Food for the Soul: Sightseeing via Screen

By Nina Heyn

Spring weather can still be depressing, with rains and winds reminding us that we are not entirely finished with winter. As an antidote, here are few TV shows set in picturesque parts of the world, providing us with a virtual trip to warmer and more exotic places than home.

THE WHITE LOTUS (U.S., 3 seasons, 2021-)

The latest obsession of many TV viewers (4.4M viewers in the U.S. for Episode 7, to be exact), the third season of The White Lotus is currently premiering. The first season was set in Hawaii, the second in Sicily, and this one is providing the visual feast of a tropical island in Thailand. The plot in each season revolves around a different group of characters, but each of them is a kind of modern morality tale where the leitmotifs are unapologetic entitlement, immoral behavior, falsehoods in relationships, and intended and unintended consequences of actions. As the stories get unveiled, breathtaking architecture and luscious nature stand in direct contrast to the grime of human behavior. Each of the three seasons has spurred increased tourism in the regions the show explores.

MURDER IN… (FRANCE, 14 seasons, 2014-)

No matter what you say about France, one thing is certain—it is a country blessed with nothing but beautiful locations. Excluding some depressed parts of big cities, the majority of France’s locations are simply irresistible. Thus, mysteries set in picturesque regions of France fulfill a double function. While keeping viewers entertained with clever crime mysteries, they serve as a perfect travelogue, showcasing different regions—Brittany’s coasts, historic small towns, or the gentle valleys of Dordogne. It’s perfect entertainment for anyone who wants to see something of the French countryside on screen.

DETECTIVE MONTALBANO (ITALY, 37 episodes, 1999-2021)

If you have ever dreamed of seeing Sicily, there is a show that combines brilliant literature (novels by the Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri), great cinema storytelling (by RAI television), and the unforgettable vistas of southern Sicily. The adventures of police chief detective Montalbano are set in the sun-drenched landscape of the southern beaches, lush vineyards, and Baroque architecture of Ragusa.

STANLEY TUCCI: SEARCHING FOR ITALY (UK, 2 seasons, 2022-)

There are many food shows and many travelogue series, but few of them showcase local cuisine and the beauty of local landscapes and their inhabitants as graciously as this show. Popular Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, a gourmet and son of Italian immigrants, is perfectly positioned to lead us into the world of the best cuisines of Italy while his crew films the most charming parts of various regions of the peninsula. Even in regions that are overexposed to tourism, like Venice and Florence, this show is able to discover and present dining discoveries and sightseeing gems.