That’s one happy baby / Photo Silwertand
From the living room carpet, to exotic adventures around the world, these cartoons showed us how to imagine.
We travelers all tend to look inwardly at times, searching for the source of our desire to travel.
Whether we’re exploring Buddhist meditation or just walking along the street to work in a different country, each of us may arrive at unique conclusions. Were we always this way? Probably not, but it’s hard to imagine at what point in our lives we finally decided to run with our dreams.
Maybe you were exposed to more culture at university than that which existed at home. Maybe you set out to spite the author of your less-than-appealing high school prophecy.
Maybe the actual source of your wanderlust started back at a time when you cared for nothing but sugar and Saturday morning cartoons.
What animated classics most influenced us twenty-somethings in our passion for travel?
1. Ducktales
It’s always one travel adventure to the next with each passing episode of Ducktales.
Join Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, and the nephews as they travel to Scotland and match wits with everything from an ancient Druidic cult, to the heart of the Yukon to pan for gold, and to ancient temples to discover buried treasure and hidden tombs.
Ducktales taught us to reach out into the world, while never losing sight of that enormous Moneybin waiting back home.
2. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
The franchise that spawned a cartoon, a successful line of computer games, a board game, and even a game show.
Somewhere in the world, that’s for sure, and only through a series of geography and history questions will you find your way to the next clue, and that much closer to catching the elusive woman.
3. Talespin
Talespin is the ideal cartoon for those with their minds on Alaskan bush pilots or island-hopping the Polynesian chains.
Although there are a few episodes completely land-locked, the bulk of the series is all about flying from island to island in search of adventure with Baloo and Kit Cloudkicker in the SeaDuck.
Dodging the dangerous Air Pirates, stopping for a well-deserved drink on Louie’s Island, and flying “free as a bird… the skies are yours!”
And from later years…
4. Pokemon
Despite the marketing intent backing the Pokemon cartoon, kids still have the chance to pick up on some valuable tips, not one of which is “gotta catch ‘em all”.
Ash Ketchum does in fact teach us the appeal of traveling by foot for the majority of the journey. When he and his team arrive in a new town, they immediately turn to the nearest “Pokemon Center” for local information, food, and company – I suppose the equivalent would be youth hostels.
And every week it’s an adventure to a different town and a new world of possibilities.
5. Dora the Explorer
Many of my generation were in our teens by the time this show premiered, but I applaud Nickelodeon for trying to instill the virtues of travel at a young age.
Each episode features Dora and Boots – her monkey and best friend – venture to three or four new places, meeting friends and speaking foreign languages (depends on the country of broadcast).
Although the show is intended for a very juvenile audience and thus a little repetitive, Dora teaches children the value in being bilingual, to always have a map handy (in her case, a talking map), and to pack for any eventuality (Several ladders, Dora? Really?)
What cartoons influened your wanderlust growing up? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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21 Comments... join the discussion!
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Hey Turner–
You just got that “where in the world is carmen sandiego?” song stuck in my head big time! Man! Maybe that’s where all this wanderlust comes from…
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Carmen Sandiego – that’s when I first fell for travel. Not the show as much as the game. but I remember following her around in 8 bit graphics, around the world – failing due to my bad warrent.
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“Life is like a hurricane..” Ducktails is the greatest cartoon ever made, and absolutely gave birth to ideas of exploration and travel for me…Tailspin is brilliant too, i think they came on back to back. Thanks for the post.
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I’d forgotten all about “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” until this article. And like Sarah, the song is now spooling in my head. I LOVED that show– it was fun, engaging, and intelligent, even for a young kid.
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Tin Tin (I know its a comic book, but they also had a cartoon version), Johnny Quest, Captain Planet, Pirates of the Dark Water and the anime Peter Pan No Boken!!!
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I forgot the first lyrics, Luke! Thanks for the reminder.
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no problem, I started singing the theme song in the shower after, it’s a great song.
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I love Carmen Sandiego! I always watched the TV shows and repeatedly beat the computer game. Maybe that’s where my lust for travel came from……
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man. i’m sooooo old. captain caveman and scooby doo were the one that taught me about travel…..
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dora was way after i grew up, and i’m grateful for dora and diego (which has a huge influence on my son), however, i have to say, my wanderlust simply came with the dna. i can’t pin point it anywhere, just am enjoying it!
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist↵ -
I did consider putting in Scooby Doo, but don’t they always travel to the same haunted house?
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Carmen Sandiego was the absolute best! I had forgotten about Johnny Quest and Tin Tin. Most assuredly, these cartoons are responding for my incurable travel bug, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Thanks for this article!
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Ha! Had forgotten all about Ducktales. GREAT idea for a piece, loved it.
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Oh wow, this brings back memories. Ducktales! Yes!
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What about the Traveling Gringos?
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Jonny Quest was the best. That has to be on the list. Carmen was a big part of PBS for me.
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Tintin?
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Do the Wild Thornberries ring a bell?
Best. Wanderlust. Show. Ever.↵ -
OMG! Great article. I loved Ducktales, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Scooby Doo (the original ghost hunters), and the Jetsons. Today it would South Park (those guys are always traveling somewhere) and Family Guy (Stewie and Brian managed to travel back in time).
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Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego was my all time favorite game, show! I think its safe to say where I got my love of traveling from playing the game, wishing I was her at the age of 5. Gotta love those wanderlust cartoons! The rest, are awesome. One person said the Wild Thornberries, and I totally agree!!
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