I love programs about travel, all kinds, from various people.
Currently, I have been watching Anthony Bourdain - a New York chef, but an insane, chain smoking, heavy drinking, fearless travel guide who likes to hit those out of the way places, see the local culture and try foods that make Fear Factor look like McDonald’s in comparison. I would love to go on one of those trips with him, after I have had about 50 shots from a doctor and took out a huge insurance policy on myself.
I also like Globe Trekker - again, especially the shows that go to places that no sane person would probably ever visit. They take modes of transportation through dangerous parts of the world that amaze me - I am surprised half of the hosts haven’t died in the filming of some of those episodes.
I think part of the reason I like these kind of shows is that those are the kinds of trips that are exciting - far off places, places you might never even have heard of, and a glimpse into the architecture, clothing and lifestyles of people you would otherwise never see.
I am just fascinated to see these programs where they have to travel hours, if not days, to reach obscure villages and ruins. And it is interesting to see even a glance of locals at markets, selling odd items and preparing local foods that are made from ingredients I have never even heard of, let alone taste.
Does anyone else watch these, or similar programs?
I don’t watch much TV, but I have seen both of the programs you mention, and enjoyed both. Bourdain is very entertaining. Have you read his A Cook’s Tour?
I’ve traveled a bit, I think part of the appeal of those programs is that sometimes they will go to places that I myself may not especially want to visit.
Watching the show, I get to vicariously experience the destination without the hassle of actually making the trip.
There are also Rick Steves’ programs. My husband especially enjoys them; Steves can be engaging and funny, though I would take all his advice/opinions with a grain of salt.
Anybody remember back, oh, ten years ago or so, when the Travel Channel actually showed travel shows? It was pretty cool, lots of Lonely Planet (Globe Trakker), stuff like Rick Steves and others who offered no-nonsense travel advice, shows about places and their actual cultures.
Nowadays, it’s either Poker shows (WTF for?) or Top-Ten-Vapid-Provincial-Bourgeois-Pecuniary-Emulation-Hotspots-For-Dummies shows. Blech!
I hear your pain, but actually, both shows I mentioned are still on the Travel Channel…but yeah, there seems to be quite a bit of non-travel related filler.
One of my favorites is “Stranded with Cash Stevens”. He’s dropped off someplace unexpected (as if he didn’t know he was in Russia…) and has to find someone to mooch off of for his meals and lodging for the night. It usually turns out that he finds a party or two and ends up getting drunk and passes out.
It seems like the young and poor people of the world help him out more; he was really stranded in the retirement RV community in Arizona - no one trusted him enough to give him a bed.
One of the best things about Tivo is that I have it recording all travel shows, and it’s smart enough to ***not ***record the shows about gambling or haunted places.
Another vote for Globe Trekker, especially the ones with Ian. He’s lots of fun (and kinda cute), and does thing I’d never do, even if it were part of my job. And the camera person usually has to do all the same things along with him.
I also watch *Passport to Europe, *though there’s something about Samantha Brown that I get tired of very easily.
I don’t really have TV at home so I don’t see much of these but have liked the episodes I’ve caught.
I take trips like this about once/year & for the most part it’s not all that hard to do; I’d encourage everyone to get out there & see some parts of the world that make you uncomfortable. In a lot of locations simply showing up and being Western is enough for the party to come to you, although a camera crew isn’t going to hurt any.
Just about everywhere I’ve been in the non-Western world people are eager to meet you (before, during or after trying to sell you something) & eager to help you get where you want to go. Not all of that is just looking to make a buck either.
If I did a travel show I’d be doing some very specific oractical knowledge I’ve never seen in a guidebook, such as how to deal with the shock/crush that meets the independent traveller immediately after clearing passport control & grabbing your pack at the airport, or how to haggle & what % of the price offered on various goods is truly fair for both parties.