Looking for some ideas for future travel adventures? One way to find inspiration is to turn on your television to see the world and the possibilities that come when you venture out. Want some fresh additions to your watch list for the weekend? Stream these inspiring films and shows to ignite your wanderlust and get you motivated to plan your next trip.
Movies that will inspire you to travel
The Before Sunrise Trilogy
The Before Sunrise trilogy follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), two travellers who bond over a series of happenstance meetings throughout the course of three decades. In Before Sunrise, the two meet in their youth aboard a train in Europe, and form a special connection immediately. Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight were each filmed ten years apart and take place in three idyllic locations: Vienna, Paris, and Greece. This romantic trilogy will have you believing in kismet and love while travelling.
Lion
Lion is based on the remarkable true story of Saroo Brierley, who at the age of 5 found himself lost on a train, separated from his family in India, and eventually adopted by a family in Australia. Years later, in an effort to find his birth parents, adult Saroo (played by Dev Patel) uses Google Maps to locate his former village in India and embarks on a journey to reunite with his biological family, all the while struggling to keep a balance between his two families. Lion will inspire you to courageously trace your family roots, wherever they may be on the globe.
The Bucket List
Friendship, aging, and a philosophy of living with no regrets are the themes that form the basis of this buddy comedy. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson play two terminally-ill friends who make a pact to check off every item on their to-do list before they “kick the bucket”. Together, they travel to iconic destinations such as the Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China, and get into hilarious hijinks throughout their rambunctious adventures. The Bucket List will inspire you to round up your best friends and make some unforgettable travel memories of your own together!
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Taking place after the game-changing events of Avengers: End Game, Far From Home follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as the teen takes a break from his responsibilities as New York’s friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man and goes abroad to Europe with his high school class. In no time, he finds himself on a mission with Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) to stop the Elementals from wreaking havoc on Earth. This latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe presents a family-friendly version of Eurotrip with the cities of Venice, Prague, and London playing a prominent role in all the superhero action.
Queen
Queen follows Rani (Kangana Ranaut), a young bride who goes on a solo honeymoon to Europe after her wedding is canceled. During her travels in Paris and Amsterdam, she meets international travellers whose perspectives and actions challenge her traditional and conservative upbringing in Delhi. In this coming-of-age Bollywood story, Rani goes through a metamorphosis when she discovers what she really wants is a life of independence and adventure. Female solo travellers will relate to Rani’s journey of self-discovery.
TV shows that will inspire you to travel
The Kindness Diaries
Globetrotter and philanthropist Leon Logothetis rides across the world on a vintage motorbike (and a Volkswagen Beetle in Season 2) and relies on the generosity of strangers to help him continue in his travels. In return, he listens to their extraordinary life stories and supports them with his own kind deeds. As Logothetis explores new places and cultures, he reveals the goodness of humanity in the genuine connections he makes. The Kindness Diaries may inspire you to go on your own globetrotting adventures and pay it forward to the people you meet along the way.
Queer Eye
Follow the Fab Five as they road trip across America to better the lives of the nation’s unsung local heroes, from school teachers to non-profit leaders. Along with providing guidance in the areas of design, food, fashion, hair, and culture, the uplifting reality makeover show showcases the heart and soul of the American people, representing the very best of the states of Georgia, Missouri, and Illinois. In the next season, the guys go overseas to spread their messages of self-care and compassion in Japan.
Girl Eats World
In Girl Eat World, MasterChef South Africa winner Kamini Pather embarks on an international food tour and gives a taste of the local cuisine of 10 destinations around the world. From Dubai to Milan, Pather meets with local food bloggers and street food vendors to truly dig into the culinary heart of each location. Along the way, viewers get a glimpse into the lives of the people creating the food for their city and how they ultimately influence the city’s culture. As you watch, you’ll be hungry to eat your way around the world as well!
Rock the Park
In Rock the Park, adventure seekers Jack Steward and Colton Smith are on a mission to explore every national park in America. From Glacier Bay in Alaska to Death Valley in California, Steward and Smith push both their physical and mental limits as they go off the beaten path. Outdoor explorers will be in awe of the stunning shots of nature and wildlife and be reminded of the natural beauty around them, just waiting to be uncovered.
Tales by Light
This Australian documentary series turns the focus towards those who are capturing the iconic travel photos you see on Google Images—the photographers. Told from the point-of-view of world-renowned photographers and filmmakers, Tales by Light follows their travels as they aim to capture the best shot in every corner of the world, from the sea to the jungles. By seeing the travel experience in a completely different light, audiences are enlightened through the power of images in how we view the world.
More of a bookworm? Read 8 books to inspire your next trip.
Happy streaming,
Elizabeth
