Movies that Inspired My Travels

There are loads of movies that have inspired me to add places to my ever-growing wanderlist. Today, I wanted to share the movies that truly inspired my travels to specific destinations. I love to get cozy and watch a good movie, and I also truly find some amazing destinations from the films I’ve seen throughout the years.

Paris, France: Sabrina (1995)

This Harrison Ford / Julia Ormond film is the very first movie that inspired wanderlust in me. My mom and I have always enjoyed a good mother-daughter movie night. I remember, even at the age of 5, just loving this movie and feeling inspired to visit Paris someday. Sabrina was a less-than-confident daughter of a chauffeur for a rich family – and of course she’s obsessed with their youngest son, David. She gets an incredible opportunity to move to Paris and comes back a whole new woman. She found a sense of self and her passion (in this case photography) while traveling. Of course, when she comes back cultured, confident and has a stunning new haircut and is suddenly noticed by the man she loves. In an attempt to keep David away from her and with his fiancée, their oldest son pretends to want to spend time with her. Will she get the man of her dreams or find the man of her dreams in an unexpected place? It’s actually a remake from a 1950s film with Audrey Hepburn, which I also love, but it doesn’t have the gorgeous views of Paris.

Other Movies Set in Paris: Midnight in Paris, Amelie and Paris Je T’aime.

Montenegro: The Brother’s Bloom (2008)

This quirky film is about two brothers who are con-artists when the younger of the two, Bloom, decides that he wants to live an unscripted life. His older brother drags him in for one more con involving a beautiful, young, rich recluse. This con takes them off on a European adventure that includes making her believe she’s in on a smuggling case. What Bloom didn’t expect from his “last con” was to fall in love. See what happens on this adventure that takes you through Montenegro, Prague (which we’re visiting in July, thanks to this) and Serbia.

New Orleans, Louisiana: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

I love everything about this movie. The whole film has a tone of adventure. It’s all about making the best of the life you’re given, even the difficult cards that are handed to you – even if that’s aging backwards, in Benjamin Button’s case. This film has so many beautiful destinations that it shows and describes, but it always comes back to New Orleans. This movie inspired my first non-family road trip. It shows off a lot of the architecture, the vibe and the history of New Orleans and absolutely inspired my first visit there.

Rome, Italy: Roman Holiday (1953)

Audrey Hepburn has always been a favorite of mine. No other story has stolen my heart – and inspired wanderlust – in such a sweet, innocent way. Roman Holiday is about a princess who has a bit of a breakdown because she’s tired of all the social obligation. So, she sneaks away after being given a sedative and a reporter happens to find her, not realizing who she is, and takes her in for the night, thinking she’s drunk of the streets. When he finds out who she is, he realizes this is the story of a lifetime. He pretends to not know who she is, taking her all around to do whatever she wants for the day all around Rome. They end up falling for each other and she’s torn between obligation and love.

Other Movies Set in Rome: Angels and Demons and To Rome with Love.

Iceland: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

I’m pretty sure this film inspired just about everyone to visit Iceland. This film was just so perfect in my eyes. Walter Mitty is a timid Time Magazine employee who takes care of all the negatives that photographers send to Time. He finds himself daydreaming a lot, especially when he’s confronted by his jerky boss or wishing he could impress someone. Who doesn’t daydream about all the things they wish they were bold enough to say and do? In wanting to prove himself and save the final cover of time, he goes on a scavenger hunt across the world, with some of the most scenic shots from Iceland. Not long after, my mom and I had a trip booked to Iceland and we’re back again now!

Bruges, Belgium: In Bruges (2008)

This black comedy about hitmen isn’t your normal “inspires you to travel” sentiment, but the stunning shots of Bruges are incredible and definitely made me add this small Belgian town to my ever-growing wanderlist. I was elated when our friend Tessa suggested it as a day trip from the Hague. It’s just as beautiful in person.

Bali, Indonesia: Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

To be honest, I’m not a huge Eat, Pray, Love fan, in general. I hated the book, liked the movie (this, I’ve found, is not an incredibly popular opinion, but there it is). However, the stunning shots of Bali and the image of Julia Roberts biking through tiny streets and rice terraces surely inspired my first visit to Bali and let me tell you, it’s even better in person. Sadly, my second visit was canceled, but a return is soon to come, I’m sure.

Moab, Utah: 127 Hours (2010)

I had already had an itching to visit the Moab region of Utah after an archaeology professor told me it was his favorite place in the world. I’d fallen lin love with the Southwest as a kid and after seeing the amazing story of Aron Ralston, I knew I had to get to Canyonlands and Moab. Before the intense scenes where Ralston (James Franco) is stuck in the canyon, you see him exploring the gorgeous area. It’s an other-worldly landscape and to this day is one of my favorite places on earth.

Machu Picchu: The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

I have a soft spot in my heart for movies that show how life-changing travel can be. Motorcycle Diaries is one of those. This movie (and the equally wonderful book) tells the story of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara’s journey across South America in 1952. During this journey and his exposure to poverty, Che began to form his revolutionary ideals. His journey to Machu Picchu was a huge inspiration and the awe that is shown in the film, is how I felt all along the Inca Trail.

