Visited: Aberdeen, Oban, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ayr. 

9. Asian  Provocateur (Netflix)

2 series, 12 episodes | IMDb: 8.0/10

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan travels to Sri Lanka, his parents’ homeland, to learn about its culture, religion and language. Romesh’s mum Shanti became an unexpected star thanks to the first series so she joined him on his travels to America in the second series.  

Destinations Visited: Sri Lanka and the USA. 

10. Ugly Delicious (Netflix)

2 series, 12 episodes | IMDb: 7.8/10

Ugly Delicious combines traveling, cooking and history. The show follows American restaurateur David Chang as he travels around the world tasting food from different cultures. In each episode, he looks at one dish or concept and explores how it’s made in different regions and how it evolves. 

Destinations Visited: Naples, Mexico and New Orleans to name a few. 

11. Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father (Netflix)

3 series, 13 episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10

A travel documentary and road trip comedy, Travels With My Father is presented by comedian Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael Whitehall. The first series sees Jack and Michael embark on a ‘gap year’ trip across South East Asia, the second series sees Jack and his father on a European road trip and series three took the father and son duo across America. 

Destinations Visited: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Turkey and America. 

12. Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti (ITV HUB)

1 series, 2 episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10

Joanna Lumley, star of Absolutely Fabulous travels across the Caribbean in this two-part series for ITV. Exploring Cuba and Haiti, Lumley uncovers lesser-known spots. 

At the beginning of the first episode, Lumley explains: “I’m going on an adventure through two of the most intoxicating countries in the world. This unique journey will glimpse the hidden side of these fascinating places – why don’t you tag along?”

Destinations Visited: Cuba and Haiti. 

13. Dark Tourist (Netflix)

1 series, 8 episodes | IMDb: 7.6/10

David Farrier claims he has always been drawn to the weirder side of life, and in this series, he explores the global phenomenon that is dark tourism. David visits places that are associated with death and destruction such as Pablo Escobar’s Medellin, a museum that includes an exhibit dedicated to Fred & Rose West and a walled-off ghost city.

Destinations Visited: Latin America, Japan, United States, The Stans, Europe, South East Asia and Africa. 

14. Cruising with Jane McDonald (MY5)

6 series, 25 episodes | IMDb: 7.3/10

Channel 5’s BAFTA award-winning show Cruising with Jane McDonald is presented by former cruise ship entertainer and TV presenter Jane McDonald. Each series shows McDonald living her best life on cruises and follows her as she explores hidden gems among the destinations she travels to.

Destinations Visited: The Adriatic Sea, The Balkans, Mediterranean Riviera and the Great Lakes of America to name a few.

15. Sacred Wonders (BBC iPlayer)

1 series, 3 episodes | IMDb: 6.9/10

Narrated by Sue Perkins, this series explores extraordinary landmarks across the world that have been inspired by faith and introduces viewers to individuals that are connected to them.

Destinations Visited: Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali, the Golden Temple in India, Nachi Falls in Japan, The Shaolin Temple in China, Masada in Israel, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.