Movies That Make You Want To Travel
I am a travel junkie.
Seriously, I am.
I probably look at travel news, stories, deals and journals more than anything else during my weekly activities. It is an addiction and something that I may need to eventually get help for (is there a Traveler’s Anonymous?). In any event, while my travel bug is still active, let me say that one of the things that makes me want to log onto Kayak or TravelZoo and book my next trip comes after watching certain movies.
If I see great scenery or a beautiful location, I will find myself online later that day, checking out where the movie was filmed, researching flight information, and seeing if my airline miles can take me there. Before you know it, I am walking the streets of Tuscany with a gelato in one hand and a limoncello in the other saying to myself, “Damn you Diane Lane, how am I going to afford this trip?!”
Here are some flicks you might want to add to your NetFlix or rent from your video store (actually do those still exist?):
In Bruges
In Bruges: This Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning 2008 film directed and written by Martin McDonagh stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two hit men hiding out in a small city in Belgium. Yes they are staying “In Bruges”, which is a small town outside of Brussels. The backdrop is perfect in my opinion, yet Colin Farrell’s character hates this city. It is too cold, quiet and boring for him. His character prefers the excitement and energy of Paris and London. But his partner absolutely loves the quaint city and takes in a river cruise, snaps pics of the architecture and enjoys many drinks at their local watering holes. If you can not have a good time in Belgium then something is seriously wrong with you. A place that is known for some of the best chocolate and beer on the planet? Perfect!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer in Spain with the likes of Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson? This 2008 Golden Globe Award-winning/Academy Award-nominated movie, written and directed by Woody Allen, is filmed in beautiful Barcelona. Not only does it have a good storyline, but it also offers a lot of good looking cast. I’m sold.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Based on the 1971 Hunter S. Thompson book, this film starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro is such a great flick. Depp and del Toro’s interaction throughout the film make for one hell of a ride to Sin City. A movie with so many desert scenes was never so entertaining. Highly recommend. But read the book first.
Under the Tuscan Sun: While this one is an “Uber-chick flick”, I could not turn away while my wife watched it. The Italian backdrop was perfetto. Definitely check it out with your partner…great date movie. If you are a single male then rent it, lower the blinds and cuddle up on the couch with your kitty. It’s okay, you are confident in your masculinity.
A Good Year: Set in both London, England and stunningly romantic Provence, France. This 2006 romantic comedy starring Russell Crowe seriously was not the best movie I have seen in recent years, but the location of Provence was good enough to keep me watching through to the end.
Bourne Ultimatum
Bourne Trilogy: All three of the Bourne movies, while fast paced and fun to watch in my opinion, also make you want to escape to Europe ASAP. Some of the locations used in these great movies include Prague, Imperia, Rome, Mykonos, Zürich, Tangier, London, Paris, Madrid and Berlin (which was also used as a double for Moscow). Even New York City is used in this movie. That is some serious traveling Mr. Damon.
Once: Set in Dublin, this drama, which stars musicians Glen Hansard (of popular Irish rock band The Frames) and Markéta Irglová as struggling musicians, was a fun flick to watch. I personally found this movie to be entertaining from beginning to end. Plus being of Irish descent and a regular visitor to Dublin, it was great to see places I had visited myself when I was in that great city. The soundtrack is equally good.
Into the Wild: Based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer about the adventures of Christopher McCandless. This Sean Penn directed film stars Emile Hirsch, Jena Malone, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, William Hurt and Catherine Keener. I loved the book and found the movie to be good, not great. Check out the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder, some pretty good tunes.
Other notable mentions:
Home Alone 2 (New York)
Sleepless in Seattle (duh)
National Lampoon’s European Vacation(England,France,Germany,and Italy)
The Da Vinci Code (Rome/Vatican City)
Lost in Translation (Tokyo)
Want to add to this list? Leave a comment.
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god i love bruges. i think i saw this question on twitter the other day and meant to respond. please excuse my cheesiness : “Mamma Mia” and “P.S. I Love You” and … “Penelope.”
Hey BN, lovet he site. Can I add Braveheart? Hmm, I mean it is in Scotland…and one of my favorite movies. Always makes me want to book a trip there. Also Rome!
Sideways! That movie actually made me book a trip to Napa Valley! Love it!!!
Nice list but I thought A Good Year was a bit better then you give it credit for. The setting was absolutely gorgeous, makes you want to go and never leave.
