These movies are the top flicks that get me pumped for a European adventure every time I watch them. By the end of the films I have either booked a ticket and on the brink of packing or am heavily considering it; accumulating a pros and cons list of packing up and just going again… What are your favourites?
If you’re after some motivation and inspiration to take that trip of a lifetime sit down and enjoy a few of these magnificent movies. Or if you’re struggling with some reverse culture shock and nostalgic for the adventure that is now at an end they will ease the pain and hopefully encourage you to partake in a new exciting venture.
Grab a friend, bottle of wine (or two) and enjoy…
My Favorite Europe Travel Movies
1. The Spanish Apartment (L’auberge Espagnole)
The Spanish Apartment is a realistic comedy based on the Directors real life experiences. It is the story of a young French economics student taking on an Erasmus year in Barcelona to learn Spanish. Leaving his mother and girlfriend behind he heads south to Barcelona all in the pursuit of landing a top job in economics. Moving into an apartment filled with other International Exchange Students from all over he learns that there is more to life than he could have possibly imagined. As his eyes open to new ideas and lifestyles his life takes on a whole new path. This film sends the viewer to Barcelona and invites you into the crazy life in the Spanish Apartment. Ideal for anyone wanting to take a journey to Spain from the comfort of home.
2. Russian Dolls (Les Poupées Russes)
After the Director of The Spanish Apartment leaving you wanting more he doesn’t disappoint. Russian Dolls is the sequel set five years later. This time the story it is set across, London, Paris and Russia as the gang heads to Russia for the wedding of Wendy’s brother. It is another delightful realistic comedy focused around Xavier’s continual struggle to find his path in the world. Now a writer he teams up with Wendy to write a soap opera. His life again takes many turns as his eyes are opened up to new ideas and he finally shows signs of growing up. Of course with the occasional hiccup during his encounters with a Supermodel. Again you are left wanting to experience a life in Europe and your bags are edging ever so closer to the front door.
3. The Way
The Way is a heart-warming story of a Father overcoming the tragic loss of his son on the Camino de Santiago. After travelling to St Jean Pied du Port to perform the horrible duty of identifying your only child Tom decides to finish the journey his son started. The historic pilgrimage draws all kinds to its 800km path from across Spain. On the journey to Santiago de Compostella Tom meets other pilgrims – all a little eccentric – overcoming their own personal challenges and soon opens up and forms new relationships. The Camino is known to be a life-changing experience and many take the journey in search of themselves. Tom soon learns the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.” A movie which has a perfect blend of comedy and sadness and ultimately travel. One you can watch again and again.
4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
A day-dreaming photo editor for LIFE Magazine has his job and credibility threatened. To save his reputation he decides to take the bold leap from his life of fantasies into new crazy realities. He travels the globe first landing in Greenland where he ends up with a drunken helicopter pilot and not long after he is in Iceland with an imminent volcanic eruption. The stunning cinematography shows the unique beauty of Iceland; a sometimes forgotten destination off the standard Eurpoe tourist path. During the film Walter’s grand imagination turns out to be miniscule to the grand life and path he had begun. Fulfilling childhood travel dreams and getting the confidence to tackle his adult dreams and be himself. The result of this film is you now have another place to add to that ever growing travel bucket list we all have and a great urge to throw it all in and travel now.
5. The Inbetweeners Movie
Schools Out! For the many who watched these four best friends fumble their way through School in south of England Suburbia you already know what is in store. The boys decide to continue their pursuit of being “cool” and “ladies men” by heading to Malia in Greece for an epic lads holiday. After selecting the dodgiest accommodation and cheapest flights possible the boys aren’t out to a great start. Soon they hit the streets to find what Malia has on offer. Naturally they find the least popular bar on the strip but somehow find four girls or in Jay’s case “gash” who will actually spend time with them. With many comedic ups and downs this movie puts you right in the mood for that all too famous European summer party vacation you have always dreamed of. Sun, sand, boats and the Mediterranean (well Balearic as it is shot in Magaluf) what more could you ask for to get you in the mood for a European Summer?
6. Eat Pray Love
Want to go to Rome? If you didn’t already you will after watching this movie. If your answer was yes to that question you will have a ticket by the end of this movie. Eat Pray Love is based on Elizabeth Gilberts novel Eat Pray Love. It is about a woman – Liz Gilbert – who realises how unhappy she is with her life and marriage and decides to throw it all in to regain a passion and balance to her life. She buys three tickets the first is to Rome. Here Liz learns Italian and regains her appetite for life and for food making a wonderful entertaining group of friends along the way. The remainder of her find herself journey takes her to an ashram in India then to Bali to learn from a medicine man. A comedic, eye-opening, travel inspiring journey of self-discovery. And again, who wants to go to Rome?
7. Under the Tuscan Sun
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pack up your life and buy a villa in Tuscany spontaneously? Frances Mayes did and the film is based on her novel Under the Tuscan Sun. After finding out her husband had an affair Frances’s best friend sends her on a Gay tour of Tuscany. One thing leads to another and Frances is the proud owner of a villa requiring a lot of refurbishment. The film allows you to explore Italy and the Italian lifestyle as she embraces the culture. Soon she finds herself in Rome and then swept up in a whirlwind romance leading her to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. All the struggles she faces are bitter sweet as she develops the home she always dreamed of and a new eclectic family.
8. Eurotrip
The rite of passage of Europe travel movies. I have met many travellers in Europe all there for their own ultimate Eurotrip. Many were first inspired to go on their own Europe adventure when they saw the movie back in 2004. It is the story of a young high school graduate getting dumped by his girlfriend and then publicly embarrassed as his ex-girlfriends lover writes a song about their affair. He then realises his German pen pal could be his soul mate and decides to spontaneously chase after her across Europe with his three best friends. Their trip across Europe gets them into all kinds of binds. Based on many European and gap year traveller stereotypes you will laugh the majority way through. From disaster to fiasco to downright ridiculous the film has high energy and excitement and will for many years to come have people headed to Europe for their Eurotrip.
9. Heartbreaker (L’Arnacoeur)
Alex and his sister run a unique company– The Heartbreakers. The company’s sole purpose is to break up unhappy couples and open ignorant girls eyes to new and better possibilities by the use of seduction. After an extravagant break up mission in Morocco you learn that Alex is in financial difficulty along with the company. To avoid bankruptcy they take on a new client and break their number one rule: they do not break up couples in love. As the bride to be heads to Monaco for final wedding preparations the team follow closely behind. Whilst many of their schemes fail epically you get to experience and see Monaco and its surrounds. The fast paced comedy evokes the traveller’s imagination and you soon picture yourself their; soaking up the sun and stunning vistas. After not too long you are packing your own bags for a Monaco adventure. However for travel not to break up young couples in love…I hope.
10. Love Actually
Not only is this movie one of my favourite Christmas movies it is one that confirmed my desire to live in and experience London. It follows the lives of eight individuals from the Prime Minister to the standard housewife and waiter all loosely connected. The lead up to Christmas can be stressful but for these individuals their personal lives take it to a whole new level. As the movie follows the story of each it shows a large portion of London and the different struggles of everyday living which you are faced living there. My own Christmas in London was spent in a house full of 11 other travellers living in London for the winter where we combined all the family traditions from all our different homes and gorged on mountains of food.
Travel movies can be the next best thing to travelling however don’t just sit on your couch or lay in bed immersing yourself in travel films. Embrace those travel urges. Get up and go!