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10 Terrific Films, Shows & Documentaries to Tingle Your Travel Senses

Written by Rj Ross | January 20, 2021

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It’s almost a year since the entire world went on lockdown and quarantined due to the global pandemic that is COVID-19. With increasing cases, we find our limitations from various activities increasing as well. One of these activities – which we at ecomadic enjoy a lot – is traveling. But let’s not be pessimistic. The environment will heal eventually.

In the meantime, to prepare us for that voyage-filled future: here is a list of films, shows, and documentaries we recommend for your viewing pleasure that will inspire your next well-needed, sustainable vacation!

Films

Eat Pray Love

Starting with the obvious, Julia Roberts classic, the film adaptation of the Elizabeth Gilbert memoir will lead you to booking your spiritual journey away from the hustle and bustle of life. While marital issues, like the film’s main character, may not be your current waterloo, the past year for some (if not, most) have had us face varying hardships: unemployment, death, isolation from loved ones, and a plethora of political and social issues; therefore, once lockdown is over, you will definitely want to pack your luggage and head out to the wonderful countries shown in Eat Pray Love, such as Italy, India, and Indonesia. What is also great about the film (and the memoir itself) is that the places Elizabeth travels in the film weren’t tourist-heavy, but just serene settings for a peace of mind, and a chance to embrace the local culture. Give this movie a watch, and you will definitely jot down a journey!

Where to watch: Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime

The Sound of Music

The Julie Andrews classic will leave you scurrying for a seat on a plane to Salzburg, Austria! The opening scenes of Frauline Maria meandering through the heart-throbbing hills, which are “alive with the sound of music”, will automatically have visiting Austria on your bucket list. The montage of Maria and the Von Trapp children confidently roaming and singing through the local towns and valleys of Austria (on foot and via public transportation) will give you ideas on the many environmentally-friendly wonders and activities to engage in these smaller, Austrian towns, while remembering the beautifully sung songs from this Roger’s and Hammerstein musical.

Where to watch: Disney+

Black is King

With recent films such as Black Panther, which diverts from the negative stereotypes attributed to Africa, Black is King, while a musical reimagining of the Disney classic, The Lion King, shows various locations throughout this music-filled movie that could possibly be your next destination. Whether the local Nigerian museums in the “Keys to the Kingdom” segment, the local town of Nima in the Accra region of Ghana during “Already”, or the Zulu churches and villages in Mapoch South Africa during “Brown Skinned Girl” and “Water” will fill you with desires of experiencing the beauties of these locations yourself, while enjoying music native to the Western and Southern regions of Africa.

Where to watch: Disney+

Crazy Rich Asians

The romcom adaptation of the titular novel gave a glimpse of many locations in Malaysia. Whether one wants to explore the many local shops and eateries at the Changi Airports Rachel and Nick departed the plane at, enjoy the Singapore Botanic Gardens in front of Ah-Ma’s home, or grab a bite at a hawker center, which provides local cuisine at a reasonable price, Crazy Rich Asians’ spectacular settings will have you set an immediate appointment with the Malaysian embassy!

Where to watch: HBO Max

Shows

House Hunters International

Similar to the original House Hunters, this series focuses on real estate, showcasing lavish abodes- but in every country that is not the US or Canada. The charm of this series compared to the original is how these houses are located in the non-tourists towns, where the buying couples get a panoramic view of the language, customs, and culture the foreign towns have to offer. Also, for those who have a knack for home decor and development, House Hunters International showcases a variety of ways other countries create these homes, which sometimes involve eco-friendly amenities to pique your interest and stamp that country in your passport!

Where to watch: Hulu, HGTV

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

The late Anthony Bourdain traveled to twelve seasons worth of obscure areas in an atlas of countries, states, and cities. Besides learning about new, local areas and the history behind each, there are also a lot of interesting foods Mr. Bourdain gets to enjoy. If you are a foodie watching this on your laptop. Tablet, or smartphone, I suggest having a cloth on standby, to prevent water damage from salivating over the delicacies Anthony Bourdain consumes.

Where to watch: Hulu, HBO Max

Street Food

While on the subject of food, another docu-series to watch is this Netflix series! With two volumes thus far, travel with your tv to various spots in Asia and Latin America where exquisite, ethnic dishes are cooked and served; compliments to the local chefs, who provide their perspective on their local culture and its relationships with these mouth-watering meals. From heartfelt stories and location trivia from the hosts, cooks, and citizens, to visuals of the areas surrounding the eateries, if it doesn’t make you book a flight immediately, it will keep you watching until Netflix asks “are you still watching this show?”

Where to watch: Netflix

The Wild Thornberrys

Animation can bring out the adventurer in some. If you were a 90’s or 00’s kid, this Nickelodeon cartoon was one of your first shows you watched about traveling globally. In their RV, Eliza and her family document various discoveries they make in every and any country, in hopes to preserve and protect their environment, especially the animals that Eliza has the ability to communicate with. The Wild Thornberrys is a show for all generations to watch, whether it helps you add new countries and cities on your visit list, make you more conscious of the environment, or supply you with an entertaining dose of nostalgia!

Where to watch: CBS All Access, Amazon Prime Video

Documentaries

Crowded Out

While the previous entries center around local and obscure areas in their respective countries, or environmentally friendly areas, this thirty-minute documentary emphasizes why it is best to stray from the destination hotspots. Produced by Justin Francis, this documentary depicts the dark side of tourism. Locals in places such as Venice or Barcelona are interviewed to discuss their exhaustion of tourists overpopulating their cities, and their culture and lifestyle being stripped due to businesses (big and small) catering solely to these tourists. While this documentary may not provide alternative places to visit, hopefully it will entice you to be more considerate when planning a trip around overpopulated destinations.

Where to watch: Youtube, Vimeo

Gringo Trails

Another film about the negative impact tourism has, Pegi Vail’s Gringo Trails will aid you in understanding what it means to be a traveler: Is having an authentic experience in another country worth the exploitation of the native residents? How does my fun at a remote or popular place impact this foreign country economically and environmentally? The documentary invokes lots of thought and debatable questions, while showcasing alternate places to visit and assist in countries such as Bolivia, Mali, and Thailand (e.g. the Chalalan eco-lodge). Every location in the aforementioned article entries is great to travel to, and Gringo Trails will not condemn you for doing so. Gringo Trails’ main goal is to help us as travelers learn to always do our research before booking that trip. Just like our mission at ecomadic, the documentary will provide awareness to help sustain and better any environment we encounter!

Where to watch: Vimeo, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video

10 Terrific Films, Shows & Documentaries to Tingle Your Travel Senses