R(etc… )
I think I caught the Europe travel bug as a kid from the Pink Panther movies, or James Bond films. Let’s not forget what INXS’ video for “Never Tear Us Apart” did for Prague. That and the beer.
How about Hostel?
Haha kidding of course. Those movies scared me away from hostels for a year.
Agree with Into The Wild. It actually made my buddy and I plan a road trip across America. Leaving in August for 3 weeks. NYC-SF.
Great read!
Hostel scared the living crap out of me. I usually stay at hotels, so I was fine traveling. Now if they do a horror movie based on Marriotts and Kimpton hotels, then I am done for.
By the way, I just realized that the two movie posters that I decided to place in this article have the men holding guns. What does that say about me? Yikes! Great replies by everyone. Thanks!
In Bruges looks great. Watched the trailer online…will add to Netflix list. As for my favorite? Under The Tuscan Sun is such a beautifully shot film. Make me want to go back to Italy every time I watch it.
Thanks for this great list. BootsnAll just did a list of foreign movies, but I’m glad to have a list of American movies. Will install this on my blog. Meanwhile, I like the additions people are suggesting,and I would add a very old movie, Ryan’s Daughter for Ireland. Last year we chose a farmhouse B & B overlooking the beach where scenes of R.D. were filmed.
Just saw Angels and Demons yesterday and reviewed it today at A Traveler’s Library. Great travelogue background, lousy movie otherwise.
Mona P.S. I Love You is a great flick. I went into it thinking it would be lame, but after watching it made plans with friends to book a group trip around Ireland. We are scheduled to leave in October. Cant wait! Love this list and added some of the recommendations to my netflix. Thanks.
I have a lot of catching up to do! I’ve only seen like three of these movies. I actually read the book Into the Wild while visiting alaska and it really does make you want to go there. Plus, Under the Tuscan Sun, which I saw over 2 years ago, still makes me want to quit life here and just go!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the list, I always need a list of films because when I go to the shop, I forget everything:)
Movie that makes me want to go travel is Mr Bean The Holiday… France is just so beautiful….
The Da Vinci Code really makes me want to visit European countries very much. I want to go to Louvre just to see Mona Lisa in real.
I have to agree with Sarah That movie really made me want to leave Canada and visit other places in the world!
Can you believe I never left Ontario once yet and I’m 30 years old HAHAA
Anyways nice article
Hi, good post. I have been in need of a few new movies to catch. Thanks for posting.
Love this post! Great movies to add to my Netflix!
The Darjeeling Limited
Travel to Scotland apparently shot up %50 after Braveheart came out.
A totally agree with Kristy about The Darjeeling Limited (although, how did their shirts stay so white traveling around India?)
The Proposal.
I’ve always been in love with Alaska (tho I’ve never been) and this movie made me want to go even more!!
Good flick by the way! Hilarious!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona made me want to go to Barcelona and hope that Javier Bardem also propositions me on my first night there. =P
The Lord of the Rings still makes me want to go to New Zealand.
Amelie makes me want to go all romantic and gooey in France.
I HAVE TO watch In Bruges now!
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset have really romanticized the Eurorail system. Two chick-flicks that I wouldn’t mind watching again (because of the deep philosophical discussion and simple-but-beautiful cinematography).
“Broken English” Definitely makes you want to go to Paris as does “Before Sunset” and “Before Sunrise” makes Vienna seem pretty fabulous! (in complete agreement with Mr. Colin Wright) And adding to the chick flick love, “Sliding Doors” is all about the love of London and “Chocolat” makes you want to go to that beautiful fictional French Village. . . .
Lots of good ones on the list. A couple I would add are Mediterraneo (stranded on a Greek island, cool) and The Sheltering Sky (not as good as reading Paul Bowles book, but it is Malkovich).
Awesome list – glad that you aren’t ashamed to love Under the Tuscan Sun – that’s a fav for me too!
Plus, there are a few on here I haven’t seen so when I get back home I will have to add them to my NF queue!
Although I found most of Vicki Christina Barcelona disturbing, Woody Allen did a great job conveying the beauty of the place. All the Bourne movies got me excited about travel! LOVED The Davinci Code and Angels & Demons. I have not been to Europe as there other continents that I want to travel to first, but I am excited about going in the future as these movies really conveyed its beauty and architectural richness.
