Now you might have cottoned onto the fact that I’m not an avid film watcher, but there’s just a handful of films I can watch again..and again..and again. Any guesses why? Well, yes of course, they inspire my wanderlust and get me excited to get back out exploring the world.
Every so often, nothing quite beats a Friday night takeaway and movie night, and watching them on the Oled TV Panasonic means the visuals are so sharp, I can really immerse myself right into it.
So here goes, my top 5 films to inspire Wanderlust!
Feeling on top of the world in Trolltunga, Norway!
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Up in the Air
Honestly, this film doesn’t often make it into peoples’ top picks. But it has George Clooney in the main role as an airline points obsessive – and I see a bit of myself in him. He’s a neat freak, ultra organised, pedantic, bossy, slight recluse with a greater interest in airline loyalty, perks and points than finding love and companionship (not so much the very last part for me). It actually ends up being a love story.. of course.
This film doesn’t inspire me to go anywhere as such, but I feel a connection with George Clooney’s character, simply because it means someone out there loves airports as much as me!
But what I really love is the fact that every time I go through security now, I imagine myself being as efficient and methodical as George Clooney in this film. Which makes me smile to myself, every time!
2. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
The first time I watched this was on a plane, and I chose it to cheer myself up, thinking it was a comedy. Which it is… but it also got me ever so teary! I really had to check myself.
I love how it is filmed in 4 different locations, but so cleverly weaves an intricate story of friendship, loyalty, love, loss and mental health into a heartwarming tale.
A good part of the film is based in beautiful Santorini, Greece and never have I wanted to dip into local Grecian life as much as after watching the film. The romance, the market scenes and the way the sun landed on white washed walls and the sparkling blue sea. I still haven’t made it to Santorini but it’s on the cards for 2019.
3. Eat Pray Love
Well, this film makes it onto any list of wanderlust inspiring movies. It’s the quintessential rom-com, set in three destinations: Bali, Italy and India. On a mission to find the meaning of life, she visits destinations that have since been absolutely bombarded by tourism and watching this film reminds me that there are still places out there where a back-to-basics, local experience can happen. The title is smart, she eats her way through Italy (and don’t get me wrong, I have totally dropped into that pizza place in Naples), she embarks on a journey of spiritual enlightenment in India and she falls in love in Bali. It’s a magical film and should I ever find myself in her position, I’m off on an exotic far-flunged journey to find myself too.
Enjoying my own spiritual enlightenment in Bali
4. The Secret of Walter Mitty
Another film on most lists of this type, Walter Mitty’s quest to find adventure had me desperate to get out into the world. Filmed in destinations such as the Himalayas and Afghanistan, it reminds me that there’s so much more to the corporate life I also lead, living and working in London. The subtle messages woven into this film are profound and a useful reminder that we should be courageous and to live life to the full.
Stepping off the beaten track in one of my favourite countries yet, Turkey!
5. Eurotrip
One of the first films I remember watching, this is pretty old school. I love a cheesy American teen comedy every once in a while, and this one sure tempts you to go and explore Europe. Ironically, I have never done a Eurotrip (ie. an extended, multi-stop trip across the continent), but this is a good film to live vicariously through. It’s funny, it’s dumb, it’s awkward and it’s embarrassing – what’s not to love!
A mini Eurotrip of my own.. Budapest!
6. The Beach
Not only does this movie have possibly my favourite song ever on its sound track (Pure Shores by All Saints) but it makes you long to go to Thailand like nothing else. It has everything you need – incredible vistas and scenery, comedic moments, a brilliant story line and just unbelievable music. I actually watched this film for the first time on the beach in Koh Tao, Thailand under a canopy of stars with a projector screen. The quality was terrible but the wanderlust it induced was real!
My own experience of paradise beaches in Thailand
7. James Bond – Spectre
The opening scene of this film was one of the most amazing pieces of cinematography that I have ever seen. Nothing has got my pulse racing and set my sense of adventure alight like the opening Day of the Dead festival. Did you know that this parade didn’t actually exist and since the film, the government have actually organised a real version? Later scenes in the film show remote train rides through the Sahara Desert in Morocco, a visual that I couldn’t get out of my head – until I finally went last year. Read all about this trip here.
Following in the footsteps of James Bond in the Sahara Desert
This post is sponsored by Panasonic and the excellent Oled TV Panasonic 4K Ultra HD TV.
I have never been to any of these places. I am such a Caribbean traveler! I need to get out of my comfort zone and experience these treasures. Gorgeous pictures. And it was fun to read how you see travel based on movies.
Haha surprised to see Eurotrip on the list. Definitely inspires a different type of wanderlust. I just finally watched Eat Pray Love after literally everyone in Bali kept bringing it up. Definitely need to get on watching the rest of these
Eurotrip is such an underrated classic and inspired me to go on my own version of roadtripping through Western Europe! EPL is also inspiring, I definitely want to explore more of ItalyS and drink tons of wine lol I’ll have to check out the other movies this summer!
I have seen each and everyone except the James Bond. Eurotrip is my favorite, I remeber I laughed so much in the movies! But others are also pretty darn awsome!