5 Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Whether you are ready to plan your next great adventure, or not, these cooler fall evenings are perfect for a movie night!  A night in is the perfect time to find inspiration for your next travel destination. Check out these five travel movies for the ultimate dose of wanderlust!

Eat, Pray, Love

Love it or hate it, there is no denying Eat, Pray, Love still reigns supreme when it comes to inspiring wanderlust. Elizabeth Gilbert’s real-life account of her time spent in Bali, Italy, and India is the basis for the film. The movie is a fictionalized account, starring Julia Roberts, but it shows how travel can lead to self-discovery. And that self-discovery can ultimately change your life for the better. It's a good lesson that travel can be the ultimate healer for some. Gilbert's adventures have inspired many would-be travelers to finally book that ticket.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is for any traveler stuck at a job they hate who dreams of hitting the road for an adventure. Walter Mitty, played by Ben Stiller, has a boring office job where he's bullied and belittled. He uses daydreams to escape the doldrums of work. Any would-be adventurer has felt Walter's pain. Eventually, Walter makes his dreams a reality as he heads out on a mission to retrieve a photograph from his hero, a famous travel photographer. He explores exciting destinations like Greenland and even Afghanistan. Watch this one for inspiration to finally take that leap of faith into your next travel adventure.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Experience the ultimate travel romance in Under the Tuscan Sun. Frances (Diane Lane) heads to Italy to try to get over her recent divorce. While she's there, she buys a Tuscan villa and romance ensues. This is a travel movie that will have you sighing dreamily and booking flights to Italy as soon as possible. The scenery is gorgeous, the food looks amazing, and who hasn't dreamed of running off to Italy to fall in love? Be sure you watch this one with a plate of pasta on hand, though. Popcorn simply won't cut it.

Wild

Wild is another movie that's based on a book and worth your screen time. It's the fictionalized retelling of Cheryl Strayed's time walking the Pacific Crest Trail. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, this is a 2,650-mile-long trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. It travels all along the western coast of the United States. Strayed decided to walk the trail with little more than a backpack after the death of her mother and the end of her marriage. It's another travel movie that shows how physical travel can turn into spiritual transformation. The scenery is beautiful, but the trail is hard. The movie will either leave you inspired to make the journey yourself or feel happy to watch Strayed do it herself from the comfort of your sofa.

Roman Holiday

Wanderlust-inspiring films aren't anything new. Roman Holiday is a gem starring the lovely Audrey Hepburn (the name sake of my oldest daughter!) playing the part of a princess.  Ann ditches her royal duties and heads to Rome to get a break. She soon strikes up a romance with an American reporter, who is played by Gregory Peck. They spend the rest of the movie enjoying the sights of Rome and falling in love. It's sweet and funny and sure to make you smile. Even though it's in black and white, it will inspire colorful daydreams about this Italian destination. Thankfully it's still popular enough to be easy to track down. If you need a break from the real world, this is the perfect cinematic getaway.

How did we do on our movie list?  Did your favorite make the list?  Let us know in the comments!

If you’re ready to chat about your perfect getaway, book your complimentary Custom Vacation Planning Session now by using my online scheduler to find a time that’s convenient for you!