There's no doubt that travel can be a ton of fun, but there's also a lot of hassle involved in getting from here to there. So if you find that getting bogged down in the details of ordering tickets, running errands, and packing bags is making you regret your decision to travel before you even get out the door, then perhaps it's time for a little pick-me-up that will get you excited about seeing parts unknown. Here are just a few fantastic movies about strangers in a strange land that will have you eager to hop on a plane and jet off into the great blue yonder.
1. Eat, Pray, Love (2010).
This is the story of an unhappy woman. Well, let's just say it's the story of a woman who realizes she is unhappy and sets out to change her life. Her solution is to end her marriage, quit her job, leave her home, and head off on a journey of self-discover halfway across the world. It may sound crazy or contrived, but many adults will sympathize with her desire to cast off the shackles imposed by modern society and find true fulfillment in life. Liz accomplishes this through fantastic food, healing prayer and self-reflection, and possibly even true love. Gorgeous international
settings heighten the visual appeal.
2. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).
Based on the diary of Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna, this road trip film follows him and his friend, Alberto Granado, as the two medical students travel across South America on their way to work at a leper colony. Like most young adults they have a desire to see something of the world and live a little before they settle into their planned existence of work, family, and so on. Over the course of 5,000 miles and four months they see new places and meet new people, but what they really discover is themselves.
3. Sideways (2004).
Like most road trip movies, this one is less about the physical journey (which meanders through California wine country, complete with plenty of libations) than it is about the path one must take to find a balance in life and discover the true desires of the heart. So although Miles and Jack are ostensibly taking a trip so that Jack can have one last hurrah before he walks down the aisle, the mismatched buddies will get a lot more than they bargained for during their travels.
4. The Holiday (2006).
Two women facing romantic troubles meet on a travel website and decide to swap homes for the winter holidays. Amanda ends up at Iris's charming cottage in England while Iris jets off to California to spend a few weeks in Amanda's L.A. mansion. Along the way, each one befriends the friends of the other and finds love in an unexpected place. It's a fun rom-com full of whimsical meet-cutes and the problems of pretty people, but it might just get you revved up to engage in your own romantic adventure.
5. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983).
Join the Griswolds as they head off on a family vacation that will take them across the country to Walley World (a theme park). The road that takes them from here to there will be bumpy (with a dead aunt strapped to the roof and a mysterious and beckoning blond in a red Ferrari), but at least the disastrous trip will end with a dream vacation for the family...or will it? If nothing else, this film will get you laughing and remind you that the difficulties involved in planning your own trip could be a lot worse.
1. Eat, Pray, Love (2010).
This is the story of an unhappy woman. Well, let's just say it's the story of a woman who realizes she is unhappy and sets out to change her life. Her solution is to end her marriage, quit her job, leave her home, and head off on a journey of self-discover halfway across the world. It may sound crazy or contrived, but many adults will sympathize with her desire to cast off the shackles imposed by modern society and find true fulfillment in life. Liz accomplishes this through fantastic food, healing prayer and self-reflection, and possibly even true love. Gorgeous international
settings heighten the visual appeal.
2. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).
Based on the diary of Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna, this road trip film follows him and his friend, Alberto Granado, as the two medical students travel across South America on their way to work at a leper colony. Like most young adults they have a desire to see something of the world and live a little before they settle into their planned existence of work, family, and so on. Over the course of 5,000 miles and four months they see new places and meet new people, but what they really discover is themselves.
3. Sideways (2004).
4. The Holiday (2006).
Two women facing romantic troubles meet on a travel website and decide to swap homes for the winter holidays. Amanda ends up at Iris's charming cottage in England while Iris jets off to California to spend a few weeks in Amanda's L.A. mansion. Along the way, each one befriends the friends of the other and finds love in an unexpected place. It's a fun rom-com full of whimsical meet-cutes and the problems of pretty people, but it might just get you revved up to engage in your own romantic adventure.
5. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983).