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Armchair Traveller

Home > Adelaide > Adventure | Lists | Places of Interest | Shows | Travel
by Irenke Forsyth (subscribe)
A writer sharing travels, experiences, a love of festivals & events. Life is a journey and I hope to inspire others. Visit my blog at https://www.travelwithirenke.blogspot.com
Published April 28th 2020
We may not be able to travel at the moment due to the current Coronavirus restrictions but it doesn't mean we can't stream and dream travel in our living rooms. There's plenty we can watch on different platforms that will ease some of the lockdown boredom and, hopefully, the travel itch.

Sit back and relax in your armchair with this list:-

Wild Japan

Wild Japan, snow monkey
Baby snow monkey in the wild


Thanks to the pandemic, my dreams of ticking Japan off my bucket list got squashed within a week of me flying out, so now I have to wait another year, but in the meantime, there's Wild Japan to the rescue.

Wild Japan will have you discovering there's more to the land of the rising sun than a robot cafe and fish market that you see on plenty of Instagram posts. From mainland Honshu in all its glory to deep into the forests of the South Western islands, you'll discover a range of landscapes and environments where bears and monkeys roam and sea eagles walk on frozen waters.

Each episode explores how life survives across this country dominated by volcanoes, earthquakes, savage winters and sultry typhoon summers.

Platform: Stan

Travel Man

Travel Man, Grand Bazaar Istanbul
Inside the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul


Comic host Richard Ayoade takes you on 48hours in a new city each episode in Travel Man. With a special guest along for the ride in each episode, the show delves into the cultural nuances of each destination. The visit to Istanbul with our very own Adam Hills is one of many highlights throughout several seasons.

All about making travel more fun, more efficient and less tedious, these mini-breaks have on-screen pop-ups that call attention to the cost of various activities and places visited with a total cost of the 48hours in the city presented at the end of each episode.

Platform: SBS On Demand in Australia

Our Planet

Our Planet, herd of elephants
Elephants love a good bath


Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Our Planet is Netflix's version of Planet Earth and is a beautiful nature series that will have you wanting to get out and explore the countries and habitats in which many of our incredible species live.

The visuals are stunning and the diversity covered is vast, from marine creatures in coastal areas to the deserts and grasslands of elephants and bison, the frozen worlds of penguins and polar bears, the jungles and rainforests of birds and orangutans.

If it doesn't have you wanting to travel, then nothing will.

Platform: Netflix

Dark Tourist

Dark Tourist, voodoo dance Benin
Voodoo dance in Benin, West Africa


This culture shock takes you on a journey to lesser-known parts of the globe, dropping you into 'alternative' tourist hotspots. It's hosted by filmmaker and journalist David Farrier and offers a glimpse into a darker side of our world without judgment.

Places that are historically associated with death and tragedy are explored, including voodoo culture in Africa, vampires in New Orleans, a notorious haunted forest outside of Tokyo, exorcism in Mexico City, murder site locations of Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, a suicide hotspot in Aokigahara (Japan) and a controversial museum in Littledean (U.K.) that has a Nazi-era lampshade made from human skin.

It's definitely not my 'cup of tea' but there is a market out there for this kind of tourism.

Platform: Netflix

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Breakfast Lunch Dinner show, Moroccan lamb tagine
Delicious Moroccan lamb tagine


Feed your wanderlust with David Cheng's latest foray into food-centric travel. Follow him with a celebrity in each destination traversing culinary delights and activities in Vancouver, Marrakesh, Cambodia and Los Angeles.

It's a fun watch to breeze through on a lazy Sunday with the likes of guests Seth Rogan, Chrissy Teigan, Kate McKinnon and Lena Waithe as they tackle dim sum, tagines, deep-fried brownies and snackable cockroaches amidst sneaker shopping, 'humping it' in the desert and navigating a maze.

Platform: Netflix

Departures

Departures TV Show, Peyto Lake Canada
The gorgeous blue Peyto Lake in the Canadian Rockies


Follow friends Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach around the world as they document their adventures and challenges they encounter during a year's break from the 9-5 'rat race'.

With cameraman Andre Dupuis, they start off in their home country of Canada, renting an RV and beginning a camping journey from ocean to ocean (Halifax to Vancouver). In episode 2 of Season 1, it is quite a different experience with them travelling to Jordan where they spend a night in the desert with the Bedouins before heading to Petra and the Gulf of Aqaba for a friend's wedding.

There's 3 seasons in total, taking in over 25 countries that include Thailand, India, Iceland, Madagascar, Russia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand. It's got a lot of great reviews and has been described as being about the journey rather than just the destinations.

Platform: Youtube

Going Places with Ernie Dingo

Going Places with Ernie Dingo, Uluru Australia
Uluru is a must at least once in your lifetime


Covering travel in Australia, Going Places is a worthy contingent for your next binge as it is likely bans on domestic travel will be lifted way before any on international travel.

Let Ernie Dingo into your lounge room as he scouts the country, introducing you to iconic locations and the people who live there. From Kakadu to Uluru and Cradle Mountain, swimming with wild sea-lions and hunting for dinosaurs, this captivating series will have you wanting to book your next holiday pronto.

Platform: SBS On Demand Australia

Getaway

Getaway, Pyramids of Giza
The ancient wonders of the Pyramids of Giza


Australia's longest-running travel program, currently presented by Catriona Rowntree, David Reyne, Charli Robinson and Tim Blackwell, has wonderful holiday ideas for all tastes and budgets. Covering both Australia and international destinations, the team have explored the wonders of the world.

From natural wonders like Milford Sound to ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza, city wonders to island wonders, and beyond, Getaway has deservedly won many awards in both the television and tourism industries.

Past presenters include Kate Ceberano, Jennifer Hawkins, Dermott Brereton, Megan Gale, Lochie Daddo, Jason Dundas, Jules Lund and Sophie Monk, each injecting their own style.

Platform: 9Now Australia

Anh Does....

Anh Does Vietnam
Adventure in Vietnam


Comedian Anh Do does a variety of countries in his travel and lifestyle show. His first season consisted of two parts, covering his return to his country of birth Vietnam. The episodes give you an insight into modern-day life, from local family life to culinary delights and the best adventures the country has to offer.

Next came Anh Does Britain, which included Ireland, and then it was Anh Does Scandinavia, with the latter seeing him tap into why the people are the happiest in the world and discovering some of the answers through Viking games and a visit to a moose farm.

He's also covered Iceland, Brazil and Italy, doing it in a fun way as he engages locals and their knowledge. He had me in 'stitches' from the beginning.

Platform: 7plus Australia

All of the above are ripe for bingeing and provide some of the best experiences that will inspire you to travel to destinations you never thought you would. They'll have you ready and grabbing your passport, packing your bag and jetting off as soon as possible.
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