Back in January 2020, I was planning a Spring trip with my family to London and Paris. My daughter is a huge fan of Paddington! Her goal was to visit all the famous sites from her Paddington 2 book, “Pop-Up London.” I promised her we would go on our next vacation but then the Pandemic happened. Since then we have stopped all travel plans and at this point not sure when we’ll be able to travel again. I am hopeful / confident life will get better but until then we must all stay safe and learn to appreciate travel through movies, books, and possible personal stash of pics and videos from your previous travels too.
During these unprecedented times, it can be a challenge to stay at home and decipher what movie to see next, trust me I am going through it too. So let me make it a little easier for you by listing my personal top 10 travel related movies that I can honestly watch over and over again. Hopefully this can help you cope with the traveling blues, I know it has for me.
Who knows, maybe these films will inspire your next post pandemic adventures!
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a fantastic movie to watch for people who want to get an idea of what spectacular sites to see. This movie helped me add a few top locations to our itinerary such as Park Guell, Tibidabo Theme Park and Ciutadella Park!
If you like romance, love triangles with a bit of mental instability then give this movie a watch! Two American women spend a summer in Barcelona and meet the talented Artist, Juan Antonio. He is quickly smitten with these two women but also can’t seem to get over his mentally, unstable ex-wife. What lessons will these women learn and will anyone find true love?
9. Midnight in Paris
Another fantastic movie I can watch over and over is Midnight in Paris. This movie is set on the backdrop of the most romantic city in the world Paris during the 1920’s. Watching this movie over a glass of wine and reminiscing about my time in Paris is what it is all about. Nostalgia is a perfect word to describe this fun and charming movie.
Midnight in Paris is a film that centers around a couple who may or may not be truly in love. One character is down to earth while the other may be a little more materialistic. As the down to earth screenwriter/aspiring writer, Gil, begins to think about his life and what he truly wants for himself he is taken back into the 1920’s at midnight. Here he is able to meet famous writers and artists such as Scott Fitzgerald, Salvador Dali, T.S. Eliot and many others. It is here where he begins to find out what he really wants out of his life.
8. Before Sunset
Call me cheesy but I’m a huge sucker for romantic films (as you can see by my list). Although not all of Paris is seen it’s enough to make you swoon and get a view of Parisian life. From the bookstore of Shakespeare & Company to the romantic cruise down the Seine overlooking Notre Dame this movie is sure to have you reminisce about your next romantic getaway!
Before Sunset is a romantic movie with the backdrops of Paris and two people trying to find out if the “one” got away. 9 years prior to this meet up the two met unexpectedly in Vienna and had a blissful, romantic one night stand with the promise of meeting up again but that never happened. The story has excellent dialogue, maturity and how far these two have come. Can they rekindle the love they once had?
7. French Kiss
French Kiss is a romantic comedy that makes you fall in love with Paris! This is a personal favorite of mine and my husbands. From the streets of Paris to the glamorous sites of Cannes this is a a wonderful romcom sure to entice you with France!
Meg Ryan, Americas 90’s movie sweetheart, plays a woman seeking to get back her fiancĂ© after he takes a trip to Paris and falls in love with a local French woman. As she is determined to get him back she bumps into a French man, Kevin Kline, who takes her on a wild adventure full of disappointment, jewelry, vineyards, love and of course Paris!
6. National Lampoon European Vacation
European Vacation will always be one of my most favorite movies because it brings back wonderful memories from my childhood. I grew up in Germany for about 4 years, my dad was in the military. My family and I are such huge fans of this film that we now have a tradition of playing the theme song “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham before every family trip!
A classic comedy starring Chevy Chase takes place in 3 iconic cities: London, Paris and Rome. They also visit a small West German village with plenty of beer scenes to give you an idea of what really happens during Oktoberfest! If you are looking for fun and laughter then look no further, European Vacation is the film for you! Full of beautiful European sites and places you can still visit today it is a classic oldie but goodie.
5. Eat Pray Love
This film is a reminder, for me anyways, to never regret your decisions and try to live life to its fullest. I have been blessed to have a husband and family that enjoy to travel just as much as I do and am forever thankful. When I watch this movie I remind myself it’s okay to think of my wants and needs but to always be fair and support my husbands passions as well for a perfect balance.
Eat Pray Love is a movie based on real life events about a woman looking to find out what she wants out of life for herself. In this film you visit amazing countries such as Italy with a fantastic culinary experience, to India and the power of prayer to finally Bali to find love! If you want to visit with great food, mediation and beautiful sites then this is a must see for you.
4. The Tourist
Venice has a special place in my heart. My husband made it extra special our first trip by booking a beautiful room at the Rialto with a view of the largest canal and the Rialto Bridge. We also got to experience a romantic gondola ride to watching my very first opera, La Traviata. It was honestly a very romantic getaway that I will cherish forever!
The Tourist is a great movie for people who want a glimpse of Venice with a sprinkle of mystery and gangsters. You will be introduced to the the canals, the beautiful old buildings, the Rialto area and of course San Marco Square. Sit back and relax through this romantic and very adventures picture!
3. The Holiday
Another great film that I can watch over and over again! Maybe it’s the soundtrack or the romantic vibes of the cute English town, Surrey. In the past I use to watch this film only during Christmas time but since this pandemic and shelter in place ordinance, I have found myself drawn to this movie at least once a week. Beautiful scenes, love and happiness!
The Holiday has a great cast such as Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law. It’s another fantastic romcom that will keep you happy and in agreement with many of the characters choices. Take a break from reality and immerse yourself in this lovely, feel good movie!
2. Under the Tuscan Sun
Do you ever have those days where you are in the mood to watch a bright, colorful, happy movie with beautiful historic scenes and a great story line? Then this is the movie for you! I can watch this movie anytime while obsessing over Italy wishing that one day I could own a chateau in Tuscany too! Maybe one day who knows.
Under the Tuscan Sun is a movie about a woman’s journey in search of herself after going through a very difficult divorce. She decides to take a trip to Italy where she makes a spur of the moment decision to purchase a chateau and begin a new life! She goes through highs and lows but in the end finds true happiness when she discovers an unconventional family she never knew she had.
1. Only You
My all time favorite travel romantic movie starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downy Jr! In this film you visit the romantic cities of Venice, Rome and Positano…a few favorite cities of mine. My husband showed me this movie many, many years ago and ever since then it’s been an absolute favorite of mine. As I sit home reminiscing about my time in Italy, this move always puts a smile to my face and so much happiness in my heart.
Only You is movie based on a woman in search for her one “true love.” Although she is engaged, she is beginning to have second thoughts if he is the one. As she searches for her true love (she actually has a man’s name that was given to her as a child by a gypsy woman) she is in search for her mystery man in Italy. It is here where she find an unexpected gentleman who immediately falls in love with her. But will this love last or will she find her mystery man?
