Written by Avantika Bose
For me, travel is not just about getting from Point A to Point B, but it’s more about how you got from Point A to Point B and what the journey was like. Exploring the culture and arts, shopping, discovering small cafés, meeting people with stories to tell, and trying new cuisines—those are just some of the experiences that make travel what it really is. That being said however, each of us travel for reasons as different from each other’s as winter is from summer. For some, travelling is a way to escape their mundane or stress-ridden lives, others travel for work; some want to spend time in one place and others want to travel to as many different cities/countries as possible in a short span of time; while some prefer living in luxurious hotels others want to live in cute B&B’s. No matter what, we all love travelling!
From sandy beaches and hiking across jungles, to adventurous road trips in the middle of nowhere, films have always been a source of inspiration for us to fulfil our wanderlust. It’s true that movies sometimes show us parts of the world that we may have never seen, or even imagined exploring. Seeing characters in a movie go on their own little adventures always makes us wonder why we aren’t doing the same. Like Jack Kerouac rightly said, “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” Of course, actually going ahead and taking the plunge of booking your travel for a new destination is always easier said than done, so if you need a little bit of motivation to plan your vacation then these movies should work your mojo.
Ready for sandy beaches, blue oceans, lush forests, museums, skyscrapers, or the best nightclubs? Here are 10 of the best travel movies to inspire your wanderlust!
Seven Years in Tibet
This is the story of an Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, whose attempt to scale a Himalayan peak is interrupted by the Second World War. After many adventures, he finds himself in Tibet where he befriends the Dalai Lama, gaining maturity and humility. This movie highlights the fact that your experiences in a foreign land can broaden your thinking and slowly change your outlook on life, in turn highlighting the fact that travel is so much more than going to a new place and visiting the most recommended spots there. Also, let’s not forget that it’s filled with landscapes from the Himalayas, which will put Tibet on the top of your bucket list.
Amélie
If roaming the streets of Paris is your idea of a perfect holiday then this movie, Amélie, a waitress’s journey to find happiness will catch your attention instantly. Set in the most romantic city around the globe, it is the perfect example of French cinema. It’ll take you through such untouched places in the city that even if you’ve gone there, you’d want to plan a trip again. This film perfectly captures the Parisian vibe more than any other movie, giving the viewers a taste of what the city has to offer. It is a movie about travelling, dreaming, and escaping.
Lost in Translation
Always wondered what it would feel like to travel to a new country all by yourself? Lost in Translation will help clear all your doubts. This movie beautifully highlights the unexpected and exciting side of travelling to a new country and experiencing the culture there. A washed-up film star and a photographer’s wife find themselves constantly crossing paths in Tokyo—and this brings to fore the cultural differences which we tend to forget until we’re in a foreign land. If you’re more attracted to the hustle and bustle of the city life than trekking in the mountains, then this movie will have you hooked, as Tokyo has a vibe of its own which will constantly intrigue you to explore it further. By the end of it, you’ll definitely be planning a trip to Japan.
Wild
There’s nothing quite like discovering a new place on your own; taking it all in without anyone but yourself, and Wild will surely help you realise this. Based on a true story of a young woman who sets on a journey to find herself after the death of her mother by hiking. The movie is full of breathtaking scenes (the journey is over 1000 miles) on the Pacific Crest Trail (Pacific North-West, USA). This movie shows a journey of self-discovery, healing and the advantages of a solo-trip.
Under the Tuscan Sun
The story is about a writer who after getting divorced, impulsively buys a villa in Tuscany in the hopes of changing her life. This movie is a reminder that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, that despite all the lows with time everything will fall into place, and if you keep an open mind things might end up being better than you dreamed of. Set in a breathtakingly beautiful Tuscany which is known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture—this movie will have you packing your bags and booking a flight to Tuscany ASAP.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the story of a guy who hates his job and secretly dreams of a different version of himself. When he is about to lose his job, he goes on a self-exploring journey around the globe. This lighthearted story features some of the most incredible destinations from Nepal, Greenland to Iceland. After watching this movie even you’ll be yearning for an adventurous trip of your own. This movie is a must watch for those who want to break free from their monotonous lives but are afraid to do so.
In Bruges
In Bruges, though it isn’t your run-of-the-mill travel movie, I just had to include it in my list as it’s filmed in Belgium. Set in the almost fairytale-like city of Bruges in Belgium, the story revolves around a hitman and his partner who seek refuge there. It’s got dark comedy, great performances by all the characters, especially the three leads, let’s not forget the setting is perfect, and within 10 seconds of the movie starting the story has begun. If you want to visit Belgium and keep procrastinating or never thought of going there, watching this movie will give you the necessary boost.
The Darjeeling Limited
Estranged brothers Francis, Peter, and Jack reunite for a train trip across India after their father’s death. Francis is recovering from a motorcycle accident, Peter cannot cope with his wife’s pregnancy, and Jack cannot get over his ex-lover. The brothers fall into old patterns of behaviour as Francis reveals the real reason for the reunion: to visit their mother in a Himalayan convent. The quirky characters, a good storyline along with gorgeous cinematography now that’s the perfect blend for a good travel movie. This movie not only gives you a glimpse of how beautiful India is but also entices its viewers to go on an Indian expedition.
Up in the Air
Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert, a hatchet man for hire, contracted out to companies to do their firings — in short, Bingham’s business booms while everyone else’s goes down the drain. This movie may not inspire you to travel, but after watching it you’ll know what the typical life of a long-term traveller is like (in terms of home and relationships), and will also force you to keep your travelling dreams grounded and well-informed.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
It’s the unique way of storytelling in the movie that’ll instantly catch your attention. In the 1930s, the Grand Budapest Hotel is a popular European ski resort, presided over by concierge Gustave H.. Gustave prides himself on providing first-class service to the hotel’s guests, including satisfying the sexual needs of the many elderly women who stay there. When one of Gustave’s lovers dies mysteriously, Gustave finds himself the recipient of a priceless painting and the chief suspect in her murder. The beauty of the town of Saxony and the Alps comes alive in this movie, tempting anyone who watches it to visit Germany.
Here’s hoping that these movies inspired you to dream about making one of the above destinations your next journey as much as they inspired me (yes, I’m going to book my tickets to Bruges!).
DISCLAIMER: This is based on my preference alone, and the movies mentioned above are not catalogued in accordance to any order of systemised ratings and are placed arbitrarily.
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