The Best Travel movies of all time to watch anytime and anywhere

Eat Pray Love (Editor’s Choice)

While recently, I mentioned the book “Eat, Pray, Love” as one of the best travel books of all time on a recent post, which you should read, wink; So, I just couldn’t write this post, without including the movie as one of the best travel movies too.

In all honesty, I preferred the book since it really inspired my imagination to fly on a different level, but the movie was certainly entertaining and includes one of my favorite actresses, Julia Roberts, in the lead role. I feel the movie is a must see for any adventurous soul, especially for solo female travelers.

While I highly doubt it, if you’ve never heard of “Eat, Pray, Love” the movie is about a woman experiencing a broken marriage and then a difficult divorce, who decides to take a leap of faith, leave her life behind in the US and go on a trip around the world. During this trip, she grows spiritually and discovers a lot about herself in the process. She goes to eat in Italy, pray in India, and finds love in Bali. Super powerful story!

For me, this selection is extra special since I had my own Eat, Pray, Love moment in real life, but at different destinations. I also left everything behind in my dear NYC to embark on a solo trip after divorce that started in Germany and evolved into my traveling across Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey where, in the latter country, I skipped my return flight to remain there for over 8 weeks.

From then on, Turkey immediately became my soul country and now I have been traveling full-time for over 5 years. My life changed completely from living all over the world, essentially becoming nomadic, to even finding love on my travel journey.

I recommend that you watch this movie since the cinematography is inspiring and the message is amazing!

Suggested by Olga Maria

Le Divorce (Editor’s Choice)

Le Divorce” is sort of a chick flick but what better location for it than France! Starring Naomi Watts, Kate Hudson and Glenn Close, it’s the story of a California girl who travels to France to support her sister and brother-in-law during their second pregnancy but arrives during their break-up instead.

In addition to following their love lives, there’s tons of discussion about the difference between Americans and the French, delicious food, family squabbling and a mysterious painting.

In the end, will love conquer all? You must see the movie to find out if Paris is really the City of Love!

Suggested by Denise

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French Kiss (Editor’s Choice)

An oldie but a goodie for me is ‘French Kiss’ starring Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton and Kevin Kline. It is about a jewel thief who inadvertently hides stolen goods in the bag of a very innocent looking American tourist.

Obviously, he must stay near his new ‘friend’ to eventually retrieve his goods. Meanwhile, the American tourist has traveled to France to win her former fiance’s affections away from his new girlfriend.

As you can imagine, these storylines can only result in hilarious miscommunications, gender and cultural misunderstandings, all while surrounded by the beauty of Paris and scenic train travel to the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). You won’t be disappointed!

Suggested by Denise

Mamma Mia

If there was ever a feel-good film to watch while everyone is cooped up indoors, Mamma Mia is it. A classic rom com filled with some ABBA’s most celebrated and well known songs, this truly is a feel-good film, however, don’t blame me if you end up booking a ticket to a far fetched Greek isle at the end!

Set on the island of Skopelos in the Aegean Sea, this part of the Northern Sporades is dotted with iconic Greek towns with a typical Greek vibe that the film emulates. When you look to visit Greece, you may look to hit the sandy beaches of Mykonos or Kos, but if you are exploring some of the lesser-known islands, it is all about this vibe and the culture that frames the country in its place in Europe.

Days exploring the white washed towns, finding stunning coved beaches and swimming in turquoise waters. Then, in the evenings, heading to family run restaurants, where Papa has brought fresh fish from the boat for Mama to grill over the open coals, all served on the docks of the quaint port, with a squeeze of Lemon and an ice cold bottle of Mythos!

With the number of Greek islands across the Aegean sea heading into the thousands, there are so many to explore away from the main ones which you can get direct flights from – the ferry system is pretty good, with many networks to explore, meaning a week-long island hop is a truly epic adventure!

Suggested by Laura & Charlie from The Travelling Stomach

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Ready to plan your own Greek adventure? Check out these off the beaten path places to visit in Greece!

Tracks

Like the book, the movie Tracks follows the story of Robyn Davidson, who decided to traverse the Australian Outback with four camels and a dog in tow. Starring Adam Driver before he was famous and Mia Wasikowska as our heroine, the film adds some additional imagery of the stunning setting. While it does tend to dramatize things a bit (the love story between the two characters is definitely played up), the fact that we get to see some of what she went through during her travels shows us how difficult it must have been.

This film was shown at a number of different film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and the Toronto Film Festival. Not a lot of people have heard of it, but it is one of my favorite stories because of Davidson’s sheer determination to cross Australia alone.

With great acting and delicious cinematography, this movie is the perfect thing to watch when you want some escapism. It is at times difficult to watch (there’s a scene with a snake that no thank you), but you can get completely wrapped up in the story and her struggle to find meaning through this adventure.

The best part about it is that it is heavily based on a true story, and I found myself wanting to learn more about Davidson as a writer and person. Also, if this movie doesn’t inspire you to head to Australia after watching it, then nothing ever will.

Suggested by Alex Schnee from Alex On The Map

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

There are so many incredible movies that feed your wanderlust while staying at home. One such movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Actually, this movie inspired me to pack up my bags and travel the world.

The movie follows Walter, the main character, as he embarks on an extraordinary adventure. Walter lives a monotonous life working for a magazine company. His daily routine consists of him going to work and coming home. As a result, he has colorful daydreams where he is the hero.

He also has a crush on his coworker, Cheryl. However, he doesn’t feel worthy enough of dating her and is too shy to ask her out. The magazine company is in the process of sending out its last edition and downsizing. A distinguished photographer sends Walter a gift and a negative of the photograph to put on the cover of the magazine. However, the negative is missing.

As a result, Walter embarks on a trip to find the negative and the photographer. When Walter arrives in Greenland, he finds out that the photographer just left. Walter then goes on a quest to track him down, but he keeps losing him. He’s then forced to return home to New York City.

I won’t tell you what happens after this as I don’t want to give away the movie. Nevertheless, this movie will inspire you to think bigger and to escape the routine of everyday life. It makes you realize that there are so many amazing adventures to be had in this world as long as we have the courage to chase after them.

Suggested by Disha Smith from Disha Discovers

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Into the Wild

Into the Wild is a film I have watched too many times to remember. The film centres around the life and death of Christopher McCandless; a young idealist that donated his worldly possessions and set off on a journey across America to Alaska. The story, cinematography and soundtrack make it the perfect antidote to grey days stuck at home.

One only needs to type “Into the Wild” into Youtube to see countless accounts of young adventurers setting off along the same paths as protagonist Christopher McCandless. Trekking to the Fairbanks City bus that McCandless spent his final days in has become something of pilgrimage and one that I myself hope to one day take.

I have always dreamed of upping sticks and disappearing into the wilderness, and after watching Into the Wild for the first time it cemented my longing to experience life in the wild. Although the film is predominantly set in Alaska, I planned an overland trip from my home in England to Siberia in far eastern Russia. It would be the same landscape of endless pine forest, mountains and torrenting rivers.

