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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.

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.

Secrets Of Royal Travel

Pack your bags and climb aboard for a rare look inside the British monarchy’s luxurious private planes and trains. Discover five-star opulence in vehicles fit for a king or queen with lavish fixtures and fittings plus handy staff on standby to grant you your every wish.

Insiders reveal the special protocols and secret traditions associated with these unique, extraordinary mobile palaces in this two-part royal family documentary.

Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures

Watch Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures on BBC Select

Actress and Ab Fab star Joanna Lumley has clocked up masses of air miles jetting around the world during her celebrated travel documentaries. But not every moment makes it into the final cut.

In this series, Joanna takes us behind the scenes and shares unseen footage (and the occasional blooper) from her epic global adventures, starting in Japan and spanning right through to Cuba.

Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon

Bhutan, the beautiful land-locked nation in the Eastern Himalayas, has always been steeped in mystery.

In this revealing BBC travel documentary, Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley retraces the steps her grandparents took in the country 60 years before. Through her eyes, a world that challenges accepted ideas of wealth and happiness is explored.

But what family secrets will Joanna uncover?