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Rick Steves' Europe

American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities.

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• Trivia Rick Steves travels with a very small crew - one cameraman and one producer. Rick writes the script for each episode, usually the day before a shoot.

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Rick Steves - Host : I'm Rick Steves, and until next time, keep on travelling!

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• Jan 20, 2024
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The Best TV Series To Watch If You Love European Travel

May 20, 2021.

Europe TV Series That Will Inspire Wanderlust

We have all had a little more time to watch TV this last year and a little less time to book that trip to explore Europe. And while that might have not been what we had all anticipated for ourselves, I personally coped by watching a ridiculous amount of tv shows about Europe. And the good news is that there are a lot of fantastic European tv series out there. But, if you are anything like me and really made your way through that Netflix queue, you might be struggling to find that next winner. That is why I made this comprehensive list of the best television shows set in Europe. There is sure to be one that you haven’t yet heard of that intrigues you!

The list of Europe tv shows is broken down by country which will hopefully make it easier for you to narrow down the choices. You’ll also find where to stream the series on and how many seasons there are because sometimes we just want something that we can get through in a couple of nights and other times we really want to have a long lasting relationship with our favorite characters. Shows do go on and off streaming sites relatively frequently, so if you see that something has changed, let us know and we will update!

You didn’t ask, but if you want to hear my top 5 Europe tv series (granted I haven’t seen everything on this list), my absolute must watches are: Durrell’s in Corfu, The Crown, Downton Abbey, Anthony Bourdain, and Poldark.

Best Europe TV Shows

Durrell’s in Corfu : Lousia Durrell, a widow and mother to four children, moves her family from England to Corfu, Greece to start fresh. The series spans the mid to late 1930s and is based on the novels written by the youngest Durell, Gerald or Gerry. It’s a phenomenal series and should be at the top of your list have you not yet watched.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime Video

UNITED KINGDOM

The Crown : The historical drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century to modern times. We are privy to political rivalries, romance, and a greater understanding of not only what it means to be a monarch, but also the head of the Church of England.

Stream it on: Netflix

Seasons: There will be six total. Four have aired. 

Killing Eve : Sandra Oh plays Eve Polastri, a British intelligence investigator, who is given the task of hunting down a psychopathic assassin named Villanelle (Jodi Comer). Follow the cat and mouse game as these two character’s lives become more and more intertwined. Proceed with caution: I binged two full seasons in one weekend.

Stream it on: Hulu

Seasons: Three have aired, but there will be four in total. 

Bodyguard : David Budd (Richard Madden) is a police sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Service in London, in the Royalty and Specialist Protection branch. The war veteran, whose experiences left him with PTSD, is assigned to protect Julia Montague, the controversial Home Secretary. Torn between his duty to protect and his own beliefs – he loathes Julia’s politics – David must reconcile where exactly his loyalties lie.

Poldark : Based on a series of classic British novels, Poldark is the story of a wealthy and dashing Cornish  gentleman who returns home after fighting in the Revolutionary War only to find his country estate in bad disrepair and the love of his life married to his sworn enemy. The beautifully filmed series depicts life in a small mining town in Cornwall for both the landed gentry and the underprivileged miners who work for them.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime

Call the Midwife : This charming series follows a group of nurse midwives in an impoverished London neighborhood in the 1950s and 60s who are based at a Catholic religious order called Nonatus House. Although it is a historical drama, the show deals with many societal issues that we still face today such as abortion, domestic violence, racial injustice and birth control.

Seasons: Nine have aired.

Broadchurch : Set in the quaint seaside village of Broadchurch, this British crime drama spends three seasons focusing on a single murder case and its aftermath, not only for the victim’s family but for an entire community. The detectives on the case are none other than Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and Doctor Who (David Tennant) who do a bangup job investigating many twists and turns in their effort to find the killer.

Land Girls : The series is a World War II drama about the Women’s Land Army, a real-life volunteer group of young women from all over England who moved to the countryside to grow food for the war effort. This fictionalized account tells the story of their struggles and adjustments to country living and to each other.

Steam it on: Netflix

Downton Abbey : This critically acclaimed historical drama allows us a look inside the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants throughout the early twentieth century. The series shows the effect that important historical events from 1912 to 1926 like the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the Spanish Flu have on all of their lives. It’s a must watch if you have not yet seen the show or the feature film adaptation that followed. 

The Night Manager : The show follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a hotel night manager who is asked by a well-connected guest and intelligence operative (Olivia Coleman) to help spy on international businessman, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). Pine’s assistance with this request thrusts him into Roper’s shady world as he attempts to infiltrate Roper’s inner circle and investigate illegal arms sales. 

  Stream it on: Amazon Prime

  Seasons: 1; the show has been renewed for a second.

Grantchester : Set in the 1950s in a village just outside of Cambridge, a clergyman and a veteran police officer join forces and start an investigation into the suspicious death of the priest’s parishioners. These unlikely partners form a real friendship as they work together to discover why there is such darkness and crime in this small little corner of Cambridgeshire.

Victoria : The historical drama series chronicles the early life of Queen Victoria, her ascension to the throne, and her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. As the seasons continue, we see how Queen Victoria navigates various historical events like the famine in Ireland and relations with France.

Seasons: Three have aired and a fourth may be in the works. 

The Last Kingdom : After watching his father be killed by Danish invaders, Uhtred, an Anglo-Saxon, is raised by viking warlord Earl Ragnar and taught the ways to become a brave warrior. Uhtred is later put in a position where he must decide his loyalties between his country and the nation that raised him. 

Seasons: Four have aired and a fifth will arrive to Netflix in Fall 2021.

Lark Rise to Candleford : The series, which has been adapted from Flora Thompson’s childhood memoir, is told through the eyes of a young girl, Laura Timmins. Set toward the end of the 19th century, Laura leaves the small Oxfordshire hamlet, Lark Rise, to start a new job with the aide of her mother’s cousin, Dorcas Lane, in the wealthier neighboring town, Candleford. The series chronicles the ups and downs of daily life for these two characters as well as the friends, farmworkers, and neighbors living in these communities.

Last Tango in Halifax : This romantic comedy follows the story of two widowed childhood sweethearts in their 70s who fall for each other all over again after their respective grandsons create profiles for them on a popular social networking site. The two fall for each other all over again, but still have obstacles to overcome with their families.

