Missing Blue Planet II already? Here are some more great travel documentaries you should binge on this winter.
Whether you want some light comedy or an epic view of Earth’s greatest landscapes, there are plenty of brilliant travel shows to keep your wanderlust at bay. Allow yourself to be transported to foreign lands with our pick of these wonderful travel shows…
For a journey into the unknown: Blue Planet I & II
As Sir David Attenborough says in the opening scenes of Blue Planet II, oceans cover 70% of the surface of our planet, but they are some of the least discovered areas. Watch the first series, and the groundbreaking follow-up from 2017, to take a trip into the deep unknown, discovering more than you thought you could ever know about the oceans.
The truly astounding footage was captured thanks to revolutionary technology, giving way to scientific breakthroughs and discovery – and some truly mind-blowing scenes.
Watch it: Blue Planet is currently on Netflix, Blue Planet II is on BBC iPlayer
For a sense of wonderment: Planet Earth I & II
No matter how well-travelled you are, the sheer extremes of the landscapes covered in the epic Planet Earth will make your jaw drop. Filmed across 64 different countries over four years, the 2006 documentary series changed natural history filmmaking forever, offering new perspectives into the planet’s many fascinating terrains, from jungles and mountains to deserts and oceans.
Ten years later, Planet Earth II took things even further to become the most-watched natural history documentary in more than 15 years, with the advances in technology making the series even more sensational than its predecessor in its innovative, captivating and shocking depictions of wildlife, nature and the planet we live on.
Watch it: Planet Earth is currently on Netflix, Planet Earth II is on BBC Two from 2 January
For stateside exploration: Stephen Fry in America
British national treasure Stephen Fry was nearly born in America, which made him “intensely curious” about discovering what his life could have been. In this six-part series, Fry explores every single US state travelling in a London cab, giving viewers a deeper look at this vast country, its beautiful landscapes, various cultures and friendly locals. A great watch for any US enthusiast – you might just wish it were a little longer so you could keep on discovering America through Fry’s eyes.
Watch it: on Netflix
For amazing human achievement: Desert Runners
Runner or not, this documentary is bound to impress and captivate you from the beginning. It follows a group of non-professional runners on a journey to complete '4 Deserts' – a set of four ultra-marathons (longer than the traditional 26-mile races) in four of the world’s most extreme environments.
From the arid Atacama Desert in Chile to the seemingly-endless Sahara, via Mongolia’s Gobi Desert and the seriously extreme Antarctic Peninsula, the runners push the limits of their minds and bodies – and the views for the audience aren’t bad along the way.
Watch it: on Amazon Prime
For cringe-inducing comedy: Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
It might well make you cringe at times, but Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father is a light-hearted and occasionally educational documentary, following the young comedian and his dad on the typical Southeast Asia gap year route.
The hilarious relationship between father and son makes for an entertaining spectacle as they enjoy – or not, in many cases – a number of unusual travel experiences, from meeting the rats that help clear minefields in Cambodia to a full moon party in Thailand.
Watch it: on Netflix
For incredible scenery: Indian Ocean with Simon Reeve
Journey to some of the world’s most beautiful spots with Simon Reeve, who takes in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Indonesia and more in this six-part series.
It’s not all incredible beaches and warm seas, though: Reeve also deals with some of the most challenging issues faced in the areas he visits, from the exotic pet trade in Indonesia to the threat of wildlife poachers in South Africa. This is Simon Reeve at his best: open-minded and curious, letting the locals tell their stories.
Watch it: buy on the iTunes Store
For brutal comedy: An Idiot Abroad
Not all travel documentaries have to be so serious, though. Sometimes you just need a good laugh, and An Idiot Abroad has those in spades. The series follows “idiot” Karl Pilkington as he journeys to what most would consider to be the big bucket list destinations – though, much to the amusement (and often bemusement) of the viewer, he’s not really that fussed.
You might spend most of your time laughing at him, rather than with him, as Pilkington’s unintentionally hilarious behaviour offers an alternative view on the world.
Watch it: buy on the iTunes Store or Sky Store
Watch it: on Netflix
For incredible wildlife: Frozen Planet
Another excellent travel documentary in the Attenborough portfolio, this is one for those dreaming of colder climes. The stark, dramatic landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic are places many of us will never get to see, which is why experiencing it on-screen is so magical.
It’s mesmerising to watch, and you’ll learn plenty about polar life, from the mating rituals of polar bears to the fascinating way that snowflakes individually form. Plus, it’s all narrated in Sir David Attenborough’s soothing tones.
Watch it: on Netflix
For unbelievable human stories: Human Planet
Marvel at the incredible ways in which humans adapt to every conceivable environment on the planet in this eight-part documentary series, narrated by John Hurt. It takes in breathtaking scenery and amazing wildlife as it tells the stories of the people who make their homes in the most extreme environments, from those living in the freezing Arctic Circle to communities happily surviving in towering treehouses in tropical rainforests.
Watch it: on Netflix
For a taste of South America: Brazil with Michael Palin
If you didn’t want to visit Brazil before, you’ll be adding it to your bucket list after watching Michael Palin’s four-part series, in which he journeys from bustling Brazilian cities to remote corners of the Amazon, meeting a fascinating array of people. Meet the super-rich residents who only travel by helicopter before watching him get to know the Yanomami tribe, who live deep in the jungle. The scenery is utterly astounding, with stunning shots of mountains, cities and the thundering Iguazú Falls.
Watch it: buy on the iTunes Store