The 13 Best Travel Shows on Netflix Right Now
Updated on May 8th, 2020
Just because we have been told we can’t travel doesn’t mean we need to give up on travelling entirely. While we’re all stuck at home I suggest trying to stick to a routine to stay motivated and as healthy as possible. Although we should also make the most of the time at home. By that, I mean using it to binge-watch the best travel shows on Netflix.
I don’t know about you, but if the weather is warm and sunny even if I really want to stay in and watch tv, my guilt levels are too high. I always feel like I need to make the most out of the beautiful days and get outside. Thanks to the mandatory #stayhome Telstra has put on my phone, I’m using it to watch Netflix guilt-free.
As part of my ways to cure wanderlust when stuck at home, I suggested watching movies set in your dream destinations. Once you’re through the dream destinations you can move on to the following travel-related documentaries, tv-series and movies streaming on Netflix now.
Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information on my disclaimer click here.
Non-fiction travel programs to watch on Netflix right now
The Kindness Diaries
We all need a bit of happiness in the world right now. Watch Leon Logothetis as he travels the world relying solely on the help of strangers. This pay it forward docuseries will remind you that the world really is a friendly place regardless of how gloomy the news makes it seem.
Restaurants on the Edge
If you travel to eat and love a good makeover show than Restaurants on the Edge is the travel series for you. Three experts travel the world in search of failing restaurants in picturesque locations. The experts remodel the business highlighting the local food and culture while creating the perfect dining environment.
Dark Tourist
While some people like vacationing by beaches and mountains others travel the world in search of death. What? Yep, dark tourism is the act of travelling to places associated with death and suffering.
It may sound morbid, but you’ve probably visited a place like this yourself. Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, joining a Pablo Escobar tour in Colombia or celebrating the Day of the Dead in Mexico is all classified as dark tourism. Join David Farrier as he travels the darkest corners of the world visiting cults and radioactive areas.
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
Comedian Jack Whitehall takes his very proper British father on a typical 20-something gap year. Although quite obviously scripted, season one takes the two through Southeast Asia on a journey to deepen their father-son bond. Lighthearted and funny the two get into some crazy adventures and you subsequently learn a lot about the cultures they visit.
Our Planet
Sir David Attenborough comes to Netflix with the Netflix version of Planet Earth. Journey through 50 countries exploring the beautiful visuals of our planet. This docuseries takes us through the impact climate change is having on all living creatures and the diversity of habitats around the world. As I write this one, I can’t wait to finish work today and continue watching this series.
Tokyo Idols
This documentary follows the somewhat creepy culture of the Japanese Idols. Discover how middle-aged men invest their lives and money into young female pop singers. These girls sing, dance and embody the ideal of Japanese femininity until they become too old (early 20’s). The story revolves around Rio, an aspiring idol and her path to stardom.
National Parks Adventure
Outdoor and hiking fanatics, this is for you. National Park Adventure journeys through America’s park systems and natural wonders. If you really want to feel small in the world the visuals in this documentary will do just that. One of my favourite places to travel in the world is the US and it’s because of the diversity of its outdoor areas. My top US bucket list destination is Glacier NP and this show is definitely causing extreme wanderlust to get there.
Lion
I was hesitant to watch Lion but can say I absolutely loved it. This true story swaps between present life for an adopted man into an Australian family and flashbacks of his childhood in India. What led him to where he is now is emotionally heartwrenching as although depicts a present-day India where children can so easily just disappear. The plot of the story is of Saroo Brierley trying to locate his birth parents. Highly worth a watch.
Fictional travel series and movies on Netflix
Wine Country
One of my favourite places to visit in California is Napa Valley. This movie brings back the best memories of riding bikes with a group of girlfriends while drinking wine. In Wine Country, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch and other comedy queens will have you in stitches and craving a trip to a wine region of the world.
Babel
Babel weaves the stories of four foreign nationalities, American, Japanese, Moroccan and Mexican in this cultural drama. After an American couple is the victim of a stray bullet in the Moroccan desert they (Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt) must not only fight to survive but also fight through language barriers and cultural misconceptions. Each nationality is connected through this single event and has you on the edge of your seat the entire way through.
The Bucket List
The Bucket List is a feel-good movie (albeit sad) where terminally diagnosed Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman decide to live what’s left of their life by ticking off their bucket list items. A journey around the world, relationships and no regrets are the main themes of this movie.
Midnight In Paris
Kind of lame, kind of cute. Owen Wilson heads to Paris to visit his finances (Rachel McAdams) family. During the night, fate has him transported back in time to Paris of the 1920s. This romantic comedy will have you itching to head to Paris once the travel bans wear off (and also back in time).
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
How did it take me so long to watch this movie? I watched this recently and can recommend it to everyone who wants to live a full life and feels stuck in their 9-5 rut. Ben Stiller lives an ordinary life, some would say boring. That is until he goes on a crazy adventure to save his job.
What are your favourite travel shows on Netflix?
Share your favourites with the community in the comments below.
Save these ideas for later!
