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Tag: Inspiration

  • Don’t Just Look For the Helpers: Be a Helper

    Last week I wrote an article about Anne Frank, her isolation, and the lessons we can learn from her.  At the same time, I also finished the movie edition of the book A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Mr. Rogers. It was out of this combination of reading and research that got me thinking about “the helpers.”

    Today’s Coffee: Stemwinder Blend from Fundamental Coffee Roasters

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    The Helpers

    Mr. Rogers describes when, as a kid, he’d see scary things on the news, his mother would comfort him by telling him to “look for the helpers.”

    I thought about the six helpers that aided Anne and the other seven people hiding in the secret annex. They were: Johannes Kleiman, Miep Gies, Jan Gies, Bep Voskuijl, Johan Voskuijl, and Victor Kugler. 

    These six people risked their lives to come to the aid of others. One of them, Victor Kugler, was asked after the war why he helped them, he replied, “They were my friends…”  He didn’t need any other reason.

    Throughout history, there have been so many helpers, and I cannot possibly list them all. A few of them are Harriet Tubman, Corrie Ten Boom, our veterans, Oskar Schindler, Martin Luther King Jr., Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass, Paul Rusesabagina, Elizabeth Fry, Mother Teresa, 9/11 rescue workers, our firefighters, police officers, medical workers, etc., etc.

    There are so many helpers throughout the history of the world, and even now, if we look closely, we can still find them.

    However, I think we must take it one step further.  We can’t just look for the helpers. We must also be a helper.  Each of us must rise to the occasion presented to us and choose to help those around us.

    When asked “why,” I hope we respond “because they were my friends, my fellow humans and because they needed help.”

    Recommended Reading

    If you are a teacher, or a parent, you need to read A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.  Fred Rogers’ insight and empathy for children is incredible!  I highly recommend it!  

    I also recommend reading Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl. If you have middle school age kids or older, read it with them. Then discuss the parallels between our current stay-at-home situation and Anne Frank’s isolation.  Anne’s diary offers a powerful perspective and also provides solace in knowing Anne shared similar feelings that they might have right now.

    Post a comment about a helper who inspired you or an idea for ways we can all be helpers. 

    Let’s encourage each other!

  • Isolation and the Inspiring Story of Anne Frank

    Isolation can heighten feelings of anxiety and fear. It can cause us to lose perspective and to lose hope. During this time of isolation, due to COVID-19, my mind was drawn to the story of Anne Frank. Anne Frank was a girl who knew something about isolation. She understood, better than most, the fear, loneliness, and uncertainty isolation and the factors surrounding it can bring. 

    It is normal to feel anxious and fearful and even wonder when, or if life will ever return to normal. Often our sleep is disrupted due to our anxiety and worries about the future. Anne experienced all of those feelings.

    When we are isolated, it is easy to focus only on the negative, rather than all the good that still exists. Anne is an excellent example of someone who never lost sight of the beauty of life.  She didn’t let her troubles keep her from hoping and dreaming.  

    Her story holds encouragement for those of us dealing with our feelings of loneliness and fear.  It is also something that might benefit students struggling with their grief over the loss of graduation, school, and interactions with their peers. We can empathize with Anne’s story and also gain a new perspective on our current situation.

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    Anne’s Story of Isolation

    Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, inspired me so much that during a recent trip to Europe, I visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. I saw the room where she slept and the small desk where she wrote her diary. I tried to imagine living in this space, sharing the small bedrooms with a parent or a stranger for two years. It makes me a little bit claustrophobic just thinking about it. 

    I think of my own home compared with the space in the secret annex, almost half of it would fit in my bedroom alone.

    Anne, along with many other children and families, hid in attics and secret rooms.  They could not go outside or even look out without endangering their lives. They were in a forced isolation that makes my stay-at-home order look like a luxury vacation.

    For over two years, Anne and her family hid in the secret annex. They could not go to the store or walk outside or contact anyone outside the annex. During the day, they couldn’t even flush the toilet and had to be extremely quiet when walking around. 

    During my tour at the Anne Frank House, I walked up the wooden staircase to the annex, and across the creaky wooden floors. I can tell you, moving around without making any noises, would have been very difficult!

    The children could not attend school, play outside, go to parties, or talk to friends. Anne, her family, and those hiding with them no longer had the freedom to come and go as they pleased. They were utterly dependent on the help of those hiding them.

     These people risked their lives to bring them food and news from the outside. They were the helpers and unsung heroes we can all aspire to become.