Bridgerton : Shonda Rhimes has done it again, no surprise here, with this American period drama set during the Regency era in England (1813). The eight children of widow Violet, the matriarch of the powerful Bridgerton family, attempt to find love in London high society; and, as with anything Rhimes writes, scandal ensues. Bridgerton also happens to be the most-watched series on Netflix.

Seasons: One has aired, but seasons two, three, and four have been confirmed.

Vikings : The show follows Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer and family man, who is tired of the ways set forth by his local chieftain, and strives to explore westward across the ocean to find new civilizations. The action causes issues within his clan and especially with his clean leader, Earl Haraldson, creating two separate factions.

The Trip :  This 2010 British sitcom stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as fictionalized versions of themselves. Coogan invites Brydon on a restaurant tour of Northern England after Coogan’s girlfriend breaks up with him and moves back to America. The antics that these two get up to are enjoyable to watch. Three seasons followed (The Trip to Italy, The Trip to Spain, and the Trip to Greece), and all four were each edited into their own feature film.

Stream it on: You can watch the feature films, which are the episodes of each season edited down into a movie, on Hulu.

Normal People : The series is adapted from the novel, Normal People by Sally Rooney, a millennial author who has won critical acclaim for both this book and her debut novel Conversations With Friends. The series follows Marianne and Connell over several years as they navigate adulthood as well as their complex, on-again, off-again romance. Rooney’s novels examine the human condition and the complexities of relationships. The plot feels incidental. But, I have read both and can tell you that Sally is such a good writer that once you turn the first page, you won’t put the book down until you make it to the last.

The Fall : Maggie Anderson plays Stella Gibson, a London detective called up to Belfast in Northern Ireland to lend her investigatory expertise and catch serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). This psychological thriller is a cat and mouse chase between two hunters, and Gibson will stop at nothing to catch Spector before he moves on to the next victim.

Derry Girls : The sitcom centers around five Catholic schoolgirls in the Northern Ireland city of Derry during the 1990s. The Troubles – a bloody period of Irish history that spanned three decades – were nearing their end. And despite the ongoing political turmoil between Irish nationalists and Unionists, we watch as the girls try to navigate their seemingly tumultuous teenage years just as the rest of the world’s teenagers do.

Seasons: Two have aired, but a third season is confirmed.

Outlander :  A medley of romance, science fiction, history and stunning cinematography have generated a global cult following for Outlander. Viewers are mesmerized by this epic love story of a nurse from 1945 who travels back in time to fall in love with a Scottish Highlander from the 1700s.

Seasons: 5 have aired.

Monarch of the Glen : Just as Archie MacDonald plans to open up his very own fish restaurant in London, he learns that he is the recipient of an unexpected inheritance. Archie must return back to the Scottish Highlands to run his decaying family estate. He will need to adapt to the newfound responsibilities that being the owner of such a large property requires.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime (you may need a VPN if you are streaming from the USA)

Reign : It’s an American historical drama – the show originally aired on the CW – telling the story of the rise to power for Mary Queen of Scots. The monarch moves to France to formalize her arranged engagement to Prince Francis. She must spend her time in France readying herself to rule and dealing with complicated matters of the heart, which is all but complicated by the treacherous French court.

Stream it On: Netflix

Shetland : Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez returns to his native Shetland Islands, but doesn’t have much down time with the eight murder cases he needs to solve. Even in the beautiful Shetland Islands, not everything is as it seems. Perez and his team have a lot of work to do as they try to track down the culprits.

Seasons: Five seasons have aired, and season six and seven are confirmed.

Hinterland : This police procedural is set in the town of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales. Tom Mathias, the Chief Inspector of Police, leaves London for Wales but uncovers that the place has dark secrets just like he does.

Hidden : Police officers investigate after finding a young woman’s body on the banks of a river; and, she might not have been the only woman to have gone missing from that same area.

Stream it on: Acorn TV

Seasons: Two seasons have aired and a third has been confirmed.

Cable Girls : Set in the 1920s, the series follows the stories of four young women who get jobs at the first national telephone company as they manage relationships, romance, and equality.  I absolutely adored the first four seasons of this show. Season 5 time jumps to the Spanish civil war, and while I appreciated learning more about the political atmosphere of the time, I wish I had stopped after season 4 and not watched the final one. This is just something to consider should you choose to watch this phenomenal show. 

La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) : A criminal mastermind known as “The Professor” offers a group of eight thieves the opportunity to rob the Royal Mint of Spain by printing billions of euros. A showdown ensues between the police and the robbers as they attempt to carry out their shrewd plan. 

Gran Hotel : It is 1905 in the fictional Spanish coastal town of Cantaloa, and Julio arrives at the Gran Hotel only to uncover that his sister, a chambermaid at the hotel, has disappeared. Julio is determined to find her so he starts investigating everyone at the hotel. Julio’s investigation does lead him somewhere – right into the arms of Alicia, the married hotel heiress.  The series was adapted for American television in 2019 with the show Grand Hotel, but it was cancelled after one season.

Stream it on: The show was taken off of Netflix in January 2021, so it will be difficult to find somewhere to watch. 

My Brilliant Friend : The series is based on the four books, also known as the Neapolitan Quartet, by Italian novelist Elena Ferrante. After the sudden disappearance of  Lila Cerullo, an old friend of now 60-year Elena Greco, Elena reflects on the early days of the girls lives in 1950s Naples and Ischia, Italy. Each season is adapted from the accompanying novel, season 1 is based on book 1, season 2 is based on book 2, etc.

Stream it on: HBO Max

Seasons: Two have aired, but there will be four in total.

Medici : Set in 15-century Renaissance Florence,  the banking dynasty, House of Medici, rises to power and wields great influence over the arts and politics of medieval Italy.

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy – The name really says it all. Stanley Tucci travels across Italy to share the highlights of the country’s regional cuisines. Tucci offers us insight into a world that is so much more than pasta and pizza – although we get our fair share of that as well – by showing us how Italy’s history and culture has affected the diversity of Italian cooking.

Stream it on: CNNgo, but you can watch on YouTube TVwith or a Hulu premium subscription.

Seasons: One has aired, but the show has been confirmed for a second.

Emily in Paris : Emily Cooper (Lilly Collins) moves to Paris after a company transfer at her marketing agency. We watch as Emily struggles to succeed in the workplace, searches for love, and adjusts to life in Paris. I’m a huge Darren Star fan, but the show just didn’t cut it for me. The characters weren’t well developed and the writing was very cliché. With that said, a lot of people loved that they could escape to Paris through the show and thought it was a fun watch, so it’s included on this list.

