10 Movies That Inspire Travel


There are movies that we enjoy watching again and again not only because we love the story, but mostly because of the setting.  The captivating sights and images from architecture to the culture of the people, all captured in film leaving us awe inspired afterwards.  We then struggle to keep ourselves away from packing our bags and purchasing airline tickets online.  In the end, we sigh with that lingering thought of 'someday.'

This weekend, if you're not too busy and up for it, let's enjoy a movie night watching any of these movies or  any film to your liking that celebrates travel and adventure.




Ah, the classic love story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy)!  I can't wait to re-visit this movie about a young American and a young French woman who meet on a train and spend one memorable day  in Vienna, walking around the city whilst getting to know each other. Lots of scintillating conversations much like how it is in real life.  With the limited time they have, not knowing whether they would see each other again, it's heartwarming to see them both connect and bond within a single day.





I could watch this movie again and again and never get tired of it!  I love her character- Frances Mayes played by Diane Lane.  I even bought her books after watching the film.  Based on a bestselling novel of the author's personal account of what happened to her after her divorce.  She flies to Tuscany and ends up buying a villa in a foreign country.  It's a film that will make you laugh, cry and completely fall in love with the Tuscan countryside.




I watched this the first time on the plane. As always, you get to miss the good parts when you get distracted by someone who wants to go to washroom or when you're being served food.  So I watched it again at home later, to absorb every piece and every scene.  I'm already in love with the South of France so of course this film didn't help my longing to visit.  It's based on the novel of Peter Mayle about a British investment broker (Russel Crowe) who tries to sell the chateau and vineyard in Provence he inherited from his uncle, only to discover the laid back lifestyle so foreign to what he's accustomed to.

# 4 The Beach


Koh Phi Phi Island.  Leonardo DiCaprio.  Perfect beach.  Backpacking adventure. 
Awesome soundtrack. 
Need I say more?




Deceptively brilliant duo Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp . The whole film kept me at the edge of my seat. The romantic Venice took my breath away.



The first part of the Bourne Trilogy with a forthcoming fourth.  Jason Bourne played by the talented Matt Damon, a man found by a fishing boat with amnesia.  Poor guy, hunted by assassins in a suspense thrilling chase without a clue why they're after him.




A teen comedy about a high school grad who travels across Europe with his friends before going to college ending up in crazy situations and unexpected adventure.  Some find certain scenes offensive. Minus the stereotyping, they sure went to a lot of interesting sites in the film.

# 8  Amelie


One of my favorite films ever!  Seeing life through the eyes of the innocent Amelie (Audrey Tautou) in Montmartre,  Paris. The original title is: Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain.   Won best film in the European Film Awards, two BAFTAS and five Academy Award nominations.  The soundtrack of Yann Tiersen still plays in my head.


This academy award film written and directed by Sofia Coppola about a film actor past his prime (Bill Murray) who visits Tokyo, Japan to shoot a commerical. He meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a neglected newlywed who tags along with her photographer husband. Two American strangers form an unlikely bond as they get acquainted with the bustling city in the midst of culture and language they both try to understand.




I have just seen bits and pieces of this film.  Perhaps, I could try to watch this one in full.  Based on the biopic and written memoir of 23 yearold Che Guevarra (Gael Garcia Bernal) during his motorcycle journey across South America along with his friend,  Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna).

My Other Choices:
Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn is a classic choice as well as An Affair to Remember with Deborah Kerr.  For recent ones, try  Letters to Juliet or   Eat Pray Love.


Popcorns anyone?
Happy Watching!


Photo Credits: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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2 comments

  1. Ive seen most of the movies in your list except the Motorcycle Diaries. Some would need some rewatching I suppose. One that I always refer to as my go-to fun/laid back film is The Holiday that shows England's country side and Jude Law was just so adorable in that movie.

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    1. Great recommendation Grace-- The Holiday. I'll try to watch it for the second time this weekend.

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