    Anne Frank says there's always something to be grateful for

    Learning from Anne Frank

    So as I sit here at home, writing this at a desk by the window, I am thankful. Thankful that I can look outside and even walk outdoors. I can drive myself to the grocery store and walk around without fear. 

    Anne represents the Jewish people and the horrific events of The Holocaust; however, more than that, she symbolizes hope, faith, and human resilience. We can all relate to her because we all know what it’s like to doubt ourselves, to feel lonely and afraid, and to have dreams for a better life.

    Anne Frank was a remarkable young woman. Although Anne would never live to see it, she accomplished a goal of hers while in isolation.  The dream of being a published writer. She left a beautiful legacy, and there is so much we can learn from her life. 

    Here are several lessons from her diary that can teach us how to deal with times of isolation and inspire us to live fully.

    To Never Lose Faith

    Anne Frank had reasons to doubt the good in humanity.  She had reasons to question God and her faith.  However, she never stopped believing in God or in the good that still existed in the world.

    Quote about nature and God

    Every Individual Matters

    You matter. Your story matters. You never know the difference you can make if you’ll only share your unique gifts with the world. 

    “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”
    ― Anne Frank  

    “Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” ― Anne Frank 

    Self-Doubt is Normal

    We will all have self-doubts.  That’s a part of life.  However, moving forward, even when we’re afraid or don’t know if we’ll ever be “good enough” is what matters.  

    If you have something that makes your heart sing, then do it for you, and the joy it gives you. I am so glad that Anne didn’t stop writing for as long as she was still alive.

    live after I'm dead

    To Learn From Our Mistakes

    This might be one of the greatest lessons to learn from Anne’s story and The Holocaust.  We must remember what happened, learn from it, and prevent it from happening again.

    “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” ― Anne Frank

    The Benefits of Journaling

    A diary is a great way to get our thoughts down and our feelings. It is useful for kids and adults alike.  Often if we have a safe space, such as a diary, we have the freedom to express our feelings without fear of repercussions or reproach. Writing is freeing and therapeutic. 

    “The nicest part is being able to write down all my thoughts and feelings; otherwise, I’d absolutely suffocate.” ― Anne Frank

    To Be Dreamers

    Oh, what a kindred spirit I find in Anne. She had so many dreams, and I bet, given a chance, she would have accomplished every one.

    Quote from Anne Frank

    Focus on The Positive

    Anne taught us to focus on what we have to be grateful for, despite our troubles.

    I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains. 
    ― Anne Frank 

    Final Thoughts About Anne

    Anne and her family went into hiding from the Nazis in July 1942. She was 13 years old. After two years of hiding in an annex over the warehouse where her father worked, they were captured by the Nazis and taken to concentration camps.

    Anne went from the isolation of the annex to a concentration camp where she died at the age of 15.  She loved to write and hoped to one day be a famous writer. Sadly, Anne never saw this come to pass. She never had the opportunity to return to school, to fulfill her dreams, or to see her diary published. Anne never had the chance to return to a normal life. 

    Perhaps, as a tribute to Anne, and to all those who lost their lives too soon, we can do our best to live our lives fully.  Chasing our dreams, inspiring those around us, and always believing there is more good than bad to be uncovered. 

    Our isolation is temporary; eventually, children will return to school, and we will celebrate with family once again.  Anne Frank never stopped dreaming while in isolation, and I know she would have lived life passionately given a chance.  

    So what about you?  What will you do with your life?

    Anne Frank One Candle Defies and Defines the Darkness

    Anne’s diary, from those two years in isolation,  has inspired millions of people around the world! Anne did, in fact, live on after she was dead.

    Recommendations for Books & Movies About Anne Frank

    Books:

    • The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
    • Anne Frank’s Tales from the Secret Annex: A Collection of Her Short Stories, Fables, and Lesser-Known Writings by Anne Frank
    • Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale By the Step Sister of Anne Frank by Eva Schloss
    • Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family by Miep Gies 
    • Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife by Francine Prose

    Movies & Television Shows 

    Virtual Tour

    Take a virtual tour through the secret annex in Amsterdam. You can look inside each of the rooms and learn facts behind their use.

     

    “Who else but me is ever going to read these letters?” Anne Frank

    Millions Anne, millions.

     

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  • 32 Travel Movies & Shows to Inspire Travelers at Home

    Travel movies filled with beautiful cinematography and adventures in new places make me smile! It is one of the ways I “travel” when I can’t actually travel.

