Amazing travel films that aren’t “Eat, Pray, Love”.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against “Eat, Pray, Love”. However, there are a tonne of amazing travel films out there to ignite your wanderlust, other than that film. Let me introduce you to some of my personal favourite travel films that will take you from the mountains of Tibet to the Colombiann jungle or the Australian desert. 

I for one, am fed up of seeing the same old lists, inevitably always topped with “Eat, Pray, Love.” If you love travel, or you’re sitting at your desk tapping away at your keyboard, dreaming of distant shores then these, my friend, are for you…

Into the wild – The true story of a man who leaves everything behind – family, material possessions, a promising career – to go on the road in an attempt to realise his dream of living off grid in the Alaskan wilderness.

Wild – A woman who’s lost her mother and fallen into a destructive way of life sets out on the path to self forgiveness by walking the PCT trail alone.

Tracks – With her faithful dog in tow, and several camels, Robyn sets traverses across the desert of Australia.

Hideous Kinky – A mother leaves her husband and dreary London life behind, and takes her two young daughters to travel Morocco in search of spirituality.

The invisible circus – A young girl follows in the last known footsteps of her older sister across Europe in a bid to discover the truth about her disappearance.

The rum diaries – An alcoholic writer’s antics around Porto Rico whilst working for a failing newspaper company certainly don’t fail to entertain.

The beach – A young man backpacking in Thailand ends up in possession of a map to supposed paradise (this film is the reason we all want to swim with bioluminescent plankton).

Against all odds – The parts of this film based in the dusty heat and ruins of Mexico will have you lusting for a trip.

Sleeping dictionary – Star crossed lovers in Colonial Borneo, defying their respective societies and cultures with potentially devastating consequences.

Romancing the stone – A romantic comedy telling the story of a writer becoming involved in a misadventure to save her sister that will take her through the backroads of the Colombian jungle accompanied by an exotic bird smuggler.

Slumdog millionaire – Whilst the story certainly has its dark undertones, you cannot help but be fascinated by the colours, sounds and culture of India.

Swiss family Robinson – This old time classic of a Swiss family shipwrecked en route to New Guinea, building a life for themselves on a deserted island will have you dreaming about disappearing to a tropical island.

Kundun – The heart wrenching biographic film of the 14th Dalai Llama. From being chosen at the age of two and taken from his family at four, this epic film follows his early life and that of his exile. The film is a great insight into the Tibetan culture and beliefs.

Whale rider – A story steeped in Maori ancestral mythology – a young girl fighting to fulfil her dreams and destiny against a patriarchal society on the East coast of New Zealand.

Midnight’s children – A magical realism film set in India that will leave you curious and enchanted.

Priscilla queen of the desert – A fantastic comedic musical of drag queens making their way through the desert en route a show and the dramas and adventures that ensue along the way.

Memoirs of a geisha – The stunning film set against the backdrop of Japan – A young girl’s struggle to rise to the top of the industry that she has been sold into to, and as she gets older, a quest to find the love she has obsessed over since childhood.

The secret life of Walter Mitty – For all of those looking to break out of the office humdrum and dream of exploring faraway places.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona – A racy love triangle romantic comedy based in Barcelona and the quaint town of Oviedo. Watching the characters create art, explore Gaudi architecture and cycle through the countryside may inspire a little trip.

The Darjeeling limited – Three brothers who have grown apart over the years embark on a journey across India following the death of their father.

Nowhere in Africa – A  powerful film that follows the true story of a Jewish family that flee the Nazi regime for a remote farm in Kenya and the way they adapt to their new life there.

Seven years in Tibet – The true story of an Austrian mountain climber taken as a prisoner of war, who befriended the Dalai Lama as The Chinese forces seized control of the country.

Before Sunrise – One day was all it took. An American tourist and French student meet on a train traveling from Budapest. He is due to fly out the next day and they agree to spend the day together in Vienna.

The Way – After a man loses his only son whilst hiking the “El Camio de Santiago”, he journeys to recover his son’s body and decided to take the pilgrimage himself with his son’s ashes.

Under the Tuscan sun – In the wake of her divorce, a writer takes a trip to Tuscany and makes a decision on a whim to purchase a run down villa in the countryside.

Copenhagen – After backpacking for a few weeks, William finds himself in Copenhagen searching for his paternal grandfather. He meets a young Danish waitress whom he coaxes into helping him and they start to build a connection.

The motorcycle diaries – A biopic on the memoirs of a young man  – Ernesto Guevara De La Serna and his road trip with a friend to across South America before graduation. Later he would become internationally known as the revolutionary Che Guevara.

 

Hopefully, this list will inspire you and spark that passion for adventure! What are you favourite travel films?