TRAVEL

10 MOVIES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO TRAVEL

Happy June everyone!  The travel season is upon us and I am so pumped!  We’re counting down less than a month until our European vacation begins!  My girls also have separate school trips this month, Ashley is going to Washington D. C. and Haley is going to Japan.  You might say we’ve got travel on our mind!

When we aren’t traveling, or planning new travels, we love to watch movies that inspire us to explore and motivate us to try new places.  There are so many travel movies out there, but we’ve narrowed this list down to our top 10 favorite travel movies.  These are movies that make us happy, that make us laugh, that make us think, and they inspire us.   A good travel movie will make you want to drop everything and explore our beautiful world.

“We travel not to escape life,

but for life to not escape us”

So here are our top 10 travel movie favorites…

LAST HOLIDAY

This is such an inspiring movie.  If you found out you just had weeks to live, where would you go?  How would you act and what would you do?  Everybody has a place they’ve always dreamed of visiting but never got around to it.  In this movie you’ll see the stunning Grand Hotel Pupp nestled in a little mountain town in the Czech Republic.  With lots of amazing food scenes I’ve gotta say it will also inspire you to eat!  But vacation and eating definitely go together!  I think this charming movie has a great message and I encourage anyone to watch it.

 

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Thinking of going to Paris?  Or maybe you’re just missing Paris.  Either way this light hearted comedy is for you.  This movie features stunning scenes of Paris as well as Versailles and Giverny.  From the Arc de Triomphe to the cobblestone streets and charming outdoor street cafes, this movie has plenty of motivation to clear your calendar and book airfare.  If you haven’t already fallen in love with Paris you definitely will after watching this movie.

 

TO ROME WITH LOVE

Set in Rome, this movie is a real treat to watch!  In this movie you’ll watch several couples exploring life, fantasies, and love. It’s also pretty funny, and we especially loved the mortician turned opera singer who can only sing in the shower.  Whether Rome is on your bucket list or you’re a regular, this movie will have you ready for a Roman vacation.

 

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

Stop dreaming and start doing.  If you aren’t living the life you want to live then this movie will encourage you to.  It shows amazing scenes of Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas, and it will inspire you to leave your bubble and explore.  It’s a terrific movie that will motivate you to be brave, be bold, and believe in yourself.  It also made me put Iceland on our travel list!

 

THE TOURIST

I’ve fallen in love with Venice from watching this movie.  We’ll be spending a lot of time in Europe, some in Italy, and I’m kicking myself that we can’t squeeze in Venice.  I’m hoping we can manage a trip next summer for sure.  Until then I’ll just have to watch this movie over and over because the scenes are just amazing.   From the canals to the architecture you’ll definitely get a good dose of Venice in this movie!

 

LEAP YEAR

This cute movie shows incredible scenes throughout Ireland.  In the movie Anna travels to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day.   Irish tradition says a man must accept a woman’s proposal on that day.  However things completely fall apart for her as she navigates the land.  The stunningly green scenes take me back to our trip to Ireland years ago.  Whether you’ve never been to Ireland or you just miss it, it will inspire you to take a trip!

 

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

I remember very vividly watching this movie in the theater when it first came out.  It was magical then and it still is.  I think a lot of us have fantasized at some point about just dropping everything and starting life over in a far away place.  After a sudden divorce Frances suddenly buys and restores a villa that’s falling apart.  This sweet and charming movie features beautiful scenes of Tuscany that will have you ready to pack your bags.

 

THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY

The story starts with the tragic death of a family member of an Indian family who owns a restaurant.  Ready to start a new life they unexpectedly end up in a charming little French village.  In this movie you’ll see beautiful scenes of France and incredible scenes of French and Indian cuisine.  This is also another movie that will inspire you not only to travel but to eat delicious food.

 

CAPTAIN RON

This is absolutely one of our favorite movies.  A busy Chicago family who are out of touch with each other inherit a sailboat in less than perfect condition.  They decide to renovate the boat and hire a captain to teach them how to sail.  I’m not sure I’d want to set sail with Captain Ron, but Kurt Russell is hilarious as well as Martin Short being the uptight dad.  This movie shows lots of island scenes along with gorgeous views of blue Caribbean water.  All problems aside this movie always makes us want to set sail for a Caribbean adventure.

 

 A GOOD YEAR

Here is another great movie that will have you longing for a getaway to the French countryside.  Max, a powerful London investment broker, suddenly inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in France.  Determined to sell the property, he travels there to make arrangements, but is overcome with such pleasant childhood memories as well as the charm and beauty of the estate that he changes his mind.  The story expertly moves from past to present times, and it’s gorgeously filmed showing scenes of the vineyard and French countryside.

 

 

As inspiring as travel movies can be we came up with a few movies to avoid.  Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is pretty hilarious, does it inspire me to travel?  No.  Although it makes us laugh it also makes me want to rip my hair out in frustration.   Titanic is gorgeously filmed, but if you’re planning a cruise you may want to avoid that one.  And Snakes on a Plane, do I even need a reason for that one??

To travel is to live.  Until next time.

Laura

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