6 movies that will inspire you to travel

A good movie makes you forget that you're sitting in the loungeroom surrounded by popcorn crumbs, and takes you away to another place. However, a great movie can make you leap off the couch and book a holiday.

Here are six movies that will inspire you to travel, or rekindle the longing to return to somewhere you have been before. 

Seven Years in Tibet
This movie started life as a book, one of several written by Austrian Heinrich Harrer. It tells the story of an Austrian man who escapes a British internment camp in India, travels to Tibet and is welcomed into the holy city of Lhasa. He eventually becomes a tutor of the young Dalai Lama.  It has some breathtaking images of snowed-over mountains against a blue sky, and will appeal to those looking for challenge and solitude.

Lost in Translation
In this movie, a Hollywood movie star and a lonely newlywed form an unlikely friendship in Tokyo, Japan. It is the perfect travel film, combining the vibrancy of  Tokyo and the exploration of Japanese culture with a unique love story. It will bring back memories of some of the stranger (and usually fleeting) friendships you might have formed on the road. You'll be reminded how easy it is to relate to other people in strange and unique situations.

Motorcycle Diaries
This is an absolute must-see if you're embarking on a trip to South America. It documents a young Che Guevara and his buddy as they travel the length of Argentina and around South America by motorcycle. At times, the story takes a backseat to shots of Machu Picchu, the Atacama desert, Lima, Caracas and Havana. A scene in San Pablo, Peru where Che and Alberto visit a leper colony was filmed in the same leper colony the duo actually visited in real life. This film perfectly encapsulates Che’s account of the experience with a richness and detail that is utterly inspiring.

The Darjeeling Limited
This is a gorgeous-looking film about train travel in India. Three brothers played Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman embark on a spiritual journey to find their mother, played by Angelica Huston.

It is shot in Jodhpur and Rajasthan, and the country is felt all through the film, not just in the scenery but in the local actors.  Their unforced mannerisms added to the film’s appeal.  Since there were almost no sets built, the actors were able to work and connect to their environment.

The Story of the Weeping Camel
Apart from a few small scenes, the movie was shot while filmmakers were capturing the day to day lives of a family of nomads. As luck would have it, the filmmakers arrived during camel birthing season. While they were there, a camel gave birth but rejected her newborn. Despite the best efforts of the shepherds, they have trouble reconciling the two.

This movie is filmed in Mongolia including part of the Gobi desert. It provides an inner look to family’s nomadic life and rituals. 

Eat, Pray, Love
Yes, it's a RomCom. But it also offers some of the most inspiring travel images seen in any recent movie. Italy never looked so delicious, India so exotic, or Bali so romantic. The story follows Elizabeth (Julia Roberts) as she travels through these countries in hopes of finding herself. You'll want to pack yourself up and head to the lush villages of Ubud, where you can cycle among rice paddies and enjoy a meal surrounded by friendly locals.

Which movie has inspired you to travel? Tell us about it in the comments section below. Or share your story on twitter and Facebook.

If you've already got a decent case of wanderlust, why not check out our list of destinations. Find the one that inspires you and order a FREE brochure. And don't forget, you only need a $250 deposit to guarantee your spot!

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