I spent two weeks camping in Siberia which was an unforgettable experience. It was summer and I was on a volunteer project with other adventurers, so I didn’t endure the same hardships as McCandless, but it was the start of many adventures inspired by the events depicted in the film.

Siberia was 10 years ago now, but the film still inspires me in my travel destinations. I have spent time living with nomads in Mongolia, hiking in the Tian Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan and discovering the wilder parts of Europe. One day I will make it “across the pond” to discover Denali National Park in Alaska and sea the “Magic Bus” for myself.

Suggested by Steve Rohan from The Trip Goes On

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Letters to Juliet

Letters to Juliet is a movie for all romantics out there. When you need a romantic comedy that combines an interesting plot with some amazing landscapes, this is a great choice!

The movie illustrates the story of an American girl that travels with her fiancée to Verona. Because the fiancée neglects her, she goes by herself to visit Juliet’s house, the best-known attraction in Verona. Here, she finds a 50 year-old love letter that she replies to. The author of that letter, a lady that lived a great love story years ago comes to Verona and together with the American girls starts a journey through Tuscany to find her love lost years ago.

Besides the script, you will love the places where it was filmed. The action starts in New York with some skyscrapers scenes. Verona, considered to be the most romantic city in Italy, is the second location.

The best scenes of the movie were filmed in the picturesque Tuscany, on the waving roads of this Italian region, in the wineries and in medieval villages in and around Castelnuovo Berardenga, Montalcino and Siena. With just a map in their hands and a rented car (Fiat 500 to go with the landscape), the characters discover all these places one by one and on the way, new love stories begin.

It is impossible not to fall in love with Italy even more after you see this film and start longing after a new trip here! Watch the movie and start planning your journey to Tuscany!

Suggested by Corina Preda from Another Milestone blog

Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings is what made New Zealand famous and visible to the world. In fact, in the early 90’s, travelling around the USA, many people had no idea where New Zealand was. At best, an island off Australia or they thought we were some part of England.

The filming of the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand has opened the world’s eyes to the magical landscapes there are, hiding in plain sight in Aotearoa. While Tolkien spends pages, chapters even describing the vast landscapes, there’s no easier way to stimulate that wanderlust than by watching the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Here are some great Lord of the Rings film locations in New Zealand

Mt Victoria, Wellington: In the first film, the Fellowship of the Ring, the moment where Frodo yells, “get off the road” and they hide. This is on the Mt Victoria walking track
Mt Sunday, Ashburton Lakes: This is the location for the capital of Rohan (Edoras) from the second film, the Twin Towers
Mavora Lakes, Te Anau: Where Merry and Pippin got away from the Orcs near Fangorn Forest.
Putangirua Pinnacles: Where Gimli, Aragon and Legolas come across the Army of the Dead. You will be able to recognize the crazy rock formations here.
Hobbiton: You can’t miss Hobbiton in the Waikato in the North Island. It is so well kept and everything you dream of. Whether you are a superfan or not, the tour is totally worth it.
Mt Ngauruhoe: Perhaps the most famous location, Mt Doom. Hike along the day long Tongariro crossing walk and see Mt Doom for yourself.

There are many locations you can visit around New Zealand that you can really envisage the story. Let your imagination run wild and go explore.

Suggested by Jennifer from Backyard Travel Family: Active Family Travel Specialists in New Zealand

Roman Holiday

I can’t remember when I first saw Roman Holiday, says Nancy from Map and Family. It was certainly years ago, probably in one of those ‘classic black and white film’ slots on afternoon TV.

But Roman Holiday isn’t just any old 50s romantic comedy. Audrey Hepburn steals the show, and bagged an Oscar, as young, bored Princess Ann who sneaks off incognito during a royal visit to Rome. She meets Joe, a handsome news reporter from the US, and they spend a carefree day whizzing round the sights on a Vespa. Of course, romance blossoms – it’s Hollywood.

The plotline is slim but that doesn’t matter as all three stars: Hepburn, Gregory Peck and Rome itself are positively sparkling. The entire film was shot in the city with enticing glimpses of Rome, post-war but pre-mass tourism. We’re shown a city full of treasures where only a handful of schoolgirls are taking photos around the Trevi fountain, St Peter’s Square is astonishingly empty and Ann and Joe don’t have to wait in a queue for their telling scene at the marble mask, the Mouth of Truth.

In fact, the entire film could be a showreel for Rome. We follow Ann as she buys sandals in a street market and pops into a salon for a chic Italian haircut, plus a date with Mario the stylist.

Joe’s garret apartment with its huge terrace and rooftop views is just what we all hope to find on Airbnb, and the wine they drink is poured from straw-covered bottles. One viewing and I couldn’t wait to go to Rome myself! I won’t tell you the story but it’s still worth watching on a rainy afternoon. It launched Audrey Hepburn’s career – and it helped Vespa sell a lot of scooters too.

Suggested by Nancy from Map & Family

Amelie

Amelie is the kind of movie that will make you want to drop everything and just go to Paris. The movie came out in late 2001 and launched actress Audrey Tatou, who plays the role of Amelie, a young Parisian that lives and works in Montmartre – one of the places in Paris you really should not miss.

She goes about town trying to have a positive impact on the lives of people she meets. She starts with her father, who never leaves the house. She teases him by asking a flight attendant friend to take photos of a dwarf she stole from her dad’s yard in every place she visits and to send him the photo in the mail.

She then successfully sets up her hypochondriac colleague (they are both waitresses at a café in Montmartre) with a paranoid customer. Getting busy with the relationship, they eventually stop worrying about their imaginary issues. She plays tricks on the awful greengrocer who ill treats one of his workers. And the list goes on.

Her biggest challenge, however, is tracking and winning the heart of the mysterious man who lost a book of photo-booth photos is. Amelie is terribly shy, but she eventually manages to meet this young man and they start a happy relationship. The scene of the scooter ride across the streets of Paris is iconic.

This is a fabulous feel good movie. Now a classic, it was a hit when it came out. You will be captured by the story as well as by the beautiful soundtrack. You will feel completely immersed in the beautiful world of Amelie Poulin.

Suggested by Claudia Tavani from My Adventures Across The World

Lost in Translation

When you first watch Lost in Translation, it’s hard to imagine how it will feed your wanderlust. But it does! By the end of the movie, you’re left with the desire to explore and discover the numerous facets of life in Tokyo.

Nominated for Best Picture, plus three additional Academy Awards, Lost in Translation touches on feelings of loneliness, misunderstandings, and attempts to figure out life.

The story takes place in ultra-modern Tokyo, in a chic western hotel, located in the loud and lively district of Shibuya. This is where the 2 main characters meet: Bob, an American actor who is going through a midlife crisis, and Charlotte, a young girl aimlessly waiting for her husband to finish an assignment. Culture shock repeatedly pushes them together.