Seasons: 1, but has been renewed for a second season

Versailles : The year is 1667. Louis XIV is in complete control of France and commissioning the Palace of Versailles, the world’s most opulent palace. Eager to share in its grandeur and displaced from their usual surroundings, the nobles do not realize that this palace is actually meant to control and imprison them.

Call My Agent! : Talent agents at a top firm in Paris work tirelessly to make their clients happy and maintain their businesses in show business, a world filled with backstabbing and scheming.

The Bureau : The series, which is based on true accounts, follows the lives of agents of the DGSE (General Directorate of External Security) which is France’s equivalent to the CIA. Officer Malotru has spent the past six years under cover in Damascus, Syria, but has been mysteriously recalled back to Paris. Malotru must re-learn how to connect with his family and move past his time as an undercover agent in Syria. If you’ve finished Homeland and are looking for something in a similar vein, then check out The Bureau.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime, YouTubeTV, Sundance Now

Charité at War : This drama takes place at a prominent Berlin hospital during World War II and the tells the story of physicians and nurses working to save lives and practice ethical medical care during the Nazi regime. While only six episodes, Charité at War manages to delve fairly deeply into its characters and offers up a tale of romance, action, interesting medical dilemmas.

Occupied : It’s a political thriller series based in the fictional near future. The Norwegian government stops all oil and gas production in the North Sea, due to overwhelming environmental concerns, so Russia intervenes on behalf of the European Union and invades the country. The goal? To take control of Norway’s oil supplies and stop the Europe-wide energy crisis.

NETHERLANDS

Baptiste : Detective Julian Baptiste is staying in Amsterdam when he runs into an old girlfriend, Amsterdam’s chief of police. She asks Baptiste to help search for Natalie, a missing sex worker and the investigation draws him into the dark underworld of the red light district. The series is a spin off from The Missing where Tchéky Karyo also plays the role of Detective Baptiste.

Stream it on: Apple TV

The Restaurant : It’s 1945, World War II is over, and Sweden is celebrating. But, the war has enormously impacted Europe. Nina Lowander and her family run a traditional restaurant in Sweden, but the limited number of patrons is worrying. What lengths are the family members willing to go to keep their family-run business afloat?

Broen/Bron/The Bridge : The series was a joint production for Swedish and Danish entertainment. The show opens with the discovery of a dead body on the center of the Oresund Bridge, which exactly marks the Denmark-Sweden border. A joint investigation ensues as a Swedish police detective and her Danish counterpart work together to find the killer.

General Europe Travel TV Shows

Rick Steves’ Europe : The ultimate authority on all things Europe, Rick Steves’ travel show is public television’s most-watched, and longest-running travel series. The show is an educational and entertaining way to learn about the continent and acquaint yourself with the customs and the culture of Europe’s most interesting places.

Seasons: 11

Somebody Feed Phil : Philip Rosenthal, the creator of the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, travels the globe while taking us on a tour of the cuisine in each episode’s featured city. You’ll fall in love with Phil and his engaging personality in this travel documentary and while I recommend that you watch all of the episodes as he travels around the world, the Europe episodes are as follows: Season 1, Episode 4 (Lisbon); Season 2, Episode 1 (Venice); Season 2, Episode 2 (Dublin); Season 2, Episode 4 (Copenhagen); Season 3, Episode 3 (London).

Anthony Bourdain : It’s hard not to know the legend, best selling author, and Emmy award winner Anthony Bourdain. He was a world traveler, food lover and a master of words who traveled around the globe to find the ultimate dining experience. Bourdain provided his outlook on the daily life and customs of the locales he visited and broke bread with these residents who graciously shared their culture and cuisine. Bourdain has two series, Parts Unknown and No Reservations, and while he travels the whole world in these shows, there are plenty of episodes filmed in Europe. 

Stream it on: Parts Unknown on HBO Max and No Reservations on Hulu

Seasons: 12; 9

While this list is extensive, I know I’ve missed some incredible tv series set in Europe. Leave your favorites in the comments below! And don’t forget to read these other posts on WOAW:

Best Travel Guides for Europe: Top European Guidebooks for 2020

Travel Face Mask: Best Travel-Inspired Cloth Masks w/ Filters

Best Travel Accessories for Europe: The List of Essentials

Best Travel Coffee Table Books to Inspire You Right Now

10 of the Most Walkable Cities in Europe

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Travel Guides S3: The luxury European river cruise that floored the travel 'snobs'

On episode three of Nine's Travel Guides , the guides dip their toe in luxury European river cruising, embarking on a lavish week-long journey aboard APT's Amareina vessel, travelling from Regensburg to Budapest.

Even the show's resident travel "snobs" Kevin and Janetta, who've racked up an impressive 22 ocean voyages, were left floored by their first European river cruise — and thankfully, we've got all the juicy trip details in case you're itching to plan your own.

From onboard butlers to a town so pretty Kevin described it as "retina-detaching", click through for all the opulent cruising details.

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14 of the best travel TV shows to watch on demand

Epic landscapes, interesting characters and cool cultures – we transport you to the best places in the world right from the comfort of your sofa, with these top travel shows on Netflix, iPlayer and others…

While you may be hitting pause on your adventures, you can still be transported somewhere wild – using your TV remote as your passport to exotic climes, instead.

Chances are you’ve seen everything travel legends David Attenborough and Simon Reeve have done, but if you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, sweeping landscapes and interesting characters to meet, take a look at our round-up of th e best travel documentaries available to stream right now…

Best of all, you can start this journey on the couch.

Here are the best travel TV shows to watch on Netflix or on demand now…

1. the americas with simon reeve (2019).

What you’ll watch: It topped the list for best TV show at our 2020 Reader Travel Awards, but if you haven’t yet seen The Americas with Simon Reeve , put it straight on top of your must-watch list.

And when you’ve binged on his journeys hiking through the Rocky Mountains, hanging out with the US Border Patrol in Texas and discovering a tropical paradise in Costa Rica, you can turn to his other documentaries: the Caribbean, Australia, the Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean.

If there’s anywhere this man hasn’t been or seen, we challenge you to find it.

Where to watch it: The Americas with Simon Reeve is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer . Plus see Simon accept his Wanderlust award !

