10 Movies That Will Infect You With the Travel Bug

We’ve all been there – times are tough, and you’re thinking, “There’s got to be more to life than living to work!”

If you’re like us, you may turn to a movie during these times to make you feel a little bit better. And if you’re really like us, you might just turn to a movie with travel at its heart so you can add a new beautiful destination to your bucket list.

Here are 10 movies that will infect you with the travel bug.

1. Eat Pray Love (2010)

Starring Julia Roberts, this movie focuses on a woman who embarks on a journey to find herself by traveling the world, leaving her “perfect” marriage behind.

We follow Liz as she travels to Rome, Bali, and India to rediscover who she really is, learning important lessons along the way and about the relationships she is choosing to surround herself with.

It is so well written that it is easy to feel what Liz is feeling: worry, loneliness, and maybe even anger for having wasted a portion of her life.

We watch as she steps out of her comfort zone, which makes it all the more inspiring to learn it is based on a true story.

2. EuroTrip (2004)

Very American Pie-esque, EuroTrip shows Scott (a young man who has recently graduated from high school) having his heart broken by his girlfriend.

Before leaving for med school, he decides to travel to Europe and turns to his German pen pal, “Mike.” Following a series of unfortunate events, he discovers Mike is actually a beautiful girl named Mieke, who has now cut all contact with him.

Scott decides Mieke is his soulmate, and so he travels to Berlin with his best friend to track her down. We watch the two navigate Paris, London, Amsterdam, Bratislava, Berlin, and Rome, encountering awkward situations as they go.

3. Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)

Lizzie is a teenage girl who is moving on to high school and doesn’t seem to feel like she fits in right anywhere. She joins a school trip to Rome and begins a journey of adventure, romance, and, again, the realization of what is really important.

Personally, this was one of the first films that made me want to travel as I watched her speed on a Vespa through the streets of Rome with her love interest, Paolo.

4. Wild Hogs (2007)

After becoming increasingly frustrated with their mundane lives, four men make the decision to up and leave for California as a biker gang: the Wild Hogs.

This comedy-adventure film will have you belly laughing as you watch their mishaps and how they unknowingly get themselves into trouble.

It is a hilariously relatable film, as I think everyone has considered just escaping to pursue their dreams without thinking of the consequences, and we watch that play out during the duration of this movie.

5. Bucket List (2007)

Following a cancer diagnosis, Carter and Edward become friends after meeting in the hospital.

Carter writes a bucket list, but after being given his life expectancy, he instantly gives up on this. Edward finds the list and urges Carter to go for it – with a few additions of his own!

Thus starts their journey around the world. The Pyramids, Safari, skydiving – everything you could dream of. Along with checking items off the bucket list, they also try to make amends with family and friends.

This is an odd kind of film to make you want to travel, but it seems to be more of an “I don’t want to leave it until the last minute” kind of urge.

6. Wild (2014)

Distraught by her mother’s death, a divorce, and spiraling mental health, Cheryl takes herself to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

This is the first time she has ever done anything like this, and she has started with one of the toughest trails out there!

This movie, based on a true story, is a tale of discovery, learning to trust yourself, and realizing only you can save yourself.

It’s hard not to want to get up and get out when watching a movie like this, as it puts everything into perspective.

7. UP! (2009)

After losing the love of his life, Carl is the typical “grumpy old man”- no longer seeing the joy in life.
From a young age, he and his wife had been side-by-side, planning an adventure to move to Paradise Falls, idolizing a famous explorer. However, life got in the way, and the trip was never taken.

This movie follows Carl, a young boy scout named Russell, and their animal companions as they embark on an adventure to Paradise Falls, attempting to fulfill Carl’s lifelong dream.

8. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (2018)

This one is a no-brainer! The ultimate feel-good movie about love, escaping reality, and overcoming obstacles.

The prequel/sequel to Mamma Mia!, this movie is based around Donna, recently a University graduate, who realizes that she is not ready to go back to America to begin her life.

She promptly leaves, stopping in France, then making her way to the dreamy island of Kalokairi… “meeting” people as she goes.

There’s music, beautiful scenery, and a ridiculously attractive cast – of course, this is a 10/10 for travel inspiration!

9. Midnight in Paris (2011)

Starring Owen Wilson, Midnight In Paris will get you booking your flight to Paris in no time!

A screenwriter goes on holiday with his fiancée’s family and, after a turn of events, finds himself traveling back in time each night.

This film shows just how romantic Paris can be; for those of you who have not yet visited the City of Love – you will want to after watching this!

It highlights relationships and how being outside of your routine can really emphasize what needs to change in your life. It is a great representation of just how freeing traveling can be once you take the first step.

10. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

As if you would need any inspiration at all to move to Tuscany, right?

Under The Tuscan Sun shows Frances, a recently divorced writer (I’m seeing a pattern here…), who is suffering from writer’s block.

Her friends gift her a trip to Tuscany to try and clear her head, which she reluctantly accepts. Whilst on the trip, Frances impulsively buys a run-down house that is in serious need of some TLC.

We see Frances in her struggles to settle into her new life, trying to overcome obstacles and longing to be loved whilst in the beautiful scenery of Tuscany.

This film will immediately make you want to sell everything and move to Italy on a whim, in great escapist fiction tradition.

Whether you’re a world-weary traveler or just starting to build your list, these ten movies are sure to inspire some wanderlust!

 

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