    I watch as the people in the films pursue a passion, whether it’s traveling to a dream destination or accomplishing a goal of hiking a mountain or spending a year surfing.  It’s all about people with the courage to let go of their comfort zones and chase their dreams.  

    As I sit at home, watching their stories unfold, I imagine myself doing what they are doing, packing their bags and hitting the road.  For that one to two hours, I am traveling with them.

    That’s the power of a good story and why watching travel movies and reading books on travel are two of my favorite ways to take a journey when I’m stuck at home.  

    Below are some of my favorite travel movies and television shows. I list them by category, so you can choose whichever genre you are in the mood to watch right now. Let’s jump in and start our travels!

    Classic Travel Movies

    I’m a sucker for classic movies, and these are some of my favorites. If you avoid black and white films or only stick to recent releases, you’re missing out! These classics are set in different countries and bring back some of that Old Hollywood charm. 

    Sometimes all you need for a good travel movie is a great location and your favorite actors. These are perfect for a movie night when you want to watch something fun and light-hearted.

    Roman Holiday 

    Roman Holiday

    Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in this film about a princess who sneaks out and spends the day with an American news reporter. 

    Princess Ann (Hepburn) wants to spend one day as an ordinary (aka not a princess) person.  While Joe Bradley (Peck), the news reporter, hopes to get the inside scoop of his life! You’ll feel like you’re spending the day sightseeing in this romantic comedy set in Rome.

    Charade

    charade movie poster

    Audrey Hepburn’s character travels to France on a ski trip only to be caught in a web of mystery and intrigue in this classic romantic comedy.  This movie also stars Cary Grant, Walter Mathau and James Coburn. Charade is one of my favorites! 

    Hepburn had several films set in Paris; Funny Face is one of them and another favorite of mine. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you watch it. The satirized beatnik dance scene with Hepburn’s character cracks me up! (I’m kind of a Hepburn fan if you hadn’t noticed.)

    To Catch a Thief 

    To_Catch_a_Thief

    Okay, so I guess I’m also a Cary Grant fan. This Alfred Hitchcock mystery is set in the French Riviera, where John Robie (Grant) is a retired cat burglar who must clear his name after a string of burglaries make him the prime suspect.  

    He follows, Francie (Grace Kelly), who he suspects will be another victim, in an attempt to track the real burglar and clear his name. Race along the Riviera in this fun rom-com thriller.

    The Endless Summer

    The Endless Summer travel movie poster

    Okay, technically, this should be under Documentaries, but it’s also kind of a classic, so I guess we’ll call it a Classicmentary? Docuclassic? Well, whatever genre you choose, if you want to chase the warm breezes year-round, then have fun watching this surfing classic.  

    This travel movie follows surfers as they chase the sun to Hawaii, New Zealand, and South Africa. I love the cheesy voice dub-overs that are indicative of this period.  This one combines humor, sunshine, and big waves to create a fun docu-classic (or whatever term we decided on). It’s guaranteed to make you smile!

    Travel Comedies

    Need a fun night filled with silly antics, adventure, and a lot of laughter? These travel movies are sure to hit the spot!

    Romancing the Stone

    movie poster

    Romancing the Stone is an 80’s movie starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.  Their adventure takes place in the Colombian jungle where city girl and romance novelist, Joan Wilder (Turner), attempts to rescue her sister Elaine from kidnappers in Colombia. 

    She meets up with Jack T. Colton (Douglas) and, in a typical opposites-attract romantic comedy the two dodge bullets, find a treasure and rescue her sister. If you like the Indiana Jones movie series, you will most likely enjoy this one too.

    Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

    Planes, trains, and automobiles travel movie poster

    This classic comedy portrays hectic holiday travel in the United States. Neal Page (Steve Martin) travels home to be with his family for Thanksgiving and ends up with a very talkative Del Griffith (John Candy) as his annoying travel companion. Holiday travel is stressful enough, but these two experience it at an entirely new level! 

    You can’t help feel bad for Steve Martin’s character as he deals with Griffith’s bumbling antics. However, in the end, the writers have us cheering for John Candy’s lonely character and remembering what the holidays are all about.

    Last Holiday

    last holiday movie poster

    If you only had a few months to live and money was no object, what would you do?  In Last Holiday, Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) quits her job, empties her bank account, and travels to the Czech Republic to stay at a luxury resort and spa. 

    She fulfills lifelong dreams as she makes the most of what life she has left. This travel movie will have you imagining your dream trip, too – just don’t wait until you’re dying to make it happen!