You know what was my first inspiration to want to travel somewhere? Seeing Michael Jackson’s Black or White video as a child. In 1991, I was about 12 years old, growing up in an area where dreams rarely came true. I see this artist, someone I consider a creative magician in this video revealing the beauty of people across the world and seeing this star who helped break colour lines in music made me think that travel was possible. I’ve loved it ever since and was fortunate enough to start traveling in 2004. I can’t wait to travel more.
Great blog post, thanks for sharing!
The ones that I have seen – I completely agree, loved them. Haven’t seen Once or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Now I know what I am going to rent on my next trip to the video store. I like your taste in movies!
A friend was saying how you can visit where some of the scenes from the original Star Wars Trilogy were filmed (eps 4-6) in Tunisia. Next trip…
Bourne trilogy and The Da Vinchi Code are two of my favs. We recently watched Tomb Raider since we just went to Cambodia this summer. We watch Italian Job often as well because I just love the scenes from Venice and we love Venice. A lot of the James Bond movies are mostly on location. For me it is not just the beautiful scenery that takes me to a destination, it is also the historical values and perhaps even the humanitarian issues that leave me longing for travel to witness and experience, in person.
I still have to check out some of the movies listed here. Have not seen yet.
Andrew, I love your list! And thanks to these great comments, I have a few new ones to see!
In Bruges totally captured our trip there in December 2003…without all the murder and bloodshed, of course. It really has swans, little guild-era signs hanging from over shop doors, bell towers — beautiful.
Once is a must, especially if you haven’t had a good cry lately.
And, I will happily watch the entire “Bourne” trilogy with you, any time. (That is, as long as I’m in Brooklyn or you’re in L.A.)
A few more to add:
A Room With a View (Florence & the English countryside)
Pride & Prejudice (latest version) (English countryside)
Cinema Paradiso (Sicily)
The Man From Snowy River (Australia)
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (New Zealand)
The English Patient (North Africa, Italy)
Amelie (Paris)
Gigi (Paris)
The Comfort of Strangers (Venice)
The Edge (Alaska)
Manhattan (New York City)
The Player (Los Angeles)
Terrific compilation, Andrew. This is my first time visiting your site, so thanks very much for the invite on SU. I really appreciate it and will keep a look-out for you in my RSS reader.
I know this is cliché, Andrew, but Eurotrip gets me everytime. Also, Winning London..an Olsen twins movie lol. The while sight-seeing montage makes me want to run around Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden.
I think the movie that makes me want to travel the most is The Beach… love that movie!
The Talented Mr Ripley- Italia! Epic cinematography via John Seale; direction by Anthony Minghella
I love the Bourne trilogy for the European settings but the Bourne Supremacy really made me want to go to Goa. It was filmed at Palolem Beach and when I eventually went I had a (short) run on the beach in homage to Mr Damon.
The Spanish Apartment is a great one for Barcelona.
One of the most influential films for me was Waking Ned Devine. I was deciding if I should live in Ireland for a year, then I saw that film and I said yes. It is a very funny movie set in Ireland (but it was filmed in the Isle of Man).
Lost in Translation inspired us to go to Tokyo. Love the movie and the city!
Lots of great movies here. Now if you want to be inspired to travel to Nova Scotia, here’s an article on some of the movies that have been filmed here:
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/inside-haliwood/Content?oid=995478
Oh man. PS I love You and the Proposal for Ireland and Alaska for sure and Into the Wild. What brilliance.
One Week is my new fav. The beauty of Canada. Watched it while I was travelling and it made me realize how beautiful things are where we live and yet we always want to be somewhere better or different.
Haha…I’m having a moment of gratitude and appreciation! *sniff sniff* tissue? lol
Awesome list!
Loved Loved Vicki Cristina Barcelona – can’t wait to visit. You make a great point – this is why wooing the film industry is such an important component to any destination’s tourism program.
Lisa,
Totally agree that CVBs should be adding that component to their marketing as people sometimes get turned on to a new destination simply from seeing it in a movie. I know I have.
definitely a great post, i would like to add two more both of which inspired me to set off
im juli” (europe)
“the dolls” (japan)
Wow look at these awesome comment! And I gotta say, you hook me from the very first sentence.
Sleepless in Seattle. Under the Tuscan sun!! Yes…
Now I add a movie on the list. Eat, Pray, Love.
Italy, India and Bali is gonna be hot for a while!! Well those places are already hot though.
nice!!