The Best Travel Show Hosts on Television
Travel shows are always good to watch especially when you want to relax and get away from the sometimes disappointing, everyday TV news and drama.
There are a lot of travel shows nowadays which can take you to the farthest places in the planet-places you’ve never even heard of or would never even want to visit, and sometimes even to places you can only dream about. Not only are they visually fun to watch, with all the beautiful landscapes, architecture, etc., but are very educational and always inspiring.
Travel show hosts have the best job in the world-a job many of us will kill for! They are a special kind of people-always adaptable, energetic and patient. They like getting lost. They have been to the best hotels and the worst bathrooms in the face of the earth. They have eaten and drank almost every possible cultural offering from each nation. They are always up for experiments-so regular travelers like us will know what to expect in places we plan to visit. And yes, they are paid to do all these.
Here are some of TV’s travel hosts who are as lively and vibrant as the places they visit:
Ian Wright
This British travel host is witty and very adventurous. As one of the hosts of Globe Trekker, he keeps his audience amused as he never says “No” to any adventure put on the map for him. Ian has been around the globe, usually spending several months in each country to really experience its culture. He is also an artist who says he “tries and finds time to paint on every trip”.
All of his episodes on the show are never boring-he’ll even put on a stunt (or a costume) if asked to, and has never complained about it all. This is probably why travelling on TV is so much more fun than it already is-there’s a host like Ian Wright who knows how to have fun on the whole journey.
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain is an accomplished chef and writer. His books Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and A Cook’s Tour have sold millions of copies worldwide, ranking among the best in the New York Times Bestsellers List.
As host of the Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, he goes to different countries in search of the best (and most of the time exotic, even ghastly) delicacies while digging deep into each place’s unique culture. Although his profanity and unapologetic habits have caused many an alarm on family TV, his image remains immaculate to his countless loyal fans who look up to him as the punk god of culinary travel.
Bobby Chinn
World Café Asia host Bobby Chinn has spent most of his life travelling. Before becoming the maverick chef that he is in Hanoi, he has lived, studied and taken up various jobs in different cities around the globe.
The show is always fun as Chinn’s wild antics and humorous remarks never fail to spice up his trips all over Asia. Chinn not only samples authentic dishes in the region, but always does a little cooking as well. He also goes looking for the best street foods Asian countries have to offer. The show gives a vivid look into the diverse and magical continent that is Asia.
Andrew Zimmern
Andrew Zimmern is another culinary explorer who willingly guides us through the interesting world of Bizarre Foods. An accomplished chef and food writer himself, Zimmern has a very steadfast taste for everything peculiar. In his show, he tours us through different countries by showing us the most unusual and authentic dishes we may ever find. He won’t stop at nothing and will gladly try anything for us-from insects to fresh cow’s blood, from fermented veggies to anything spoiled but tasty. Zimmern will eat them all! For someone who is very versatile and smart, it is also fair to add that this guy has the guts.
Megan McCormick
Megan McCormick has always had the travel bug in her. Landing different jobs before she became an official guide of Globe Trekker, McCormick decided to pursue a career on television by auditioning for Pilot Productions. The producers were impressed by her intelligence and passion and gave her the dream job in 1998. Together with other guides, McCormick takes us deep into the history and culture of each city and village she visits around the globe. Much more serious in presenting than fellow Ian Wright, Megan shows us how travel can be both educational and fun.
