Books and movies to fuel your wanderlust when you can’t travel

Whether you’re on day five or fourteen of self-isolation during this coronavirus pandemic, there’s every chance you’re starting to get itchy feet.

For travel lovers alike, the desire to explore never disappears. That’s because travelling offers so much more than simply visiting another destination – it’s about seeking adventure, experiences, education and enlightenment.

While we are unable to travel currently due to strict travel bans, there are many other ways to connect to your spirit of wanderlust, whether that’s by delving into an extensive library of travel books or escaping with some feel-good films.

Here are my picks of books and movies to fuel your wanderlust while you can’t travel:

3 books to inspire your wanderlust

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is the ultimate escape read where leading lady Liz packs up her life to travel across three countries: Italy, India and Indonesia. As the book title suggests, there is a theme in each country – eat, of course, for Italy; pray where Liz spends time in an Indian ashram; and love which is predicted for her during her time in Bali. This is a must-read, and the adventure of solo travel has become a life goal for many passionate female travellers.

Holy Cow! by Sarah Macdonald

Follow Australian journalist Sarah Macdonald as she moves overseas to live with her partner and immerses herself into life in India. This warts-and-all account includes honest and descriptive passages that depict the extremes of this magical country. Macdonald forms friendships with locals, and learns that culture and tradition far outweigh dreams and desire. She manages to dispel and confirm some myths about India but, above all, she gives readers an insight into a country that is intriguing, colourful, passionate and unusual.

Evening Class by Maeve Binchy

Evening Class will resonate with those of you who have ever taken a foreign language class. Set in Ireland, the characters share tales of how they came to be at the class. As you get to know each character, you will encounter their trials and tribulations of life with love, loss, friendship, freedom and courage coming to the fore. After reading this you will be inspired to stop dreaming and finally take that language class (albeit online for the moment).

3 movies to inspire your wanderlust

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Joyous and funny, the star-studded British cast in this film will capture your heart from the very beginning as they seek an affordable retirement in the Marigold Hotel in Jaipur, India. With the hotel being less than what was promised, each character’s story is interwoven as they come to terms with living in the not so exotic hotel. Underpinned by a local love story, this is an enjoyable and heart-warming watch that will inspire you to consider a visit to India. The best part? There is also a sequel.

The Holiday

The Holiday offers the perfect escape from the current chaos. It involves a house swap between America and England and is set during the holiday season. When leading ladies Kate Winslet (Iris) and Cameron Diaz (Amanda) are looking to escape heartbreak, they find each other on a house swap website. During their holidays, they each stumble upon love in unexpected places.

Memoirs of a Geisha

A beautiful and dramatic portrayal based on a novel of the same name, Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of a young girl who becomes a geisha. The harsh treatment and training sees the strong-willed main character Chiyo transform into one of the most desired geishas in Japan. The costumes and Japanese scenery are stunning, and the culture and traditions are fascinating. This film is sure to inspire a visit to this breathtaking destination.

TELL US: What are your favourite books or movies to inspire your desire for travel? Share your recommendations in the comment section below.