Exploring the World From Home

Media Type

Documentary

Description

"Planet Earth" is an Emmy Award-winning nature documentary series commissioned by the BBC. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, "Planet Earth" was the first series of its kind to be filmed in high definition, and the most expensive ever commissioned by the BBC, and when you sit down to enjoy it, you'll understand – and appreciate – why. Each 50-minute episode features a global overview of a different biome or habitat on Earth (polar, mountain, cave, desert, plains, fresh water, seas, ocean, forest), followed by a ten-minute featurette that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of filming the episode.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

BBC Planet Earth

Media Type

Documentary

Description

"Idaho, the Movie" is a wonderful exploration of unique landscapes and locations in the state of Idaho. The scenic landscape documentary won a 2013 Emmy Award, and Wide Eye Productions followed up its success with "Idaho, the Movie 2" in 2016.

Submitted By

Robin North

Photo Source

Idaho, the Movie

Media Type

Blog

Description

Robert Morales is video creator based out of Miami who documents his travels around North American. Using cameras set up in his cab and on his trailer as well as a drone to show passing scenes and provide a birds-eye view, Morales narrates his journeys, touching on points of interest along the way and covering the highlights of each destination once he's arrived. The resulting videos provide enough imagery and information to leave viewers feeling inspired to plan a trip to the location for themselves. Occasionally, Morales even visits locations based on recommendations from his viewers.

Submitted By

Anthony Garnett

Photo Source

Traveling Robert

Media Type

TV Show

Description

Rick Steves is an American's guide to fun and affordable European travel. Steves' adventures take him around Europe exploding myths, revealing treasures, and helping his viewers to see that people around the world are more similar than different – we are all looking for love, happiness, and connection.

Submitted By

Bill Semion

Photo Source

Rick Steves' Europe

Media Type

TV Show

Description

This extremely popular series is a foodie take on world travel, as Bourdain explores food and culture in various countries.

Submitted By

Barrie Owen

Photo Source

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Media Type

Book

Description

"Birds Without Wings" by Louis de Bernières is a novel set just before World War I that tells the story of a small Turkish town and its diverse inhabitants, and how they changed as a result of the nationalism, conflict, and religious fervor of the time. The wonderful descriptions of Turkey throughout the book will entice many readers to plan a trip to the country.

Submitted By

Diane Vollrath

Photo Source

Penguin Random House

Media Type

Documentary

Description

This series by British Columbia's Knowledge Network explores Canada's beautiful and varied landscapes from the sky. There are four seasons that can be watched on the Smithsonian Channel, or streamed via an account on the website linked below.

Submitted By

Joel Smith

Photo Source

Smithsonian Channel

Media Type

Book

Description

"Blue Highways" by William Least Heat-Moon is a fascinating exploration of America's small towns that will change the way you journey through the country. It is a rambling, quietly beautiful tale about the USA that exists off of the highways and the people that reside there. Some towns, like Dime Box, Texas, barely exist now, but reading the book is a reminder of what we can find when we travel off the major routes and popular destinations.

Submitted By

Alicia Reid, Greg Nye

Photo Source

Little, Brown and Company

Media Type

Videos and Photos

Description

ArmchairTourist is exactly what it sounds like! Vicariously enjoy photos and videos taken all around the world. You can watch online or on select broadcast channels.

Submitted By

Yolande Chandler

Photo Source

ArmchairTourist

Media Type

Movie

Description

"Easy Rider" is a 1969 film that takes place on the road in the American South and Southwest. Along with exploring this part of the country, you'll get a glimpse at counterculture and societal tensions in the US during the '60s. "Easy Rider" is a great example of when a trip is about the journey and not necessarily the destination.

Submitted By

Jim Gerken

Photo Source

Wikipedia

Media Type

Movie

Description

"Crocodile Dundee" is a fun adventure set in the Australian Outback, a remote location that few people ever truly experience for themselves. This movie gives you a glimpse at this location and how the residents of the area live.

Submitted By

Rod and Arlene Smith

Photo Source

Wikipedia

Media Type

Book

Description

"Dear Bob and Sue" is the story of Matt and Karen Smith's journey to 59 US national parks. The book is written as a series of emails to their friends, Bob and Sue, in which they share their humorous and quirky observations. It is at times irreverent, unpredictable, and sarcastic, all in the spirit of humor. For any LTVer who has an urge to visit all of America's national parks, Matt and Karen share many tips about how they planned and executed their visits that can be used as inspiration and a guide, but even for the armchair traveler, it's an entertaining read.

Submitted By

Mary Nelson

Photo Source

Amazon

Media Type

Podcast

Description

The Adventure Bound podcast is "for those believing that getting outside, breathing fresh air and taking risks along the way are crucial components to living a happy and fulfilled life." Through engaging interviews, listeners will dive into topics such as visiting all 62 national parks, adventure photography, raising kids outdoors, and leaving everything behind to become a full-time fishing guide.

Submitted By

Teresa Pennington

Photo Source

Adventure Bound

Media Type

Podcast

Description

Wild Ideas Worth Living is produced by REI, and is filled with "conversations with people who took the path less traveled and brought their wildest ideas to life." The podcast focuses on people who threw caution to the wind to chase their dreams, many of these dreams infused with outdoor recreation. This is an inspirational podcast for those who are still yearning to make an impact in the world by following adventure, love, and passion.

Submitted By

Teresa Pennington

Photo Source

REI

Media Type

Podcast

Description

In this podcast, well-known RV industry content creators and influencers Heath and Alyssa Padgett entertainingly interview nomadic entrepreneurs who have made the leap into the RV lifestyle, and have taken their businesses with them on the road. The RV Entrepreneur is for people who are interested in downsizing their life, creating remote income, and working from anywhere.

