Films inspire us. I enjoy watching movies that feature beautiful cities and cultures. It gives me a glimpse into what awaits me just a plane ticket away. Here are some of the best movies about traveling or that will inspire you to pack your bags!
1. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Wes Anderson depicts three brothers on a rail journey across India, shortly after the death of their father. Set on a cramped train, Darjeeling juxtaposes the claustrophobia of travel against the backdrop of vast open spaces. Anderson's is very much at home in the colorful, busy aesthetic of India.
2. Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), & Before Midnight (2013)
This celebrated three-part romance captures a relationship as it begins, begins again, deepens, and strains over the course of almost two decades, starting in Vienna, then Paris, then Greece. All three movies are a testament to travel's power to realign your perception of your own life.
3. Wild (2014)
Wild follows the story of Cheryl Strayed, a writer who trekked 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the loss of her mother. She crosses the Mojave, forests, snowy fields, and muddy trails.
4. Lost in Translation (2003)
Lost in Translation chronicles the budding friendship of two Americans in Tokyo. Featuring neon-filled karaoke bars and streets, the movie is like a tourism ad for Tokyo. But it's also a portrayal of loneliness—even in a city filled with millions of people.
5. Diarios de motocicleta / The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
A movie about the trip that inspired Che Guevara's future political motivations, Motorcycle Diaries documents his travels through major landmarks in South America.
6. L'Auberge Espagnole / The Spanish Apartment (2002)
For anyone who's ever studied or lived abroad, the film follows a French student, Xavier, who travels to Barcelona in search of himself. Sharing a giant apartment with six others, he learns how to co-habitate with men and women who don't share his customs or language.
7. One Week (2008)
This movie follows Ben, who after receiving a cancer diagnosis decides to take off on one last great adventure instead of entering treatment. He buys a motorcycle and treks Canada from Toronto to Vancouver.
8. Amélie (2001)
Filmed like a love letter to Paris and shot in over 80 Parisian locations, this movie captures the exquisite charm and mystery of modern-day Paris through the eyes of a beautiful ingenue.
9. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Under the Tuscan Sun is the story of a woman who buys a villa in Italy after her marriage falls apart. After watching this, the thought of dropping everything to move to Tuscany suddenly doesn't seem so ridiculous.
10. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Y Tu Mamá También follows three people as they road trip through Mexico, searching for a magical (and fictional) beach called Heaven's Mouth. Director Alfonso Cuarón shows the beautiful nature of Oaxaca, but also gives a glimpse into the realities of life and change.