    Catch Me If You Can

    Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a world-class con artist. He’s robbing banks at 17 years old, impersonating doctors, lawyers, and pilots. 

    This film has the viewer joining the chase as FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) follows Abagnale all over the world in an effort to apprehend him for his many crimes. 

    Abagnale is something of a genius really, and you can’t help but cheer for him as he outsmarts the FBI and attempts to live his dream life (albeit as a criminal). 

    Travel Documentaries

    My favorite travel movies fall under the documentary category. Why? Because it’s real people, pursuing their passions, and showing us that we can do it too!  

    I love watching people live out their dreams. It makes me happy! Documentaries more than any other genre capture the spirit of travel and its many benefits. If you don’t usually watch this type of movie, I highly recommend you start with these!

    Antarctica: A Year on Ice

    Antarctica travel movie documentary

    Travel to Antarctica and learn about the people who live there and work there year after year.  I think you might be surprised how inspiring this documentary is. 

    It left me thinking more about how I want to travel to this cold and remote continent to see for myself what makes it so unique. Plus, getting to see all the penguins would be pretty cool too! I do know one thing, though–I only want to visit in the summer, I’m pretty partial to sunlight!

    Maidentrip

    This documentary is about Laura Deckker, who, at 16 years old, became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Maidentrip documents the hurdles she overcame to accomplish this incredible feat. Sailing was in Deckker’s blood. 

    She was born on a sailing trip and lived on a sailboat until she was 5. Her father encouraged her sailing dreams, and her tenacity and determination made her dreams a reality. 

    Although I don’t recommend that kids leave school to embark on solo trips around the world, you can’t help admire Deckker’s courage and commitment to her dreams. You can also purchase her book about her sailing adventure, “One Girl, One Dream.

    The Far Green Country

    the far green country travel movie

    This travel documentary follows Eli & Kelly Pyke and their son Dakota, as they document their decision to live in an RV for one year. Their journey takes them through many of the U.S. National Parks as well as parts of Canada.  

    The Far Green Country depicts the ups and downs of long-term travel, but also the benefits of slow travel. It tells the story of a family falling apart only to be healed by slowing down and connecting through travel and nature. The Pykes invite you to take the journey with them in this intimate travel movie.

    The Far Green Country inspired my husband and me. As we watched it, he turns to me and asks, “how much would we need to do that?”  This is why I watch travel movies — they inspire us even when we’re sitting on the couch at home, and they cause us to dream about all life’s possibilities.

    Living on One Dollar

    1.1 billion people live on one dollar a day.  It was this statistic that inspired four college students to travel to Guatemala, where they lived for two months, experiencing firsthand what it was like to live on one dollar a day.

     They created this documentary as a way to bring awareness to the needs of impoverished countries. These four young men went to Guatemala out of empathy and curiosity, and what they received in return was so much more than they anticipated.  

    During their stay in Guatemala, they experienced what it was to be poor, without food, sick, and without money for a doctor.  However, even more important, they encountered the beauty of the human spirit.  They were recipients of the generosity of a Guatemalan family who, although poor, opened their homes up to these students, embracing them and sharing with them the very best of what they had.  

    This family gave from the generosity of their heart, forged from the value and necessity of living in community with others. Travel allows you to see this beautiful side of humanity that we often lose sight of here at home.

     When you travel, you have an opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes, albeit briefly, it changes you and creates an awareness larger than yourself. Living on One Dollar is an inspiring and educational documentary perfect for a family movie night!

    180 Degrees South

    180 degrees south travel documentary

    180 Degrees South  follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces the 1968 journey to Patagonia by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkin.   

    After his trip to Patagonia, Chouinard went on to start the outdoor clothing company Patagonia. Tompkin, who was the founder of The North Face company, returned to Chile to focus on preserving wildlands in Chile and Argentina.  It’s no wonder these two men inspired Johnson with their love of nature and life.

    Johnson sets sail from Mexico, stops at Easter Island, and then continues to Patagonia, where he meets up with Chouinard and Tompkin.  The documentary combines audio and visuals from the original 1968 trip with Johnson’s experiences and pursuit of climbing the Corcovado Volcano in Chile. 

    Johnson realized he had to make his dream happen. He learned from Chouinard and Tompkin that there’s a time for books and movies, but then there’s a time for experiencing life for yourself.  180 Degrees South documents his journey from planning to doing and invites you to do the same.

    Family Travel Movies

    Here are some travel movies perfect for a family movie night and are suitable for kids of all ages. Movies are a way to teach kids about the beauty of travel and to have the courage to chase their dreams. 

