7 Holiday Movies That Inspire Travel

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

The temperatures are dropping and schedules are filling up with holiday festivities. Travel is likely part of your holiday season, but we also need some rest and relaxation during this busy time of year.

It’s time to put on your fuzzy jammies, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and settle in by the fireplace with your loved ones for a holiday movie marathon.

Here are 7 Traveling Tanya approved holiday movies…all that inspire travel!

Just click on the DVD images to purchase one of these DVDs from Amazon and add it to your permanent movie collection. These holiday classics also make great gifts for the inevitable white elephant gift exchanges that will be here soon! (Find even more travel-themed holiday movies here and here!)

1. The Holiday (2006)

How does a stay in a charming English cottage sound? Or a few weeks in a California mansion? The two leading ladies, frustrated with their love lives and dreading the holiday season, agree to trade houses for a much needed change of pace.

The Holiday will have you googling house swapping for sure!

While not overtly “Christmasy”, I’m a sucker for a holiday romance. I find Jack Black and Kate Winslett’s budding romance endearing, and Jude Law is pretty easy on the eyes!

And who hasn’t fantasized about traveling to a far off destination for a whirlwind holiday romance?!

2. Christmas Vacation (1989)

Part of the famed National Lampoon’s Vacation series, Christmas Vacation may be my favorite one. While the Griswolds don’t actually travel in this one, with the antics that ensue among their eccentric family members, they probably wish they had!

As Mele Kalikimaka plays in Clark’s head, you may find yourself briefly dreaming of a Hawaiian Christmas. Of course, if you are a fan of cousin Eddie, your Christmas wish may include a souped-up RV for some cross country adventures!

“Don’t you go fallin in love with it now, cuz we’re taking it with us when we leave here next month!”
Cousin Eddie

3. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually is one of my favorite holiday feel-good movies.  It does an excellent job of creatively taking us through multiple plotlines and nicely ties them all together with a big Christmas bow.

It scores bonus points with me for the travel themes woven throughout. First, are all those super cool British accents…and Hugh Grant…which both have me longing for a return trip to Notting Hill.

Then there is the jilted writer who secludes himself in the country, but manages to fall in love with a beautiful stranger, despite the language barrier.

Finally, lovelorn Colin, after being rejected by EVERY British girl, travels to America. And in Wisconsin finds something kinda like love, times four!

All you need is love…and a passport!

4. A Christmas Story (1983)

By most standards, the Parker’s celebrate a fairly modest Christmas, and a fancy vacation is not in the budget. But did you know that you can step inside the home where Ralphie finally got his Red Ryder BB gun…and almost shot his eye out?

In Cleveland, Ohio you can explore the Parker residence and even take a selfie with the famous leg lamp. A Christmas Story House & Museum is the perfect destination for a family road trip at any time of the year.

Before your family piles into the station wagon, read all about Traveling Tanya’s trip to the home of this iconic holiday movie.

5. White Christmas (1954)

I’m…….dreaming…..of a white……Christmas!

Snow…..Snow…..Snow!

Bonus points if you sang both of those lines in your head!

White Christmas is a true classic that has all the holiday feels.  Romance, patriotism, dancing, and plenty of your favorite holiday tunes.

Even though the snow is elusive at first, by the end of the movie you will be ready to step back in time…and take a train trip to Vermont.

6. Elf (2003)

There’s nothing like NYC at Christmas time! And Buddy the Elf captures my heart as he explores the city with child-like wonder.

From a snowball fight in Central Park to decorating Santa’s Workshop at Gimbels. From riding the elevator in the Empire State Building to leading a citywide Christmas sing-a-long. Buddy knows how to get you into the holiday spirit…and longing for a trip to the Big Apple.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”
Buddy the Elf

Of course, if you are primarily consisting on Buddy’s four food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup), then you are on quite a sugar high. And you may be dreaming of a trip to the north pole!  Complete with a sea of swirly twirly gum drops and the 7 levels of the candy cane forest.

7. Home Alone (1990)

Christmas in Paris sounds enchanting, but I don’t recommend leaving your child at home while you travel overseas! He will likely get into predicaments of all sorts.

While Macaulay Culkin turns this solo adventure into a laugh riot, these parents should be expecting a visit from child protective services any day now!

If his parents had only read Traveling Tanya’s post 10 Tips for Planning a Multi-Family Vacation!  With more thoughtful planning, maybe they could have enjoyed the Parisian Christmas of their dreams.

But then the world would be devoid of the Christmas classic, Home Alone! And the much less critically acclaimed Home Alone 2, Home Alone 3, Home Alone 4, and Home Alone: The Holiday Heist.

My advice, stop after the first Home Alone!

BONUS: Every Hallmark Christmas Movie Ever Made!

From late October through December, when I’m not traveling, chances are you will find me binging on Hallmark Christmas movies! With their cheesy lines, predictable plots, and over-the-top Christmas decor, I just can’t get enough.

Given that all Hallmark Christmas movies are basically the same, I couldn’t choose just one to highlight. But each one brings out the travel bug in me as I get a glimpse of yet another quaint small town that puts on an over-the-top Christmas.

So if you love Hallmark Christmas movies as much as I do, go ahead and indulge this holiday season! If you hate Hallmark Christmas movies…then just mute the sound on your TV and simply enjoy the picturesque scenery, without all the corny dialogue.

And now a little present for all my followers…

Whether you love or hate Hallmark Christmas movies, you have to check out the Deck the Hallmark podcast. A couple hilarious guys with their own love/hate relationship for these flicks commit to watching and dissecting ALL of this season’s Hallmark Christmas movies.

This podcast is one of my holiday guilty pleasures. Subscribe and start binging today!

Looking for even MORE holiday movies to spark your wanderlust? See Traveling Tanya’s list of 7 MORE Holiday Movies that Inspire Travel!  AND 7 Additional Holiday Movies that Inspire Travel!

Happy Viewing, Happy Travels…and Happy Holidays!!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

 

Traveling Tanya is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

P.S. Subscribe to my email list (at the top of the screen) and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips!

Pin It For Later!