There are 195 countries in the world, and each country is unique and outstanding in its own way. It might not be humanly possible to visit and explore each of those countries in one lifetime, which is where the small screen comes into its own. For decades televisions have helped viewers experience exotic travel holidays from their living rooms and with the advent of travel focused shows and movies on services like Netflix, Disney+ and Stan, armchair travelling has become easier than ever!
So if you feel like visiting breathtaking new locales without leaving the comfort of your couch, take a look at our list of movies and TV series to watch.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Paris by day is many things, but Paris by midnight is an entrancing dream. Shot in filming locations spread across the city of lights, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is more than just a movie, it is a series of beautiful paintings stitched together. “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes,” said renowned French novelist, Marcel Proust, and Midnight in Paris is one of those films that will help you view Paris in a whole new light. What’s more, the movie is available to watch on Netflix.  Enjoy the very best art, culture and cuisine, alongside popular attractions such as the famed Eiffel Tower.

The Sound of Music (1965)

Best Travel Films - The Sound of Music - Mirabell Gardens

The Sound of Music is a movie that you can watch over and over again. And when you watch it the next time, make sure you pay special attention to the filming locations, including the external shots of the city of Salzburg, so you can pencil in a visit to the city backdrop for the film’s locations through Austria. Available on Disney’s streaming platform Disney+, this is the perfect sing-along movie for the whole family.

Taking in the waterways of the Danube River will give you the chance to visit the filming locations of this iconic movie in real-time. Moreover, while in Salzburg, you will have the chance to enter the nostalgic world of ‘The Sound of Music’ with a live performance of ‘The Best of Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’.

Night on Earth (2020)

From the savage hunters of the African savannah, to the apex predators of the Arctic Circle, traverse the world and explore the animal kingdom by night-time on the spellbinding Netflix series, Night on Earth. Using the latest night vision technology, the show was filmed in a variety of locations to reveal real life nocturnal footage of a range of wildlife, from lions on the hunt to bats on the wing. This is one of the most awe-inspiring Netflix shows currently on air.

Ugly Delicious (2018)

When you talk of travel TV shows, can food shows be far behind? One of the popular food shows on Netflix today is Ugly Delicious. Celebrity chef David Chang takes a trip around the globe exploring the good, bad, ugly and downright delicious aspects of world cuisine. From an innovative pizza created by a chef in Japan, to an eye-opening curry trip through Mumbai, Ugly Delicious is sure to have you drooling. If food travel shows are your thing, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is another one of the Netflix shows to consider. Also hosted by David Chang, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is peppered with star power such as Seth Rogen and Chrissy Teigen to name a few.

Wild (2014)

Best travel Films - Wild - Pacific Crest Trail
Based on a book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, Wild is a true story chronicling the writer’s life-changing 1,100-mile hike on the famous Pacific Crest Trail in USA. Played by Academy award winner, Reese Witherspoon, the protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery through the famous hiking trail after she loses her mother to cancer. Watch Wild to get a taste of the rugged hiking trails and national parks of America and to applaud the triumph of the human spirit against all odds.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Infused with copious amounts of comedy, adventure and drama, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a lovable movie about the extraordinary escapades of an ordinary ‘negative assets manager’ desk employee. Watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty for Ben Stiller’s remarkably understated performance as the introverted, daydreaming Walter Mitty. Most importantly, watch it for the breathtaking outdoor shots of Iceland including the ancient lava fields of Berserkjahraun and an erupting Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This movie is guaranteed to trigger your wanderlust.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Here’s another one about using travel as a mode of self-discovery, Eat Pray Love is about newly divorced Elizabeth Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, taking an unforgettable trip through Italy, India, and Bali to discover inner peace. Watch it to delight in the slower, simpler, Italian way of life; to be moved by the soul-stirring spirituality of India; and to marvel at the charming Balinese cultures and picturesque countryside.

Stranger Things (2016)

On the topic of visiting exciting new worlds from the comfort of your home, here’s one that will take you to a most curious new world known as ‘the upside down’. One of the most engaging sci fi TV shows out there, Stranger Things is sure to get your adrenalin racing by transporting you to a thrilling world of eerie monsters. Don’t forget to add it to your list of Netflix shows to watch in the coming months.