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5 lesser known films for travel lovers
Do you ever get the urge to find that perfect film that just transports you somewhere else, that isn’t too serious, but that also feels like you’re in another country maybe drinking an expresso in a tiny village in Spain?
I get that urge a lot, and when I do, I will go on a search for that perfect film, but I never know how to find it. Usually, I find the film on accident while I am scrolling through some random list. This is a short list because there are a few that I forgot to write down, but I will add them later in a second post. These are in my notes because they were just that awesome and memorable, and they gave me happy travel vibes.
Film Locations: England and France
When I saw Mr. Bean’s holiday for the first time, I was upset that no one recommended it to me sooner. It is genuinely one of the funniest movies I’ve ever watched, and I could watch it over and over again.
If you aren’t familiar with Mr. Bean’s character, one article described him as being a “child in a grown man’s body,” which is actually touching only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Mr. Bean and the chaos he magically creates around him everywhere he goes.
Aside from the comedy surrounding the character itself, Mr. Bean’s Holiday transports you straight into the European “feeling.” The Movie starts out with Mr. Bean going on holiday to the south of France, hoping to see the French Riviera. Unhappily for him, but happily for us, nothing goes as planned and we watch him go on a very wild ride through Europe.
If you’ve ever had the fantasy of traveling in utter chaos and without any reservations or fear, this movie was made for you. It certainly inspired me to let go and travel with more of an adventurous spirit!
Film locations: Verona, Italy
If you love Shakespeare, the old-world charm of Italian cities, or are simply a hopeless romantic, then you will love Letters From Juliet.
The movie follows a girl named Sophie who, while visiting Verona with her busy fiance, visits a wall where heartbroken lovers leave notes to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine, Juliet Capulet. It takes an unexpected turn when she finds a letter hidden in the wall dated 1957.
This movie transports you to Verona and the rolling hills of Tuscany, almost as if you were there, while also giving you your fill of finding a long lost love again, finding new love, and making hard decisions that are worth it in the end.
Letters From Juliet is the perfect movie for a girls-night-in with Pizza and maybe some wine.
Film locations: Rome, Cortona, Florence, and Positano.
Under the Tuscan Sun is what I would call a hidden gem. The film follows a writer who after learning her husband has been cheating on her, reluctantly agrees to take a tour of Italy (at the behest of her friends). The trip proves to be ultimately life-changing when she makes an unexpected decision to purchase an old Tuscan Villa (which needs a lot of work).
This film is particularly human and depicts the real-life emotions we all face-no matter who we are or where we live in the world.
If you have ever found yourself daydreaming about old Chateaus, or abandoned Villas, you will find this film amply inspiring.
Film Locations: NYC and Paris, France
Broken English is an extraordinarily touching film about a single woman who, after a series of disastrous dates and disappointments in her personal life, has convinced herself that love will always elude her. Until one night at a coworker’s party, she meets a young man from Paris who sweeps her off her feet.
This is another hidden gem that will leave you charmed, inspired, and probably also wishing you could meet a sweet Parisian boy who will sweep you off your feet too.
Film locations: Wicklow, Dublin, Galway, Ireland
Last but not least is a movie I’ve watched 4 times since I discovered it last year. A little excessive maybe, but for someone who loves Ireland as well as a good love story, it immediately went down on the re-watch list.
This is just another story of a girl who isn’t entirely happy in her relationship, but I guarantee you she takes it a little further than your average girl, when she decides to chase a Celtic tradition all the way to Dublin. and take her fate into her own hands. Fate has other plans however, and it gets interesting when she meets a stubbornly annoying Irishman who accidentally takes her on the adventure of her life.
Set in Ireland and beautifully picturesque, this movie will leave you checking flights to see the cliffs of Moher.
Let me know what you think, and I would love to hear your favorite travel movies for happy travel vibes!
