Travel Documentaries You Need to Add to Your At-Home Itinerary

No Reservations / Parts Unknown
The late Anthony Bourdain left a lasting legacy on both the TV and culinary worlds thanks to his famed doco-series No Reservations and Parts Unknown. Food and travel go hand-in-hand, and nobody has quite encapsulated that notion better than ‘Tony’, who starred in a total of 142 episodes of the former, and 104 of the latter. Both series explore the cuisine of different cities and countries across the globe, revealing that more goes into creating a great dish than just the ingredients themselves.

Where No Reservations focuses mainly on the food, Parts Unknown (backed by CNN) will definitely appeal more to those with politically charged palates, with Tony unafraid to dive deep (sometimes too deep) into the people and culture behind the cuisine.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
You might have some go-to travel buddies, but have you ever considered an international adventure with just your dad? English comedian Jack Whitehall did just that, taking his old man, Michael, on a series of adventures that forced them both out of their respective comfort zones. As you’d expect, chaos ensues.

With their tastes and expectations not always aligning, the two are an odd, yet charming duo. Currently four seasons in, the show is part wholesome, with a heavy dose of hilarity.

Free Solo
Free Solo’s classification as a ‘travel doco’ may be slightly questionable, but who cares?! Winner of the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary, the doco tells the story of solo climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to scale the 3,200-foot El Capitan in the gorgeous Yosemite National Park – with no ropes. We repeat, with no ropes!

The film showcases jaw-dropping landscape shots of Yosemite, while keeping you on the ‘edge’ as you watch Alex plan and execute one of the most dangerous climbs ever attempted. You’ll need to take a deep breath after watching this one – in a good way, of course.    

Fishpeople
Released in 2017, Fishpeople is a doco by outdoor label Patagonia, which beautifully showcases the wonders (and dangers) of the sea. Featuring an intriguing cast of characters who have dedicated their lives to the sea, the doco gives us contrasting perspectives of everyone from swimmers to spearfishers. For a local POV, Aussie surfer Dave Rastovich reveals why he gave up a career on the competitive circuit to embrace ‘the freedom of the ocean over the rules and regulations of contest surfing’. This one is definitely a must-watch for the sea-dwellers!  

Jiro Dreams of Sushi
From sea life to seafood, 2011’s Jiro Dreams of Sushi takes us on a trip to Tokyo, Japan, shining the spotlight on a revered sushi restaurant, and its owner chef Jiro Ono. It’s a deeply personal story that documents Jiro as he strives for perfection in his work, while his eldest son, Yoshikazu, deals with the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy.

There are plenty of mouth-watering sushi shots, but the doco will appeal to much more than just the foodies. Whether you’re a traveller, Japanophile, or just love an uplifting family tale, a reservation with Jiro is in order.