best-travel-movies

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Travel Movies to Make You Feel Like You're on Holiday

28 July 2020 • Written by Olivia Michel

Missing travel? You can still experience the sensation of travel with your five senses. Use your sense of sight and watch the best travel movies in your home cinema to transport you around the world and gather some travel inspiration for planning your next trip. And if you want something a bit more nautical, check out our all-time favourite boat movies.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Missing out on your season in the Med? Watch The Talented Mr. Ripley, which used Procida, in the Bay of Naples, as well as Ischia and Positano, as the backdrop for the film.

Wild (2014)

This emotional film details a woman's 1000 mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, featuring the breathtaking scenery of California's rocky mountains and Oregon's verdant forests.

Out of Africa (1985)

This Oscar-winning romance, starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, will transport viewers to the plains and hills of Africa. The movie was mainly filmed in Nairobi, Kenya, and certain scenes were shot at the house of author Karen Blixen who wrote the original story.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

This rom-com actually does a great job at showing off the scenery and landmarks of Singapore, where the action takes place. Those familiar with the location will notice that the Marina Bay Sands complex plays a significant role in the film, plus the landscape and architecture of Malaysia and Langkawi is also featured throughout.

Moana (2016)

Dreaming of sailing through the South Pacific? Family-friendly film Moana may be animated, but the fictional setting of Motunui island is clearly inspired by the verdant and mountainous atolls of Hawaii, Fiji and French Polynesia. The soundtrack also features traditional South Pacific instruments and lyrics written in Samoan and a variety of Polynesian languages.

Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

Artfully shot amidst the Dorset countryside, this adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel features stunning scenery that showcases the beauty of England's rolling hills and rugged coastlines.

The Beach (2000)

For those of you missing Thailand's unspoilt beaches, Danny Boyle’s film will transport you to Ao Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh. Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Richard finds the eponymous beach using a mysterious map and his prize is the perfect sweep of sand with a luminous lagoon and towering cliffs.

Roman Holiday (1953)

This classic film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck will transport viewers to Rome, as they watch Princess Ann explore the city's sights on the back of a vespa scooter.

Australia (2008)

The dusty outback of Australia is unsurprisingly front and centre of this epic film directed by Baz Luhrmann - get a sense of the scenery at home by taking in the scenes that were shot throughout the regions of Bowen and Darwin.

A Good Year (2006)

If a virtual tour of Champagne's vineyards won't be enough to satisfy your wanderlust, try watching A Good Year. The film follows the character of Max, who has just inherited his uncle's winery in Provence, and the cinematography beautifully shows off the French region's vineyards and chateaus.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wishing you could stay in a luxury hotel again? While you wait for lockdown to lift, watch Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel. The artistically-shot film was inspired by Europe's ornate hotels, with the crew scouting throughout Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic before settling on Germany.

Call Me by your Name (2017)

Shot in Crema, Lombardy, this love story beautifully captures the stunning scenery of Northern Italy's waterfalls, cobbled streets and medieval villas during a long hot summer.

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Regulars of the French Riviera can get their fix at home by watching this classic Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Monaco, Cannes and Nice all serve as wanderlust-inducing backdrops for this film.

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

If you're sad to have missed the cherry blossom season in Japan this spring, get your fill with this beautifully-shot film which takes place in the Geisha district of Kyoto.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

The ultimate film for those in need of some escapism, Eat Pray Love follows a woman's travels through Italy, India and Indonesia.

Cast Away (2000)

For a sighting of the South Pacific while you're stuck at home, watch this classic Tom Hank's film set on a deserted island in Fiji that features lagoons, peaks and forests.

The Bucket List (2007)

Want to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip after borders reopen? Watch this heart-warming movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson to help you plan your ultimate travel bucket list. The Great Wall of China, Mount Everest, The Great Pyramid of Giza and the Taj Mahal are just some of the locations visited by the film's protagonists.

Dr No (1962)

Missing the Caribbean? Sit back and watch this classic James Bond film set in the dreamy location of Jamaica.

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