As coronavirus continues to evolve, dominating our media feeds and leaving us feeling a little anxious of the unknown, we thought it would be comforting to remind ourselves what a truly wonderful, exciting and colourful place the world continues to be, full of amazing, friendly people.

So sit back and relax and enjoy a little armchair travelling with us this weekend. We’ve got TV, books and films to transport you to exotic, far away lands and inspire your next adventure. Here is your ultimate armchair travel guide, courtesy of Swords Travel.

Television

BBC2: Race Across the World 2020

Five teams set off from Mexico City in a race to reach the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia in Argentina. No mobile phones & armed with only the cash equivalent of a one-way airfare! Exciting, colourful stuff.

BBC2: Simon Reeve Around the World

Follow Simon as he explores the world and meets amazing people.

ITV: Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean

Travel across Cuba and Haiti in Joanna’s charming company.

Books

One More Croissant for the Road: Felicity Cloake

Part travelogue, part food memoir, all love letter to France, One More Croissant for the Road follows ‘the nation’s taster in chief’ Felicity Cloake’s very own Tour de France, cycling 2,300km across France in search of culinary perfection; from Tarte Tatin to Cassoulet via Poule au Pot, and Tartiflette.

The Art of Travel – Alain de Botton

We are inundated with advice on where to travel to; we hear little of why we should go and how we could be more fulfilled doing so. The Art of Travel  is a philosophical look at the ubiquitous but peculiar activity of travelling ‘for pleasure’.

Around the World in 80 Trains – Monisha Rajesh

Monisha embarks on an unforgettable 45,000 mile adventure that will take her from London’s St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan and beyond.

Full time worker and full time parents all of a sudden? Read our guide to 10 ways to entertain the kids

Movies

Sweet Bean, Naomi Kawase

This is a touching Japanese film set in the Tokyo suburbs. It will give you a flavour of modern day life in Japan complete with cherry blossom.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Taika Waititi

The charmingly offbeat Hunt for the Wilderpeople unites a solid cast, a talented filmmaker, and a poignant, funny, deeply affecting message with the majestic New Zealand countryside providing the backdrop.

The Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles

This is where it all began for Ernesto “Che” Guevara, whose road trip across Latin America with his pal Alberto Granado opened Che’s eyes to political injustice. Follow their travels as per Che’s memoir, from the Andes mountain range to Machu Picchu.