2. Race Across The World (2020)

What you’ll watch: Limited cash, no smartphones and forget about internet access – basically all the ingredients for an epic off-the-grid adventure.

In the latest series of the BBC’s Race Across The World , you can follow five teams as they race the length of Latin America, starting in Mexico City and ending in Ushuaia in Argentina, the most southerly city in the world.

Married couples and familial bonds are put to the test, as they weave friendships in the most unexpected of places on their way to the finish line. And if you can’t wait until next week’s episode, you can binge on series one as well. What’s better than that?

Where to watch it: Catch up on series two of Race Across The World on BBC iPlayer . And read our filming locations guide .

3. Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti (2020)

Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti is on ITV Player now (ITV)

What you’ll watch: She’s one of our favourite tour guides, taking us everywhere from India to the mighty Silk Road – it is, of course, the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley.

Let her lead you into a lesser-seen side of the Caribbean in her new two-part documentary, Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti, which begins in a boxing gym in the lively Cuban capital.

Keep watching as she wanders the streets of Havana, discovers Hemingway’s favourite beach and explores Fidel Castro’s hometown, before making her way over the Windward Passage to end her adventure with trips to ancient mountain fortresses and a mystical voodoo ceremony in Haiti.

Where to watch it: Catch up on Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti on ITV Player now.

4. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (2018)

What to watch: If delicious food is at the very top of your reasons-to-travel list, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is the Netflix show to tune into.

Culinary capers abound as loveable chef Samin Nosrat takes us to Italy, Japan, Mexico and California to show us how the title elements are key to the cuisine of each country.

Where to watch it: See Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat on Netflix now.

5. Ugly Delicious (2020)

What to watch: H ungry for more? Try Netflix’s Ugly Delicious – there are two series to devour, as chef David Chang takes us to culinary hotspots across the world, showing us why good cooking is universal.

He meets everyone from pizza purists in Brooklyn and Naples to trying Viet-Cajun fusion cuisine in Houston.

Where to watch it: Catch the new series of Ugly Delicious on Netflix .

6. Night on Earth (2020)

What to watch: Even when you’re travelling, you don’t get to see some of the most incredible sights – because some of them happen under the very cover of darkness.

In Netflix’s Night on Earth , you can see this world open up before you, witnessing the secret lives of lions, bats and monkeys. Eerie and visually compelling stuff.

Where to watch it: Night on Earth is on Netflix now.

7. James May: Our Man In Japan (2020)

What you’ll watch: We know you loved Japan with Sue Perkins , but now that’s it not available on iPlayer… how about racing through the island country with James May, instead?

Starting on the chilly northern island of Hokkaido, James embarks on a journey south to the balmy beaches of Shikoku and Kyushu, while meeting samurai in Honshu, sampling street food in Osaka and, of course, tackling the Suzuka Circuit on his way.

Where to watch it: Watch James May: Our Man in Japan on Amazon Prime now.

8. Travel Man: 48 Hours in… (2019)

What you’ll watch: Richard Ayoade’s droll two-day jaunts through cities across the world has provided us all with laughs since 2015.

While 2019’s series was his last as lead presenter, we can still look forward to more Travel Man in the future as Hugo Boss – aka the the comedian formerly known as Joe Lycett – takes over the role.

If you haven’t seen 48 Hours in… Amsterdam , it’s the perfect episode to get a feel for Hugo’s personality and learn more about the city’s culture, cuisine and canals.

Where to watch it: Find the past ten series of Travel Man: 48 Hours in… on All 4 .

9. Great Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo (2019)

What you’ll watch: Thousands of British commuters have plenty to say about UK train travel, but in the hands of Michael Portillo, the divisive subject matter seems to take on a golden glow of nostalgia.

You know best, after all – you voted for the BBC’s Great Railway Journeys as one of your top TV programmes in the last year.

Delving into the history of British rail, Michael reveals things we never knew about our local stations, including how an unlikely collaboration between London’s Crossrail railway project and a conservation charity is helping to protect birdlife in Series 11’s Limehouse to Rochford episode.

Where to watch it: Look out for your local station on Great British Railway Journeys on iPlayer.

10. Around the World in 80 Days (1989)

What to watch: It’s an oldie, but definitely a goodie – what could be better than staying in and getting a glimpse of how the world used to be with TV icon Michael Palin?

In Around the World in 80 Days , Michael follows in the footsteps of its main character Phileas Fogg, setting off on an epic adventure from London’s Reform Club across the world.

Close shaves, missed connections and inevitable delays await as he desperately attempts to meet the 80-day deadline in time. A delicious throwback to a simpler time.

Where to watch it: Watch Around the World in 80 Days on iPlayer .

11. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)

What to watch: The late Anthony Bourdain’s Emmy-winning travel series is a must-watch for any traveller whose adventures are driven by a passion for excellent food.

Parts Unknown sees the world-renowned chef and documentarian delve into cuisines, cultures and politics in countries across the globe. Essentially, he eats his way around the world.

With 12 seasons covering countless destinations (Vietnam and New York said to be two of his favourites), the later seasons take viewers on an off-the-beaten-track culinary journey through Armenia, Uruguay, Myanmar and beyond.

Where to watch it: You can stream the series on Amazon Prime now.

12. Dark Tourist (2018)

What to watch: If you’ve watched the majority of travel TV already, here’s one that may have slipped by you.

TV presenter David Farrier deep dives into so-called ‘dark tourism’: worldwide interest in visiting sites of nuclear disasters, destinations marred by danger or even death. If you’ve been to Chernobyl and Pripyat in Ukraine, you’ll understand the fascination.

You can expect to see a trip to Turkmenistan, a visit to Pablo Escobar’s former playground, Medellin in Colombia, as well as an excursion to Tomioka in Japan, the ghost town left behind after residents were evacuated following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Where to watch it: You can stream one season of Dark Tourist now on Netflix .

And… anything narrated by Sir David Attenborough

13. our planet (2019).

14. Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)

What you’ll watch: Of course, no list of travel documentaries is complete without an appearance from the legend that is Sir David Attenborough.

Most of his back catalogue is listed on Netflix, including the original Our Planet and the BBC’s iconic Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.

You can also listen to Sir David’s dulcet tones on BBC iPlayer – as he takes us through Seven Worlds, One Planet , introducing us to some of the globe’s most hostile habitats and remote landscapes, while narrating the fascinating behaviour of the local creatures, such as golden snub-nosed monkeys and grey-headed albatross chicks .

