Wanderlust Movies

Sometimes travel just simply isn't an option. Other things get in the way, life, your job, family or most likely money. If you are feeling bored of your daily routine, tired of your 9-5 job, or simply just full of the usual wanderlust, these movies will provide the perfect escape to far away places. Just be careful, they might just awaken that desire to pack your bags and get on the next flight out of town.

1. The Darjeeling Limited (India)

This, Wes Anderson tale, of three spoiled brothers traveling by train through India  to see their mother is full of whimsy and hilarity. The movie perfectly captures what it is like to travel through the densely populated country, where you sometimes may feel alone and out of place. 

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Greenland, Iceland, Afghanistan)

If you often find yourself daydreaming about grand adventures to get yourself through the day, then this movie is for you. It follows the life of Walter Mitty who works with photograph negatives at Life Magazine, who has an active imagination and has been nowhere worth mentioning. When an important negative goes missing he goes on an incredible adventure around the world, from Iceland to Afghanistan, in hopes of finding it. With the tagline, "Stop Dreaming, Start Living," it is the quintessential wanderlust film.

3. In Bruges (Belgium)

After an assasination gone wrong in London, two hitman travel to the town of Bruges, Belguim so they can hide out. A movie that is both hilarious and incredibly dark at the same town does a brilliant job of highlighting the beauty and magic of Bruges.

4. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Spain)

A Woody Allen film, this movie is one of those kinds of films where it feels like the setting, in this case Barcelona, is a character all on its own. The movie gives you a tour of all the beautiful sites Barcelona has to offer, including the Tibidabo amusement park, Las Ramblas, much of Gaudi's great architecture and so much more.

5. Pelada ( All over - some highlights - Argentina, Bolivia, Kenya, Japan, Iran)

Pelada is a documentary that follows a couple traveling the world in search of pick-up soccer. Even if you are not a soccer fan this movie takes you from continent to continent meeting the people of the countries they visit and hearing their unique stories. 

6. Eat, Pray, Love (Italy, India, Indonesia)

If you don't know the story, Julia Robert's character is recently divorced and unsatisfied with her life so she leaves everything behind her to travel the world for a year to Italy, India and Indonesia. Viewers will be delighted with the sights of these three beautiful countries and will maybe be inspired to take their own journey of self discovery.

7. Le Divorce (France)

This movie is about two sisters in Paris, learning their way through two very divergent cultures, that of France and the United States. I just love any movie set in Paris, being able to experience the romantic sights and sounds with out actually being there. Two other movies I love that are set in Paris are Amelie and Midnight in Paris. 

8. Under the Tuscan Sun (Italy)

Inspired to buy a villa and move to Italy while on a tour of Tuscany, this movie follows the recently divorced Frances in the ups and downs of living abroad. It also offers beautiful Tuscan scenery with shots of cute Italian villages.

9. Roman Holiday (Italy)

I love all things Audrey Hepburn and in her first starring role she plays a princess who tries to escape the pressure of royalty to see the sights of Rome. This film was THE wanderlust film of its time, inspiring so many to pack up and fly to Europe on vacation and trust me it hasn't lost its touch.

10. Almost any Mary-Kate and Ashley film (Paris, London, Australia ... to name a few)

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I was going to put these films as a joke, at first. But, honestly, these were my wanderlust films as a young pre-teen. Every one I watched I was jealous and wanted to travel to all these places that they got to visit. These movies offered me my first taste of the desire for international travel, something that has never left me. 

What are some of your favorite travel inspired movies?