    Up

    UP movie poster

    Up is a heart-warming movie the whole family can enjoy. It’s filled with dreams, adventures, and a carpe diem message that says chase life now! You never know what will happen, so seize the day and don’t wait for your someday life, as it may never come. 

    Paddington

    paddington bear

    I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this “real life” adaptation of the beloved children’s story. Paddington bear travels from his home in the Peruvian rainforest to England, where the Brown family adopts him as part of the family.  This movie is silly and heart-warming. I think it will bring smiles to kids and adults alike.

    Journey to the Center of the Earth

    There are multiple versions to choose from when watching this Jules Verne classic.  My favorite is the 1959 movie with Pat Boone. Go on an adventure to Iceland and journey to the center of the earth to discover dinosaurs, exotic plants, volcanoes, and more!

    The Swiss Family Robinson

    This Disney classic has young and old, imagining what life would be like on some exotic and remote island where water and food are plentiful. So, as long as you enjoy your family as your only source of company–you’re set! (The current COVID-19 lockdown has me putting that theory to the test.)

    Around the World in 80 Days

    around the world in 80 days travel movie

    Well, the name says it all.  Join Phileas Fogg in yet another Jules Verne novel turned movie as he attempts to circumnavigate the world in 80 days! You can choose from the 1956 movie version or the 2004 version.  

    Jules Verne’s book has inspired numerous people since its publication in 1873 to make real-life attempts of Fogg’s route.  Even today, there are tour companies that help you book around the world tours following his path.

    Togo

    In this recent Disney movie, we learn more about the story behind the historic effort to save the Alaskan town of Nome. Those of you who watched Disney’s Balto, released in 1995, might be familiar with the story. However, in the words of Paul Harvey, I encourage you to watch Togo and learn “the rest of the story.”

    I’m not sure if the movie will inspire you to visit Alaska or not, but perhaps if it does, you’ll want to try dog sledding when you do.  Togo displays the determination and courage of those who call Alaska home, as well as the connection humans have with dogs. It’s an exciting and heart-warming true story for the whole family! (Currently, it is only available on Disney+.)

    Travel Dramas

    These travel movies are a mixture of bitter-sweet moments.  The desire to travel doesn’t start the same way for everyone. However, adventure is something that calls out to us until the day we die.  If only we are brave enough to answer.

    World’s Fastest Indian

    Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) is a New Zealand man who dreams of traveling to the U.S. to race his Indian Scout motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He finally scrapes together enough money to take himself, and his bike, on a ship to America.  America isn’t exactly what he expected (destinations rarely are), and he faces numerous hurdles in the journey to fulfill his dream.  

    He makes it to the salt flats, though, and achieves his dream in this inspiring movie.  Most people would have given up on their goals by the time they were Burt’s age, but he didn’t let age, money, or the opinions of others keep him from going after what he wanted.

    Midnight in Paris

    This movie follows Gil Pender, who, on a visit to Paris, travels back in time to the 1920s and bumps into writers like Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. It’s a unique story that blends the present with the past and inspires you to book the next flight to Paris and write that novel you’ve been putting off! Okay, perhaps that’s just me. 

    The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

    This movie is full of beautiful landscapes and cinematic shots that create that sense of awe and wonder that travel provides. Its message is to stop daydreaming about living life and to live it. Begin your bucket list adventures and embrace life now. What some may not know, is the original movie came out in 1947 starring Danny Kaye. 

    Tracks

    This travel movie is based on the memoir of Robyn Davidson. Tracks portrays the real-life journey Robyn took in 1977. Robyn, with her four camels, and a dog, walked 1,700 miles across Australia to the Indian Ocean. This 9-month journey was a dream of hers.  A dream few understood, but it was something she felt she had to do. Dreams are like that sometimes, people won’t always understand the “why” behind your decisions, but as long as you do, sometimes that is enough.

    Robyn’s courage inspired me.  I don’t want to walk across Australia (snakes and spiders are not my cup of tea), but I do want to be courageous enough to go after my dreams.

    The Way

    the way movie poster

    In this moving story of love and loss, Thomas Avery (Martin Sheen) travels from America to France to recover the body of his son, Daniel (Emilio Esteves), who died while walking the Camino de Santiago. While in France, Avery decides to pay homage to his son by completing the 500-mile pilgrimage to the city of Santiago de Compostela.  

