As I’m writing this, it’s pouring down and I’ve just spent 20 minutes gazing at picturesque travel destinations and luxury hotels on Instagram. If only one could fly away!
This summer is inarguably different than most since we still can’t (or won’t) travel far and wide. While that may change in the (near) future, why not spend the time until then doing what you do best – dreaming about your next holiday? For this occasion, I’ve collected 10 of my own favorite travel-related movies that definitely will spark your wanderlust. From Spain to Bali – here’s your ticket to get away without having to worry about health restrictions!
Midnight in Paris
We’ll always have Paris. Woody Allen’s masterpiece ‘Midnight in Paris’ starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams, is a sweet tribute to the city of love. It’s my all-time favorite movie, and even though I’ve seen it roughly 20 times, I could easily put it on again. The laissez-faire ambience and the brilliant actors create the perfect setting for both the modern-day Paris and the Paris that once was. Let me tell you; the roaring 20s weren’t dull in the French capital! Prepare to meet Hemingway, Fitzgerald and all the others who had a great impact on Paris as a cultural and intellectual institution more than 90 years ago.
Year: 2011
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Sorry, not sorry. If you want a dose of immediate wanderlust, you can always count on Woody Allen to deliver as an instructor! Movie number two on the list is ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’, and even though it’s already 12 years old, it still has that magical feeling of escaping everyday life and of letting yourself immerse completely in another culture. In this case, it’s Spain and all its wonders (food, people, culture, art – you name it!). A romance between three very different people sets the tone of the story, which will stick with you for a long time after watching it!
Year: 2008
Blow
If you haven’t already seen this one, make it a priority! Blow has been one of my favorite movies for a long time, and with good reason: Johnny Depp and Pénelope Cruz deliver big time, and the settings are deeply inspiring. We begin in California in the 1960s where smoking weed on the beach, surfing and enjoying life seemed to be mandatory, we move along to the exotic skies of Mexico, and we end up in the US many years later. Quite emotional and captivating, Blow tells the real story of the American cocaine smuggler George Jung.
Year: 2001
Out of Africa
A brilliant performance by Meryl Streep and a breathtaking scenery; what more could you ask for? ‘Out of Africa’ is a romantic drama directed by Sidney Pollack, and it’s loosely based on the book by the same name written by Danish author Karen Blixen. As a young and very wealthy woman, she moves to Africa with her husband, who spends her money on setting up a cattle ranch. It’s an incredible story of a strong woman navigating a rigid society more than 100 years ago.
Year: 1985
The motorcycle diaries
A heart-warming, inspiring and true story of the 23-year-old Argentinian revolutionist Ernesto Guevara, who would later become the world-famous Marxist guerilla leader, Che Guevara. It’s a road movie taking place in South America in 1952 where Guevara and his friend, Alberto Granado, encounters remarkable adventures and life-changing events. To me, it’s a movie about youth, finding your own voice, living life to the fullest and embracing uncertainty. At the same time, you’re witnessing the beautiful landscape of both Peru, Argentina and Venezuela. A must-watch!
Year: 2004.
Lost in translation
One of the very first movies by Sofia Coppola, ‘Lost in Translation’ is the beautiful story of a fading movie star (Bill Murray) who has a midlife crisis and travels to Tokyo. There he meets the young college graduate Charlotte (wonderfully played by a young Scarlett Johansson), and they have some sort of melancholic love affair. I absolutely love the settings (Tokyo’s evening skyline is breathtaking!) and the hotel in which the characters are staying in, Park Hyatt Tokyo.
The movie has an indie vibe to it, and at the same time it’s both very romantic, honest and almost naive.
Year: 2003
A good year
Directed and produced by Ridley Scott (the same guy who did ‘The Gladiator’), this movie takes you on a magical journey to the picturesque Tuscan countryside – with Russell Crowe at the fore front! The story begins in London where investment expert Max Skinner tries to avoid going to Italy to sell a vineyard he inherited from his late uncle (he’s simply too busy!), but then life happens… when in Italy, right?
It’s a feel-good romantic comedy that will most certainly make you dream of buying an old vineyard in Tuscany and leave everything behind.
Year: 2006
Eat Pray Love
I tried avoiding adding ‘Eat Pray Love’ to the list as it’s a bit over-exposed in my opinion, however, there’s just no way around its impeccable sceneries! Based on the real life story of American author Elizabeth Gilbert, the movie tells the story of a modern woman in New York who’s supposed to live her dream life, but feels deeply unhappy – until she decides to do something about it! Her decision takes her on a self-discovering journey from Italy to an ashram in India and then Bali, and the depiction of these three destinations are incredible! I always feel like packing up all my bags and catching the first plane to Rome when watching this movie, and perhaps you will, too?
Year: 2010