As a result, they nourish an improbable friendship, which, between raw emotions and timid modesty, profoundly changes them in the end. Bob and Charlotte are lost in their lives, the way one could get lost in a crowded chaotic city, such as Tokyo.

In addition, due to the language barrier, no one understands them and vice versa which forces them to stick together. Moments of reflection and silence represent the main character’s relationship, and are weaved with very short scenes of the city, used as a backdrop.

But the backdrops are more like glimpses rather than complete scenes, and not long enough to really understand Japanese life. That’s precisely what fueled my desire to visit Tokyo. I wanted to see more street scenes and have local traditions to take up the screen.

I imagined walking in different neighborhoods, surrounded by an overload of lights and sounds, and discovering what it’s really like to be in Tokyo. And if you’re a little curious, after this movie you’ll want to explore this fascinating city and get closer to locals for a better understanding of their culture.

Suggested by Karen from Urban Pax, a Family Travel + Simple Living Blog

Empire of the Sun

Shanghai has been one of the world’s fastest developing cities over the past 30 years, with the iconic skyscrapers on the Pudong side of the river shooting up especially quickly. If you look back a little further though, you’ll discover a number of colonial era landmarks that are equally as impressive and a must-see for history buffs.

Don’t worry if you can’t get to Shanghai to catch them for yourself just yet, as the 1987 Steven Spielberg movie Empire of the Sun features just enough of them to whet your appetite. Based on the semi-autobiographical book by J.G. Ballard, it tells the story of James, a young English boy who finds himself caught up in the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.

Part of it was filmed on location in Shanghai, which means you can spot actual structures in the city if you know what you’re looking for. These include the Bund waterfront and its iconic Peace Hotel, the nearby Waibaidu Bridge and Capitol Cinema, and St. Ignatius Cathedral in modern day Xujiahui.

And once James finds himself at an internment camp outside of the city, you’ll see repeated glimpses of a temple pagoda in the distance. This is based on the one that still stands at Shanghai’s Longhua Temple.

There are countless other sights that don’t feature in the movie to see in the city too, like Jing’an Temple, Yuyuan Gardens, and Qibao Old Street. If you’re interested in Shanghai’s fascinating 20th century history though, Empire of the Sun is perfect to get your wanderlust going and give you a checklist of landmarks to visit once you’re there.

Suggested by Lee Webb from My Favourite Lens

Jaws

That iconic movie, Jaws, was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The film was shot all over the island and you can still see lots of the same places you see on the big screen. There’s not that much that changes on this island! In case you are worried about swimming in the waters, shark sightings are rare on the Vineyard. Sharks tend to congregate more near Chatham in Cape Cod because that is home to thousands of seals in the summer.

If the fear of sharks keeps you out of the sea, there’s still plenty to do in Martha’s Vineyard. Check out the charming fishing harbor in Menemsha that was the stand-in for the town in the Jaws movie. You can buy fresh fish straight from the fishing boats and grill it in your backyard. Or, have one of the restaurants cook your meal for you and enjoy a lobster dinner on the beach while watching the sunset.

Just because you don’t like the sea, you can play in the water on the island’s ponds. There are opportunities for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding on the lakes. If you are into outdoor activities on land, there are great hiking and cycling paths – 40% of the island is protected as preservation land.

One of the main towns, Edgartown is also featured in Jaws. Edgartown has great restaurants and shopping as well as little side streets for exploring. The streets are lined with elegant white clapboard houses from when Edgartown was a major whaling center in the 18th century. These houses belonged to the captains of the ships and their grandness attests to the wealth that was made in whaling during that period.

Suggested by Shobha George from Just Go Places

My Life In Ruins

If you’re looking for a film that will make you long to travel, look no further than the 2009 movie, My Life In Ruins. This classic Rom-Com is set in and around Athens and is about an American tour guide trying to rediscover her mojo, or kefi, as it’s called in Greece. The film sees the main character, Georgia, take tour groups around some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins while trying to figure out more about her life, love and longings.

Many of the scenes include wide-angle vistas of Greek shorelines and azure waters as well as aerial shots of spectacular ancient archaeological sites that makes Greece so unique. From the ruins within the city of Athens to the stunning site of Delphi, this film will make you excited to explore these points in history like never before.

Just watching this light-hearted film, you can almost feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and the fresh smell of the Mediterranean in the air!

There are so many nods to the food, culture, weather and landscapes that make Greece special, that you’ll want to add both the mainland and the Greek isles straight to the top of your bucket list! Views of white-washed windmills, quaint churches, cerulean shutters and bright blue skies add to the charm of the movie and the classically-handsome Greek bus driver doesn’t hurt either!

While the film is not exactly critically-acclaimed, it’s a relaxing, romantic movie that will get your travel imagination flowing.

Suggested by Chrysoula Manika from Travel Passionate

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

A 2011 British comedy-drama set in Jaipur, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel features actors like Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson and others as a group of Britsh pensioners who are inspired to move to India lured by advertisements that showcase a plush yet cheap retirement option, The Marigold Hotel. Each character has a personal reason for moving to India; financial, romantic or health-related and each of them is equally horrified at the dilapidated state of affairs.

On their first day, they experience ‘Delhi Belly’ or ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’ after eating rich Indian food which did not bode well with them. The lack of an option to move back and with some enthusiastic encouragement by their manager Sonny (played by Dev Patel), they retirees decide to go with the flow. Each character settles into a routine where they try to explore the city and also their hearts to understand what they truly want from life after retirement. We also learn about Sonny’s romantic interest and this makes an interesting sub-plot.

The end is bittersweet with some retirees moving on, some choosing to stay back and Sonny finding investors to help him renovate his Marigold Hotel. This is a beautiful movie that tries to showcase a blend of struggles travellers may experience as thy take come face to face with the chaotic, exotic and beautiful city of Jaipur and also struggles Indians face with their foreign guests.

Suggested by Khushboo Motihar from Munni of All Trades

The Way (2010)

Heart-warming and an inspiring drama about an American father who travels overseas to a small town in France to bring back home the remains of his adult son who died in the Pyrenees while attempting to trek the famous pilgrimage known as Santiago de Compostela. During his trip, the father decides to complete the trek himself to better understand his son and himself as well.

The movie follows the adventurous journey of the inexperienced trekker while he attempts to reach 550 miles by himself in order to honour his son’s wish to complete the trek. He, of course, meets fellow pilgrims along the way and finds out what it’s really like to be a part of something bigger than oneself and learns valuable spiritual lessons.

The Way is a powerful movie which shows how unexpected life choices can bring us the most inspiring and profound life lessons. Although the movie is about grief, family, friends and relationships, it is also a beautifully produced piece that will definitely make you want to add Santiago de Compostela trek to your bucket list. The stunning mountain scenery of Spain and France mixed with small towns and ever-changing landscape will fuel anyone’s wanderlust to explore this Southern region. Also, the challenging nature of the trek and the adventure of it just makes you want to pack your bags right now and go on a month-long trek by yourself.

