Binge-Worthy Movies that Inspire Travel

I love traveling to new and exciting destinations. But when travel isn’t possible, the next best thing is being transported to far off lands through movies that inspire travel.

Scroll through Netflix, run to Redbox, or start streaming on Hulu and in a matter of minutes, you can picture yourself lounging at the beach, scaling a mountain, or embarking on an Italian romance.

To help transport you to exotic locations through your favorite viewing screen, I asked several travel bloggers to share their favorite movies that inspire travel.

Grab some popcorn and settle in for a movie marathon, travel edition!

*Click on the movie images below to go to Amazon.com and add these titles to your personal DVD collection!

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

Eat Pray Love

Recommended by Pam Howard of Our Adventure is Everywhere

Between Italy, India, and Indonesia this movie covers all the bases of an amazing adventure. I love how Julia Roberts’ character dives into each country fully to get the most out of it! Every time I watch this movie I want to take a year off to travel myself!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Recommended by Amanda Howe of No Home No Madder

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a com-dram about 3 British retirees that decide to purchase a hotel in India. Though the hotel is not quite what they had imagined, the retirees find that life and love can begin again at any age.

Leap Year

Recommended by Allison Gygi of Allison Gygi Travels

My love of Ireland first began when I saw the movie Leap Year for the first time. The gorgeous Irish landscapes captivated my interest and led me to a decade of love for the Emerald Isle. Though geographically incorrect, Leap Year is a cute story about an American girl who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day and her resulting journey to self-discovery and true love.

The Terminal

Recommended by Travel Addicted Unicorn

The storyline of The Terminal is very interesting as it involves s a man living at the JFK airport! I really like this movie and have watched it a few times. And who doesn’t love Tom Hanks!

A Good Year

Recommended by Renee Hannes of The Holidaymaker

A Good Year, 2006, stars Russel Crowe and Marion Cotillard and is based on the book by the same name, written by Peter Mayle. I fell in love with the mesmerizing countryside of Provence in this film. The medieval villages, with its rolling hillsides, vineyards and lavender fields, all serve as the beautiful backdrop. Inspired by the natural beauty of this area, I instantly knew I needed to see it for myself, and I did! Gordes, Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Cucuron, all the main villages from the movie, were even better than I could have ever imagined. Visit these villages on their market days, and they come alive. Je t’aime Provence.

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba

Recommended by Angela DiLoreto of Fitting in Adventure

A few years ago, my dad had passed away and I was still in shock. My husband and I had just gotten married, but I had not found the time to change my name. The estate settlement pushed that activity. We handed in my passport for the name change and went home to binge some Netflix. We found Papa: Hemingway in Cuba.  I looked at my husband and said I need to get away ASAP, let’s go to Cuba! A week later my passport was in hand and a couple of weeks later we were in Cuba.  We were able to hit that sliver of time when things were lifted. It was one of my favorite trips ever! I needed the island and its people. It was truly part of my healing.

P.S. I Love You

Recommended by Jordin Chope of Jordin’s Journeys

Gerry (played by Gerard Butler). a fun-loving Irish husband dies. His wife, Holly (Hillary Swank), begins to receive letters written by her husband on her 30th birthday. These series of letters encourage Holly to move forward with her new life, taking her to Ireland. I adore the love story told through this movie. The gorgeous shots of Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains National Park are to die for!

Casablanca

Recommended by Pam Jennelle of My Exquisite Florida

Steve and I prefer traveling in our home state of Florida, but if ever a movie tempted me to get a passport, it’s Casablanca. The romance of so many cultures and nationalities colliding in WWII French Colonial Morocco…I would love to visit the Blue Parrot and Rick’s American Cafe, even though I know they are fictional places! The original screenplay was set in Lisbon, but I think Casablanca sounds more exotic, don’t you?

Somewhere in Time

Recommended by Trisha Robrahn of Perhaps This Is

I love the movie Somewhere In Time because it takes place on Mackinac Island during the turn of the century. It is the story of a man, Christopher Reeves, who time travels to meet a woman, Jane Seymour, he sees in a photograph. Mackinac Island is located in Northern Michigan and when you visit, it’s like stepping back in time. There are no cars allowed on the island and it is loaded with history.

