Quarantine sucks. We all know that. Personally, what I miss the most about the normalcy of life is being able to travel. I find myself daydreaming of my next destination and when I am able to finally visit. There is a whole world out there waiting to be explored, but all we can do for now is travel vicariously from our couches through these Netflix shows.
From enjoying food made by street vendors of Asia to exploring the historical landmarks of Europe, you’re bound to find a travel show that you just cannot stop binge-watching. I won’t blame you, I found mine. Most of my favorite Netflix travel shows are listed below, and they have impacted me in one way or another. I hope they will do the same for you.
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father
Follow comedian Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael Whitehall, as they travel around the world, encountering awkward and silly situations. This show cracks me up quite a bit, seeing jovial Jack and his uptight father traveling together and their interesting dynamic as they try to strengthen their bond. Personally, my favorite season was them traveling around Southeast Asia. It was hilarious watching the duo try to get used to the customs of every country. I find myself rewatching the episodes for a good laugh, and they always seem to put me in a good mood!
Ugly Delicious
This binge-able Netflix show combines travel, history, and food. In my opinion, that’s the best combination. Join award-winning chef David Chang as he explores and explains the cultural, sociological, and culinary history of a specific popular food, sparking globe-trotting conversations about culture and food. In many of his episodes, he invites special guests such as TV host Jimmy Kimmel, comedian Nick Kroll, and former LA Times food writer Peter Meehan to venture to different culinary hot spots and use food as a vehicle to break down cultural barriers and misconceptions. After all, we know food brings everyone together, regardless of culture!
Somebody Feed Phil
You probably know Philip Rosenthal as the creator of the Emmy award-winning sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond”. However, what you probably didn’t know about him is that he’s a self-described foodie, and he proves that in this show. He is joined by his family and friends as he embarks on this culinary journey, sampling all the best food destinations in the world. In his latest season, he even pays a visit to Singapore and is shown around by local food guides. Some of the food places he visited include Tiong Bahru Food Market, Maxwell Food Centre, and Changi Village.
Dark Tourist
Visiting places associated with death and tragedy is not usually on a tourist’s list of things to do. This out-of-the-ordinary show shines light on this subset of tourism. Let journalist David Farrier take you on adventures, from the death-worshipping cult in Mexico to soak up radiation left behind in Fukushima to visiting vampires in New Orleans to travelling to the most-nuked place on Earth for atomic swimming and fishing, each episode will definitely not leave you bored. My absolute favourite episode was seeing him visit the scariest horror house in the world: McKamey Manor. Chills. Literal chills.
The Kindness Diaries
Relying only on a vintage motorbike and the kindness of strangers for food, shelter and gas, former stockbroker Leon Logothetis travels around the world. Leon listens to the stories of strangers while visiting their towns, and in return for their kindness, he helps them to realise their dreams and pay it forward. We might think we live in a world of cynicism and fear, but this show attempts to prove otherwise, shining on the goodwill and kindness of people. Very inspiring, if you ask me!
The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes
True to its namesake, prepare to discover the world’s most extraordinary abodes with award-winning architect Piers Taylor and actress and property enthusiast Caroline Quentin. The pair travels around the world, across mountains, forests, and coasts, to find properties that are built in challenging surroundings. Prepare to see jaw-dropping houses perched on the side of cliffs and hidden underneath the earth!
