Are you in between trips but longing for a getaway? Here’s a list of travel films that will whisk you away – even if just for a few hours – or, if you get into the series, for days!
1. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and Keanu Reeves headline this amazing version of Shakespeare’s classic play. The fact that it was filmed at Vignamaggio in Chianti (and that you can actually go visit and take a tour of the winery and grounds featured in the film) make this a movie not to be missed! The trailer doesn’t do it justice.
2. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
If you’ve read the book, you have an idea where this one is headed, but that doesn’t detract from the rich vistas of the Amalfi Coast, the beautiful Italian-ness of Frances’s (Diane Lane) home and property, and the experiences of the people in Tuscany. This travel film is set near Cortona, which is similar in many ways to Assisi in Umbria. Just be careful that you don’t decide to drop everything and move to Italy!
3. The English Patient (1996)
Another book-to-film classic, Michael Ondaaje’s beautifully woven novel takes shape in the landscapes of pre-war Egypt (though it was actually filmed in Tunisia) and post-War Italy as the main characters – an American WWI nurse, an Indian Sikh trained as a sapper, and the titular English patient – try to find themselves, together, in an abandoned Tuscan villa after the war. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche, this is a simply gorgeous film.
4. Roman Holiday (1933)
A black-and-white classic starring the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn and suave Gregory Peck, Roman Holiday is a quirky, comical love story set in – you guessed it – Rome. Hepburn plays a runaway princess and Peck, the journalist who is trying to save her from herself. A great watch not only for the classic acting, but even more for the glimpses of Rome – which hasn’t changed in some ways for centuries! One of the best, classic travel films that’s truly about travel.
5. Into the Wild (2007)
Directed by Sean Penn and featuring Vince Vaughn, this true story about self-discovery, a novel-turned-film, meets us all in that quiet place where as ask ourselves, “What might happen if I just left everything behind and went on an adventure?” College graduate and athlete Christopher McCandless does just that, hiking across North America and into the Alaskan wilderness. In his new freedom, he faces adventures and adversity, along with a number of others who help shape the man he becomes. This is one of the best true story travel films.
6. Outlander Series
This series is my crush right now – and not just because of Jamie Fraser (played by the amazing Sam Heughan). The series was and continues to be shot on location – the Scottish Highlands, Castles and Stone Circles are real – you can even go tour them in Scotland! The landscapes are gorgeous, and the juxtaposition of two histories (the mid-20th century versus the mid-18th century) and their intertexuality is intriguing. (Streaming on Amazon Prime and Starz)
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7. Our Planet Series
A documentary series rather than fictional film, Our Planet showcases the natural wonder of our world in all its glory. You can explore oceans, mountains, islands, forests… the entire planet, from the comfort of your couch. As an added bonus, this series is hosted by David Attenborough! (Streaming on Netflix)
8. Rick Steves’s Europe Series
When I really want to know more about the intricacies of visiting a new place, I often turn to Rick Steves. His series on Netflix will take you away to another country and teach you the best sites to see and ways to navigate your vacation! One of the best “How-to’s” in travel films!
Bonus: The Spanish Princess Series
This is actually the third series in a series of series. Yep. That’s right. Philippa Gregory’s The Cousins’ War Trilogy, consisting of the novels The White Queen, The Red Queen, and The Lady of the Rivers has been turned in to three corresponding series on Starz:
- Series 1: The White Queen, centering on the Wars of the Roses and, specifically, the story of Elizabeth Woodville and her marriage to King Edward
- Series 2: The White Princess, the subsequent story of Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Beaufort’s fight to put her son Henry Tudor on the throne
- and Series 3: The Spanish Princess, the story of Catherine of Aragon’s coming to England to marry heir to the throne Arthur Tudor, and -when he suddenly dies- her pursuit of Henry Tudor and her determination in her call to be Queen of England
I read the books years ago, because I’m an absolute fan of well-written historical fiction – especially when set in the United Kingdom – and this series on Starz has become my recent binge. All three series are excellent, but my favorite has been The Spanish Princess:
There you have it! I kept it short – to productions I’ve actually seen and would recommend to you, my friends. Let me know which films you think I need to add (and to see!) in the comments below!