Submitted By

Teresa Pennington

Photo Source

The RV Entrepreneur

Media Type

Documentary

Description

"Free Solo" – winner of an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature – is a fascinating look at the world of climbing, specifically one of the world's best in Alex Honnold as he attempts to free-climb El Capitan. This documentary satisfies the need to explore, the need to push oneself, and the need to stay connected to nature.

Submitted By

Tyler Thiessen

Photo Source

National Geographic

Media Type

Livestream

Description

Not everyone has the ability to freely go outside when they choose, and many people are stuck indoors without respite. This relaxing livestream represents a window to the outside world and allows people to connect with nature. Also by The Cornell Lab, check out Merlin Bird ID app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Submitted By

Tyler Thiessen

Photo Source

Cornell Lab FeederWatch Cam screenshot

Media Type

Book

Description

This book is a fascinating deep-dive into one of the least-commonly-known subjects; our bodies! Written by Bill Bryson, "The Body" is complex, humorous, and thought-provoking. This is a great time to reflect on ourselves.

Submitted By

Tyler Thiessen

Photo Source

Penguin Random House

Media Type

Book

Description

"The Space Barons" is a fascinating narrative following the development of two very different space exploration initiatives.

Submitted By

Josiah Wiebe

Photo Source

PublicAffairs

Media Type

Magazine

Description

This bi-annual magazine highlights unique stories from many parts of the world, with an emphasis on nature.

Submitted By

Josiah Wiebe

Photo Source

Beside Magazine

Media Type

Instagram Account

Description

This visually arresting Instagram feed combines a love for unique locations with an appreciation of unique architecture.

Submitted By

Josiah Wiebe

Photo Source

@jade_wilkes via @cabinlove

Media Type

Documentary

Description

Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope. "Our Planet" is narrated by David Attenborough, and available on Netflix.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

Netflix

Media Type

Documentary

Description

Helicopter flights above the USA give breathtaking views of the nation's historic landmarks and natural wonders, all presented in stunning aerial cinematography while narration provides background information and historical context. "Aerial America" is available on Smithsonian Channel or for streaming on iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

Smithsonian Channel

Media Type

Documentary

Description

The landmark natural history series returns, and in the time since "Blue Planet" premiered, more species have been discovered than ever before. Presented by David Attenborough and featuring music by Hans Zimmer, "Blue Planet II" takes viewers on an incredible voyage through the world's oceans. Watch on Netflix, YoutubeTV, or Amazon Prime Video.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

BBC Earth

Media Type

Documentary

Description

"Life" is a spectacular nature documentary series that sets out to be the definitive exploration of animal diversity. The BBC spent four years traversing the globe in search of the most amazing stories about the continuing struggle for animal survival, and the resulting 10-part series captures animal behaviours and helps humans to better understand the beings we share our planet with.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

Amazon Prime Video

Media Type

Documentary

Description

This documentary, narrated by Patrick Stewart, is an unveiling of the next frontier of space exploration – Mars! Watch it on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, or Fandango.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

Amazon Prime Video

Media Type

Documentary

Description

"Bears" takes viewers through a year in the life of a bear family in Alaska. Beginning at the end of a harsh winter, the astonishing footage captured allows you to watch as a mother bear, Sky, and her two cubs, Amber and Scout, emerge from hibernation and Sky begins to teach her cubs important survival lessons. "Bears" is narrated by John C. Reilly and available on Amazon Prime Video.

Submitted By

Stephen Gray

Photo Source

Walt Disney Studios

Media Type

Livestreaming

Description

explore.org takes you into the daily lives of animals from the comfort (and safety) of your own home. The website offers over 100 livecams of wild and rescued animals, many of which you would never be able to get so close to in real life, from locations all over the world. They've included bios and information about the animals featured, so you can walk away having learned something new and enjoying a feeling of "nature is doing okay" after relaxing into a video of anything from hummingbirds to kittens, elephants to lions. Also available through their iOS and Android app.

Submitted By

Shyle Zacharias

Photo Source

explore.org Africam Tau Waterhole

Media Type

Website

Description

With most destinations being closed for the time being, Google has curated Street View virtual tours of famous landmarks and tourist sites around the world. Preview US national parks as a fun way to plan your future travels, or explore their massive library of museums, landmarks, and historical spots that take you inside and around places we can't physically visit right now.

Submitted By

Shyle Zacharias

Photo Source

Google Arts & Culture Street View, Grand Canyon National Park

Media Type

Documentary

Description

Canadian filmmaker and activist Rob Stewart devoted his life to advocating for one of our planet's most misunderstood animals – sharks. Following up 2006's award-winning documentary "Sharkwater," "Sharkwater: Extinction" was the continuation of Stewart's efforts and those of his peers in saving these important apex predators. The film takes viewers to incredible shark habitats around the world, and face-to-face with these incredible animals.

Submitted By

Kara Westerlund

Photo Source

Sharkwater.com

Media Type

Instagram feed

Description

Canada is a huge country with so many diverse landscapes from coast to coast to coast, and @explorecanada brings that diversity and beauty to your Instagram feed. Photos and videos of coastal scenery, northern lights, wide-open prairie, urban environments, and more will have you dreaming of future adventures, and for now you can enjoy virtual tours with their #ExploreCanadaFromHome project.

Submitted By

Kara Westerlund

Photo Source

@ericsvisuals via @explorecanada

Media Type

Blog

Description

Last but not least, the LTV Blog is a great place to find travel stories, tips and do-it-yourself ideas, RV lifestyle stories and resources, and more. Various Leisure List series like Top Scenic Drives, Top RV Parks and Campgrounds, or Gear Recommendations can help you plan for future adventures when travel opens up once more.

Submitted By

Bill Semion

Photo Source

"The Dempster Highway" by Joel Smith and Sharon Person