Non-Travel Travel Shows to Inspire Your Wanderlust

One of the great things about our modern world is how easy it is to access information on cultures and lands different than our own. All kinds of books, websites, and tv shows exist to entice those that love to explore and placate those struck with incurable wanderlust. An entire television network, in fact, is dedicated to celebrating the art of travel. Sometimes, though, you may just learn more about a place, delve deeper into a culture, by reading or watching something that isn't specifically about travel at all. Sometimes memoirs can give you a more meaningful glimpse of a city, or a show with a local interest story can give you a greater idea of the history of a town. Here are a couple of examples of television shows that are great for satiating your wanderlust despite the main subject not technically being about travel at all.

Survivorman:
Though it's no longer being filmed, Les Stroud's Survivorman series can still be found on the Science channel and is easily accessible through dvds and Netflix.com's Watch Instantly feature. The show's subject is ostensibly about survival situations; staying alive when stranded in harsh wilderness. Les is left to fend for himself, handling all of his own camera gear, and filming all of the footage on his own. While his focus is obviously on keeping himself alive and uninjured, he is also sure to show off the natural beauty around him whenever possible. Showcasing some of the most pristine places on earth, such as the Amazon rainforest and the Sonoran Desert, the show covers many different aspects of each location. Les discussing wild edibles is a great chance to learn about the local flora and fauna of a location, tricks that he uses to survive are often taught to him by a local guide, and the beautiful landscapes shown will give you a taste of some of the views you may experience.

Destination Truth:
Currently airing on the Syfy network, this show is also available on Hulu.com and Amazon.com's Video On Demand service as well as on dvd. Josh Gates and his rag tag crew are in search of the truth behind various paranormal and cryptozoological sightings. What they often find however, is a large helping of local customs, folklore, and traditions along with wonderful scenery and historical sites. The experiences of the crew at various airports is often highlighted and many episodes feature music or festivals native to the region which the team is visiting. Often the myths involved can teach you things about a culture that you might not learn from a tourist guide. The local wildlife is regularly mentioned when the crew is discussing possible dangers, and customs are frequently observed by the team so as to help them gain access to areas not always friendly to outsiders.

Some other shows you might enjoy include "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri and "Have Fork, Will Travel" with Zane Lamprey, both on the Food Network, and "Ghost Hunters International" on the Syfy Network.