12 famous travel TV shows, and not so famous

They are legendary television travel journalists. Legendary in the sense that they have contributed, some more than others, to my traveler imaginary, as comics, movies or literature have made. There have been, in my humble opinion, better and worse films in the history of the TV travel reporters. Some have achieved more fame than others, and all have done very differently.

What I mean is that I like some of them more than others. But somehow they all have contributed to my views on TV travel shows, and so they all seem to me noteworthy. I must have left many in the ink, now that this genre has grown in theme channels and in the Internet … But I’d like to look back at those who came to my memory.

[1] The Silent World

Indeed, at the top of the tops is, for me, Jacques Cousteau.. One of the greatest in many ways. In his capacity as a scientist, an advocate for the oceans … In short, everything that represents the figure of Cousteau. An interesting character.

In 1955, Jacques-Yves Cousteau left the port of Toulon aboard the Calypso, on a trip that would take him and his divers 12,000 miles through the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Their mission: to shoot the underwater world. The result: Neither more nor less than an Oscar and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival.

I leave you for a few minutes with the captain, ecologist and oceanographer, and his trusty vessel Calypso, in the introduction of the documentary “The Silent World” (“Le Monde du Silence”).

[2] Doctor Livingstone, supongo

Following with the great ones, I have to quote one fellow countryman. Roge Blasco is much more than just a travel reporter. Known for his radio shows, and two series made for television: On one side is “Doctor Livingstone, supongo” ( “Doctor Livingstone, I presume“) that was issued in ETB. And the another one is “Tierra a la Vista” (“Land in sight“) of TVE2. Unfortunately I have not found videos of one or another program… But I promise to ask him in person, because my father and I have been invited to the radio on July 28th. Meanwhile, I leave one of his legendary audio program “Levando anclas” (“Anchors Aweigh“) in Radio Euskadi.

Do not miss this radio episode: “We’ll connect with Macau where the Argentinian cycling traveler Pablo Garcia is. The poet and song improviser Peru Magdalena and Egoitz Etxebarria tell us the second chapter of his adventures around South America and Cuba. The doctor Mario Sarsa describes his navigation on the river Congo, where he was held by local guerrillas. In addition, Hilo Moreno and José Mijares tell us about their cross-country skiing trip in the island of Spitsbergen, in the Arctic Circle”.

[3] El hombre y la tierra

Undoubtedly Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente is another clear example of travel, adventure and nature journalism. Who could forget the fabulous introduction of his program “El hombre y la tierra” (“Man and Earth“)?

[4] Un país en la mochila

I can only continue with the Aragonese José Antonio Labordeta, also a politician, and its program “Un país en la mochila” ( “A country in the backpack“). The video that follows is the first part of the program in which Labordeta visited Macael (Almería) to know the process of elaboration of marble, in 1993.

[5] The cocodrile hunter

Not so relevant for me, but also on the list, is Steve Irwin “The cocodrile hunter” who also died doing what he liked: To come perilously close to an animal. On the internet circulates even a video, allegedly of the moment when a stingray pierced him with its his poison whip. More than 14 million views. A mediatic person, no doubt.

We’ve talked about two people who died in accidents related to their profession. But we still have to mention another fatal accident. Like the death of Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente, this death has to do with a helicopter.

The Basque director and producer Iñaki Pangua, the cameraman Ruben Cortijo and the pilot Roberto Arenas died when the helicopter from which they were filming crashed in Markina. The mountain-photographer Santiago Yañiz was seriously injured. He was the only survivor.

[6] Euskal Herria, la mirada mágica

They were filming an episode of “Euskal Herria, la mirada mágica” (“Basque Country, the magic eye“), a series that is characterized by the absence of the presenter, a pervasive voice, an impressive editing and very good music. All their shots are taken from “bird’s eye view”. A masterpiece, and a huge success in ETB, in Euskara as in Spanish. In the following video you can enjoy the views from the town where I grew up: Donostia (San Sebastian). Is it wrong for me to say, but that’s why its called the Pretty Easo …

[7] Ushuaia

I’ve made a small survey among my friends, and they have reminded me to Nicolas Hulot and his show Ushuaia , with which I spent a few afternoons on the couch.

[8] Chiloe

And some will wonder … What about the women reporters? Yes, there is. And it is time to mention a friend and professional colleague: Maider Egues and the show called “Chiloe“, a pioneer in euskara (and also in Spanish). If you want to see how she takes you from the couch to Malta, click on the following video.

I must admit that I do not follow the current format of “Chiloe”, presented by Jokin Etchevarria in ETB. I know that it is being issued after the movie in the Donostia-Madrid RENFE route of the Alvia train.

[9] Lonely Planet TV

I also like the videos from Lonely Planet, whose website I visit regularly. I leave you with the next video, that will move you you temporarily to Sierra Nevada, to a cocaine factory. It is one of the most watched videos on LPTV. Indeed, in one of the chapters of the first season of Tokitan I will show you how the hashish is produced in Morocco.

[10] Desafío Extremo

A more recent reference is Jesus Calleja, an adventurer from Leon and a real phenomenon in the channel Cuatro with its “Extreme Challenge“s (“Desafío Extremo”) Do you want to climb the Everest with him…?

[11] The Long Way Round

Another interesting proposal is the documentary series starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. “The Long Way Round” tells their motorcycle trip from London to New York, traveling around the world through 31 000 kilometers. This is the teaser.

[12] Palin’s travels

Finally, I invite you to give a Turkish bath in Istanbul with the great Michael Palin, writer, humorist member of Monty Python and host of “Palin’s travels” on the BBC. Unrepeatable!

With all the good and bad of each, I must confess that in one way or another they all have influenced me. And, in spite of the differences, they have something to do with the humble contribution that on my part is Tokitan.tv.

And you, what would you add to this list?