How to Travel in Zac Efron's Footsteps

If you're looking for some new, unique travel itineraries to add to your bucket list, consider following in the footsteps of…Zac Efron? Yup! Zac leaves behind the hustle and bustle of Hollywood to get back Down to Earth, journeying to Iceland, France, Costa Rica, Sardinia, Lima, Puerto Rico, London, and Iquitos.

Ready to see the world?

“That’s Mother Earth, bro”

Alongside wellness expert and quintessential California bro, Darin Olien, the actor embarks on a journey to “find new perspectives on some very old problems.” The 8-part docuseries focuses on sustainable living practices and eco-friendly alternatives for producing water, food, and energy.

While the jury still seems to be out on the educational value of the series, Zac’s earnest exploration certainly shines a light on the different environmental challenges facing humanity, as well as the countless creative solutions to these problems being implemented around the world.

That being said, we admire his adventurer spirit, and appreciate that he’s inspiring millions of fans around the world to travel and explore on their own. His experiences can be used as the foundation for your own unique travel itineraries now (depending on the location), or in the future!

If you’re feeling inspired by Zac too, well...

How to travel in Zac Efron’s footsteps

1. Iceland

Seeing the Northern Lights might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The first stop on Zac’s globetrotting quest is Iceland, where he learns how the country is able to run on 100% renewable energy! Iceland is known as the Land of Ice and Fire due to the combination of its cold climate and the extreme geothermal activity occurring beneath the surface (sadly, no dragons are involved).

Try your hand at baking rye bread in the boiling sand or take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon! Check out the Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant or peer over the edge of Gullfoss waterfall. The beauty and abundance of Iceland’s natural resources make it an obvious choice for anyone looking to learn more about renewable energy.

For a similar experience: The Green Program: Renewable Energy Innovation & Sustainability in Iceland

2. France

The culinary capital of the world, the city of love, the city of lights, the city of…hydration? Zac starts his French adventure in Paris, looking to study one of the most essential nutrients we put in our body: water.

Paris is home to over 800 FREE water fountains, all supplied by the L’Usine d’Eau de Paris (a treatment plant, not a perfume). They even have a Find My Water app—think Pokémon Go but with fountains! The actor also travels south to Lourdes, France to visit one of the most famous healing shrines in the world, the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes, and investigate water’s spiritual connections.

For a similar experience: IES Abroad: Study Abroad & Intern in France

3. Costa Rica

Explore the jungle canopy in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is one of the happiest countries in the world and it’s easy to understand why; the natural beauty, adorable wildlife, the ginormous jackfruit. Known as the rich coast, this Central American country stands at the cutting edge of countless trends, most notably sustainability.

In between zipping over tree tops and nibbling on cacao seeds, Zac visits La Ecovilla, an international permaculture community. Here, nature is appreciated in all her glory. Learn sustainable living practices in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries! And make sure to check out the monkeys and wildcats (“What Team?”) at the Jaguar Rescue Center!

For a similar experience: ISA Study Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica

4. Sardinia (Seulo), Italy

In the fourth episode of Down to Earth, Zac travels to Sardinia to find out the secret to leading a longer and healthier life. Sardinia is a “Blue Zone” which means the majority of the residents reach an age of 90 or older. Why? Scientists theorize it may be a combination of good genes and diet. That’s right—go eat that ravioli!

In addition to the old age of its residents, Sardinia is home to a host of other oddities, including nearly four million sheep, blue-eyed albino donkeys, and prehistory fairy tombs. As D.H. Lawrence so succinctly summed up: Sardinia is different.

For a similar experience: Beyond Abroad: Study Abroad in Sardinia, Italy

5. Lima, Peru

Don’t sleep on Peru—there’s a ton going on.

If you could pick one plant to survive the apocalypse, what would you pick? If you picked the potato, not only do you have great taste, but you’re also in luck! Scientists at the International Potato Center in Lima are working hard to preserve the genetic material of over 4,600 different types of potatoes for future generations.

While traveling around Lima, Zac learns more about the genetic engineering of our food supply and the nutritional value of native Peruvian foods. Add a stroll through Surquillo market and a sandboarding excursion down the dunes in the Chilcas district, and you’ll see why Lima is so special.

For a similar experience: Linguistic Horizons: Nutrition & Natural Medicine in Peru

6. Puerto Rico

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico. Carmen Yulin Cruz, the Mayor of San Juan, explains to Zac that the island territory is still struggling to rebuild itself. The hurricane taught Puerto Rico the necessity of self-reliance. When the storm hit, 1.5 million people lost electricity and it took 11 months to restore power. Additionally, prior to the storm, the island imported about 85% of its food.

As Puerto Rico rebuilds itself, they are moving to more homegrown, sustainable strategies and you can help! Organizations like Frutos del Guacabo, a farm using hydroponics to grow multi-purpose crops, and Conservación ConCiencia, a nonprofit working to restore fisheries and conserve the ecosystem, are just two examples of the inspiring work you can be a part of.

For a similar experience: The Fuller Center for Housing: Global Builders Puerto Rico – Build Alongside Locals

7. London, England

Maybe it’s not the most off-the-beaten path destination, but London is still worth it!

Look up any pictures of London from the 19th or early 20th century and you’ll find the city cloaked in a thick layer of smog. Now, the sky is clear and the River Thames is one of the cleanest rivers in the world! How did London clean up its act?

In the penultimate episode, Zac learns how clever urban planning (think green walls, beekeeping, and bamboo bikes) managed to drastically reduce the pollution levels in the city. At the forefront of global urban change are Dr. Phillip Rode (Director of Cities) and Jon Emmett (Director of Sustainability) at the London School of Economics. LSE draws brilliant minds from all over the world and you could be one of them!

For a similar experience: IFSA: London School of Economics and Political Science

8. Iquitos, Peru

Iquitos, located in northern Peru, is the gateway to the Amazon rainforest and home to over 17,000 plant species. In the final episode, Zac travels through the “Jungle City” and deep into the Amazon to learn about these unique and mysteriously powerful plants.

Visit the Ayahuasca Foundation in Mishana and learn about this sacred brew utilized for hundreds of years by those seeking a spiritual journey. Dedicate your time at the Amazon Rescue Center, where you can help rehabilitate manatees, turtles, and otters (sadly, no wildcats). The Amazon rainforest holds 10% of the world’s biodiversity and you can help protect it!

For a similar experience: Operation Wallacea Peru

Compare these programs side-by-side with a FREE MyGoAbroad account

We’re all in this together

A whirlwind journey comes to a somber, cautionary ending when Darin, Zac’s globetrotting companion, learns that his house has been destroyed by the Woolsey wildfire that roared through Southern California in 2018.

Darin, fighting through tears, expresses the importance of seeing the world beyond the United States: “The more we learn and the more stuff we see, the more questions we ask. How can we be doing this better?”

There is so much to be gained by traveling outside your community, but perhaps the most important takeaway is the understanding that we are all part of the same human family—and we all share one mother Earth. Let’s take care of her.