It’s hot out there, kids! Here’s a little secret. I don’t love traveling during summertime. Sure, there are places that shine this time of year, but heat is not my friend, and if I’m going to enjoy anywhere, I’d prefer not to be melting. There are a handful of places that remain on my bucket list as must-visit in summer for specific reasons, like Ibiza, but this is my season of hibernation.

Summer is also a particularly expensive time to travel because everyone is traveling. Prices go up around holiday weeks. Any destination that considers this its peak season has prices at the top of its average range, and if you plan to visit somewhere that has locals who go on holiday, you’re not really getting the full experience. It’s a high travel time for families since the kids are out of school, and the generous amount of three-day weekends makes it an ideal time for people without kids to travel as well.

All this to say, if you’re like me and spend most of the summer home, finding inspiration for your wanderlust elsewhere is a must. That’s where documentaries come in. There are countless great travel-inspired movies that we all know and love, but nothing beats a documentary or docuseries that takes you deep into the culture of another place. Here are a few of our favorites that have been in rotation this year…

The 100-Foot Wave (HBO Max)

It’s hard to believe that only fifteen years have passed since Nazaré became known as a big-wave surfing phenomenon. What began as a hidden treasure for only the most daring of surfers is now a coveted destination to earn a big-wave title. The 100-Foot Wave is more than a documentary about surfing. It’s a love letter to Nazaré and its people, to the ocean, and to the resilience, bravery, and connection to the water that it takes to ride waves this size.

The series begins by taking us behind the scenes of surfing legend Garret McNamara’s journey to Nazaré. It was his influence and the time he spent studying the underwater canyon that made it the surfing destination it is today. We learn about the small fishing town of Nazaré and its dangerous history. The waves at Nazaré are feared and respected by locals, something that Garret and the small group of surfers who originally took on the challenge understood. We follow Garret as he achieves the largest wave ever surfed at the time in 2011, and later through injuries that sidelined him on and off for years, while other big-wave surfers like Andrew “Cotty” Cotton and Justine Dupont continued to lead the charge at Nazaré.

While the inaugural season of The 100-Foot Wave takes us through the “discovery” of Nazaré and a small group of pioneers bringing attention to it, season two sees the destination’s discovery by the larger surfing community. We learn more about Justine Dupont and are introduced to other big-wave surfers willing to take on the challenge of Nazaré in its early days, like Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca, Kai Lenny, Ian Costenza, and Michelle Des Bouillons. The season concludes with the first championship competition. The third and most recent season takes us away from Nazaré, diving into other big-wave destinations like the Cortes Bank, Morocco, and the Eddie competition in Oʻahu. The 100-Foot Wave is a great series if you’ve ever been even a little bit fascinated by surfing, if you have a love for the ocean, or if your soul craves destinations that offer a little adventure.

Best of the World with Antoni Porowski (Disney+, Hulu)

Every year, National Geographic shares a list naming the “25 Best Places to Travel in the World,” from experiences to destinations. In a new mini-series for Nat Geo, Antoni Porowski travels to four cities featured on the list: Mexico City, Paris, New York City, and London. He explores dishes, historical sites, unique experiences, and more, while also showcasing a few of his own recommendations. You may recognize Antoni from the Netflix reality series Queer Eye or his first solo show, No Taste Like Home. Best of the World mixes three of Antoni’s (and my) favorite things: culture, food, and travel. Each episode highlights the best things to eat, see, and do. From mouthwatering pastries to cultural gems like Mexico City’s Lucha Libre, luxury accommodations that date back to Marie Antoinette, glamping in NYC, and more, you might be adding one or two things to your own bucket list.

Bobby & Giada in Italy (HBO Max)

If you grew up with The Food Network, watching Bobby Flay and Giada DiLaurentiis explore Rome and Tuscany will feel like an Italian getaway with old friends. This docuseries is only four episodes long, making it perfect for a slow weekend morning binge. Inspired by Bobby’s love for Italy, the two Chefs share a similar but unique love for Italy. As a native Italian, Giada has a life-long appreciation for her culture, whereas Bobby’s was learned through experience. On his journey to becoming fluent in Italian, he invites his good friend to join him for an Italian adventure as they explore the country’s culinary history.

From chefs who are going against tradition and creating dishes in a unique, innovative way, to places that pride themselves on preserving tradition, Bobby & Giada in Italy covers quite a bit in four short episodes. Bobby’s enthusiasm for all things Italian can be felt through the screen, and Giada’s easy love and pride in her culture add a unique element to the experience. Expect lots of pasta and an abundance of gelato. Next thing you know, you’ll be planning your own Italian adventure!

Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)

Zac Efron embarks on a journey with “superfood hunter” Darin Olien in this docuseries, searching the world for secrets to a healthy, well-balanced life. Together, Zac’s passion for wellness meets Darin’s expertise as they learn the secrets of Blue Zone communities, explore the importance of water systems, redefine what it means to eat healthfully, and meet people along the way who are making a difference when it comes to the well-being of people, animals, and the planet as a whole. Season one takes us to places including Lourdes, known for its miraculous waters; Sardinia, with its notable community of centenarians; Costa Rica, where a sustainable village is making the smallest possible environmental footprint; and Peru and the Amazon, where Darin is reunited with some of his favorite superfoods.