Where to watch it: Find Our Planet along with most of Sir David’s past shows on Netflix or catch up on Seven Worlds, One Planet on iPlayer now.

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8 TV Travel Shows to Globe-Trot from Your Couch

If you’re like me, you long for the days when you can hop on an airplane and be jettisoned off someplace new, exciting, and different from everyday life.  Unfortunately work and life sometimes get in the way of those jet-setting plans, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning future trips or dreaming of new experiences!

There is no better way to escape to new places than through our TVs!  Here is my list of the 8 best travel tv shows to watch to feed your need to globe-trot, it’s just too bad there aren’t any to feed your vegan appetite too.

8 best travel tv shows to watch now right now

#1 Down to Earth

I won’t lie, I was reluctant to watch this, not because I’m not interested in exploring sustainable ways to live around the world but because of Zac Efron. I really couldn’t see myself taking him seriously, but a good friend changed my mind. Efron and wellness expert Darin Olien take viewers around the world to see how other countries are living more sustainably. From the role of clean water in France to clean energy in Iceland, they cover interesting topics in interesting places. Available on: Netflix

# 2 Somebody Feed Phil

What’s better than an unassuming Jewish guy traveling to places around the world, meeting with local chefs and exciting personalities, in an effort to find some of his favorite (not my favorite!) food? I know the episodes aren’t vegan friendly, but we can still be inspired by his adventures. I enjoy this show for the good-hearted nature of the host and the fun places he visits, like Lisbon , Singapore, Rio De Janeiro, and more. Available on: Netlix

#3 An Idiot Abroad

Are you a fan of British comedian, Ricky Gervais? Then you will probably get a good kick out of this! Ricky Gervais and friend, Karl Merchant send their sheltered friend, Karl Pilkington on what sound like epic trips of a lifetime, but every trip comes with special assignments. According to Gervais, Karl never had prior knowledge of exactly what he was getting himself into. Available on: Amazon Prime Video

#4 Dark Tourist

If you’re interested in the sights and sounds that generally don’t make it into the brightly colored guidebooks, this show is for you. Journalist, David Farrier takes you on “dark tours” of unusual places like traveling to Medellín to explore the legacy of Pablo Escobar, Kazakhstan to investigate a site used for testing Soviet nuclear weapons, or hang out with real life vampires in New Orleans. Available on: Netflix

#5 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

The late, great chef got his start in NYC but was no stranger to tv. It is easy to binge this show because Bourdain doesn’t give a typical take on travel. Instead, he travels the path less taken and visits some places the average traveler might not consider. Through his adventures he shows the beauty of these locations and their people. Available on: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

#6 Rick Steves’ Europe

Most everyone knows Rick Steves for his travel guides. The information contained in his guides is thorough and highly useful. It is no coincidence that his television series is just as informative as they are enjoyable. I like his tv shows because of the way he covers the history of the places he visits while capturing a bit of the local atmosphere. Available on: PBS, Amazon Prime Video

#7 Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father

Some may find the humor in this travel show to be a bit “cheeky”, but Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael, take you on a journey to unique and interesting places around the globe. At times, the duo comes off as disrespectful and ridiculous, but the relationship between Jack and his father is meant to be comical. I will say, I still can’t quite understand the doll that Michael and his wife treat as a real son. Available on: Netflix

#8 House Hunters: International

Even though House Hunters: International isn’t exactly a travel show it is great because it will show you what life is like in places all over the world. It gives viewers the chance to dream of what living abroad might be like. I love it because you can live vicariously through the shows participants. Try not to binge this show in one sitting! Available on: HGTV, Hulu

 As I mentioned earlier, none of these are vegan travel shows, maybe one is in the works or maybe I missed it? Exploring the world and finding the best vegan delights sounds like something I would have on repeat!

What are some of your favorite shows to watch that let you experience and daydream about travel?  

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The Travel Guides Cast: Everything About Salary and Living Conditions

The Travel Guides is a popular Australian reality TV series. It first aired in 2017 and was met with positive feedback from viewers. Australians were eager to watch a different type of reality TV series. They found this show to be a refreshing change from the regular selection of reality TV programs.

This series follows groups of travellers from Australia. All of the travellers are ordinary Australians, but each group is different from the next. Their job is to review the accommodations, cuisine, and tourist attractions.

However, this isn’t your ordinary travel series. The contestants on this show are put in unpredictable situations. It’s part of what makes this show unpredictable and humorous. Each group of travellers will have a different take on the situations at hand.

What Does the Cast Do on Travel Guides?

The cast of this hit reality series gets to go on exclusive vacations around the world. While they travel, they will experience different activities, try dishes custom to other cultures, and stay at local hotels and resorts. In exchange for this, they will leave brutally honest reviews.

In each episode of the series, the travellers will go on a week-long vacation (all expenses paid). The groups each consist of family members or close friends. They will leave their comfortable nest in Australia and venture to big cities worldwide.

Viewers are introduced to new groups of travellers each season, and some fan favourites have returned to the show. One of the most popular groups on the show is the Fren family, who has appeared in all five seasons.

These groups have gotten to travel to places all over the world. Some of the places they’ve visited include:

• Tokyo, Japan
• Perth, Australia
• Argentina & more

Does the Cast of Travel Guides Get Paid?

It hasn’t been released to the public how much the castmates of Travel Guides get paid. However, the Fren family had openly commented on how the show saved them when they were experiencing financial hardship with the restaurant they own.

Many reality TV shows made in Australia will provide contestants with weekly pay while filming. Travel Guides is a different scenario. Ordinary Australians get to travel to tourist destinations in Australia and internationally for free. All fees are covered, including accommodations, transportation, meals, shopping, and other activities they participate in. Since everything is free for travellers, they don’t have to worry about any expenses.

Whether or not the contestants get paid per episode and how much they earn hasn’t been revealed. Each group of family and friends do have the job of leaving a red hot honest review. Even if they don’t get paid, the free travelling and TV exposure are worth it.

A lot of Australian reality TV contestants are able to earn money because of the exposure they have gotten. Once the TV series airs, fans of the show begin following the castmates on social media and subscribing to their content. Well-known castmates have been able to use their exposure to get further opportunities, such as appearances on other TV series. It’s also common for them to get paid endorsement deals where brands pay them to post content on Instagram and other social media platforms.