If you never considered doing a long-distance trek before, this movie just might be the one that will make you reconsider doing it.

Suggested by Leta from The Nerdy Me

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

As a food and travel lover, there’s no better film than Jiro Dreams of Sushi. From the creators of Chef’s Table, the film documents the incredible and near-obsessive craftsmanship of one of Japan’s finest sushi chefs – Jiro Ono. It follows an 85-year-old Jiro and his team, including his two sons, on how they run their 10-seat $300 per person sushi bar in downtown Tokyo. He’s served people from President Obama to some of the most celebrated chefs in the world including Rene Redzepi of Noma fame.

The film extends beyond the making of high-grade sushi but provides deep insights into the culture of Japanese craftsmanship and perfection. The Japanese concept of shokunin, defined as craftsman or artisan, involves a social obligation for one to work for the betterment of other people. It’s a relentless pursuit of mastery in one’s profession. In this case, sushi.

From a western lens, you don’t fully comprehend the level of detail and perfection that goes into shokunin. But the film gives you more in-depth insight. For example, all of Jiro’s apprentices train under him for at least ten years. Daisuke Nakazawa, who now runs his sushi restaurant in New York, spent years cleaning dishes, handling fish and making tamagoyaki (an egg custard) before he was even allowed to learn how to make sushi.

It’s this obsession on any applied crafts that makes the Japanese so unique and so revered. Jiro isn’t uncommon in this, and this can be found all over Japan from food to carpentry to design. One of the many reasons why Japan is one of the greatest countries in the world to travel in. Do yourself a favour and watch this before you book your flights to Tokyo.

Suggested by Kan Huang from Kan and Iris blog

Moana

One of my favourite movies to feed my never quenched wanderlust is actually a children’s movie, the animated Disney movie, Moana. I could watch this movie over and over again! It tells the story of a young girl, Moana, who lives on a fictional island in the South Pacific. Moana has an insatiable desire to explore the world around her – something we can all relate to!

When the crops fail and her island and people are threatened, Moana, as the daughter of the island chief, embarks on a quest across the Pacific Ocean in a bid to save her people. In the usual Disney format, Moana makes new friends and faces challenges and adversity during her journey before ultimately succeeding in her brave endeavor.

My daughters love this movie for the adventurous female lead storyline and the uplifting, catchy soundtrack. But I love this movie for the bright, colorful animation that perfectly captures the rich tones and vivid colors of the South Pacific. You will instantly fall in a love with a fictional place you have never been to.

The white sand, the shimmering turquoise sea, the perfect green of the foliage, and the pure colors of the flora are images of paradise. Watching Moana conjures up fond memories of my trips to Hawaii, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and more recently, stunning Samoa which we visited as part of a family gap year.

These beautiful, tropical islands with their warm, friendly people form some of my favorite travel memories. Watching Moana makes me yearn to return to this idyllic part of the world to further explore the numerous South Pacific and French Polynesian Islands.

Suggested by Sinead Camplin from Maps Made Memories

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Before Midnight

Three movies that I’ve watched over a span of 21 years and 3 countries: Before Sunrise (Vienna, Austria), Before Sunset (Paris, France), and Before Midnight (Peloponnese, Greece). I live in Vienna, and I have explored Paris, Greece on the other hand, – many of its cities are on my bucket list. Before Midnight was aired in 2013 – 7 years ago and I still am not able to go to any greek city until now – and probably won’t until everything gets back to normal. It surely is one of the places I would visit once allowed to.

Before Midnight – just like the previous two movies featuring Julie Delphy (Celine) and Ethan Hawke (Jesse), is more talk and centered to the character’s relationship. It does show beautiful landscapes, and gives viewers a peek of the Peloponnese peninsula, and that’s enough to make you want to walk the steps they had gone through. Have a sip of wine while watching the sunset as the two did – I mean who says no to a greek sunset whichever island they may be?

Peloponnese’s beaches are as blue as it could get, there are also lakes for those who like spending time in peaceful water than the sea’s waves. It is home to the very first Olympic stadium, which is a must-see. Vineyards are all around, which makes for great photo opp, and the houses are traditional greek ones, where summer are best spent.

Celine and Jesse did walk quite a lot in the movie and I think it would be best to explore Peloponnese with your special one, enjoy the landscape, seascape, and sunsets.

Suggested by Marie Gizelle from Our City Travels

In Bruges (2008)

In times like these, when it is difficult to go on city breaks, the movie In Bruges (2008) by director Martin McDonagh from Ireland helps you to mentally go on a short trip. This black comedy is the ultimate homage to the Belgian city Bruges. At first sight, the film seems ambiguous about this very touristy, but beautiful medieval city. Yet, as this story unfolds, both characters and viewers are drawn into the intricate beauty of this stunning place.

Following the footsteps and actions of two Irish contract killers (Ray, played by Colin Farrell, hates the city: “Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn’t, so it doesn’t.” Ken, on the other hand, played by Brendan Gleeson, loves it and regards it as a fairytale town.), this movie lets you explore many aspects of the cityscape from your living room.

You can go on a boat trip along the canal, sit in cafés and restaurants (e.g. the Cafedraal Restaurant), visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Centre of Bruges with the Belfry Tower and the market square or the Basilica of the Holy Blood. As the characters constantly wander through the cityscape and marvel at or complain about the prettiness of Bruges, you get a fabulous overview of what this really special city has to offer.

Additionally, you witness a finely crafted movie with exceptionally good dialogues and a great portion of dark humor. Absolutely recommendable, particularly in times like these when it is not possible to experience a city break yourself!

Suggested by Nils from Let’s Go Ireland

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Vicky Christina Barcelona

Written and directed by Woody Allen and shot in Barcelona, this quirky romantic comedy-drama won multiple awards, including best comedy film in the Golden Globes and best-supporting actress in the Academy Awards.

The movie follows Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), two American women, as they spend their summer in the city of Barcelona. They decide to go to an art exhibition, where they meet a local painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). He is immediately attracted to both of them, even though he is still in love and has a complicated relationship with his mentally and emotionally unstable ex-wife, Maria Helena (Penélope Cruz).

After a short romance between Vicky and Juan Antonio, Cristina also gets romantically involved with him, only this time, the relationship also includes his ex-wife, and it becomes a very unusual love triangle.

Through this crazy love story, you also get to see some of the highlights of the city of Barcelona. From the Tibidabo Amusement Park to Antonio Gaudi’s internationally famous creations – the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Park Güell, this movie will surely make you dream of spending a summer in this beautiful city.

A small part of the movie was also shot in Oviedo and Aviles, two charming yet underrated cities in northern Spain. You’ll get a glance at the streets and squares of both of these gems as well as the stunning Bay of Biscay. This area is often overlooked when planning a trip to Spain, so hopefully, the movie will inspire you to explore some of the lesser-known regions in the country.

