Travel documentary
Encyclopedia
A travel documentary is a documentary film
or television program
that describes travel
in general or tourist attractions in a non-commercial
way.
In the past, the genre
was represented by television shows such as "Across the Seven Seas" showcasing travelogues produced by third parties, and occasional itinerant presentations of travelogues in theaters and other venues. "Shock" travelogues such as Mondo Cane
(1962) also enjoyed a certain following.
Today the British
comedian
Michael Palin
has become famous for this kind of production with several series depicting his travels around the world. PBS has several travel shows including those hosted by Rick Steves
.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
or television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that describes travel
Travel
Travel is the movement of people or objects between relatively distant geographical locations. 'Travel' can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.-Etymology:...
in general or tourist attractions in a non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
way.
In the past, the genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
was represented by television shows such as "Across the Seven Seas" showcasing travelogues produced by third parties, and occasional itinerant presentations of travelogues in theaters and other venues. "Shock" travelogues such as Mondo Cane
Mondo cane
Mondo cane is a documentary written and directed by Italian filmmakers Paolo Cavara, Franco Prosperi and Gualtiero Jacopetti. The film consists of a series of travelogue vignettes that provide glimpses into cultural practices around the world with the intention to shock or surprise Western film...
(1962) also enjoyed a certain following.
Today the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
Michael Palin
Michael Palin
Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries....
has become famous for this kind of production with several series depicting his travels around the world. PBS has several travel shows including those hosted by Rick Steves
Rick Steves
Richard "Rick" Steves is an American author and television personality focusing on European travel. He is the host of the American Public Television series Rick Steves' Europe, has a public radio travel show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored various location-specific travel...
.
Notable examples
- Around the World in 80 TreasuresAround the World in 80 TreasuresAround the World in 80 Treasures is a 10 episode art and travel documentary series by the BBC, presented by Dan Cruickshank, and originally aired in February, March, and April 2005...
- with Dan CruickshankDan CruickshankDan Cruickshank is an art historian and BBC television presenter.-Early life:As a young child he lived for some years in Poland...
. First broadcast by the BBC in 2005. - Michael Palin's New EuropeMichael Palin's New EuropeMichael Palin's New Europe is a travel documentary presented by Michael Palin and first aired in the UK on the BBC in 2007 and in the US on the Travel Channel on Monday January 28, 2008. Palin visits 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The filming was done in 2006 and early 2007 using HD ...
- first broadcast by the BBC in 2007. - Meet a Local Online Series - presented by Mark Shea, Broadcast online
- Youtube Travel Videos - Five Successful Travel Video Channels
- Word TravelsWord TravelsWord Travels is an adventure travel television documentary series. An original Canadian production, the show debuted on OLN on January 30, 2008 and airs in Canada on OLN and CityTV, and worldwide on Nat Geo Adventure...
- presented by Robin EsrockRobin EsrockRobin Esrock is an adventure travel writer and international television personality. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Esrock has written articles for major international publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Gulf News Dubai, South China Morning Post, Cape Town Argus, Sydney Morning...
and Julia Dimon. First broadcast by OLN in 2008. - Don't Tell My MotherDon't Tell My MotherDon't Tell My Mother is a television programme hosted by Diego Buñuel and shown on the subscription television channel Nat Geo Adventure.For the past ten years Diego Buñuel has been a foreign correspondent for French Television covering all kinds of countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, or the...
- presented by Diego Bunuel. - MadventuresMadventuresMadventures is a Finnish travel documentary television series that concentrates on backpacking in the most off-the-beaten-path destinations on the planet. It is presented by Riku Rantala and Tuomas "Tunna" Milonoff. As the show's director and cameramen, they travel around the world exploring...
- By Any MeansBy Any MeansBy Any Means, also known as Ireland to Sydney by Any Means, is a television series following Long Way Round and Long Way Down star Charley Boorman...
- Long Way DownLong Way Down"Long Way Down" is a single by the Goo Goo Dolls from their breakthrough album, 1995's A Boy Named Goo. This song is often overshadowed by the low-key ballad "Name", which launched the band to household names...
- Long Way RoundLong Way RoundLong Way Round is a documentary television series, DVD set and book documenting the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles...
- Departures (TV series)
See also
- Documentary filmDocumentary filmDocumentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
- Travelogue (films)Travelogue (films)Travelogue films, a form of virtual tourism or travel documentary, have been providing information and entertainment about distant parts of the world since the late 19th century.-History:...
- Travel ChannelTravel ChannelThe Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...