Movies have a way of stirring up emotions. Right now, most of us are emotional. We are living in an unprecedented time during the COVID-19 crisis. Those of us who love to travel and are constantly fueled our wanderlust may be a little more emotional than normal. We are sad that this big, beautiful world that we love has been compartmentalized. The countries we love to visit are shut off from each other, and we are meant to stay within our borders and not stray far from home. While we know these steps are necessary, it still breaks our hearts that we must stop doing what feels so natural for us.
However, just because we can not travel the world right now, we do not have to stop dreaming about our next trip. To keep wanderlust alive, we have compiled a list of 10 movies about travel to fuel our wanderlust until we can travel again.
Table of Contents
Eat Pray Love
There is only one thing better than a movie about travel, and that is a movie that is a true story about travel. Julia Roberts stars as author Elizabeth Gilbert as she embarks on a journey around the world to rediscover and reconnect with her inner self after a difficult divorce.
Watching a woman make the decision not to take the standard path and travel the road less traveled is an inspiration to every woman. Discovering the beauty of Italy, India, and Indonesia on the screen while Roberts discovers the beauty within herself makes this one of the top picks of movies about travel.
Midnight in Paris
This Woody Allen film is a romantic comedy set in Paris (obviously!). It is about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It’s about a young man’s great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.
Owen Wilson has a successful Hollywood career and is visiting Paris with his materialistic fiance and her unpleasant parents. He longs for a different life and spends his evening in an enchanted Paris that draws the audience in.
Under The Tuscan Sun
Under The Tuscan Sun is another story in Italy about a woman who finds herself, but somehow this plot never gets old. Diane Lane plays Frances Mayes who discovers her husband has been cheating on her. Her BFF encourages her to take a tour of Italy, which she does.
But instead of souvenirs, Lane purchases a rural Tuscan villa in need of repairs. Italian characters enter her life and Lane finds herself fully immersed in a new life where she realizes life is full of second chances. While restores her new home in Italy, she also restores herself.
Read More: 5 Cities You Never Thought To Visit in Italy
Before Sunrise
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star as two young people who meet and whose lives are forever changed on a train from Budapest to Paris. They may have only one night, but when soul mates find each other, anything can happen Before Sunrise.
This cult classic went on to produce two sequels, Before Sunset and Before Midnight, all of which are set in idyllic settings, each one unique from the previous films.
Mama Mia
The legendary music of ABBA alongside one of the greatest actresses of all time set against the backdrop of the Greek Islands makes for a travel movie that makes you want to visit Greece as soon as possible.
Meryl Streep plays the mother of Amanda Seyfried who dreams to have her father walk her down the aisle. The problem is that she does not know who that is, so figuring it out is part of the fun of Mamma Mia.
Read More: This is the Best Greek Island For Families Who Love to Travel
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
What is better than a group of retirees who travel to India to live a more affordable lifestyle. We should all be so lucky to spend our golden years traveling, especially to such an exotic locale.
Even though their accommodations are not quite up to snuff, these retirees realize that is not what is important. The relationships these seniors form with each other while creating a new life in a new land is something to aspire to later in life if wanderlust still consumes you.
Out of Africa
Out of Africa is the fascinating true story of Karen Blixen, played by Meryl Streep. Blixen is a strong-willed woman who runs a coffee plantation in Kenya, circa 1914, with her cheating husband.
Blixen surprises herself when she realizes that she is falling in love with the land, its people and a mysterious hunter played by Robert Redford. This epic love story won seven Academy Awards in 1985 and is a must-see for anyone who has a love for distant lands.
The Motorcycle Diaries
Based on a true story, The Motorcycle Diaries follows the journey across Latin America of revolutionary Che Guevara. This breathtaking road trip tells the story of Che and helps explain how his Communist beliefs came about.
Observing the person behind the legendary man we have heard so much about over the years helps to paint Che in a different light so that we can perhaps understand him better. The trip itself instills a sense of adventure many of us long for in our daily lives and the cinematography is simply stunning.
Love Actually
This holiday movie is a Christmas classic for many. Set in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas, viewers are treated to the scenes of city decked out in holiday lights. The movie follows the stories of several different characters whose lives weave in and out throughout the entire movie.
Love Actually is full of surprises and songs that make for a repeatable soundtrack. The scenes of London at Christmastime create a new bucket list item for many a wanderlust junkie.
Read More: Explore London in 48 Hours – Tips for Families
Lost In Translation
Last, but not least, Lost In Translation is the way to discover Tokyo until you can go there yourself. The movie follows characters played by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson who cross paths at their hotel one night and form an instant friendship that leads to the discovery of a new place and a new lease on life. This movie is a testament to the chance encounters in life that make an impact on us forever.
Until we are able to travel again, take advantage of your downtime and streaming platforms to catch up on some of the movies that can instill wanderlust in you. Do not let that part of you be squandered, travel is a beautiful thing, and it should be appreciated even when it is experienced through others.
WANT TO READ MORE?
If you need to satisfy even more wanderlust cravings, check out Best Travel Magazines For The Wanderlust In You.
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