Jurassic Park

Recommended by Karen Mellott-Foshier of kmfiswriting

One of our favorite family vacation experiences was taking a movie tour in Kauai, Hawaii. This beautiful island with dozens of waterfalls, rainforests and the Grand Canyon of the Pacific is the scenic backdrop for several movies including Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean and South Pacific as well as TV shows like Gilligan’s Island and Fantasy Island.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Recommended by Lori Nielsen of Serendipity on Purpose

In honor of Italy and the difficult time they are going through right now, my vote goes to Under the Tuscan Sun. It is a story about an American woman who is searching for a way to put her life back together, and through a trip to Italy, embarks on a journey of hope. It features some gorgeous scenery, a taste of Italian life, and a story of finding wonderful things that you didn’t even know you were looking for.

The Way

Recommended by Julie Gazdecki of How We Find Happy

Several years ago I watched the movie The Way about a man and his journey along the El Camino de Santiago. The Camino is also known as The Way of St James, a pilgrimage across Spain. I’m drawn to the idea of exploring Spain in the steps of St James. My aunt walked the entire Camino in 2019 and plans to return for part of it in 2021. My dream of walking it is about to come true!

Amélie

Recommended by Alison Browne of Dreamer at Heart

I love the quirky, romantic comedy Amélie. Set in Paris in the ancient neighborhood of Montmartre, the fabulous destiny of Amélie Poulain follows the main character as she brings joy to the people around her. Every time I watch the movie, I am transported back to seductive Paris. And, I delight in tracing Amélie’s footsteps when I am sauntering around Montmarte.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Recommended by Anna of Stuck On the Go

Perfect for the kids (or kids at heart!), The Lizzie McGuire Movie takes you through the Italian metropolis of Rome as Lizzie and her high school class are on a field trip in the city. She meets a gorgeous famous Italian pop singer, but the story ends with a twist. This was the first movie I ever watched that had me dreaming of visiting a foreign country. Plus looking back, it has a great message on empowering women!

Thanks to these awesome Travel Bloggers I now have some new movies to add to my queue!

And now for Traveling Tanya’s Top 10 Travel-Themed Movie Picks…

National Lampoon’s Vacation

Before heading out on your next family road trip, watch National Lampoon’s Vacation. You can’t help but laugh as the Griswolds endure every potential challenge a family vacation can possibly encounter. And it will probably make you feel much better about your own family’s getaways!

National Lampoon’s European Vacation

Sticking with the Griswold clan, let’s head to Europe! The antics follow this Midwestern family across the pond as they create chaos in London, Paris, and several other European hotspots. On my first trip to London, I couldn’t resist saying “There’s Big Ben, Parliament…I can’t get left!” even though I wasn’t even driving!

Notting Hill

While in London I also had to stop by the now-famous bookstore featured in the movie Notting Hill. Both Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are delightful in this romantic comedy. Plus I’m a sucker for British accents!

Julie and Julia

I recently rewatched this sweet film. With Julia, you are transported back to Paris in the 1940-1950’s, and you get to follow along with Julie in Queens, New York during the aftermath of 9/11. While I’m not an accomplished cook like either of these ladies, I did find Julie’s adventures in blogging quite familiar!

Sleepless in Seattle

This Tom Hanks flick has Seattle in the title, but it actually draws me to New York City. Doesn’t a romantic rendevous atop the Empire State Building appeal to all hopeless romantics?!

Sex and the City: The Movie

Staying in the The Big Apple, I love this movie, which spun off of the long-running television show. I was actually never a huge fan of the TV show, but Sex and the City: The Movie won me over with fashion, friendship, and the allure of city living.

Sideways

I think any wine lover would adore the movie Sideways. A week in wine country sounds pretty perfect to me, even if it’s not all a bed of roses in this quirky flick.

Couples Retreat

With an all-star comedic cast that includes Vince Vaughn, Kristin Bell, Jason Bateman, and Jon Favreau hilarity ensues in just about every scene. But it is the tropical island location that appeals to me the most. I think I could handle some awkward couples counseling sessions if it meant spending a week in paradise!

50 First Dates

Both sweet and funny, this is one of my favorite Adam Sandler flicks. While I can see how living the same day over and over could be a bit challenging, if that is my fate I just hope I get to live that day on a beautiful Hawaiian Island!

You’ve Got Mail

This may be my all-time go-to movie when I just want to feel good. Both Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan give stellar performances, but the real star of the movie is New York City. A tad more realistic for me than the lifestyles of the Sex and the City women, I’d love to live in You’ve Got Mail’s NYC…even if it means going back to dial-up internet!

So which travel-themed move will you watch first?

If your favorite movie that inspires travel didn’t make it on this list, comment below. I’m always up for a new travel-themed move to add to my queue!

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

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