Part of the reason we go on holiday is to escape the hustle and bustle (or possibly even drudgery) of our everyday lives. However, while most are happy to escape from the things they leave behind, there are some things that we really can’t do without. One such thing is typically your favorite TV show or movies that you can watch while relaxing by the pool or even in your hotel room after a long day of sightseeing! Unfortunately, the powers that be have a nasty habit of geoblocking certain shows due to various reasons, including those related to copyright. Nonetheless, with a few workarounds and a little ingenuity, there is no reason you have to abandon your binge-watching habit, regardless of where you are located on the planet.
Invest In A Quality VPN
When considering circumventing geoblocks, the first thing that perhaps comes to mind is a VPN. Travelers who enjoy streaming their favorite TV shows will soon discover this tool to be invaluable for the purpose mentioned in this post and for almost all other aspects of your digital life. In essence, when you connect to a VPN server in your home country, you can appear as though you are still at home when accessing international streaming services. As already mentioned, many streamers like Hulu and even the all-powerful Netflix will restrict their content libraries by region due to licensing deals. So, a show available in the US may not be viewable during a vacation abroad. This can be particularly galling when you consider how much you actually pay for these services each month. This is where a VPN comes in to spoof your location and allow you to watch your shows as you would in your home nation.
However, just understand that each provider will have differing ways of setting something. For example, setting up NordVPN in Greece will involve slightly different steps to setting one up from Surfshark and so on. Moreover, a VPN enhances privacy and security when watching shows on the go. This is particularly useful when streaming via public WIFI networks at a hotel or airport.
Download Movies And Shows In Advance
If you are unsure whether or not the places you are staying will have stable internet, you can always go down the traditional route of downloading them in advance. If you are worried about staying on the right side of the law, you need not. Platforms like Netflix enable you to download a show or movie for offline watching, making it a highly convenient option for viewing on the go. Be aware that although some platforms have this functionality built-in, they may include a time limit for when you can watch it, which afterward will expire, and you could be left without your shows and unable to stream. Nonetheless, when paired with the VPN option in the previous point, you should have all bases covered.
Ensure Your Hotel Has Included Wi-Fi
Depending on where you are traveling, you may discover your hotel either doesn’t have Wi-Fi included, charges an additional fee, or, even if it’s free, has spotty Wi-FiWi-Fi at best. Therefore, the best course of action is to double-check where you will be staying and if they include Internet access. This can be easily achieved by looking through various online reviews and reading what others have to say. For example, even if the website or travel sites say that Wi-Fi is included, other guests will let you know how stable it is or if there are any other issues that might be prevalent.
Purchase A Local SIM card And Fill It With Data
Regardless of whether your hotel has Wi-Fi or not (has is better for obvious reasons), you can always purchase a local SIM card at the location. Many countries around the world will offer some form of tourist SIM card that comes with a healthy amount of data included. Moreover, they are often very affordable and typically far cheaper than using the roaming function your existing carrier might offer. A SIM card with data is a great idea not only for the ability to watch your shows wherever you may be but also to help you keep in touch with friends and family. Additionally, if you are traveling with your family, getting a SIM for each member might be worthwhile so you can contact each other if you get lost or need to meet up at a certain time.
There is not much to ensure you can watch your favorite shows while abroad; as long as you have a stable internet connection, you should be fine. Nonetheless, you may want to utilize a VPN for additional protection and the ability to watch geo-blocked content.
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