Another way that these contestants use their exposure to earn money is through paid online gigs, like Cameo and similar platforms. This is when they record personal messages for fans for a cost. The more popular a castmate is, the more they can charge for a video. It’s also common for castmates to use paid subscription platforms, like Patreon and OnlyFans, to earn an income. Also, a lot of contestants may like to relax by gambling and choose a new Australian online casino .

What Are the Living Conditions Like on Travel Guides?

Every country these travellers visit will have different accommodations. The accommodations will be based on the culture of the country they visit. This is why the reviews from the Fren family, cowgirl twins, and other favourite castmates are always red hot.

For the most part, they get to experience good quality living conditions. However, since the accommodations are often different from what they are used to, it leads to some hilarious reviews. This is one of the main reasons why this reality TV series has been such a hit with Australians and other viewers around the world.

Every episode is a different experience for the castmates and the viewers. Travellers could be enjoying the lux life on a cruise, visiting a casino in the city, or going on an off-road adventure. They must be up for anything to get the full travel experience.

Will Travel Guides Return for Season 6?

Do you want to see the Fren family and other fan favourites back on your TV screen? Currently, there is no word on when season 6 will be released. This is because the 6th season hasn’t been renewed yet.

Fans of this beloved reality TV show shouldn’t have reason to worry about the series’ fate. It has been confirmed that the series hasn’t been cancelled and is just on a break.

Does the idea of temporarily leaving your job and travelling the world for free sound like a dream? That’s exactly what the castmates of this popular reality TV series get to experience. While there currently isn’t any information released on what contestants earn from filming the series, the experience they get is well worth it.

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The Travel Guides explore Greece: What they thought of Athens, Mykonos and Milos

When the Travel Guides learnt they were heading to Greece for a holiday, they were understandably elated. With a rich history and stunning beaches there was a lot to look forward to. The Guides explored three key locations: capital city Athens, as well as the islands of Mykonos and Milos.

Stream every episode ever of Travel Guides for free on 9Now.

Here's what they experienced, and a few of the funnier moments they had along the way:

The biggest attraction in Athens is the Acropolis, which hosts the ruins for at least 14 ancient temples and theatres. One of these is the Parthenon, which was built as a shrine to Athena, the Greek goddess of war. The Guides had mixed views on the structure.

Twins Stack and Mel likened it to a "fort on top of a big hill".

"I just think it's so ugly," Victoria Fren said, noting all of the scaffolding and construction. "It just looked like someone was renovating the back of my house."

The Guides also visited Syntagma Square, where they witnessed the changing of the guards.

"They're pretty good-looking guys," Catherine Fren observed.

Meanwhile Stack and Mel felt they looked "ridiculous".

Another stop in Athens was the Panathenaic Stadium, which is almost 2,000 years old and built entirely of marble. It was also the world's first ever Olympic stadium. And while many of the Guides decided to have a quick run, it's safe to say none are going to be Olympic athletes any time soon.

According to the Guides, it's the "biggest party island" in Greece. And if the Guides' experiences are anything to go by, it's the perfect location to soak up the sun and hang out at the beach, before dancing the night away.

The Fren family enjoyed a speedboat ride, which turned into a "super disaster" for the family, who weren't expecting to end up like "drowned rats".

Next on the itinerary was Milos, a more relaxing island with small villages and volcanic beaches. The Guides stayed in boat sheds that had been refurbished into beautiful places for tourists to stay.

Here the Guides went cliff jumping. It was three metres, and Kev was freaking out. Thankfully with a little push — or hand holding — from Teng and Dorian, he managed to complete the jump.

Meanwhile many of the other families took on a seven-metre jump.

You might be thinking, what did the Guides rate their trip? Out of five, Stack and Mel gave the holiday four, while The Snobs Kevin and Janetta rated it three-and-a-half.

But the rest of the Guides all gave their holiday in Greece full marks with a five.

• Stack And Mel
• Kev Dorian And Teng

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What you need to know about European travel this summer

With headlines warning of everything from flight delays to wildfires, summer travel is changing. Here’s how to make sure your trip this summer goes smoothly.

Record numbers of tourists are expected to visit Europe this summer. In the first three months of 2024, the number of international arrivals has already risen by 7.2% compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic figures, according to the European Travel Commission , with 120 million international tourists visiting the region in that time. Yet while this is welcome news for the tourism industry, some challenges remain for visitors, especially during the summer’s busy peak season, when potential flight delays, high temperatures, new laws and major events could all impact travel. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your European trip this summer goes smoothly.

1. What you need to know about flight disruptions

Increased passenger numbers, staff shortages and strikes meant there were 106.7 million delayed air passengers in Europe during peak summer months last year. More than 700,000 passengers were affected over the August bank holiday in the UK alone following a technical meltdown at air traffic control. This year, EasyJet has had to cancel over 100 flights from Paris due to a no-fly zone during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Ryanair has also cut flights from its summer schedule after the delivery of several of its new Boeing aircraft was delayed. If you’re due to fly, visit the airport’s website for the latest information, and check social media for real-time updates from other travellers. Remember that you may be owed compensation if you face disruption, but rules vary, so take out a travel insurance policy as soon as you book flights.

( What should you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled? )

2. Why you should consider travelling by train

Keep your carbon footprint low, avoid airport hassle and see even more of Europe this summer by taking advantage of a whole host of new and expanded routes across the continent. New services include a high-speed route connecting Barcelona to Madrid and Seville , a sleeper train from Brussels to Prague , a daily train between Vilnius and Riga , a relaunched night train between Paris and Nice and a sleeper train from Rome to the Dolomites . Following the success of Germany’s €49 unlimited monthly travel pass last year, France has also introduced its own nationwide rail pass for the same price. However, this is only valid for those under 27 and excludes high-speed TGV trains and travel in the greater Paris region of Ile-de-France.

( 6 of the world’s best coastal rail journeys .)

3. What to do you if you’re affected by wildfires

Following unprecedented high temperatures, wildfires swept through some of Europe’s most popular tourist spots last summer, scorching parts of Tenerife, mainland Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy. This year, protective measures have already been put in place that aim to prevent a repeat of the disaster, with Greece banning all outdoor fires from April and increasing investment in fire detection and water tankers. To ensure you’re protected if the worst happens, arrange travel insurance at the time of booking, then keep an eye on official travel advisories for up-to-date information. If you’re affected by wildfires or any other natural disasters when you’re away, follow the advice of the emergency services and evacuate when instructed, then contact your tour operator or airline for help getting home.

