Start your Free Trial:

Travel documentaries

Travel shows on BBC Select inspire exploration, adventure, and cultural immersion and transport you to captivating destinations around the world. Our selection of travel documentaries feature tour guides such as Joanna Lumley, Alexander Armstrong and Bettany Hughes and offer glimpses into incredible landscapes and lesser known gems across the globe. Embark on journeys across Europe, Asia and more with our collection of travel series and films.

Bettany Hughes' Grand Tour: From Paris to Rome

Bettany Hughes: From Paris to Rome

In the 18th century, those seeking culture and an artistic education would take a ‘grand tour’, exploring Europe’s rich heritage and cuisine. In this delightful travel documentary series historian Bettany Hughes follows in their footsteps, visiting such wonders as the museums of Paris and Rome, the canals of Venice, the cuisine of Florence and Milan and the glorious vistas of the Amalfi coast.

South Korea with Alexander Armstrong

South Korea with Alexander Armstrong

South Korea is a nation of contrasts. It’s smaller than many states but can feel like another planet. Alexander Armstrong is getting to the heart of what makes the nation tick is in this engrossing travel documentary. Gangnam Style, Squid Games, K-Pop; South Korea is one of those places that’s always somewhere in our consciousness, but most people know little about this extraordinary country.

Iceland With Alexander Armstrong

Iceland’s unique isolated position has created an equally individual culture. Actor and presenter Alexander Armstrong sets out on the adventure of a lifetime in the Land of Ice and Fire. He soon finds that there’s more to Iceland than just Vikings and violently erupting volcanoes. Traversing the full breadth of the country he discovers a land of geysers, very expensive beer and even rotten shark.

Joanna Lumley: In The Land of the Northern Lights

Watch Joanna Lumley: In The Land of the Northern Lights on BBC Select

BBC Select is heading north with actress Joanna Lumley as she pursues a life-long dream to witness the elusive Northern Lights in this moving documentary.

As a little girl growing up in Malaysia, Joanna had never seen snow or felt cold. She longed to head to the land of trolls and snow queens.

But she could never have guessed what a challenging and absorbing arctic adventure lay ahead of her.

Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza

Watch Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza on BBC Select

Synonymous with luxury, Manhattan’s magisterial Plaza Hotel has played host to presidents, movie stars and the mega-rich for decades. But when it comes to Christmas, the extravagance is kicked up a notch.

This access-all-areas documentary goes behind the scenes as the Plaza enters its busiest season. No request is denied to guests who expect festive opulence and non-stop, five-star service.