Movies & Tv Shows That Ignite our Travel Bug

“I love waking up in the morning not knowing what’s gonna happen or who I’m gonna meet, where I’m gonna wind up.”
Jack in “Titanic"

We have all seen a movie, at some time in our lives, that inspires us in some way.  Probably some movies have made you think "I'd like to go there, that looks like an interesting place to visit."  I can think of quite a few movies and even TV shows that have done that for me.

The Fountain reffered to in the movie
Three Coins in a Fountain

An early movie that got my travel bug started was "Three Coins in a Fountain".  It takes place in Rome and is about 3 American women who are working in Rome and who are looking for love.  The scenery made me want to hop on a plane and head for Italy.  Of course I was only 7 years old when the movie came out, so it wasn't an option.  But it got me started on my need to see other places, and for many, many years, Italy was the one place I had to see.

Another movie that I saw when I was quite young was "The Sound of Music".  The movie took place in Salzburg, Austria.  The scenery of the Alps was quite beautiful, and again stirred my wanderlust.

More recent movies that have called my attention to travel would be "Midnight in Paris" and "Hugo" both took place in Paris, and after seeing those movies, if you aren't in the mood to take off for Paris, I would say there is something wrong with you.  Paris was lovely in both movies.

"How Stella Got Her Groove Back" was a fun movie that would certainly make one think of taking a Caribbean vacation.  Yes, it was steamy and sexy, but it also had some wonderful views of that Caribbean ocean in the background.

"Under the Tuscan Sun" took me back to Italy and made me want to go back again.  And a few years ago we were watching a James Bond Movie "Casino Royale", and I kept trying to figure out where they were.  The scenery was gorgeous, but I didn't recognize it, and I don't think they ever mentioned where it was, if they had then I missed it.  When I got home I googled it and found out it was set in Montenegro.  Immediatly Montenegro went on my list of places to see.  We made it to Montenegro in 2010 and it didn't disappoint.  It is as stunning as the movie made it look.

The Great Wall of China, near Beijing

I had the Great Wall on my list of places to go for many years, so I didn't need a movie to get me interested in going there, but I did enjoy the "Karate Kid" movie a few years ago, which took place in Beijing and part of it was filmed on the Great Wall.

"Out of Africa" with Merle Streep and Robert Redford has stunning views of Africa, beside being a wonderful movie.  We are headed for Africa this year, and I think I need to watch it again, not that I need to get in the mood to go, but it is always nice to see a place, and then know you are heading there soon.

Another place I have wanted to visit for quite awhile is New Zealand.  My husband has been there, and he loved it.  He was in the Navy at the time, and we were not able to accompany him.  It is on our list of places we plan to visit in the near future.  Anyone who has seen any of the "Lord of the Rings" movies, or the new "The Hobbit" movie will certainly know that those were all filmed in New Zealand, and again the scenery is fantastic. 

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Took Place in India

I have never put India on my list of places that I wanted to see.  I know there is so much poverty there, and it did not interest me as much as other places.  Last year I saw two movies that took place in India.  The first was "The Exotic Marigold Hotel", which is a really fun movie about old people who retire to India, because it is less expensive.  It has a great cast, including Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, and it had some great scenes of India.  It almost made me want to go.  Then I saw "The Life of Pi" which partly takes place in India.  A huge part of the movie takes place on the ocean, but there are some wonderful scenes of India, and they are more rural.  They did make me want to go there.

Some recent television shows have also been of interest to me.  I love the Amazing Race, where contestants race around the world for a million dollars.  If I was a little younger and in better shape, I would try out for it.  But at 65 I doubt if I could keep up with everyone.

Another favorite television show is Downton Abbey which is filmed at Highclere Castle in Berkshire, England.  The castle is the real star of the show, although the cast is wonderful and I love all the drama of the show.  But that castle and the grounds are so stunning and you really feel like you are part of that era when you watch the show.  You can actually visit the castle this spring or summer when it is open to visitors and enjoy a cup of tea at the café, stroll the garden, and tour some of the rooms that were used during filming.

Some other movies that have stirred up my travel bug over the years:

Katherine Hepburn
in Summertime

"Summertime" is an old movie which starred Katherine Hepburn as a woman visiting Venice, who falls in love with a local man.
 
"The Tourist" with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.  There is some wonderful scenery of Venice in this film

"A Little Romance" is from 1979 and was filmed in Paris, Verona and Venice. 

"Roman Holiday" With Audrey Hepburn was filmed in Rome in 1953.

Audrey Hepburn
as Holly Golightly

Some movies that might make you travel here in the states include:

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey Hepburn and takes place in New York.

"When Harry Met Sally" has some great New York scenery and I have ate at the deli where the famous scene took place - everyone who has seen the movie knows which scene I am talking about.

"Sleepless in Seattle" has great scenes of Seattle and the area, but also has the ending in New York at the top of the Empire State Building.
 
I know there are hundreds of great movies out there that have inspired people to travel.  So what movies have inspired you?  I would love to get some comments from people telling me their favorites.