New Delhi: The close of the fiscal year ushers in a season of respite for corporate denizens, with the calendar marking March and April as especially fertile for those lengthy weekends many crave. As many anticipate these coveted spans of leisure, travel plans are often penciled into agendas with fervent enthusiasm. Yet, for those eschewing the throngs that descend on popular short-haul destinations, alternatives beckon through our screens. Thus, we chart a curated list of television series that offer immersive sojourns into far-flung locales, vibrant cultures, and awe-inspiring sceneries, extending an invitation to traverse the globe from your living room’s sanctuary.
The transformative urge known as wanderlust need not wane, for travel-themed shows are at hand to satiate it, providing an entrancing substitute—a chance to globe-trot sans the hassle of transit. Transporting viewers from animated marketplaces to tranquil shores, these programs are the conduits for virtual odysseys, kindling our innate curiosity and laying the groundwork for future explorations. With remote in hand and imagination at the ready, let us launch into an armchair adventure spanning continents and cultures.
‘Once Upon a Trip! To Dubai’ inaugurates our lineup with Anil Kapoor and Maniesh Paul, a dynamic duo delving into Dubai’s mesmerizing mélange of sun-drenched dunes and cutting-edge cityscapes. Their exploratory saga through the Emirati metropolis is laced with humor and adventure, offering an intimate perspective on the city’s eclectic sights and sounds—a mosaic of gaiety and wonder that promises a journey replete with laughter and serendipitous encounters. Available for viewing on JioCinema.
In a different vein, the iconic ‘Man Vs Wild’ takes adrenaline aficionados on a globetrotting survival trip steered by the formidable Bear Grylls. Confronting the extremes of earth’s wilderness, from dense jungles to urban junglescapes devoid of the bare necessities, Grylls skillfully employs his ingenuity and survival expertise to navigate and educate. This series surpasses mere thrill-seeking; it has also welcomed Indian luminaries, among them actors and the nation’s Prime Minister, adding a personalized touch for viewers. Adventure seekers can stream this on Amazon Prime Video.
‘Expedition Unknown’ propels us into the annals of history, with archaeologist and host Josh Gates uncovering obscure temples, lost pathways, and intriguing relics. More than a sanitized travelogue, this series embodies rugged authenticity, unraveling the planet’s concealed marvels and historical enigmas. Every locale visited is a testament to history’s labyrinthine richness, and each episode is an implicit draft into a cadre of modern-day adventurers. Amazon Prime Video offers a gateway to join Gates in his chronicles.
Steering away from the global stage to India’s captivating North-East, ‘Kalki’s Great Escape’ invites audiences to accompany Kalki Koechlin and her father, Joel Koechlin, astride Royal Enfield Himalayan bikes. Spanning nearly 4,000 kilometers across the undulating terrain of Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, this travel narrative cherishes the symbiosis of culture and nature, allowing the region’s tapestried beauty to shine—a feast for wanderlust souls available on YouTube via National Geographic India.
Comedic and relatable, ‘TVF Tripling’ narrates the inadvertent escapades of three siblings on a jaunt to Rajasthan. Laden with more than mere luggage, this trio confronts unresolved familial dilemmas amidst a backdrop of deserts and hilarity on their quest to reunify with their estranged parents. Each kilometer traveled is an exploration of both the land and their tangled bonds—a comedic odyssey on Zee5.
Lastly, ‘Dark Tourist’, driven by journalist David Farrier, deviates from conventional travel narratives, delving into the macabre allure of dark tourism. His voyages lead to haunts marred by tragedy and enigma, such as a Mexican cult of death worshipers or the radioactive remnants of Fukushima. In this series, no corner cloaked in shadow is too daunting as Farrier charts a chilling course into the abyss of human curiosity. This netflix series serves as a profound reflection on the interplay between history, mortality, and tourism.
As the allure of travel persists ubiquitously, these shows emerge as virtual conduits to satisfy the wanderer’s soul within us. They beckon us to embark upon a transcendent journey of discovery and to revel in the experiences that bridge distances and resonate with the universal human spirit of adventure. So, settle in, select your voyage of choice, and prepare to traverse lands near and far without ever needing to pack a suitcase.
