Armchair travelling: the art of exploring the world from home.
The act of armchair travel is not a new concept, but its popularity has grown rapidly. With lockdowns due to Covid-19 continuing, these films are sure to satisfy your travel bug.
For those of us in the travel industry who spend a good chunk of our working year (and holiday time) on the road, travel restrictions are difficult. But, there is still a great way to travel, even if it is from the confines of our own home.
Here are 8 movies to keep you dreaming, planning, and be inspired to travel once again when the world finally reopens to tourism.
Call Me By Your Name
Set in 1983, this coming-of-age love story set in northern Italy, tells the tale of Elio (Timothee Chalamet), a talented 17-year-old with an independent spirit, who stumbles upon his first love when a 24-year-old American architect student named Oliver (Armie Hammer), comes to live with his family for the summer. Set against a beautiful Italian backdrop, this emotional love tale will stay with you forever. For his honest and innocent portrayal of Elio, Chalamet was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, but the movie’s scenery is the real star.
Under the Tuscan Sun
https://youtu.be/On3_tl68URM
A San Francisco writer’s life is turned upside down when she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. To make matters worse, he takes the house too. Convinced by a friend to get away from it all, Frances (Diane Lane) heads to Italy on a bus tour which ends with an impulse buy of a dilapidated villa in beautiful Tuscany. Her new life is transformed by a series of interesting characters, from her mysterious neighbours, to the Polish immigrants she hires to renovate her new home, and a young Italian couple in romantic turmoil. The beautiful scenery of Tuscany is the perfect backdrop to this heartwarming movie.
The Adventures of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert
What could possibly go wrong with two drag queens and a Trans-Woman making their way from Sydney to Alice Springs in the Australian outback? Setting out in their dilapidated bus, aptly named Pricilla, this 1994 comedy-drama introduced Australian cinema, along with the great Australian outback, to the world with its colourful LGBTQ characters who ironically, were played brilliantly by heterosexual men – Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving and Terrence Stamp.
Street Food
https://youtu.be/1SrVlP4Qm4U
A Netflix original series, Street Food takes us away from the often polished restaurant world and deep into the gritty streets of Asia. Travelling to India, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia, the series not only showcases some of the world’s best curbside meals, it tells the fascinating story of the people behind the food, their cultures and local inspirations. Keep an eye out for the Michelin Star street stall serving simple soup that has been refined over generations.
Planet Earth
https://youtu.be/7n_1JZgDPf4
One of the world’s most successful docu-series, Planet Earth was filmed in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund. The beautiful cinematography, stunning locations and incredible footage will capture your heart and imagination while giving a renewed wanderlust for our planet’s diverse natural settings. The series is narrated by non-other than Sir David Attenborough, who brings an air of drama and wonder to the binge-worthy series. Also check out the sister productions Blue Planet and Planet Earth, both of which are equally awe-inspiring.
Eat, Prey, Love
Lost and confused, Elizabeth Gilbert supposedly had it all – the house, the husband and a successful career. But it took Gilbert to step out of her comfort zone and risk everything on a journey of self-discovery that would take her around the world. She is nourished by food in Italy, finds the power of prayer in India and the inner-peace, and unexpected love, in Indonesia.
The Bucket List
Meeting in a hospital room with nothing in common except their terminal illness, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman embark on a sentimental, if not predictable, journey around the world. The heart-warming story, told through these new-found-friends, looking to find joy before it’s too late, will inspire you to create your own travel bucket-list and make the most of life. These unlikely friends trek through multiple locations throughout the US, France, Egypt, India, China and Tanzania.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
This quirky comedy classic from 1987 tracks Neal (Steve Martin) and Del (John Candy) on a road trip from New York to Chicago. After a series of travel mishaps, the duo meets by chance before setting out on a road trip that is filled with laughs and zaniness that only this comedy genius duo can deliver.
Do you have a favourite travel movie? Let us know in the comments below.
