As a frequent traveller, there is nothing more annoying for me than missing out on my favourite TV shows.
I was travelling across Europe whilst the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale was being released in the US. I knew the internet would be a minefield of spoilers, including my WhatsApp chat with my sister and friends, so I was desperate to stay up to date.
The release schedule was a total nightmare, with the UK facing massive delays compared to other regions, and US platforms charging monthly subscriptions and being geo-blocked.
However, I discovered that Australia was streaming every episode for free on SBS On Demand. But the problem was that it was also geo-blocked, and I was in Europe!
With some clever planning, I managed to watch the entire season near enough as soon as it was released. Thanks to some nifty (and very legitimate) tools. And now I will be sharing these with you so you never miss out on your favourite home content when it is most important!
Why is some content blocked abroad?
When you connect to the internet in another country, your device is assigned a local IP address. This acts like a digital passport stamp for your device, telling every website exactly where you are whilst browsing.
Many websites use this information to restrict access based on licensing agreements or security protocols. Streaming platforms often have rights to show only certain shows within a country, or they display certain titles specifically for locations where they are most popular. So, if you try to access it whilst travelling abroad, you may get blocked.
For example, my Netflix account is based in the UK. If I try to log in to my account in another country (without using the tricks below), I get blocked completely. Moreover, if I try to watch TV shows from UK-based platforms like Channel 4 and iPlayer, these will also be blocked outside of the UK.
Banking apps can also be incredibly sensitive to location changes. If they see a login attempt from a foreign IP address, they might flag it as suspicious and lock you out of your account entirely. Speaking from experience, this can be a complete faff if your bank requires you to call them to unblock!
Reasons to access content back home
You may be wondering why this is even necessary at all, so here are some situations that I often find myself in whilst travelling that require me to unblock websites:
- Accessing my banking and financial services back home: Many UK banks are incredibly sensitive to international logins. I often need to check my balance or move money whilst I am away, but doing this from a foreign IP address can sometimes trigger a security freeze. I use a tool so that it appears as if I am still in the UK, ensuring I can manage my travel budget without my cards being declined in bakeries or restaurants abroad.
- Watching regional-specific content: If I am mid-way through a new series on Netflix or iPlayer, then I like to be able to keep on watching it even whilst travelling. I don’t feel there is any shame in having some downtime at your hotel or Airbnb!
- Managing home deliveries and shopping: I am an organised freak, so I like to hit the ground running when I return from a trip. This often means ordering a fresh veg box from Riverford to arrive the morning I get back, and a large food shop from Ocado. These sites sometimes have regional restrictions that make it hard to check out properly, so appearing to be at home makes the checkout process much smoother!
You may find some of these scenarios quite familiar, in which case, continue reading to find out how I do it!
How to unblock websites
Here are the tools I use to access geo-blocked content from back home:
1. Use a VPN
The most effective way to bypass these digital borders is to use a VPN, which routes your internet traffic through a secure server in a location of your choice. The VPN I recommend and have used for years is NordVPN.
NordVPN have 9000+ servers in 188+ locations, so you’ll likely be able to access content from back home!
When I am abroad, I simply open the app on my laptop and select a UK server from the map. This masks my real location and gives me a British IP address, which allows me to access all my favourite sites as if I were still back home.
It also provides an essential layer of security. When I am working from a cafe in a city I don’t know well, I can never be sure if the public Wi-Fi is secure. NordVPN encrypts my connection, which keeps my passwords and personal data safe from anyone who might be snooping on the network.
They also have a phone app, perfect if you love watching Netflix on the go! With a NordVPN subscription, you can connect up to 10 devices, meaning you can connect your phone, your tablet, your desktop PC, your laptop, and more!
2. Use a Saily eSIM
Obviously, none of this is possible without a secure and reliable internet connection. Whilst you can find Wi-Fi and utilise NordVPN, you will also want access to the internet on your phone the moment you step off the plane.
Not only will it help to be connected straight away, but it will also allow you to access your favourite TV shows and websites whilst on the move (like on the train from the airport to the city centre).
This is where a Saily eSIM comes in. It allows you to set up a data plan for your destination whilst you are still at home, so you aren’t hunting for a local SIM card whilst jet-lagged and looking for a snack.
The best bit… Saily is the sister company of NordVPN. Which means the Saily app has loads of useful security features built in, like their handy Virtual Location tool. It allows you to re-route your traffic through a different country directly within the Saily app. It isn’t quite a VPN, but it can help you to access content from other countries!
I find it a fantastic tool. Not only does it provide me with internet whilst travelling (through eSIM technology), without which I couldn’t load any content or websites at all, but it also helps to place my phone in other virtual locations, without even having to open a separate VPN app. You can find out even more about Saily in my review.
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The added security benefit
Whilst unblocking content is the main goal, the combination of these tools offers a massive security boost that I wouldn’t travel without. When I am working from a cafe, I am often relying on their public Wi-Fi, which is notoriously insecure and prone to hackers.
Using Saily’s mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi immediately reduces my risk. With their web protection and ad blocker features layered on top of that, my phone is super safe!
Moreover, when I use NordVPN on my laptop, whilst using Wi-Fi, my connection is fully encrypted. This means that my login details, bank details, and personal emails are completely hidden from prying eyes.
These layers of security give me total peace of mind. I can focus on documenting my plant-based finds here on my blog, as well as accessing all my favourite and necessary websites from back home, knowing that my digital footprint is secure regardless of which country I am in.
Verdict
When it comes to unblocking websites from home whilst travelling, I find that using both NordVPN and Saily provides the perfect balance of connectivity, security, and digital freedom.
What I love most about this combination is how simple it makes managing all my devices. I can use the Saily app to get my phone online instantly with their Virtual Location tool, whilst NordVPN can be installed on my laptop and tablet to keep my entire mobile ‘office’ synced to the UK.
It removes the technical faff of individual setups and ensures that whether I am blogging on my Mac or scrolling on my iPhone, I am always digitally at home.
For any traveller or digital nomad, this setup takes the stress out of travel tech. It allows you to focus on what really matters, enjoy your adventure, without worrying about being locked out of your digital life back home.
FAQs
Is it legal to unblock websites with a VPN?
In most countries, using a VPN to protect your privacy and access content is perfectly legal. However, it is always worth checking the specific regulations of your destination before you travel. Whilst the VPN itself is legal, you should always ensure your online activities still comply with local laws and the terms of service of the websites you are visiting.
Can I use Saily and NordVPN at the same time?
Yes, they work together seamlessly. You can use your Saily eSIM as your primary internet data source and then use the NordVPN app to encrypt that connection. This is actually my preferred setup as it gives you a double layer of privacy whilst you are out and about.
Does Saily offer a UK IP address?
Whilst Saily’s standard data might route through a regional hub, their Virtual Location tool allows you to select from over 100 countries, including the UK. This means you can appear as if you are browsing from home directly through the Saily app.
What is the difference between Saily’s Virtual Location and a VPN?
Saily’s Virtual Location tool is a fantastic, lightweight feature that changes your digital location at the network level within the app. A full VPN like NordVPN offers deeper encryption and more advanced features, such as obfuscated servers and a dedicated kill switch. Using both ensures you can bypass even the most stubborn geo-blocks.
Will using a VPN slow down my internet connection?
Whilst any VPN can cause a slight dip in speed due to the encryption process, NordVPN is one of the fastest on the market. When paired with a high-speed Saily eSIM plan, you likely won’t notice any difference whilst streaming your favourite vegan cooking shows or managing your blog.
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