Suggested by Or from My Path In The World

Another Favorite: The Perfect 3 days in Barcelona

Life of Pi

If you haven’t watched Life of Pi already, now is the perfect time to do so. The film won four Oscars including the one for best visual effects and was nominated for best picture and there is a good reason for that! The story is based on a philosophical novel and is themed around prevailing against all the odds and relativity of truth.

The first part of the movie introduces us to Pi, an Indian boy and his family that owes a zoo. Pi is not an ordinary boy, he is trying to be closer to God through following all three regions – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity much to his parents’ dismay.

This part of the film is shot in Puducherry in India where French colonial and Indian cultures blend giving a unique flavour. And the film’s scenes are full of colours and sounds that make you want to put India on top of your bucket list.

The second part is when the family is forced to migrate to Canada with the zoo animals. They board a Japanese ship that subsequently sinks in the Pacific Ocean. Pi finds himself being the only survivor along with a Bengal tiger in one small lifeboat.

My favourite scenes from this part of the movie are of the algae island that Pi finds in the middle of the ocean. The island is a true marvel. There are thousands of little meerkats living there and at night the herd sleeps on the trees because the island turns carnivorous and its waters acidic. There is a night scene on the island with glowing algae in a natural pool that brings a pure sense of wonder. Watch the film to find out if Pi ever finds his way back to the civilisation.

Suggested by Mal Hellyer from Raw Mal Roams

The Trip To Italy

If there’s one movie that makes me want to travel to Italy and see the sites it’s the classic road trip movie, The Trip To Italy, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.

The 2014 comedy is a film where Steve and Rob play fictionalized versions of themselves in a way that’s not only convincing but absolutely hilarious as they share jokes, puns and mimic famous people’s voices and gesticulations.

Their road trip through Italy takes them from north to south in popular tourist destinations such as Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and ending in Capri.

The movie sees the guys driving through the beautiful Italian countryside and sharing authentic Italian meals in both out-the-way restaurants as well as stunning hilltop restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean.

Rob is commissioned by a newspaper to do a trip through Italy following in the footsteps of the famous romantic poets. His friend Steve joins him and they share all aspects of their lives from careers highs and lows to relationships, kids, history and of course, great food and wine.

I love this movie because although it’s fictional, you can see yourself in the characters, travelling with a best mate without a care in the world, seeing the sites, enjoying great food and Italian wines and having plenty of laughs along the way.

It’s a must see movie to get inspired about visiting Italy and travelling carefree!

Suggested by Matt Adams from It’s All In Italy

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Australia

There are some incredible films to inspire the urge to visit Australia, but none fit quite so well as the film of the same name – Australia.

This historical drama film by Baz Luhrmann stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. It debuted in 2008 and will give you a taste of the nation struggling through the World War II era in the late 1930s and some of the horrors that faced Aboriginal people, following the European settlement.

The filming took place in several Australian locations including Sydney, Darwin, Kununurra and Bowen. The majority of the film is set in the north of Western Australia.

Nicole Kidman is Lady Sarah Ashley, travelling from England to Australia to force her husband into selling their failing cattle station, Faraway Downs. She is assisted by the man her husband sends to escort her, The Drover (Hugh Jackman).

By the time she arrives, her husband has been murdered and the film takes you through the challenges, wins and heartaches she faces as a window in a foreign land, navigating life as a cattle station owner and developing a fascination with Aboriginal culture.

While life in Australia has changed significantly since the time the film was set, you will get an appreciation for the Australian landscape, culture and way of life through this incredible film masterpiece.

What made our experience watching this film extra special was the fact we saw it while travelling in Europe, at a cinema in Poland, with Polish subtitles added. It was the perfect cure for missing home, after 6 weeks away.

Suggested by Holly Connors from Four Around The World

You might also like: Tips for traveling Australia on a budget

The Beach

I’m a solo female traveler on the road for 5 years and currently isolating back home. This isolation has inspired me to watch new and old travel-inspired movies to keep me going. One of my all-time favorite movies is The beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It was one of those first movies that gave me wanderlust vibes for Thailand especially the stunning island beach.

In the movie, Leo heads to Thailand and finds himself in possession of an odd map. The interesting part is if he was to follow the map that should lead him to an island paradise! So with some friends, he sets put to find it. The movie displays a stunning landscape and a curious travel-hungry aesthetic. Can you guess which island is it? Go watch it to find out 🙂

Okay, here a clue: This particular Bay on the Phi Phi Leh island in the Andaman sea was closed to tourists for four months back in 2018. The reason behind was to give the ocean a break and its coral reefs and sea life a chance to recover from an onslaught that began nearly two decades ago. So that the next generation can have a better and even more stunning travel destination. It was great to see the Thai Torusim striving to balance the tourism profit with conservation.

All that to say since watching the movie time and again, I been to Thailand many times and have led to watching other movies of Leo too! Alternatively, I also recommend The Impossible, Khao Lak movie based in Thailand where a luxurious holiday turns into a nightmare when a tsunami swells up unannounced, thereby separating the family. The first one is easy to watch whereas the impossible is heartwarming. I hope you get to see at least one of these Thailand inspired movies.

Suggested by Anna from Annasherchand.com

Copenhagen

Nothing feeds my wanderlust than a good travel movie. There are so many travel movies that inspired my travel adventures over the years.

Copenhagen is one movie that motivated me to get up and fly over to the beautiful capital city of Denmark. The movie stirred my soul in a way that I mentally planned a trip to Copenhagen before the movie was even over.

The movie is about an unusual or rather messy romance between two strangers. An immature half-Danish man named William, in his late twenties, reaches Copenhagen while backpacking Europe to find his grandfather he never met.

He’s supposed to deliver his estranged father’s letter to his grandfather. A pretty local teenage girl named Effy serves as his guide and translator to help him in tracing his family.

The attraction builds between two as they set off on an adventure to trace William’s grandfather. But the problem is, William is 28 while Effy is 14, quite literally, half her age.

Effy’s exuberance and mature approach (wiser beyond her age) towards life made William realize that it’s time for him to change his attitude towards life.

They both grow and fall in love with each other as they cycle leisurely around the beautiful and charming city of Copenhagen in this coming-of-age tale.

From the charming streets of Copenhagen to the alluring canals with a beautiful backdrop of colorful buildings, the city of Copenhagen is so conspicuous in the movie that you’re sure to be intrigued and captivated by the happiest city in the world.

Suggested by Anjali Chawla from Travel Melodies

Iceblink

I have always loved learning about people living life differently. Part of the reason we quit our jobs to go travelling and explore Europe was that we were inspired by stories of others having adventures, living ‘outside the box’ and making the most out of every opportunity.

One of my favourite adventure films is ‘Iceblink’ by Dave and Jaja Martin (also a book called Into the Light). It’s the story of a couple with 3 young children, who sold everything, bought and restored an old steel yacht and sailed from the Caribbean up to Iceland. They meant to stay for the summer- instead, they ended up staying in the area for several years, exploring Iceland, the Faroes, Scotland and Norway.

