We all need to get travel inspiration from somewhere. For me – it could be books, music, blogs, books and of course movies. Movies that feature grand landscapes and location shots are my favorite way to find new travel inspiration. Here are just a few of my favorites:
-Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Why it rocks: I’ll admit that it’s not for everyone, but Lord of the Rings is one of those movies that feels authentically like home to me. My father read me the books growing up and I feel like they gave me a great appreciation for nature, trees and the kindness of strangers. The sweeping wide shots of the other-worldly New Zealand landscapes are reason enough to watch all nine hours of this collection of movies.
What it makes you feel: Sometimes the people who you travel with are what keeps you sane on a trip. Even though at the end of a trip, you may go your seperate ways, you always have a part of your travel companions with you.
Where you want to go: New Zealand and also the UK, home of author J.R.R. Tolkien
-Eat Pray Love
Why it rocks: This bright and colorful adventure follows a woman who uses travel to rediscover herself after a decade and a half of failed relationships. She spends time alone, in silence and in restaurants to get back in touch with herself.
What it makes you feel: Honestly, sometimes this movie kind of annoys me because she is so deferential to whichever male counterpart she happens to be around. Once the actual travel starts, I am taken to the places that she is. I feel like the visual of this movie is incredibly authentic with the places she visits.
Where you want to go: Italy, Bali and India
– A Map for Saturday
Why it rocks: This documentary follows a man who has recently quit his job to backpack across the world. It’s pretty amazing to see the back doors of countries from Australia to India to Brazil. This movie has a way of making me homesick to travel.
What it makes you feel: A lot of things – grateful for what you have, anxious about stressful experiences, happy that you don’t live out of a bag, but mostly excited to get out there to travel and make friends.
Where you want to go: Pretty much everywhere: Australia, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, London, Brazil, Argentina and anywhere else you can find a cheap bed
-Senna
Why it rocks: Ayrton Senna was one of the best Formula 1 racers of all time. This documentary of his domination in racing and his untimely death is an amazing overview to Brazil, Japan, Monaco. Be careful though – if you have a bias against the French, this movie will make it much worse. It’s also a bit of a tear jerker (at least for me)
What it makes you feel: The film focuses on the racing but there are moments of repose that show Senna’s home country, Brazil. Senna was passionate about helping poor children in Brazil and the movie has some powerful scenes of how popular he was throughout the country. It’s especially interesting to see how far Brazil has come but to reflect on how far Brazil has to go.
Where you want to go: Brazil
-Walter Mitty
Why it rocks: The titular character goes on an adventure to find a lost photograph and on his way he finds himself. I personally enjoy that Walter encounters some setbacks on his journey from having to trust strangers, having passport issues and budgeting his money.
What it makes you feel: That it is possible to find a way to travel, even if you aren’t inclined to from the get go. It also serves as a gentle reminder that nobody is too old to travel.
Where you want to go: Greenland, Iceland and the Himalayas
-Amelie
Why it rocks: This French movie is the story of a shy young woman and her shy crush eventually coming together after a wild goose chase of clues. The film explores the back corners of Paris and in a genuinely charming love story.
What it makes you feel: I always feel inspired to take more chances after watching Amelie. So much of the movie is about going just a little bit out of your comfort zone.
Where you want to go: Paris, France (believe it or not)
– Everything is illuminated
Why it rocks: There is almost no more visually pleasing scene in the world than when the main characters find themselves in the middle of a field of sunflowers. The movie follows a man looking to find out more about the history of his family from two unlikely Ukrainian tour guides.
What it makes you feel: It’s sad that Ukraine is back in the News for unrest because it really looks like a wonderland. The countryside is so vibrant and green and the cities are so full of old-world charm, I’m hopeful that someday soon I can go.
Where you want to go: Ukraine and Eastern Europe
-Roman Holiday
Why it rocks: Three words: “Introducing Audrey Hepburn.” Also because it show how far Rome has come in the past 50 years. The Italian government has poured money and time into new excavations, renovations and overall clean-up efforts.
What it makes you feel: It makes me want to join the streets of Rome, safely at night. I want to find things to celebrate in the true Italian spirit. It also makes me want to find a dashing young man to take me on an adventure that – for once – I don’t have to plan.
Where you want to go: Back in time – just kidding! Rome (obviously). It also offers a charming montage of post war Europe in the beginning.
– Copenhagen
Why it rocks: We follow a young man trying to deliver a letter to his family in Copenhagen. He meets a beautiful Danish woman who he develops an unlikely friendship with. They reveal more about themselves to each other they go on a modest adventure together. Unlike so many travel movies, this one feels almost attainable – something like this happens to us.
What it makes you feel: While so many movies that focus on the loss of innocence, Copenhagen is a story about the reverse. The main character seems to regain mischief and righteousness by spending time with a young Danish girl. He learns to trust her while finding out more about his own past. I love when travel is shown to make people go back to their simple roots.
Where you want to go: Do I even need to say?
Let me know what travel movies I have to add to my Netflix queue!
One Day Away 