( What to do if you’re caught in a disaster while travelling. )

4. How big events could disrupt your travel  

From Taylor Swift’s tour across Europe to the UEFA European Championship in Germany, Europe is limbering up for a summer of major cultural and sporting events. The Olympic Games in Paris are expected to attract three million more visitors than usual . This is likely to mean a greater demand for accommodation, higher prices, crowded public transport, unexpected road closures and even increased security checks in response to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks. If your holiday does coincide with an event, try to explore beyond the city itself, visit nearby tourist attractions that could be quieter than normal, or just enjoy the inevitable citywide buzz surrounding the main event.

( How to explore Paris this summer beyond the Olympics. )

5. Why you should think about overcrowding

While many destinations welcome a return to pre-pandemic levels of tourism, others are actively trying to deter visitors. In Barcelona , tour groups have been capped at 20 people, while entrance to Athens’ Acropolis is now limited to 20,000 tourists each day. Dubrovnik has already cut the number of souvenir stands by 80%, while thousands attended an anti-tourism protest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in April. All are concerned that overcrowding leads to skyrocketing prices for locals and causes environmental damage, with increased plastic pollution, erosion of heritage sites and traffic congestion. Consider less-visited destinations instead, swapping Santorini for Folegandros an hour’s ferry ride away, Dubrovnik for Šibenik with its medieval centre and fortress, or Barcelona for the Spanish seaside city of Valencia.

( What’s the problem with overtourism? )

6. How to deal with heatwaves

2023 was the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures in Europe above average for 11 months of the year. The Mediterranean was the worst area affected, with temperatures soaring above 40°C across Italy, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. Consider travelling outside the hottest months, between July and September, or visiting destinations further north such as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania or Ireland which should escape the most intense heat. If temperatures do climb, wear high-factor SPF, avoid being outside in the middle of the day and wear light-coloured clothes made from breathable materials. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, and keep a close eye on vulnerable people, including young children and the elderly.

7. How to avoid being caught out by local laws and taxes

Do your research before travelling to make sure you don’t fall foul of new laws. A €5 tax for day-trippers was introduced in Venice in April, for example, and will be enforced on selected dates until July. It can be paid online in advance, and those staying overnight are exempt but do still need to register. A second tourist tax of €1 to €5 per night is already applicable to overnight stays and should be paid at your hotel. Be aware that some Airbnbs ask that this is paid in cash. Other new rules in parts of Mallorca and Ibiza ban drinking on the street and prevent shops selling alcohol at night, though you will still be able to buy drinks in bars and restaurants.

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Eugene Levy talks 'The Reluctant Traveler' Season 2, discovering family history

PASADENA, Calif. – Eugene Levy is ready to hit the road again.

Levy's Apple TV+'s documentary series "The Reluctant Traveler" sends the kvetchy homebody on unexpected (and often unwanted) journeys to exotic places, including an elephant's backside last season in South Africa, where he very reluctantly helped collect a stool sample. In Season 2 (streaming weekly on Fridays), he hits European countries including Scotland, where his mother, Rebecca, was raised before emigrating to Toronto.

The Canadian actor, 77, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week, and he'll join the Season 4 cast of Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building." But he's best known for his roles in "Schitt's Creek," "American Pie," Christopher Guest mockumentaries including "Best in Show" and the cult classic sketch parody "SCTV," which also starred Catherine O'Hara, John Candy and Martin Short. ( Levy's son Dan , 40, was a writer, producer, director and co-star on nine-time Emmy-winning "Schitt's" and the recent Netflix film "Good Grief." )

Levy chats about family secrets, his travel advice and parental pride.

Walk of Fame: Eugene Levy reunites with 'second son' Jason Biggs of 'American Pie' at Hollywood ceremony

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Question: What was the biggest surprise last season?  

Eugene Levy: It was how much fun I had and how comfortable I was with the people that I was meeting and working with, because I'm generally not a conversationalist. One of the things I was nervous about initially was, how am I going to be with people? Because I know you talk to people on these travel shows.

I really enjoyed the Scotland episode of this new season, which became a bit like "Finding Your Roots." Tell me what that experience was like. 

I'd never really had a desire to go to Scotland, even though my mother was from there. The weather's not good, it's kind of blustery and I was still looking at experiences that would be pleasant for me. So the surprising thing for me was the actual connection that I was feeling with the family, with my mother. The stories that she would tell me when I was a kid about growing up there and then being that close to seeing the area. I never heard a negative story from her about where she actually grew up. It wasn't like, "Oh, it was horrible." I was honestly more touched by that than I thought I would be. I would have gone there years ago if I'd known I would have felt that connected. 

Season 1: 'Schitt's Creek' star Eugene Levy suffered as 'The Reluctant Traveler,' despite $1,000 hotel rooms

What's the best piece of travel advice that you've learned in making the show?

Don't wear knee-high lace-ups going through security, because that's a drag when you have to take those things off.

I'm a huge "SCTV" fan, and very sad that it's not available to stream anywhere besides YouTube. Whatever happened to the reunion documentary? 

Now it's going back almost five years that Martin Scorsese was directing, and then we were, "Where is it? How's it coming? He just started another movie." So it's now moved on to a different company and he's still involved. I'm hoping it airs while we're still on this earth. It's a well deserved tribute because it was a really good show, and it's amazing how many people in the world of comedy talk about that show and how it influenced them. 

Are you doing any more Christopher Guest work? I know he's working on "Spinal Tap 2." Is there no little role for you there? 

Not so far. Did I do something wrong? That's going to be very interesting, and I'm sure it's going to be hysterical. It's tough being out there now in something you did 40 years ago. It's risky, but if anybody can pull that off and make it seem like 40 years just never happened, it's those guys. 

Do you have a favorite movie of his that you've done? 

I love them all. I think "Waiting for Guffman" was, maybe, because it was the first, and it was my first experience doing something like that. My very first scene was the last scene in the movie, and I said to him, "So where do you want to rehearse?" He said, "We're not." That was an eye opener, but it was so much fun. "Best in Show," love "A Mighty Wind." Those are the standouts. 

You must be very proud of your son, Daniel, after his directorial debut.  

Well, we were stunned at the premiere – that's the first time we saw it – at the brilliance of it, and what he accomplished. It was so beautiful, and it was so beautifully written and just impeccably directed. And his performance as a (dramatic) actor transitioning from "Schitt's Creek." He's an extremely talented young man. We've seen it three times now, my wife, Deb and I, and I'm ready for a fourth.