They experienced winters with no sunlight, summers where the sun never sets, marvelled at the incredible Northern Lights in Europe, enrolled their kids in local schools and experienced a totally different way of life in the Arctic.

This film is the entire reason we planned a 5 week trip to Norway last year (which was AMAZING- we have every intention of going back!) It is also why we want to ship our motorhome to Iceland and explore all the incredible places they found. Watching Dave & Jaja approach an iceberg was utterly mesmerising but hearing about the friendliness of the people they met and the experiences they enjoyed is what fuelled our own travels.

Their story is warm, compassionate and beautifully told. Even though we travel by road instead of by boat, it’s a film which inspired us to follow in their footsteps and grab life with both hands. I hope it inspires you too.

Suggested by Kat from Wandering Bird Motorhome Adventures

Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris, a romantic comedy written and directed by Woody Allen, is one of the most popular films set in Paris to the point that many people don’t have any problem recognizing that they decided to travel to the French capital inspired by this film. Midnight in Paris is also the perfect film for traveling to Paris without leaving home or to feed your wanderlust in general when you don’t have the time or money to travel.

Midnight in Paris follows Gil (Owen Wilson), an American screenwriter and aspiring novelist on his holidays to Paris with his fiancée. Their divergent goals and interests make Gil touring Paris alone many times. On a late-night excursion, he travels back in time to the Paris of the roaring twenties and he meets icons of art and literature such as Hemingway, Dali or the Fitzgeralds. The more time Gil spends with these funny-crazy people of the past, the more dissatisfied he becomes with the present life and his relationship.

It’s not difficult to understand why Midnight in Paris was such a success since its release: an incredible list of film stars like Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, or Martin Sheen joined by French actors and celebrities like Marion Cotillard or Carla Bruni. Also, the roaring twenties is a very interesting period in Paris, with jazz music new in town, crazy cabarets and the incredible artists that populated the Montmartre of that time.

Finally, the images of Paris at night and other attractive places like Monet’s Gardens in Giverny combined with a fantastic soundtrack complete this winning combination for a successful film.

Suggested by Elisa from World in Paris

Angels and Demons (Editor’s Choice)

One of the movies that I always watch over and over again is Angels and Demons. I love the book version of this film and whenever a favorite book of mine gets made into a movie, I make sure to watch it.

The movie version didn’t disappoint, I’m happy to say. As with the book, I was captivated with the drama unfolding, following Vittoria through CERN’s physics laboratory to the Vatican City where she paired up with Robert Langdon, the brilliant symbologist who got tangled up with controversy in the Da Vinci Code.

The movie appealed to the side of me that had always loved history and mysteries. Angels and Demons has it in spades with the Illuminati symbols, deaths of the Preferiti, and the inner workings of how things are conducted in the Vatican.

During the movie, I get to see the many beautiful churches depicted in the book. It’s like I was there in person admiring the wonderful details of each architecture. And for someone who loves history, seeing St. Peter’s Basilica and parts of the Vatican Museum is a thrill even if it’s just in a movie. One of the reasons why I keep watching the movie all the time.

In my opinion, every actor has done their job brilliantly and brought to life the characters in the book very well. But then with its stellar cast of Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer to name a few, it wasn’t such a surprise. This and many reasons more is why it’s a great movie to watch or watch again because it simply has it all!

Suggested by Lesley Montano, Virtual Assistant

Crazy Rich Asians

One of my favorite movies from the past decade is definitely Crazy Rich Asians! Judging by its success, I am one of many who love this movie. If you have an interest in Asian culture, you will definitely want to soak in every minute of this movie, which is set in Singapore.

Although it’s a romantic comedy of sorts, it is definitely not your typical chick flick. Although the main plot revolves around the relationship of Rachel (played by Constance Wu) and Nick (played by Henry Golding), there are many subplots that focus on cultural values. I felt as though I had a deeper understanding of traditional Asian culture after watching this.

Oftentimes, when you watch a movie about another country, there are several discrepancies about the history and values of said country. Although the movie was a Hollywood production, Crazy Rich Asians was originally a book written by Kevin Kwan, a native of Singapore. While transforming the book into a movie, the cast and crew (which happened to be full of Asian names in the movie industry) did their research to ensure a high-quality product!

Not only will you learn about Asian culture, but you may even pick up some Mandarin Chinese. As someone who studied abroad in China, I have a big interest in both their culture and language, both of which made several appearances throughout this movie!

Some of the songs have lyrics written in Mandarin and are quite catchy so you may find yourself singing in a foreign language after it’s over. This movie is honestly phenomenal and I haven’t heard any negative feedback regarding it. I am confident that you will enjoy it and may even want to book tickets to Singapore after watching it!

Suggested by Raquel from Meals and Milemarkers

The Loneliest Planet

If the Republic of Georgia isn’t already on your travel bucket list, this film will put the country firmly on your radar.

Released in 2011, The Loneliest Planet (no association with the travel guide publisher) is an indie movie filmed in Georgia’s beguiling Caucasus mountains. The plot centres on Alex and Nica (played by Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg), a young couple who are backpacking around the country. They hire a local guide (played by Georgian actor, Bidzina Gujabidze) to lead them through a particularly difficult mountain pass. The majority of the film tracks the trio as they navigate stony foothills and cross meadows overgrown with wildflowers. It looks like pure bliss. But, like every meaningful journey, there’s a twist.

The crescendo in the storyline is incredibly subtle and beautifully executed. When the group encounters a local shepherd and his sons, an unexpected incident unfolds, testing Alex and Nica’s mettle. It spells a turning point in their relationship, and the rest of the film is about their attempt to rebuild.

This film is quite offbeat, not least of all because it’s almost completely free of dialogue. Along with the stunningly simple plotline and nuanced themes it explores, this makes it extremely powerful and unforgettable.

The real star of The Loneliest Planet is the magnificent mountain range that provides a backdrop to the story. The Greater Caucasus is one of the most impressive landscapes on earth, and this film does an excellent job piquing the viewer’s curiosity about the mountains and the people who have dwelled in their isolated valleys for generations.

Suggested by Emily Lush from Wander-Lush

Coco

Culture lovers thinking of Mexico will be well and truly persuaded after watching Coco. This cute animated movie is a great one for a lighthearted watch if the world is stressing you out.

Coco tells the story of Dia de Muertos, or in English, Day of the Dead. This unique celebration of Mexican culture is dedicated to the ancestors. It isn’t a depressing celebration but an upbeat one. The souls of the dead are said to return for one night only (the 1st of November for children and the 2nd of November for adults) and locals celebrate by making altars called ofrendas displaying photos of their loved ones and their favourite foods.

Through the movie, Coco, you will learn about this Mexican holiday through the story of young Miguel. Despite his family’s ban on music, he manages to trace the ancestry of his great-great-grandfather during the Dia de Muertos festival. Coco has a coming of age theme as Miguel learns harsh truths about his family, but it’s never less than heartwarming.

