Escape with me: The best ever travel movies, part two

Aloha there in front of the screens, how are ya? Ready again to revel in some soothing and inspiring travel-dreams after our travel movie inspiration post part 1? Well, allrighty then, your wish is my command! Read on for part two of the best ever travel movies 🙂 

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona – Spain

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First things first, this is a Woody Allen movie. But – it´s nothing like Annie Hall or some of his other works. Well, it might have some similarities with his enchanting cinematic creation “Midnight in Paris” in which the glorious Paris of the “années folles” (“crazy years”) the 1920´s, comes alive. Anyways, back to bountiful Barcelona, the location of Allen´s playful tale “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” about, that´s right, Vicky and Christina (played by Scarlett Johansson) in Barcelona. 

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The protagonists are American girls in their twenties who spend a wild, inspirational, kinda loco (crazy) summer in Catalonia´s capital. This includes but is not limited to plenty of creative endeavors, a dalliance with a somber yet sexy Spanish artist (played by Javier Bardem), AND his eccentric ex-wife (stunning Penelope Cruz), and delightful explorations of the Barcelona-cityscape. 

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Australia – Antarctica (lol, got ya). Down Under.

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Australia – this is the continent of incomparable natural beauty and power, of endless red outback deserts and countless pristine beaches, of a paradisiacal variety of animals, as well as of the world´s oldest Spiritual wisdom tradition. The epic movie bearing the same name does this treasure chest of a continent justice – Baz Luhrmann´s cinematic masterpiece was filmed in the wild and rugged Kimberley- region of Western Australia. It tells the story of a woman (played by divine Nicole Kidman) who travels to Australia to save the cattle ranch she inherited. In the process of doing so, she befriends a local called Drover (Hugh Jackmann hottie-alert) who then helps her accomplish her mission.

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When you think of Australia the movie, think mind-boggling cinematography that captures the passionately intense colors of the Australian landscapes- Think fascinating time-travel to the chaotic times of the Second World War. And think adventure, drama, passion, romance, and epic rivalries. You will also learn more about Indigenous Australians, the world´s oldest living people, and about true resilience that defies all the odds. What´s not to love?

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The beach – Thailand

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Sawadee khaaa! My trip to Phuket in Southern Thailand is almost a decade ago now, and yet the images of its soul-soothing beaches remain as fresh as when I first set foot on the blessed soil of this gorgeous island jewel. 

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“The Beach” storyline plays out not far from there – the movie was filmed at Maya bay on Ko Phi Phi. I might write a post on my crazy speedboat-ride-experience from Phuket to Ko Phi Phi in the future, would you be interested to read about it? Let me know in the comments– Kop khun kha – thank you!).

The Beach tells the story of Richard, a young American played by Leonardo di Caprio, who is very keen on his very own treasure hunt. Aka he suddenly finds himself in possession of an odd map that is supposedly gonna lead him to a secret island paradise!

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Richard convinces a French couple to join him in his quest for more happiness and adventure, and so the story of stunning images out of Thailand in the year 2000 begins. “The Beach” lures viewers in thanks to its youthful fervor, beautiful tropical settings, and a deeply felt sense of adventure that oscillates between invigorating and unsettling throughout the movie. 

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Kon-Tiki – South Pacific

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If you are in the mood for the real deal in ADVENTURE movies (in capital letters!!), then look no further than Kon-Tiki. An epic tale inspired by real events, Kon-Tiki tells the story of Norwegian adventurer´s Thor Heyerdahl´s incredible bravery and pioneering spirit. In the 1940s, Heyerdahl (played by Pål Sverre Hagen) suspected that the South Sea islands were originally colonized by South Americans, which contradicted the widely accepted paradigm of the time.

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Imagine this: In 1947 Heyerdahl decided to prove his theory, and, accompanied by five brave friends, set sail from Peru. Heyerdahl did this despite his strong fear of water (!!) as well as his inability to swim (!!!)

Can you believe that?! Told ya, ADVENTURE in capital letters!:P The courageous men embarked on a balsa-wooden raft (!!!) which was, you know, pretty basic – the only modern equipment aboard was a radio. Probably because the importance of great music can never be underestimated, right?

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The crew, therefore, needed to navigate just like they used to in the very, very olden days – using the stars as well as ocean currents. It took them three incredibly tedious and exciting months at sea before reaching their destination. And boy, were those three months packed to the brim with exciting encounters and moments! But, see and watch for yourself. It´s truly gripping stuff! 

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India

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“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a charming tale of a bunch of open-minded British retirees who decide to explore new horizons by “outsourcing” their retirement to more affordable and exotic India. The hotel that gives the movie its name looks fabulously enticing on paper. However, when the retirees, played by the creme de la creme of British actors such as Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith arrive at their destination in Jaipur, the hotel turns out to be a mere shell of its advertised self. Despite their initial disappointment, the protagonists wholeheartedly embrace their new life adventure and their charming host, played by gorgeous Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire).

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While exploring their new hood, the protagonists learn lots of valuable lessons about themselves and life – and there might even be a sizzling love story or two on the cards! The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a real feel-good movie that celebrates India´s warmth, soulfulness, and colorfulness, as well as joyously affirms that a brand new promising start is always possible with the right attitude. 

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Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy

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What can a girl do after a draining divorce? As we have already learned from Liz in” Eat, Pray, Love” , the answer is (or can be): The girl can leave town and embark on a travel adventure to the country of Beauty incarnated, Bella Italia! Or in this case, she even starts a whole new life in the homeland of exquisite food, awe-inspiring architecture, and dreamy landscapes.

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The memoir adaptation movie stars Diane Lane as Frances Mayes, who starts her love-affair with Italy via a tour of Tuscany. Enchanted by the sight of an old, run-down house, Frances takes the spur-of-the-moment decision to buy it and make a new life in the Tuscan countryside, where she encounters fascinating people and becomes a major fixer-upper-boss-lady. 

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Lost in Translation – Japan

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Which countries and cultures are on the top of your dream places to explore? In my case, Japan is a culture that I find incredibly intriguing. From its rich and multi-layered culture and wisdom traditions, to its incredibly futuristic seeming big cities or its mouthwatering food – Japan is certainly a location that must expand one´s horizons by leaps and bounds. Or so I was told by Bob Harris. Bob who, you might ask? Bob Harris, who happens to be the protagonist of the iconic movie “Lost in Translation”!

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Harris, played in a charmingly disgruntled way by Bill Murray, is an older American film actor who visits Tokyo to star in some commercials. There, he encounters Charlotte (Scarlett Johannson), the young spouse of a visiting photographer. Both are feeling kinda stuck in their current life situations, and so they share some meaningful and culture-shock-informed experiences in the Japanese metropolis. And they might even get too pretty darn close to each other…or are they? You better watch to find out 🙂 

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Back to you dear reader:  Which are ways in which you love to travel while our usual ways of traveling are still restricted? And which are some of your favorite ways to relax, to dream yourself away from everything for a little while? As always, I would love to hear from you:)

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