Season two takes us down under as Zac and Darin reunite in Australia, discovering what communities are doing to address waste and regenerative agriculture. They meet with Aboriginal communities to learn about indigenous cultures and the ancient practices still used today to protect the earth. They receive a firsthand look at efforts to restore the Great Barrier Reef, which continues to face challenges from rapid climate change. While the series explores beautiful destinations, some of which many of us will likely never visit, it is a love letter to the planet and our bodies. It uncovers so many beautiful things this planet offers while also showing the harm humankind has inflicted on it. But rather than leaving us feeling defeated, it’s a source of inspiration to not just travel more intentionally but also to be mindful of the impact we leave at home and abroad. I learned so much from this docuseries and hope you enjoy it just as much.

La Pitchoune: Cooking in France (HBO Max)

Take off to Grasse, a village located north of Cannes in the heart of Provence and the French Riviera. La Pitchoune (La Peetch) was the vacation home of Paul and Julia Child, a place where a pegboard kitchen saw the experimentation of many recipes we know and love today, and many took cooking classes from longtime experts, including Simone Beck for three decades. Mackenna Held bought La Peetch in 2016 and spent several years renovating it into a vacation rental and cooking school that she runs with her friend, Chef Kendall Lane, and their husbands.

La Pitchoune: Cooking in France follows La Peetch's return after the COVID-19 pandemic. A new group of visitors is featured in each episode, taking us through their journey through the cooking school while exploring local markets throughout Provence. The school encourages guests to step out of their comfort zones and cook without recipes or measurements, the preferred style of Julia Child. Ingredients are chosen based on seasonality and intuition, and collaborative cooking leads to unexpected delights.

Men in Kilts (Starz)

Our favorite Scotsmen take on a road trip through their home country in Men in Kilts. Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are the perfect blend of students and comedians in this docuseries, which will make you want to move to the verdant country immediately. Eight glorious episodes in season one take Sam and Graham through Scotland's history, culture, and geography. Through them, we experience Scottish sport, superstitions, and cuisine. We dive deep into Scottish history from the clan system to the Battle of Culloden. Learn the history of the kilt, discover a part of the country best explored by bicycle, and understand what led to the infamous witch trials.

As if one season of these two Scotsmen having a blast in their native land wasn’t enough, we were blessed with a second season. Instead of Scotland, they’re discovering the beautiful country of New Zealand. Join them as they discover the country’s adrenaline-fueled adventures, learn about native Māori history and traditions, and indulge in the country’s culinary scene.

Searching For Italy (HBO Max) & Tucci in Italy (Disney+, Hulu)

We are big Stanley Tucci fans around here. The passion this man has for Italian culture, its food, and history is incomparable. In two different series - Searching for Italy (the original) and Tucci in Italy (the resurgence) - Tucci takes us to a different region of Italy in every episode, where he explores the history, cuisine, and culture. Italy wasn’t always unified. It was originally a collection of seven city-states with independent ruling bodies. The city-states unified in the mid-19th century to become the country we know today as Italy. In total, there are now twenty recognized regions of Italy, each with unique customs and cuisine thanks to the diverse microclimates found throughout the country.

Tucci travels through the different regions, meeting historians, journalists, and locals whose families have run niche businesses for generations. From the Dolomites of Trentino-Alto Adige to the island of Sicily, both docuseries paint a beautiful picture of Italy from top to bottom, exploring political, societal, and cultural elements through delicious local cuisine. From the luxurious Florentine steaks to the unique regional takes on offal in cities like Milan and Rome, Tucci learns what fed Italians of every class and how dishes like Carbonara, Arancini, Risotto, and more have evolved over the years.

Honorable Mentions

Any docuseries hosted by Anthony Bourdain, like Parts Unknown, is a great watch. The love he had for food and for exploring other cultures through their cuisine cannot be compared to anything else. He truly made an impact on how we look at the world and did so much to destigmatize countless groups of people. The Chef’s Table is a deliciously interesting docuseries on Netflix focused on chefs and other culinary minds from around the world. The series has 12 seasons, including spin-offs such as Chef’s Table: Pizza and Chef’s Table: Legends. Needless to say, it will keep your attention occupied all summer long. Finally, Surf Girls Hawai’i is a four-part series on Prime that follows women surfers training for positions on the World Surfing League. It shows the dedication it takes to compete professionally as a surfer and the challenges women face in a sport that barely recognized their skill and participation until the late '90s.

Other documentaries and docuseries that look fabulous and are worth mentioning include Searching for Mexico, Searching for Spain, and Searching for France with Eva Longoria (HBO Max), The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy (Apple+), The Dark Tourist (Netflix), The Kindness Diaries (Prime), Getting Lost with Erin French (HBO Max), Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted (Disney+, Hulu), and Edge of the Earth (HBO Max). They’re on my Watchlist, so don’t be surprised if a part two pops up with more recommendations in the future!