This summer travel through your screen

Most of us may not be able to travel in the near future, but the pandemic cannot stop us from enjoying exotic locales on television shows even as we lay on the couch in the comfort and safety of our homes. Lonely Planet writer Jayanthi Madhukar brings a list of shows to binge on, not just for their content but also for their exciting locations.

Shetland

Right on top of the list is a rather languid thriller titled Shetland. The Scottish crime detective series, based on Ann Cleeves books, was shot in the Scotland mainland and Shetland Islands. The archipelago lies between Great Britain, Norway and Faroe Islands. The protagonist, Detective Jimmy Perez, often takes the ferry from the mainland to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland Islands. A walker’s paradise, Shetland has an uninterrupted coastline (1,697 miles), moors, inland lochs and hills boasting stunning vistas. Ronas Hill, Shetland’s highest point, is a two-hour trek is recommended as much as the several walking tours in the region. As you watch the series, a question might pop up: Are there really no trees in Shetland? It used to be completely true a while ago as extensive grazing by sheep excluded any chance for trees to grow. Today, although large tracts of land are still treeless, a visit to the islands will reveal the local reforestation efforts.

Broadchurch

Sandstone cliffs, seaside and harbour are refreshing for the soul, aren’t they? The cameras of the detective series Broadchurch keep showing the bluest of blue seas lash onto the sandstone cliff base from a vantage point at the Jurassic Coast harbour village of West Bay, Dorset in UK. The writer of the show, Chris Chibnall, lives in this village and has taken it upon himself to showcase the place in the best light, never mind the murders et al. The title of the show itself is taken from two villages in the region, Broadoak and Whitchurch Canonicorum, and has so many scenic locations that tourism surged after the show aired on television. Markets, piers, and strolls along the coasts are pleasant but remember, the Jurassic Coast covers 95 miles from Orcombe Rocks at Exmouth, Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. The East Cliff at West Bay actually contains about 180 million years of history. The name, Jurassic Coast, is a giveaway for why tourists have visited Dorset for fossil hunting. In fact, the coast is part of what is known as the Dinosaur Coast.

Summertime

When one of the characters in the Italian series Summertime rants about the place she is stuck in, it is difficult to empathize with her. The filming has been done predominantly in Marina di Ravenna and Cesenatico – two superb coastal towns off the Adriatisches Meer or Adriatic Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean Sea. The aquamarine sea backdrop is hard to ignore and the series will make you truly lust for the sea. Apart from the beaches, there is an important 6th century church, the stately Basilica of San Vitale with its gorgeous mosaics, including those of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The Ravenna region is one of Italy’s rich regions and its major city Ravenna has been the host of the Ravenna Festival of opera and classical music for 30 years. This year it is being streamed live through the month of June and July. An incredible watch for sure.

Out of Love and The Call of the Wild

The Indian series Out of Love on Hotstar shows off the hilly charms of Coonoor in the Nilgiri mountains. Unlike the nearby Ooty which is bigger and busier, Coonoor is old-charm and colonial. The Fernhill Palace, erstwhile residence of the Maharaja of Mysore and now a hotel, is easily recognizable by film buffs as one of the venues. The outdoors is featured extensively as protagonists navigate the hairpin bends and show off the beauty of this hill station. From Coonoor we could go to the other end of the world, or more precisely to Yukon in Canada where a significant portion of the film The Call of the Wild is shot. The terrain includes mountain ranges – notably the Saint Elias mountains, plateaus and river valleys. The Alaskan-like snowy winter may make it seem inhospitable but this Canadian city offers great seats to watch the aurora borealis with its ideal location from the earth’s magnetic poles. The film is about a dog and its final journey to the wild but the viewers will enjoy the dog sleds and expansive views right from their couch.

Nomadland

Finally, we look at the critically acclaimed Nomadland which offers a real-life vibe of the quintessential American road trip in a van. The film showcases life seen from a RV as it goes into Quartzsite, a tiny desert town that is the stomping ground of RV roadies. One of highlights is the scenic views of Badlands National Park in Dakota. Another comfortingly addictive road trip documentary is Expedition Happiness, wherein a musician, a filmmaker and a dog travel in a refurbished school bus from Alaska to Argentina. The immersive documentary shows side roads, a don’s lair, towns, immigration points and views which a viewer will never tire of.

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