10 Hollywood travel movies to chase
Feeling intense travel pangs but can’t pack your bags yet? Choose the next best option. Watch our travel movie recommendations and let your memories take their blissful flight again.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Want to explore Italy from your couch? Under the Tuscan Sun may be what you need then. The movie is about a writer, who buys a villa in Italy’s Tuscany in order to escape from her routine city life.
Directed by Audrey Wells, the movie stars Diane Lane, Raoul Bova, Sandra Oh and Lindsay Duncan. The beauty of Tuscany instantly draws you to the film, and Italy looks like a traveller’s paradise. The movie captures the beautiful country side of Tuscany in all its glory with the customary vineyards, food culture, rural landscape and way of life. Picture post card visuals and a nice little story all add to the adventure.
Into the Wild (2007)
A movie of self-discovery, Into the Wild, is about a youngster who gives up everything and hitchhikes to Alaska despite being a top university student and athlete. He also gives up his savings account to do charity work and wants to settle in the Alaskan wilderness. Getting to see Alaska from close quarters is a visual treat. If you like adventure, this one is for you.
Directed by Sean Penn, the movie stars Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener and Marcia Gay Harden.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
The ultimate coming of age movie. It’s a life changing motor cycle ride, not just for the protagonist Che Guevara, but also for anyone who is watching.
Directed by Walter Salles, the movie stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De la Serna and Mia Maestro. The movie is a biker’s dream, traversing through South America blasting past Buenos Aires, Caracas, Patagonia, Nahuel Huapi lake, Machu Pichu and the Atacama desert.
The movie, which is based on the life and times of Latin American revolutionary leader Che Guevara, is a must see for anyone. It shouldn’t really matter if you like biking or not. The movie goes way beyond a road trip, inspiring you to question yourself like very few movies can.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
It’s a Julia Roberts flick. Not too many reasons are required to watch a movie which has Julia in the lead role, but this one has travel too, as a bonus.
Directed by Ryan Murphy, the movie has Javier Bardem and Viola Davis too in the star cast. It’s about a married lady who feels unhappy in her marriage and takes off on a global trip, across continents. She is looking for meaning and purpose in her life, even as she enjoys the various cultures across Italy, India and Indonesia. What’s not to like?
In July (2000)
It’s about a teacher who sets out on a journey through Europe, and reaches Turkey in search of a lady. Directed by Fatih Aki, the movie has Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Paul and Mehmet Kurtulus in key roles.
It’s a travel movie beautifully shot in Europe that makes you want to pack your bags travel again. The protagonist Daniel is a painfully shy guy, who is driven out of his unexciting nature by his travel partner, as they go hitchhiking, swimming, walking and driving across the continent.
The Beach (2000)
Leonardo DiCaprio is in the lead here and Danny Boyle, the brilliant director of movies like The Slumdog Millionaire, is steering the ship. DiCaprio’s character travels to Thailand and goes searching for a tropical paradise. The movie is any beach goer’s dream.
Koh Samui, Ko Phi Phi Leh and Gulf of Thailand. All of Thailand’s dream destinations packed into one movie.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Like Spain? Like Barcelona? If so, this is the movie. It’s a fun-ride and not an out-and-out travel flick, but there’s no missing the Spanish culture as we track two friends on a summer holiday.
Directed by the legendary Woody Allen, the movie stars Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson and Javier Berdem. It’s Spain and Barcelona painted in various hues, just for your visual delight.
Away We Go (2009)
Directed by Sam Mendes, the movie has John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney. It’s about a couple, expecting their first child, travelling around the United States to find a perfect place to start their family.
The journey takes them from Phoenix and Tucson to Madison and Montreal. If you want a fine tour of North America’s cities, hop on.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, it’s about a movie star in decline and a neglected woman, who meet in Tokyo and kindle a flame.
If you love Japan, do not miss this one. Tokyo and Kyoto and much more. Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
Beautiful combination of a good little story and fine cultural mapping.
Before Sunrise (1995)
The movie is an ode to Vienna.
A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and end up spending one evening together in Vienna. They know that this will be their only night together. Directed by Richard Linlater, the movie stars Ethan Hawk, July Delpy.
Winer Riesenrad Ferris Wheel, Hofburg Palace and the Donaukanal are the places you are taken to. A beautiful love story set in the even more beautiful Austrian capital, where a backpacking American meets a French lady. Bliss.
