The pandemic has put a stop to many, if not all of our travel plans, as we have seen numerous global lockdowns as borders closed and flights were forced to halt in their tracks. These lockdowns have caused a worldwide standstill, and while we can still dream about our future and upcoming vacations, it can also be a lot to handle when deciding where to go to and when we will be able to feed our travel bugs once again. Until then, we will have to settle in for a night in front of the TV and watch a selection of films and TV shows that allow us to explore the world virtually.

Not sure which films and TV shows would be worth your time? Or which ones will provide you with the travel inspiration you are desperately looking for? Read on for a selection of films and TV shows that are sure to inspire, plus additional content on how you can download and watch these films and shows so that they are available to you whenever and wherever.

Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love is considered the travel movie of all time, but did you also know that the movie was inspired by a novel which was also inspired by a travel memoir? Therefore, if you also enjoy reading, why not pick up the memoir and novel before watching the film so that you can enjoy the story on all mediums? Eat Pray Love is very much a novel and movie that focused on ‘self-help’ and how a person can go about fulfilling their wants and needs and putting themselves first for optimal happiness.

The synopsis of Eat Pray Love is about a married woman who realizes how unhappy she is in her loveless marriage and life. Soon after, she decides that she needs to make some changes, and after going through a divorce, she travels around the world on the mission of discovering herself. This film is extremely inspiring and even caused a lot of people to follow in the main protagonist’s footsteps. Also, if you are a fan of Julia Roberts, then this is definitely a must-see movie!

Dark Tourist

Are you a fan of documentaries? Plus, do you enjoy the ‘darker’ side of life and have a curious mind when it comes to things (objects, locations, people) that have a tie with death and tragedy? If so, then you are not alone. In fact, it is very human and normal for us to have a fixation with such darker topics.

Dark Tourist is created by New Zealander David Farrier (who is jokingly compared to Louis Theroux) and follows Farrier as he heads to multiple locations and destinations to find locations that have dark connotations but also bring in plenty of tourists. Of course, this can be quite a distressing experience for some to watch, but it is highly educational and can also help people explore certain parts of the world that they may not have the nerve to visit themselves.

This Netflix series is easy to watch as you can easily binge all eight episodes in one day (if you wish). Many people wished to see a second season of Dark Tourist, but this seems to be unlikely.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

This hilarious and feel-good documentary follows Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael Whitehall, exploring parts of the world. You will see Jack attempting to show his father how to explore Asia on a budget and like a true backpacker, while his father tries to refuse. This series became so popular that they made a few seasons which saw the two of them explore other parts of the world.

What makes this series so fun to watch is not only how the two of them bounce off one another, but seeing how they compromise and show one another different experiences that neither of them would have considered before. Michael Whitehall, for instance, would never have eaten Asian street food without the persuasion of his son.

There are currently four seasons on Netflix. The focus of each season is:

• Season one: South East Asia
• Season two: Europe
• Season three: American west
• Season four: Australia

Abroad in Japan

Abroad in Japan is technically not a TV series or film. Instead, it is a YouTube documentary series that follows a YouTube vlogger from his move from England to Japan while he transitioned from office worker to English language teacher. Since his success on YouTube, he then became a full-time vlogger in Japan and focuses on showing the sights of the country in a cultural but also comedic fashion. You can watch his channel here.

Planet Earth

Who doesn’t like David Attenborough? His soothing presence and knowledge of the world and the world’s wildlife can make the documentary series Planet Earth a relaxing and educational experience. This documentary series was filmed over four years as he follows certain animals and wildlife, learning from them and documenting what happens to a certain animal family during that time. You can watch this series on Netflix.

How to Watch Your Favorite Films and TV Shows

There are numerous streaming services you can watch these films and TV shows from, but if you enjoy watching videos and documentaries on YouTube and would like to watch these episodes when you do not have Wi-Fi, then you may wish to invest in and use a YouTube video download tool. Head to Setapp and read their useful guide and see what tools they suggest. They have a lot of knowledge when it comes to the best YouTube video downloaders that you should use.

Travel films and TV shows can be a great way to inspire you and feed your travel bug, especially with lockdowns surrounding us. Be sure to watch your favorite travel shows so that you are ready to continue exploring the world once the pandemic is under control and it is safe to do so. There are plenty of places awaiting you.