The film explores the festival and Mexican culture with great detail and cultural sensitivity so it’s a great one to watch if you’re keen to learn about a culture different to your own. If you’re considering visiting Mexico yourself for the festival (you should!), check out Where Goes Rose?’s guide to celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.

Suggested by Rose Munday from Where Goes Rose

Leap Year

Leap Year is an easy to watch romantic comedy starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode that will have you dreaming of visiting the Emerald Isle! The premise has Adams’ character flying to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend in the tradition of Irish folklore stating that St. Brigid bargained with St. Patrick so women were allowed to propose to men every four years (and men never refused), on February 29th.

Chaos reigns as her plans go haywire, leading her to hire a handsome Irish innkeeper (Goode) to drive her to where her boyfriend ended up. You can probably guess the ending based on that alone, but being predictable doesn’t distract from the gorgeous scenery during their misadventures! The lush green grass and rugged coastline makes it easy to start researching flights to Ireland.

Three of the most notable filming sites were: rugged Inishmore on the Aran Islands, where the final proposal takes place – verdant Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, where the wedding scene goes down, and the ornate Carton House Hotel in Maynoot, where Adams first proposes to her boyfriend. Don’t fall in love with the old castle in the movie, however, for the film it was CGI enhanced and more rundown in real life, you can see it in its true form at The Rock of Dunamas (check out more exciting castles to visit here).

The people and animals that they encounter on their madcap road trip just add to the country’s character and it’s easy to dream about staying in a cozy bed & breakfast with sheep stopping traffic intermittently!

Suggested by Stephanie Woodson from Explore More Clean Less

Seven Years In Tibet

I was still a teenager when I watched the movie ‘Seven Years in Tibet’ for the first time. Although Brad Pitt is starring as Heinrich Harrer, it was the beauty of Tibet, its culture and the Dalai Lama that blew me away. This mysterious and peaceful country with its breathtaking surroundings immediately intrigued me and moved Tibet instantly to the top of my bucket list.

This autobiographic movie is based on the book Heinrich Harrer wrote in 1952 about his adventures in Tibet. He and his friend Peter Aufschneiter were mountaineers, captured in British India by the start of WWII and moved to a camp at the foot of the Himalayas. It’s not until 1944 they can escape their imprisonment and flee into the Himalayas. After crossing numerous passes and some of the highest mountains, they arrive in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Soon, Heinrich becomes a close friend to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. He becomes his tutor and learns about Tibetan culture himself. In 1951 he returns to Austria and Tibet gets invaded by China. The Dalai Lama has to flee to India, but they stay lifelong friends.

China doesn’t encourage you to plan a visit but that shouldn’t hold you back. You can enter Tibet from the Chinese site, for example by taking the epic train ride from Chengdu to Lhasa. Or you plan a trip to Nepal, where you can book a trek overland all the way to Lhasa. If Tibet wasn’t on your bucket list yet, this amazing region absolutely deserves its place there!

Suggested by Heleen en Jurgen from The Global Wizards

Jeans

One of the earliest movies that inspired my wanderlust was the 1998 Tamil movie called Jeans! While the movie itself is a not-so-unusual romantic comedy, one of the songs of the movie was shot across 7 wonders of the world and describes the heroine, Aishwarya Rai, as the 8^th wonder!!! This was Aishwarya Rai’s 3^rd movie, 5 years after she won the Miss World crown. Here’s the song link!

The thing about the mainstream Indian movies is that the songs in the movies are generally a separate track that doesn’t blend with the story-line. It enhances/sets the mood of the story-line but doesn’t mix with it. More often than not, it’s set as from the imagination! You could watch a movie, skipping all the songs and it would still make sense.

When this movie was released, I was a school girl and the magnificence of seeing the 7 wonders of the world in the movie theatre was mind-blowing! I hadn’t stepped out of my own state in India, leave alone the country, till that point of time. From there on, I dreamed of seeing the wonders as an adult.

I’ve been to 4 of those 7 wonders depicted in the song, including The Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, and Leaning Tower of Pisa. I’m yet to see The Empire State Building, Great Wall of China, and Pyramids of Giza! I’m hoping to see the rest 3 of the wonders from the song too. I would love to take pictures there and share them on twitter tagging the director of the movie. How’s that for a dream?!

Suggested by Ms. N. Bhushavali from My Travelogue by Bhushavali

Crocodile Dundee

Crocodile Dundee is reputably one of Australia’s best movies of all time! Even for reptile-haters, this flick will have you wondering what it’s really like to travel to the land down under.

If you haven’t seen Crocodile Dundee before (I’m shocked!) let me give you the rundown. A legendary crocodile hunter, who’s accustomed to living the simple life in Outback Australia, finds himself being interviewed by New York journalist, Sue. It doesn’t take her long to discard his ‘legendary’ status as she observes his crude behaviour.

But as time wears on, Sue gets to see Mick Dundee in his natural surroundings. Calming a Water Buffalo, joining in a tribal dance for an Aboriginal ceremony, killing a snake bare-handed and scaring off a group of Kangaroo hunters. Sue ends up inviting Mick to New York with her to finish off the feature story that she’s putting together.

Now Mick finds himself out of his comfort zone and in a whole new habitat of the concrete kind. He draws on his outback Aussie skills to survive the challenges of the city and impresses Sue in the process. It’s a modern tale of love, adventure, and Australian humour.

You’ll be taken from ‘Walkabout Creek‘ in Outback Australia, to America’s ‘Big Apple.’ If you’re looking for a travel-inspired movie to stave away the wanderlust blues, this is a classic go-to.

When planning your next Aussie Outback adventure, be sure to add the Walkabout Creek Hotel to your bucket list. You’ll find it in the tiny little town of McKinlay in Queensland. The actual bar from the movie set still sits in a shed out the back for tourists to have a look at. Don’t forget to ask the staff for ‘the knife’ from the movie – it sits behind the bar and you can even get a photo of yourself holding it!

Suggested by: Emma from MY RIG Adventures

EuroTrip

EuroTrip is an American Road movie comedy from 2004, directed, by J. Schaffer, and written by A. Berg, and D. Mandel.

The story is about the teenager Scotty, who travels with his friends across Europe to find a girl Mieke – his friend from the chat. The journey to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Bratislava, and Berlin is full of humorous, awkward and embarrassing situations.

The whole story starts on a graduation day when Scotty is dumped by his girlfriend and finds out that she had an affair with the school band’s singer. He returns home drunk from the party and reads a message from his online German friend Mieke, suggesting they meet in person. His friend Cooper thinks that “Mike” might be a homosexual predator, so Scotty tells Mieke to stay away from him. Later Scotty finds that Mieke is a common German girl’s name and tries to contact her again, but unsuccessfully because she blocked his address.

Scotty finds that he has feelings for Mieke and decides to travel to Europe with his best friend Cooper, find Mieke and apologize to her in person. That’s is the point where the big and crazy trip starts. On the way, they meet also their classmates – twins Jenny and Jamie who decide to accompany Scotty and Cooper to Berlin.

