Mar 18

Mar 18 Movies & TV Shows That Take You On a Trip Without Ever Leaving Your Sofa

Travel From the Comfort of Your Sofa With These 10 Movies & TV Shows

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We are officially in uncharted territory around the globe. Covid-19 cases have gone global, entire countries are in lockdown, cities in the US are following suit and people are anxious and scared, myself included. I don’t know about you but with so much uncertainty and lots of time at home, I could use a little escape. Here’s a list of my favorite bingeable TV series and movies that will transport you somewhere else from the safety and comfort of your sofa. I’m going to do my part to help flatten the curve by staying home for the foreseeable future and I hope you’ll join me. So settle into your favorite loungewear (currently in my shopping cart ) and hit the virtual road.

Ugly Delicious

“All the flavor. None of the BS. Star chef David Chang leads friends on a mouthwatering, cross-cultural hunt for the world's most satisfying grub.”

I’m all about eating well when I travel and David Chang’s Netflix series takes you on a virtual buffet around the globe talking about the origins of some of our favorite foods. Favorite episodes: Pizza, Fried Chicken, and Kids’ Meals. Available on Netflix.

2. Almost Famous

“Writer and director Cameron Crowe's experiences as a teenage rock journalist -- he was a regular contributor to Rolling Stone while still in high school -- inspired this coming-of-age story about a 15-year-old boy hitting the road with an up-and-coming rock band in the early 1970s.”

Traveling around the country with a rock band in the 1970s? Sign me up. I always felt like I was born in the wrong era, I’m sure my parent’s record collection plays a part in that. From William’s endearing naivety at every turn to Penny Lane’s fabulous clothes, I love this movie so much. I still have my DVD from college but it’s available to stream on Showtime or you can rent it on Amazon Prime Video.

3. The Descendants

“Set in Hawaii, The Descendants is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries”

When this movie came out in 2011, I was pretty fresh from our move from Maui back to Georgia and I loved being transported back to the islands. The movie itself is pretty emotional but I loved its message of conservation and preservation. Currently on Cinemax and Amazon Prime Video

4. Parts Unknown

I’ve been a fan of Anthony Bourdain since reading Kitchen Confidential many years ago and I could watch Parts Unknown all day long. My favorite activity when traveling is eating and drinking so it’s no surprise I connect with he experiences a place through its food. Favorite episodes: Charleston, South Carolina, Istanbul, French Alps with Eric Ripert. On Netflix

5. Moonrise Kingdom, or Any Wes Anderson Film

“Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore -- and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.”

A nerdy outdoorsy boy and a girl longing for adventure that packs too much, sound like a couple you know? Truth be told I’ve been a fan of Anderson’s quirky films since high school and they all are beautiful and take you on some sort of adventure. Available to rent on Amazon Prime The Grand Budapest Hotel is another favorite.

6. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Do you really need a synopsis for this movie series? This epic adventure is over 10 hours long but we’ve got nothing but time. Currently, The Two Towers and Return of the King are on Netflix right now.

7. Marvelous Ms. Maisel

Who’s up for some time travel? Set in the late 1950s in New York City, Midge Maisel is living the perfect life on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her perfect husband and two kids. Until he decides to leave her for his secretary and she decides to become a stand up comic. The costumes alone are reason enough to watch the show but the cast is absolutely hilarious. Available on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Something’s Gotta Give

Toxic bachelor Harry in his 60s only dates women under 30. On a romantic weekend in the Hamptons with his latest girlfriend Marin, he suffers a heart attack while staying at her mother’s vacation home. Marin’s mom, Erica Barry, a famous playwright, reluctantly agrees to nurse Harry back to health and a little romance and hilarity ensue.

Overstuffed white furniture, stocked kitchen, ocean view, and stacks of books, if I had to self-quarantine in any movie it would be this one. Something’s Gotta Give takes place in the Hamptons and New York City through the lens of brilliant Nancy Myers. I’ve never wanted to live in a house more than Erica Barry’s (Diane Keaton) Hamptons beach house, sadly I gave up on having white furniture long ago thanks to two black labs and a perpetually muddy husband. The movie is hilarious and has an all-star cast including Diane Keaton, Frances McDormand, and Jack Nicholson. Stream on Showtime or rent on Amazon Prime.

9. Twin Peaks

Ok, not really travel related but this show is a total mind-bender. Set in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, this bizarre murder mystery about the town’s homecoming queen is a good dose of the Pacific Northwest. It is by far the weirdest tv show I’ve ever seen and worth a watch if you like quirky mysteries. The original series is on Netflix and the reboot is only available on Showtime.

10. Star Wars Series

Travel to a galaxy far away for the night, or the whole weekend. With the release of Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker, you can watch the entire series on Disney+. I watched the original three more times than I can count so I’m partial to those but the story is too good not to include them all.

11. Harry Potter Series

Who wouldn’t want to hop on the Hogwarts Express right now? I resisted Harry Potter initially but The Half-Blood Prince came out during my summer school session at Oxford and the hysteria surrounding the book’s release piqued my interest. I was hooked by the time I returned home and the movies are the perfect escape for these strange times we’re living in. Rent all of the HP movies on Amazon Prime Video

12. Outer Banks

Having grown up in Southeast Georgia, Outer Banks on Netflix reminds me so much of where I grew up! The show is an addicting mystery and treasure hunt that winds its way through the low country of the Outer Banks. It is so fun to watch; y’all gotta get on this one!