5 Travel Lessons To Learn From Anthony Bourdain

The man who travelled the length and breadth of the world with an open heart

Anthony Bourdain did more than wander; he reshaped how we connect with the world. Long before travel blogging became a thing, he travelled to places off the map, sharing meals with strangers, defying tidy itineraries, and embracing the raw edges of the world. He defied labels. He wasn’t just a chef, or just a writer, or even just a television host — he was all of these and more. His sharp storytelling and boundless curiosity made him as captivating on the page as he was on screen. And through shows like 'No Reservations' and 'Parts Unknown', he created what many still consider the gold standard of travel television.

Anthony was a voice that reshaped how we view the world, shedding light on overlooked places, marginalised communities, and drawing attention to destinations long forgotten. His curiosity was fearless: a willingness to eat unusual foods, sit down with locals, and let unplanned moments become the most memorable. Through his work, travel shifted from chasing picture-perfect memories to collecting honesty, awkwardness, and human connection — the kind of journey that transforms more than just your feed.

“He championed the idea that authentic experiences were found in unassuming places, not in sanitised tourist traps. By using food as a conduit, he explored the stories, politics and humanity of the place, making the world feel less foreign and more connected”, says Saloni Mahajan, an expert Travel PR official.

In a world where travel often revolves around curated itineraries and Instagram-worthy moments, here are a few ways you can embrace Anthony Bourdain’s approach and experience the world as he did.

Skip The Tourist Traps

As Bourdain often said, standing in line at the Eiffel Tower or snapping a selfie at the Pyramids won’t feed your soul. Instead, wander through a city - let chance guide you. Venture into corners not marked in the guidebooks. Skip the queue, the tickets, the overhyped spots.

If you want to travel like Anthony Bourdain, take the road less travelled by and go where the map ends and curiosity begins. Explore neighbourhoods where locals actually live and ask for suggestions from strangers. Explore offbeat places like arts districts, tucked-away cafés, quirky bookshops, record stores, family-run restaurants, etc. That’s where the real stories unfold.

Don’t Overplan, Embrace The Unpredictability

Resist the urge to pack your trip with checklists and timed stops. Leave room for serendipity - those “happy accidents” that turn into the best memories. We tend to over-schedule our trips, hoping that packing in every sight will make them “worth it.” But often, the moments that stay with us are the ones we never saw coming. Bourdain knew how to lean into the unexpected. A missed reservation, a wrong turn, or an impromptu invitation wasn’t a setback — it was an opening.

Maybe the magic of travel isn’t in ticking off the list, but in embracing the unpredictability. So yes, plan a little. But don’t be afraid to toss the plan aside. Wander toward that sound of music drifting down the street. Make space for spontaneity. Let curiosity lead, instead of control.

Eat Where The Locals Eat

In one of his famous shows, Parts Unknown, he ventured to India, immersing himself in the vibrant hum of Amritsar’s khullas (roadside eateries), the warmth of Sikh langars, and the soulful stories behind every dish. He explored Bollywood's hidden rhythms, mingled with locals, and showed us that travel isn't simply about checking off bucket-list landmarks but about dismantling distances — culturally, emotionally, and gastronomically. By inviting us to eat what’s unfamiliar, listen to voices beyond our circle, and sit at tables not meant for tourists, Bourdain taught a more generous, grounded way to travel. 

Be Present And Unplugged 

One can travel around the world and see nothing, or visit a nearby town, which can transform your entire perspective. It's not about where you go but how you see it. That's how Bourdain would have done it — you just have to be present, awake and open to new experiences.

For Bourdain, the magic of travel wasn’t in the landmarks or the Instagrammable moments, but in the raw, unfiltered encounters that challenged your perspective and expanded your understanding of the world. It was about immersing yourself fully, feeling each place with all your senses, and discovering that even the smallest detours could leave the deepest impressions.

Embrace Being Uncomfortable 

Bourdain often went where mainstream travel shows wouldn’t — Libya, Congo, Madagascar — places heavy with history and complexity. His table was never limited; he broke bread with Hezbollah supporters, communist leaders, coal miners, Christian militia members, construction workers, and even icons like Barack Obama, Francis Ford Coppola, and many more. There is an unforgettable scene from Parts Unknown where he sits in Congo sharing goat meat with strangers, eating with his hands. The lights suddenly cut out, a child whining, and someone passes around a bottle of unidentifiable liquor. And there he is, grinning, completely at ease in the unpredictability of it all. His life taught us, it was never just about collecting stories; it was about letting those moments transform you.