Unfortunately, most of us can’t travel all the time. When you’re stuck at home, TV shows and movies can offer a quick break from the normal routine…without any need for a plane ticket. Here are some amazing TV shows available on streaming to help inspire your travels!
Travel + Animals/Nature
You might have noticed, but animals and nature are some of the most important reasons I travel. So it makes sense that I’d be drawn to shows that highlight both! Two of my favorites are Tales by Light (Netflix) and Our Great National Parks (Netflix). Both feature beautiful images and interesting stories that make you want to immediately pack your bags and go. Or have you ever dreamed about travelling the world (and tackling some awesome adventures) with your dog? Then The Pack (Amazon) is the show for you!
Travel + History
For a slightly more historical focus, you can’t go wrong with Albert Lin’s National Geographic shows such as Lost Cities (Disney+) and Lost Treasures of the Maya (Disney+), which highlight the use of technology to help unlock the past secrets of already amazing places.
Travel + Food
One of my favorite things about travelling to new destinations is getting to try new and interesting foods. However, some of them require an adventurous spirit! Thankfully you can live (and eat) vicariously through food personalities’ travel shows. Anthony Bourdain’s: Parts Unknown is probably the most well known, though don’t miss his other travel+food shows No Reservations (Discovery+) and The Layover (Discovery+). For more foodie travel adventures, check out Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (Disney+), Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix), and Ugly Delicious (Netflix).
The Journey
Sometimes travel is more about the journey than the destination. The Kindness Diaries (Discovery+) and Race Across the World (Discovery+) remind us that travel is more than just getting to our destination.
Travel with Friends and Family
Okay, so maybe these aren’t necessarily inspiring shows…but, if you need a reminder of all the highs and lows of group travel (or a reminder of why you travel solo), Better Late than Never (occasionally available on Hulu) and Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father (Netflix) highlight the oft-times humorous challenges of travelling with friends and family.
Fictional Options
Not every show has to be educational! Fictional series with detailed and beautiful settings can be just as inspiring. Try watching Outlander (Netflix) and *not* want to go to Scotland! An episode of Death in Paradise (BritBox) makes me long for the Caribbean and Downton Abbey (Netflix, Amazon, BritBox, and more) makes me want to visit Highclere Castle. While Emily in Paris (Netflix) has its critics, I can’t help but enjoy all the wonderful memories it triggers…of walking down the streets of one of my favorite cities in the world.
