PBS
When we travel, we become broader in mindset, more interested in the world, and more aware of the planet. We are better humans and empirically proven to be happier for it. Of course, for much of human history, travel was dirty, expensive, long, and dangerous. Even just a century ago, people were far more likely to stay put than they were to see the world. It was an activity reserved for the privileged or the desperate.
These days that’s all changed — as cheap air travel, ingenious travel gadgets, and a host of other technological innovations have made crossing the globe so cheap that anybody can see the world. Cramped airplanes are a small price to pay for a broader mind, right? (Until the service deteriorates so much that you feel endangered, that is). Film technology has improved and gotten cheaper too, over time. Now we can visit France and get inspired for our own adventures by flipping on a TV. It’s a great way to get motivated to see the world.
With that idea front and center, here are the best travel shows on Hulu, whether you’re planning your itinerary, or just idly dreaming of visiting one day.
10) Journey With Dylan Dreyer
NBC
The Today Show’s weekend meteorologist takes us on a tour of the world and the wildlife in it, exploring Egypt, the Amazon, and other locales that are a bit harder to get to on Kayak. Dreyer mostly hosts from the studio, but the footage is fascinating stuff and the show has a family-friendly vibe useful for travelers with little ones.
9) River Monsters
Animal Planet
Yes, this one is, in fact, a travel show. Biologist Jeremy Wade, also a skilled fisherman, goes to some extreme, rarely visited (by the western traveler) locales to find bizarre-looking fish — offering both a look at some places you don’t normally see on the dial and some strange animals, to boot.
8) Three Sheets
Spike
As you might guess from the title, comedian Zane Lamprey travels the world and looks for culture and knowledge in the bottom of a glass. While it may seem frivolous at first, fermenting and distilling beverages is a worldwide pursuit, and the culture that grows around is varied, fascinating, and often far more than just a gag.
7) United Shades Of America
CNN
Standup comedian W. Kamau Bell takes a tour of America from a perspective of the many, many different people who live here. Very few of the places he visits are on the map you can pick up at the local tourist bureau, but that’s the whole point. Often when we travel we only see one side of a place, and Bell is ensuring we see the parts that are swept under the rug.
6) The Boonies
National Geographic
If you’re interested in glamping, this is definitely not your show. The Boonies explores what it takes to survive in the deep woods for any meaningful amount of time, and why people seek to do it in the first place. It’s a look at the great outdoors, focused on people who are fully committed to that life.
5) Stephen Fry In America
BBC
Comedian, TV host, historian, and generally guy-you-just-want-to-hang-out-with Stephen Fry takes his quintessentially British attitudes and approach and hauls off to the colonies. Fry’s dry wit and deep historical knowledge both come in handy as he looks deep into a country that’s become very different from it’s antecedent across the pond.
4) Wilderness Vet
National Geographic
Dr. Michelle Oakley has one of the most unusual jobs on the planet: She’s a roving veterinarian who lives and works in the Yukon. Oakley often finds herself juggling the needs of both livestock and the wild animals who make the Yukon their home. And, of course, the scenery is absolutely stunning.
3) Travel Man
Channel 4
Richard Ayoade, of The IT Crowd and Mighty Boosh fame, has a simple pitch: He grabs a celebrity, usually somebody he’s worked with, and books it to a city you can easily to get to from Britain, with 48 hours on the clock and a goal of experiencing everything a city can offer. It’s brisk, witty, and often insightful as to the cities it’s in, and Ayoade is one of the most joyful travel hosts anywhere.
2) The Voyager With Josh Garcia
NBC
Garcia, an experienced journalist, explores the world by sea — docking in ports and looking to learn as much as possible about the local culture and the people. Aimed for a family audience, as it airs on Saturday mornings on NBC, the show’s a fairly wholesome endeavor perfect for families who want to see the world.
1) Rick Steves’ Europe
PBS
Arguably the king of travel shows, Rick Steves has spent years leading people around the world, teaching them about local customs and where to go when they visit a new country, and how to enjoy it in a passionate, yet respectful way. His show usually focuses a specific region or city, really getting into detail about what to see and where to eat. It’s a joy and a gem.
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