The United Kingdom: The Harry Potter Films (2001 – 2011)

Harry Potter has been a major influence on my life. That sounds a bit silly, but it’s true. I totally grew up with Harry Potter as the books and films came out throughout my adolescence. So, getting to see different filming locations while in London was super cool! Plus, we get to see a few more while we’re in Scotland next month (I’m hoping to see or even ride the Hogwarts Express!)

Tuscany, Italy: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Under the Tuscan Sun is such a wonderful feel-good movie. Diane Lane’s character finds herself divorced and broken-hearted. Her friends send her on a tour of Italy and she finds herself buying a fixer-upper property in Tuscany. Then you follow her journey of settling in, getting to know people, fixing the home, falling in love and redefining family. It’s so wonderful and will leave you dying to visit, and maybe buy a home in, the rolling Tuscan hills.

Beaufort, South Carolina: Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump is one of the sweetest stories. It’s about a man with a lower-than-average IQ, but is quite wise in his own way. You follow his life journey across some beautiful, sad and funny moments across the world. Surprisingly though, a large chunk of Forrest Gump, including many of the Vietnam scenes, were filmed in this small South Carolina town. My favorite Forrest Gump site, though, is the Jenny tree. It’s located in a neighborhood and you can climb it’s beautiful, old branches.

 Kaua’i, Hawai’i: Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park was a film that majorly influenced me as a kid. This probably sounds strange since I was only three when it came out, but from the first time I can consciously remember watching it, I was just so inspired by how purely badass Ellie was – she was a great female role model: smart, brave, adventurous. In addition to just being a truly wonderful movie, it’s filmed in one of my now favorite places on earth: Hawai’i. Although this was filled on more than one of the Hawaiian islands, some of the most iconic shots were done here on Kauai: arriving and leaving Jurassic Park shows off the stunning Na Pali Coast, the helicopter landing by the waterfall: that waterfall is here, and the gates to Jurassic Park were here.

Other Films Set in Kaua’i:A Perfect Getaway and Six Days, Seven Nights.

Alaska: Into the Wild (2007)

This book-turned-movie is a biopic about Chris McCandless (aka Alexander Supertramp) who was born into privilege in California and gave it all up for a life of wandering, solitude and nature. The shots of Alaska in this film had me itching to go to Alaska. Luckily for me, my dad was up for a 3-week road trip from Missouri to Alaska and it was amazing and everything I thought it would be!

The Town Of Spectre, Alabama: Big Fish (2003)

Big Fish is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) has always been larger than life, but his son always felt like he didn’t actually know his father because he believed that those tales were only tall tales. He finds that his father’s stories may not be as false as he thought after coming home to spend time with his father who was dying of cancer. Part of the story takes place in the fictional town of Spectre, and they actually created a town on a lady’s property on an island of the Alabama River and I followed my spontaneity to her door and then the movie set.

Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina: The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

The Last of the Mohicans is based off the book of the same name and follows the final members of a Native American tribe who inadvertently find themselves in the midst of the French + Indian War when they rescue two British sisters who’ve been kidnapped. The film was shot in this gorgeous state park in North Carolina and the epic final scenes take place on the top of Hickory Nut Falls (furthest right photo).

Also Filmed in This Area:Dirty Dancing was filmed just below in Lake Lure.

Ireland: P.S. I Love You (2007)

Although I didn’t actually visit the filming locations, or Wicklow Mountains National Park, which was high on my list, I was still inspired to visit by this sweet film about a husband who sets it up for letters, gifts and even a trip to Ireland to be delivered to his wife after he passed away. It was so sweet and the shots from the trip to Ireland truly inspired my trip to Ireland.

New York, New York: You’ve Got Mail (1998)

 

This sweet love story is one of my all-time favorites. It was an instant classic and from the first time my mom and I watched this romcom together, I wanted to visit NYC. I finally got to go about 4 years ago and walking through Central Park, seeing independent stores and flower shops just made me so happy. It’s such a gorgeous city and watching this flick will leave you dying to visit this iconic city.

Also Filmed in New York City: Vanilla Sky, happythankyoumoreplease and New York, I Love You.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

This movie is about two teenagers who meet in a cancer support group. It’s full of beauty, love, sadness and so much more… Truly all the feels. One part of this movie takes us on a journey to Amsterdam, and although I’d always wanted to visit before, seeing Amsterdam and the Anne Frank House reminded me just how much I wanted to visit this gorgeous city.

Amboise, France: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

   

This quirky version of Cinderella starring Drew Barrymore is a darling film. It takes place in a medieval French Kingdom, but in real life, it was Chateau D’Amboise! In addition to the classic Cinderella story there are interesting touches, like Da Vinci being Danielle’s friend, which is perfect because Da Vinci was actually buried in this chapel on the grounds of Amboise. It’s a truly cute movie and sends you to a less popular French destination.

There are a lot of posts describing movies that inspire travels – I’ve written them myself, so I thought I’d take a different take and show you some of my favorite films that also took me, in the cinematography and in real life, to beautiful destinations all over the world.

What’s your favorite destination that was inspired by a movie?

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