Did you ever contemplate the acclaim you got for "Schitt ' s Creek"? 

No, no, no. Honestly, the big goal was getting it on the air and we finally did on CBC in Canada. Nobody wanted it here, we pitched it everywhere. COVID in a bizarre way helped, because people were just home looking for things to watch. And then it paid off in that kind of amazing night (at the Emmys). So it was just boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, one right after another. It was a dream you didn't want to wake up from. And I credit my son again because he really took that show to a an amazing (level).  

Speaking of dream, is there one destination you would most want to go on "Reluctant Traveler"?  

Well, here's the bottom line: The reason the show is so aptly titled is I don't have one. I'm not dying to get anywhere. 

Do you have a favorite place you've been?

Finland was still the most fun, and had a lot of laughs. Maybe it's something about the winter setting that made it more Canadian, maybe more like home. And this year it was. Saint Tropez. That wasn't too bad.  

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D-Day 80th anniversary in Normandy

By Joshua Berlinger, Antoinette Radford, Shania Shelton and Kyle Feldscher, CNN

Our live coverage of the 80th anniversary of D-Day has ended. Read more about D-Day here or scroll through the posts on today's events below.

French President Emmanuel Macron: "Let us be worthy of those who landed here"

From CNN's Joshua Berlinger and Emmanuel Miculita in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron closed the international ceremony marking 80 years since D-Day with a speech honoring the soldiers who fought in the largest seaborne invasion in human history and, as other leaders have done throughout the day, drawing parallels to the current geopolitical unrest — most notably the war in Ukraine.

Perhaps the strongest part of Macron's speech was its end, in which he honored Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — who was in attendance — and the Ukrainian people's fight against Russia.

"Faced with the return of war to our continent, faced with the questioning of everything they fought for, faced with those who claim to change borders by force or rewrite history, let us be worthy of those who landed here. Your presence here today, Mr. President of Ukraine, says it all,” Macron said, followed by a brief interruption of the roar of a fighter jet flyover.

Europe has not seen the type of ground conflict that is raging in Ukraine since the end of World War II, and this year’s anniversary comes as Russian forces advance on the battlefield – handing Kyiv a series of tactical defeats and poking holes in the already fragile Western alliance opposed to the Kremlin’s war.

"We know that liberty is a fight for every morning," Macron added. "For everyone in this world that lives hoping for liberty, for equality, for fraternity the sixth of June is a day without end, a never-ending dawn."

World War II veteran dies while traveling to France for D-Day anniversary

From CNN’s Dakin Andone

Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old World War II US Navy veteran, died last week while on his way to France to commemorate  the 80th anniversary of D-Day , according to Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans organization.

Persichitti was a “wonderful, pleasant, humble guy,” who was “easy to talk to,” said Honor Flight Rochester President and CEO Richard Stewart, who told CNN he learned of his friend’s death last Friday.

“We miss him,” said Stewart.

While Persichitti passed away bound for Normandy — where the Allied forces’  landing on June 6, 1944 , laid the foundation for the defeat of Nazi Germany — he served in the Pacific as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado, Stewart said. His tour of duty included Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam, according to Stewart and  the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame , into which Persichitti was inducted in 2020.

Persichitti fell ill last week during a stop in Germany while headed for Normandy, Al DeCarlo, a friend who was traveling with Persichitti, told  CNN affiliate WHAM . Persichitti was airlifted to the hospital and died soon after, DeCarlo said.

“The doctor was with him. He was not alone, he was at peace and he was comfortable,” DeCarlo said. “She put his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, on her phone and he peacefully left us.”

Persichitti had heart problems in the past, “but for 102, I would say he was in superb health,” Stewart told CNN.

Persichitti was born in a coal mining town outside Pittsburgh, Stewart said, describing his friend's “humble, poor beginnings.” After the war, Persichitti worked as a carpentry teacher in Rochester, New York, according to the Veterans Hall of Fame, and in 1972 received a degree from SUNY Buffalo.

Trump posts tribute on 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy

From CNN's Kate Sullivan

Former US President Donald Trump on Thursday posted a tribute to the “immortal heroes who landed at Normandy” to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 

“Today, we honor the immortal heroes who landed at Normandy 80 years ago. The men of D-Day will live forever in history as among the bravest, noblest, and greatest Americans ever to walk the earth. They shed their blood, and thousands gave their lives, in defense of American Freedom. They are in our hearts today and for all time,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

France's Macron awards 3 more people the Legion of Honor

From CNN's Emmanuel Miculita and Joshua Berlinger in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron used the international ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day to award the Legion of Honor, France's highest military or civilian distinction, to three more American veterans: Joseph Miller, Richard Calvin Rung and Arlester Brown.

Earlier in the day, Macron awarded the Legion of Honor to Christian Lamb , a 104-year-old British woman credited with having made the maps for the D-Day landing, and 11 other American veterans.

Testimonials and musical performances are taking place during international ceremony

As the international ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Omaha Beach is underway, testimonials from those who fought in the war are currently being read out.

Along with the testimonials, musical performances are demonstrated in front of attendees.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver an address later during the ceremony.

Austin says "Ukraine matters" in the midst of D-Day ceremonies

From CNN's Shania Shelton

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed Russia's war in Ukraine while participating in D-Day ceremonies, telling CNN's Wolf Blitzer that "Ukraine matters."

"I have engaged members of Congress on both sides, in both parties. I have seen throughout strong support for Ukraine, and even though it took a while to get the legislation through, I was confident that that the right thing was going to happen."

He continued, "Because anytime you see that type of support on both sides of the aisle for a cause, Congress will find a way to get things done, which is what they did in this case, because it's the right thing to do."

The international ceremony is underway

From CNN's Josh Berlinger in Paris

The international ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Omaha Beach has begun.

More than 20 heads of state and government and representatives from royal families across Europe are in attendance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at international ceremony to standing ovation

From CNN's Joshua Berlinger in Paris

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Thursday's international ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day to a standing ovation and a rousing applause.

Zelensky's presence — and Russian leader Vladimir Putin's absence, despite Soviet Russia's key role in winning the war in Europe — is highly symbolic given how the war in Ukraine is casting a shadow over the day's events.

Several world leaders have already used their speeches to cast parallels between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the aggression of Nazi Germany that sparked World War II.

Watch the moment here:

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