8 films travel lovers can watch from home

With our travel plans up in the air for now, it’s never been a better time to don your comfy clothes and see the world from your sofa. Emmie Harrison-West has put together a list of must-see films to virtually transport you across the globe...

Into the Wild follows grade-A student and top athlete Christopher McCandless who abandons everything in his name to hitchhike to the Alaskan wilderness. Not only is this an unbelievable true story, but the scenery is just as breathtaking. The film’s thought-provoking message – and stunning setting – will stay with you forever.

When office drone Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) and his colleague are about to lose their jobs, they embark on an adventure that is the stuff of dreams. Set in the lush, natural wonders of Iceland, the film explores secret fishing villages, mountains, and extraordinary lagoons. The overall cinematography is as inspiring as the film’s sense of adventure.

Probably the darkest film on this list, with a cast as stellar as it’s filming location. In Bruges features Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as two Irish hitmen escaping the wrath of their boss, Ralph Fiennes. The well-preserved medieval town, with its jagged edges, winding canals, and rickety cobbles is a perfect location for the thriller.

For a perfect example of quirky, romantic French cinema – look no further. Amélie is a colorful, iconic film that explores the beauty of Paris, exquisitely. From quaint French cafés and boulangeries, to memorable historical sites, Amélie covers them all in one addictive heady rush. The film has a certain type of magic that will linger.

After the tragic death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) leaves her old life behind as she treks the 1,100 mile long Pacific Northwest Trail, West USA. Based on a true story, Cheryl explores the endless sights of desert, mountain trails, and secret hiking spots across California and Oregon. Wild cleanses the soul, ready for adventure.

Want that adrenaline of discovering something so unexpected in a brand-new city? Lost in Translation has you covered with the sights and sounds of Tokyo, Japan. The energetic, chaotic city is portrayed through the eyes of two traveling strangers (Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson) who become unlikely friends.

Featuring the hit songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is the perfect feel-good film for uncertain times. Skopelos Island, Greece, is a stunning backdrop for this heart-warming picture with its crystal clear blue ocean and matching skies. You will long to escape to a sun-bleached white house peppered with vivid, colorful flowers.

Dr. Thomas Avery (Charlie Sheen) decides to travel from America to Spain to complete the pilgrimage Camino de Santiago, which his estranged son never got to finish. As we join him on the 500-mile journey that took his son, we see the breathtaking ancient trek across Northern Spain in its true, natural, and most beautiful form.

Our memorable trips

Now isn’t the time for going places. However, as we spend the coming weeks mostly indoors, we can still dream about travel, plan future adventures and revisit ones we’ve taken before. This is exactly what we’ve asked our team to do – to dream and reflect. Here are 12 memorable trips taken by the DK Eyewitness team, featuring eclipses, safaris, cycling treks, pilgrimages, bunnies, toboggans and ancient ruins.

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How to be an armchair traveler

Just because you can’t escape to a new adventure right now doesn’t mean you should stop dreaming. There are ways to remain inspired, whether you’re surfing the internet on your phone, lounging at home, or sipping coffee at your local cafe. Being an armchair traveler is all about learning about and reflecting, and ultimately engaging with far-flung places without ever needing to leave home.

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