Finding new travel destinations doesn’t have to be as tricky as you might think. By checking out some of the latest types of online entertainment, you can discover places to travel to in new and unexpected ways.
“Pachinko machines” (CC BY 2.0) by AKX_
Themed Casino Games Based on Different Cultures
Playing a game based on a specific location can be useful for learning about that place without requiring the drudgery of intensive research. Themed slots like Cleopatra’s Cashpots and Extra Chilli transport us to different parts of the world, while treating us to easily digestible images of the culture they’re based on, such as food and famous local characters.
Other titles are based directly on popular games from these countries, such as the Andar Bahar card game that originated in India and has now gone online. Betfair’s Plinko game takes a different approach: a simple game of chance, where balls bounce down the screen to land on win multipliers at the bottom, while not based on a particular location, shares a great deal of similarity with Japan’s famous pachinko machines. These machines can be found in pachinko parlours across Japan and learning about them through online games could prove to be a useful introduction to Japanese culture before a trip.
Globe-Trotting TV Shows and Movies
Streaming services have increased the ease with which we can discover various places without moving an inch. Earlier this year, Harry Connick Jr. found theatrical success in Netflix’s Find Me Falling, in which the singer seeks a new life in Cyprus. Set in Pegeia and Nicosia, it displays some stunning landscapes and also invites viewers to learn more about the island’s culture and people. Other recent Netflix movies set outside the Anglosphere include Irish Wish, Rose Island and Rest in Peace.
But Neflix are not the only players in this game. Apple TV+ has recently announced the worldwide premiere of Berlin ER. It isn’t yet clear how much of the city will be shown since it’s a medical drama mainly set inside a hospital’s emergency room. However, travellers may be interested in the fact that this is a German-language show, offering viewers an opportunity to learn more about German customs and local parlance.
Popular Travel Podcasts
The podcast industry has become hugely influential in travel in recent years, neatly curating oodles of information on the most exciting places to visit today in a direct but entertaining way. Wanderlust’s podcast Off the Page is in its sixth series, and recent episodes include a look back at the best travel destinations in 2024, as well as episodes dedicated to destinations like Azerbaijan and Germany.
TravelPulse and Amateur Traveller are other popular podcasts in what has become a crowded niche. Each show has a unique angle on travel, with Atlas Obscura standing out for the way it looks at particularly weird and wonderful places from across the planet.
The advent of these new ways of seeing the world in a grid of pixels has worked wonders for expanding our collective palettes for the distant and unknown. So, whether you use them as easy outlets for escaping the comfort of your sofa, or to help decide on future destinations, rest assured that paradise is at your command today more than ever before.
By Gregory O'NeillGreg is a modern-day explorer with an insatiable love for travel. His passion for adventure has led him to far-flung corners of the world, where he immerses himself in diverse cultures and experiences. Greg's zest for life is epitomized by a continuous pursuit of new horizons and captivating journeys.
