A country of incredible natural beauty, Brazil is the largest country in all of Latin America with more than 8.5 million people and spanning over 8.5 million kilometers. Yet lying amidst Brazil’s huge cities and miles and miles of land, lie sprawling mountain ranges, massive forests and huge tracts of farmland. Currently, there are 69 national parks in Brazil exhibiting incredible flora and fauna and impressive rock formations. The Brazilian Amazon alone is home to more animal and plant species than anywhere else in the world. In addition to its national parks, Brazil also shares a number of reserves and protected areas just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

After 5-6 hours of flying over the Pacific Ocean, you are rewarded with your first glimpse of Easter Island. Maps help give an idea of the distance between Easter Island and South America, but without setting foot there, it is hard to understand its true seclusion. As your plane touches down at Mataveri International Airport, and you walk across the tarmac to the small terminal, you begin to grasp how remote and special this place is. The near treeless landscape alludes to the island’s history of deforestation and allows for sweeping views dotted with moai (famous monolithic “Easter Island heads”, which are actually full bodies) in many directions. These views also hint at the ecological crises the island suffered in the past.

Tasmania is a wonderland of exotic wildlife, stunning and diverse scenery, and locally produced artisanal foods. This diverse island state off Australia’s south coast adds a whole new dimension to any Australia tour and  is sure to please any traveler with an adventurous spirit.

Last week, we released some of our top picks for books that inspire travel. And while we love burying our noses in the pages of a good book, we also love sinking into the couch and getting lost in a movie or show just as much. 

Our team has rounded up some of our favorite books that have inspired us to travel. Check out part one of our list below and stay tuned for additional books, movies, podcasts, music and more to keep the travel bug in you fulfilled while we all stay safe at home.