From this moment you can see the sequence of crazy and unexpected situations all across Europe, from romantic Paris to Amsterdam, Vatican City, to Berlin or Bratislava. A lot of things are exaggerated – just take it easy and enjoy it!

Suggested by Adriana Plotzerová from Czech the World

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

It was only a few weeks ago that I saw this film, it was my boyfriend’s choice, he said I wouldn’t like it. He ended up falling asleep, and I loved it.

This British made film starring Simon Pegg as the leading role, naturally has a quirk of British humour to it. In a nutshell, Simon Pegg plays a disillusioned psychiatrist called Hector. Hector feels that he is a fraud after realising his patients are never really happy and so sets off on his own quest all over the world, to find out what really makes people happy. Hence the film’s title, Hector and the Search for Happiness.

Before he leaves, Hectors girlfriend gives him a notebook which he fills with different ideas of what it is that makes people happy. The story follows the adventures of Hector as he travels to China, Nepal, Africa and Los Angeles. Part of the story also follows Hector trying to reconnect with long lost friends to see how they have found happiness. He learns how money can’t buy happiness, that people aren’t always what they seem and happiness is relative. Without spoiling the plot, Hector does find the key to happiness. This is a feel good film, beautifully shot in destinations all over the world.

It certainly ticks my boxes and made me want to book a flight right away. Aside from the travel aspect, a big reason why I connected with this film, was to do with the emotions Hector went through as he met people on his quest. These were relatable to my own travels, in particular the kindness and generosity that total strangers show.

This is a soul-satisfying movie that anyone who loves travel and self-realisation.

Suggested by Becki from Meet Me In Departures

Storm Boy

Storm Boy was a film set in the 1970’s in South Australia’s isolated Coorong National Park. The film was remade in 2019 with actor Geoffrey Rush. A young boy – Storm Boy – and his father live in a shack on a remote beach where the father makes his living as a fisherman.

Storm Boy rescues three pelican chicks and while raising them befriends an extraordinary pelican, Mr. Percival. Storm Boy and Mr. Percival are inseparable, even visiting the local township of Goolwa together. The historic buildings of the small coastal townships of Goolwa, Port Elliot and Middleton depict the 1970’s buildings used in the recent movie.

Today the Coorong National Park is a 130km stretch of saltwater lagoons protected by sand dunes from the Southern Ocean. It is still undeveloped with the beaches and lagoons accessible by boat or 4WD. Today the National Park is popular for camping, kayaking, fishing, walking and of course bird watching.

The Jack Pont Pelican Observatory is home to Australia’s largest colony of Pelicans where you can view 100’s of birds in their natural habitat. The Coorong has also been recognised as a Wetland of International Importance as it is home to thousands of shorebirds and waterbirds.

The spectacular cinematography of the remote, windswept Coorong National Park continues to inspire many people to visit this region. Due to the vast area, it is still possible to visit the Coorong National Park without seeing another soul.

Suggested by: Natalie & Steve from Curiouscampers.com.au

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

We all have those adventure buddies who have become busy in their own lives. The priorities have changed and we keep postponing that trip to get-together again like old times. ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ is a movie to be watched with those buddies. The movie name ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ means live like there is no tomorrow. And plan that trip now!

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a Bollywood movie released in 2011. It is a film about 3 friends Kabir, Imran, and Arjun who plan an all-bachelor trip to Spain before Arjun’s wedding. Initially reluctant, the friends finally get on the road.

The trip takes the three friends through numerous surprises where each friend plans an adventure sport and the other two have to join in whether they like or not.

During the trip Imran fulfills his dream to meet his biological father, Arjun discovers that money is not all that matters in life and Kabir releases that he is not marrying the girl he would want to be in love with. The interesting turn of events through the movie lets them fight their worst fears and discover themselves.

Some of our favorites scenes from the movie are magical scuba diving, road trip through the picturesque countryside, ‘running of the bulls’ event in Pamplona, La Tomatina festival, Flamenco dance and the enchanting poetic monologues by Imran after every important scene in the movie.

The movie will take you through beautiful places in Spain and introduces to cultures and festivals. We are sure the movie will not only put Spain on your bucket list but also inspire you to plan a memorable trip with your friends and family.

Suggested by Rashmi & Chalukya from Go Beyond Bounds

Holiday in the Wild

Holiday in the wild is the perfect movie to fuel your wanderlust, especially if you are an animal lover. Before watching it, an African safari had been high on my bucketlist but after watching the movie, it hopped straight to the top.

In the movie, Kate, the main character, embarks on a trip to Zambia on what was supposed to be a second honeymoon. The trip becomes a solo adventure when her husband asks her for a divorce.

What starts out as a five star, luxury, every minute planned, kind of tourist trip becomes a much more meaningful, hands on, and life changing trip when she comes across an injured baby elephant who’s mother was killed by poachers. From there she ends up spending the rest of her trip helping out in an elephant nursery, off the beaten tourist path.

Throughout the movie she gets to discover an amazing piece of Zambia, a new way of life, and rediscover herself in the process. Kate gets to redefine herself, remembering who she is and what she loves to do when she only has herself to answer to, rather then as a wife and mother. In addition to making you fall in love with the country, it also has got a nice romantic subplot to hook you.

Whether you are a high-class tourist or a low budget traveler, a solo traveler or a group traveler, be prepared to fall in love with Zambia, elephants, and nature if you watch this movie!

Suggested by Chloe Gross from Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas

You can watch this movie on Netflix.com

The Darjeeling Limited

West Bengal in India is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers. For example, the district of Purulia in Darjeeling Himalayan Hill region is the perfect weekend getaway from the city of joy ‘Kolkata’. Darjeeling is called the queen of hills in India.

But this movie, “The Darjeeling Limited” has nothing to do with the hillside area, instead, it’s just a train name and a rail journey of 3 brothers who cannot tolerate each other. The Darjeeling Limited is an English movie relished in 2007 and Directed by Wes Anderson.

In this film, three brothers are the main characters: Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman). My favorite character from the movie is Peter (Adrien Brody) because every time during the journey this guy shops strange and unnecessary things.

This trip was organized by Francis (the eldest brother). Peter joins his brothers for this spiritual tour where he goes to meet his mom, who disappeared in the time of his father’s funeral. Their plan is to travel across India by train and to try to make a bond with each other.

When the train stop in a platform for a long period of time, they get out and visit holy temples in these places. The whole journey by train lasts one month and so many things happened in this period of time.

As an Indian, this film inspired me because the train is our lifeline. Most of the travel adventures start inside a train. I strongly believe, the most romantic path is the train journey, there is nothing like it.

In summary, this film shows us how a trip can change our lives. Anything can happen when we are traveling, from unexpected situations to unforgettable adventures and more. I wish someday to be part of a significant long rail journey.

Suggested by Ruma Dey Baidya from Holiday Story