Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
9. Go into space.
10. Go wild at La Tomintina.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Gaze at Borobudor.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Machu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club.
18. Visit Antarctica.
19. Do development work.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. See the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Fly first class.
33. Go to Israel.
34. Carnival!!!!
35. Mardi Gras!
36. Cannes Film Festival.
37. Sundance Film Festival.
38. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
39. Pacific Island hop.
40. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel.
41. See Glacier National Park.

Book Your Travel Here!!

The Best Travel Movies

May 30, 2008

Travel movies are the best movies for those with a nomadic heart. They inspire us to get out on the road, stay on the road, or visit a particular place. They get us excited about new cultures and whet our appetite for that upcoming trip. Essentially, they rock our world. Here’s the best travel movies out there that will have you jumping on the next plane:

 

The BeachThe Beach
Released in 2000, the movie follows Alex Garland’s novel about young backpackers who set out to find paradise but ended up destroying it had me drooling over Thailand. Those beaches, those parties, those people. It seemed wonderful. Backpackers in Asia are always reading the book and the movie plays in all the guesthouses. It says something about our hopes for the road- we want to find our own idyllic, romantic paradise. The one we all think won’t be destroyed. The movie has a different ending, characters, and storyline though the theme is the same.

 

The Motorcycle Diaries
Set in South America, this movie follows the life of Che Guevara from doctor to revolutionary. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, this poignant tale features amazing images of South America from the desert to rain forest. Beautifully cast and directed this movie will make you want to jump on a motorcycle and explore the continent. Even if you do not agree with the politics of the movie, its acting is first rate and this movie transcends the politics of the man it follows.

Any Indiana Jones
Indy made everyone an archaeologist and an adventure seeker. From Egypt to India, Indy showed us the world and the mythology of ancient cultures. The movie brought out the adventurer in me and helped foster a love for history. It also did wonders for Petra, Jordan. Who didn’t want to see the city after watching the Last Crusade!? Despite the lackluster fourth installment, these movies not only remain some of the best of all time but some of the best in travel.

Thelma and Louise
Released in 1991, tragic story stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as two woman driving across the American Southwest in search of adventure, escaping the law, and finding friendship. The movie is stunningly acted, winning many accolades, and also features breathtaking shots of the American west that will make you want to get in your car and see country…unless gas prices keep rising, then we’ll just have to settle for this movie.

Lawrence of Arabia
Released in 1962, this Peter O’Toole classic is set during World War One and follows a British soldier’s interaction with nomadic tribes. O’Toole is the T.E. Lawrence who unites Arabian tribes against the Turks. With stunning images of the desert, you’ll soon be wanting to lead your own expedition through the desert, though probably not for war. Lawrence may remain a controversial figure but there’s not controversy that this a a great film set against an amazing backdrop.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
A movie about Australian drag queens that take a road trip across the desert in order to perform at a lip synch show. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, it won a bunch of awards. The stars get shocking reactions as they wander across the outback towards their show, stopping along the way. Most importantly it highlights two of the best things about Australia: the outback and awesome accents.

A Good Year
Made in 2006 and starring Russell Crowe, this movie features him as an uptight banker who finds his soul again when returns to his uncle’s vineyard following his death. All he wants to do is sell it and make some money but soon the countryside and a pretty French girl have him changing his tune. (French girls always have you changing your tune!) It’s a great movie for the wine lover and along with Under The Tuscan Sun will have you heading off to the nearest vineyard before the credits finish.

Eurotrip
A silly movie about backpacking Europe, this movie will nonetheless have you wanting to see all those places they filmed. The movie takes you across Europe in a whirlwind of stereotypes but, its pretty funny and anyone who has roamed Europe can probably relate to a few of the situations. The script isn’t great and some of the situations goofy but it does a good job of canvasing you across Europe and features a very memorable appearance by Matt Damon.

Seven Years in Tibet
This movie about a German mountaineer Heinrich Harrer and his time with the Dali Lama. Released in 1997 and starring Brad Pitt, it takes a good look at Tibetan culture on the eve of the Chinese invasion. You get an outsider’s perspective on this remote nation and of the ruler who now lives in exile in India.

 

Related Posts

Liked what you read? Use the icons below to share with others on the web:
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Mixx
  • Furl
  • Facebook
  • TwitThis
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Technorati

Comments

13 Responses to “The Best Travel Movies”

  1. Anonymous on May 30th, 2008 4:53 pm

    what about Lord of the Rings!!! or Lost in Translation..

  2. Erica on May 30th, 2008 5:09 pm

    After having watched The Beach, I dreamed about backpacking in Thailand. Well, I still do… sometimes.

    The Motorcycle Diaries always makes me wanna travel to South America.

    Since I saw my first Indiana Jones movie when I was 9 I can’t get enough of them. Am also a big fan of Thelma and Louise. The first time I watched it, I decided I’d make a road trip across the US someday.

    Have only seen Priscilla once, but I love it, it’s such a feel-good movie!

    Saw A Good Year a few months ago,
    Crowe is one of my favorite actors so I knew I’d love this one. The movie truly gives a brilliant picture of Tuscany.

    Still need to watch seven years in tibet and the lawrence of arabia.
    Don’t really understand how you can include Eurotrip though :)

  3. Christy on May 30th, 2008 8:12 pm

    Love love love The Beach & Motorcycle Diaries, both of which are on my favorite list.

  4. Anonymous on May 30th, 2008 9:27 pm

    How about Elizabeth Town. That’s a good movie too. I love the ending.

  5. travelphilippines on May 31st, 2008 6:09 am

    i just watched the beach a few weeks ago as i was really desperate about going to thailand hehe.

  6. backpacking philippines and asia on May 31st, 2008 12:58 pm

    if you’ve seen the lastest indiana jones movie, they used pyramid of chichen itza from mexico in Peru

    such a mix up :(

  7. Nomadic Matt on May 31st, 2008 1:44 pm

    @anon #1: Both good movies.

    @Erica: Because I like Eurotrip and it is good at showing you all the cities.

    @Anon #2: Never say Elizabethtown. What’s it about?

    @all: great selections. Keep them coming

  8. stevo on June 1st, 2008 1:15 pm

    All great films. What about the Vacation series?

    Lawrence was WWI not WWII, sorry for the nitpick.

  9. Eva on June 2nd, 2008 3:44 am

    Cool list. Woot for Thelma and Louise!

    I also love love love Before Sunrise/Before Sunset and Roman Holiday (chick flicks + travel? my dream combo!), and Stand By Me I’d argue could be a travel movie, too.

  10. Domina on June 3rd, 2008 11:43 pm

    good choice of movies. indie 4 and motorcycle diaries were definitly inspriational for me!

  11. Anthony on June 4th, 2008 2:32 am

    Hey man, I forget to drop by! But I agree with Motorcycle Diaries. I haven’t seen all of it, but enough of it to get me going. Later man!

  12. Tanya on June 6th, 2008 5:07 pm

    Don’t forget Planes, Trains and Automobiles! It has travel built right into the title :-)

  13. Steven Hann on September 29th, 2008 5:13 pm

    Haha, I’m sitting in a hostel in Berlin and watching Eurotrip now.

    Just total awesomeness.

Got something to say?