    If you’ve ever considered taking a long-distance hike, but aren’t exactly ready to reenact Reese Witherspoon’s role in Wild, then consider walking the Camino de Santiago. This almost 500-mile trail stretches from France to Spain in a mostly flat path that winds its way through various towns. You can even sleep in a bed every night if you’d prefer not to rough it in a tent. 

    The other advantage of this is that you don’t have to pack as much as you would on a typical backpacking adventure as you can eat in the towns along the way. You can even cycle the Camino de Santiago, but first, watch The Way and see a glimpse of what the journey holds.

    Travel Television Shows

    These are some of my favorite travel shows, and yes, most of them revolve around food.  What can I say? I enjoy eating, and I feel that food is in itself a mode of travel.  Food takes us on a journey through cultures, families, and communities.  It encapsulates the whole experience of travel in a bite.

    No Passport Required

    I love the idea behind this show, and it goes perfectly with the theme of this article. We can travel somewhere new, even while we’re at home. Chef Marcus Samuelsson visits cities across America and learns about different American cultures, their history, and the food that is unique to them.

    For example, he filmed an episode here in Seattle, where he explored the Filipino American culture.  We learned how Filipinos migrated to America and about the role of food in their culture. No Passport Required will inspire you to seek out new cultures and places close to your home and to learn about those around you.

    Somebody Feed Phil (I’ll Have What Phil’s Having)

    You can’t help but smile along with Phil as he shares his genuine (and expressive) love of food and travel. This is a light-hearted show, Phil is not the cranky, seasoned traveler you might be used to seeing.  His childlike joy of food and life is infectious! (you can watch on Netflix, and if you like it, you can purchase the DVD from his earlier series “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having”)

    Rick Steves’ Europe

    My grandma, who is 96 years old, loves traveling around Europe with Rick Steves.  She, of course, does it from the comfort of her recliner at home, but she travels nonetheless! Rick Steves has been traveling around Europe and taking us with him for almost 20 years. If Europe is on your bucket list, his videos are a good place for you to start planning your trip.

    Uncharted with Gordon Ramsay

    Follow Gordon Ramsay as he explores the world experiencing new cultures, foods, and local experiences on his quest to create his own dish with his unique flair in a friendly showdown with a local chef. It’ll have you wanting to travel and eat all in the same show! (Currently, this is only available on Disney+.)

    Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations or Layover

    If you prefer the more edgy travel host, then look no further than Anthony Bourdain. He’s no Phil and certainly no Rick Steves, but he was a prolific traveler, chef, and writer. He’ll have you drooling over the sumptuous meals he eats during his travels as well as daydreaming about traveling the world full-time. He gives you his opinion straight up and shares a life that few will ever know.

    The Kindness Diaries

    This reality/documentary-style travel show transports you around the world with Leon Logothetis. Leon sets out to travel the world without money, relying solely on the kindness of strangers. This beautiful series shows us that there are still good people in the world.  That generous humans do still exist, and we can all do our part to add a little kindness to the world around us.

    The Amazing Race

    In The Amazing Race, contestants compete for the grand prize in a non-stop race around the world. The contestants compete in pairs consisting of a parent and child, husband and wife, brother and sister, and so on. My hubby and I applied to the show once, later realizing what a hot mess that would have been, we were thankful just to watch it at home rather than be on the show.

    Anyone who travels knows how stressful travel can be. The Amazing Race takes that stress to a whole new level! Plus, you get to see beautiful and unique destinations and learn about giving back while you travel too.

    Long Way Down
    long way round travel tv show

    In this T.V. mini-series starring Ewan McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman, the two men set out on a 19,000 mile trip from London to New York City on their motorcycles. This movie had a small part in my hubby and I choosing our BMW dual-sport motorcycles. It’s a great adventure through Europe, Asia, and then the United States.

    Disclaimer: This TV mini-series has so much bad language it might make a sailor blush.  So do not watch this with kids around, or perhaps just watch it on mute.  

    Travel Movies & T.V. Shows

    I’ve highlighted some of my favorites travel-related movies and television shows that I feel inspire the dreamer within. However, there are so many travel movies and television shows to choose from and these are just a small portion of what you can explore. 

    If you have a favorite I didn’t list, let me know.  I’m always on the hunt for a good movie, so I love hearing recommendations.

    If you’re looking for more ideas, read 15 Inspiring Things to Do When you Can’t Travel for ways to transport yourself to another destination.  There are so many ways to feed our appetite for travel if we’re willing to put forth a little effort and use our imaginations!

    “To Infinity & Beyond!”