Looking for inspiration for your next holiday? Search no further than your favourite film. We’ve rounded up a list of ten movies that will inspire you to travel to far-flung destinations.
And here are 6 movies not to watch before you fly.
Amelie – Paris
Once you’ve watched Amelie, it’s almost impossible not to daydream about Paris. The French capital is as much a star of the film as the imaginative character played by Audrey Tautou. Whimsical, enchanting and inspiring, the film takes you on a whirlwind tour of Paris, focusing on Amelie’s home in Montmartre, but also transporting viewers across the city, from small cafes to the Sacre Coeur.
Mamma Mia – Greece
Mamma Mia is set on a fictional island named Kalokairi but anyone enchanted by the picturesque locations shown in the movie can visit Skopelos, where filming took place. The story focuses on the lead-up to Amanda Seyfried’s wedding, with the Agios Ioannis church on the island used in a pivotal scene. Visitors looking for sights from the film should include the church, the crystal clear seas and the luscious green interior of the island in their itinerary.
Call Me By Your Name – Italy
The small town of Crema, in the Italian region of Lombardy, has become synonymous with last year’s coming-of-age love story, Call Me By Your Name. The film is set in a beautiful villa in the Italian countryside (which is currently up for sale), depicting the blossoming romance between Elio and his father’s research assistant, Oliver. Anyone who has watched the film will no doubt be dreaming of a long and lazy Italian summer, exploring medieval ruins, wandering through olive groves and strolling through quiet streets.
Lost in Translation – Tokyo
This beautifully shot film focuses just as much on Tokyo itself as is does on its two main characters, Bob and Charlotte. The plot follows their unlikely friendship as they explore Tokyo together, with plenty of funny and poignant moments. Although the sprawling city is perceived as a lonely place, the scenes when the duo are exploring the city create an immediate wanderlust to visit Tokyo.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Iceland
Although Walter Mitty’s imaginative travels take him all around the world, it’s his journey through Iceland that really incites wanderlust. In fact, the huge surge in tourism to the remote country seems to have been sparked by its first spotlight appearance in such a well-received film. In the film, Ben Stiller skate boards, cycles, drives and leaps around the country, highlighting several dramatic locations in the East Fjords, south coast and on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Before Sunrise – Vienna
Before Sunrise is a romance like no other, depicting the love affair between a backpacking American man and a French woman as they spend just 12 hours together while exploring Vienna. Not only does the film depict the chemistry between the two main characters, but it also shows the romance of wandering around the streets of Vienna and discovering the city for the first time.
The Darjeeling Limited – India
The story of The Darjeeling Limited (three wealthy, depressed brothers take a train journey across India) is slightly overshadowed by the scenery in Wes Anderson’s cult classic. The vibrant colours, spectacular landscapes and interesting people that the brothers encounter on their trip will almost definitely make you want to visit India for yourself.
Tracks – Western Australia
Depicting the real-life trek across Western Australia by Robyn Davidson, Tracks showcases the dramatic scenery of this remote part of the world, inciting a wanderlust for the region. Mia Wasikowska plays the ‘Camel Lady’ who walked across the desert with four camels and a dog, encountering only a National Geographic photographer, an indigenous elder and several tourists during her walk.
Wild - Pacific Crest Trail
In Wild, Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl Strayed, the writer who took on the Pacific Crest Trail following the death of her mother. The storyline focuses on how Strayed finds herself during her challenging trek, but the focus in often placed on the dramatic scenery that she wanders through. Sprawling forests, endless deserts, deserted beaches and dramatic mountains all feature along her journey, tempting anyone who fancies taking on the trail for themselves.
Into the Wild – Alaska
The remarkable true story of Christopher McCandless documents his life as he decides to part with his material possessions and hitch-hike to Alaska to live in the wilderness on his own. The film showcases a variety of incredibly locations all across North America, but it’s when Christopher reaches Alaska that the scenery gets really incredible. You’ll definitely want to explore Alaska’s dramatic landscapes after viewing, but to avoid Christopher’s fate, we’d recommend travelling with a guide.
What movies have inspired you to travel?
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
