28 September 2021
Movies and TV shows have the power to transport us to distant places, reminding us of all that is out there to explore.
We asked our team to share their favourite travel movies and TV shows, and they didn't disappoint – with rollicking journeys across Iceland, Colombia and the United States to keep our wanderlust satisfied for some time.
Movies
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
“One of my all time faves is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, starring Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig. Stiller plays a man living a dull life who daydreams too much. A mistake at work suddenly sees his life turned upside down – fighting off sharks, climbing mountains and skateboarding down exploding volcanoes – in search of one of the world's most elusive photographers. It visits so many beautiful locations, like Iceland, Greenland and Nepal, and the soundtrack by Jose Gonzalez is just inspiring. It always leaves me daydreaming like Walter Mitty after I watch it.” - Justin
The Grand Budapest Hotel
“My pick is The Grand Budapest Hotel. Set in a far off alpine world, this film follows interwoven stories of the guests and employees of the Grand Budapest Hotel. There's adventure, love, and a happy ending – all you could want in a feel good movie and it's a comforting favourite of mine. I love how the colourful visuals of the film transport you into this world, and the ensemble cast provides many characters to enjoy.” - Jenny
Into the Wild
“One of my favourites is the 2007 movie Into the Wild. The film follows the story of a successful young man named Chris, son of wealthy parents and a recent graduate from Emery University. He rebels against the expectation of a money-driven and career-focused lifestyle, instead donating his life savings to charity and leaving behind the life he has built to embark on a journey into the wilderness, hitchhiking across the United States and finally making his way to Alaska. The movie taught me that money is not always a key factor in life, and that happiness can be found in the simplest of ways. The cinematography of the Alaskan mountains, peaceful beaches and the wilderness is so serene, and showed me the range of beauty that the world has to offer.” - Jess
The Way Back
“My recommendation is The Way Back. I used to work as a projectionist at an independent cinema; where I was lucky enough to catch this film. Since I saw it in 2011, The Way Back hasn't left my mind. It's the story of a few people who escape from a gulag in Siberia and begin their long journey home on foot. While this movie certainly does not sell the experience of travel, it does showcase incredible shots of the unique environments across Eurasia. It also portrays the indomitable human spirit of adventure and the lengths people will go to find their home. This may not be casual viewing, but it is inspiring.” - Paris
TV Shows
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
“My current favourite show exists at the intersection of travel and gastronomy; Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted. It’s an easy walk, with each episode featuring a different location around the world, meaning you are exposed to a variety of locations within each country, with a smattering of local culture and history. The driving story is that Ramsay meets a renowned local chef, is directed to meet several locals to gather inspiration, and finally he faces off with the local chef using local produce and cooking techniques.” - Angie
Dark Tourist
“One of my recent favourite shows is Dark Tourist, a documentary series on Netflix. The presenter, David Farrier, reminds me of a young Louis Theroux. As the name suggests, in each episode he visits several dark and little-visited places around the globe, such as Pablo Escabar’s personal prison in Colombia, and a hotel staffed solely by robots in Japan. Along the way, he meets wacky personalities and finds himself in strange and sometimes dangerous situations.” - Brad
Emily in Paris
“Emily in Paris follows the story of an American woman who is sent to Paris for her work, and she gains a social media following on her Instagram account. Along the way, we meet a host of stereotypical French characters, and Emily finds herself caught up in a long list of far fetched situations. Whilst the show copped a lot of flack for showing a very Americanised version of Paris, for me it brought back a lot of the specific excitement and learning curves that I experienced during the year that I lived in Germany. And, because of this, I loved the show. It helped to remind me that whilst it may have been a while since we’ve been able to travel internationally, that the whole world is still out there, waiting to be explored.” - Michelle
Survivor
“My favourite travel-related show has to be Survivor. I remember watching the first season of American Survivor back in 2000 (now 41 seasons ago!) and I've been hooked ever since. Survivor places their contestants in remote, isolated locations around the world where they outwit, outlast and outplay each other. Although the focus of the show is less on where the contestants have travelled to, the show always reminds me of the relationships you make (or break!) when travelling. Many people say when they travel, ’it's not where I was but who I was with’". - Kelsey
