Wanderlust Films
Films inspire us to travel and to live life full of adventure for the simple truth that life is too short to live life in one place! Many of the following films have not only inspired me to travel to certainly cities or historic sites but have also introduced me to the world at large – my home, my backyard, my country is but a small fraction of what is out there and these wanderlust films inspire me to see it all!
10 Wanderlust Films
Indiana Jones series
My favourite series of all time! The Indiana Jones series have inspired me along with many others to not only travel but to see for ourselves the amazing historic sites that have been featured in the films like Al Khazneh in Petra. The Indiana Jones series follows the adventures of archeologist Jones as he sets off across the globe in search of relics like the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. This series will take you from Cairo to India and Venice to Petra, Jordan.
“To see your world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, An eternity in an hour.” ~ William Blake – quoted in Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider series
The Tomb Raider series follows the extraordinary life of British aristocrat and tomb raider, Lara Croft who not only has brains but balls and is a great example of a strong woman in a leading role. Lara Croft travels the world recovering ancient artifacts against all odds. These films will take you from Cambodia’s Angkor Watt to Iceland and Hong Kong to Kenya.
An American Rhapsody
It was this film that inspired me to travel to Budapest, Hungary 10 years ago. An American Rhapsody is the story of a young Hungarian girl who is at odds with where she belongs in the world. After being reunited with her parents in the US after being left behind to spend her child hood in Hungary she struggles to find where is home – the US or Hungary.
Roman Holiday
If any film will make you want to run away to Rome, Italy it will be Roman Holiday. In the film Audrey Hepburn plays a European princess who escapes to the streets of Rome to get away from the suffocating pressure and life of a princess. She ends up exploring the astounding city of Rome with the help of an American reporter who has no idea who he’s playing tour guide to. Roman Holiday will make you want to jump on a moped and see the great sites of Rome and experience life Italian style.
“You don’t choose a life, dad. You live one.”
~ quote from The Way
The Way
The Way is a film about living life, acceptance and making a pilgrimage along The Camino. In The Way a grieving father unexpectedly ends up setting out to walk The Camino, an ancient pilgrimage route across Spain, to connect with his son but finds so much more. I’ve always longed to walk The Camino and films like this just bolster my wanderlust!
“So, I gotta go to Tibet, because I’m the Chosen One. Why can’t anybody choose me to go to the Bahamas?” ~ quote from The Golden Child
The Golden Child
A young Tibetan boy is kidnapped, but he’s not just another kid – he’s the Golden Child, and only one person can save him – the Chosen One. But the Chosen One, played by Eddie Murphy, is not a ‘believer’ and struggles to accept his fate. The Golden Child is one of my favourite comedies and was the first movie to introduce and inspire me to travel to Tibet.
“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.” ~ quote from Eat Pray Love
Eat Pray Love
Eat Pray Love is about a typical successful woman with a seemingly perfect life, husband, home and career. But life isn’t as it seems, after a divorce and trying time she decides to leave it all behind to find herself, happiness and love and sets off to travel the world. Eat Pray Love will take you from Italy to India and beautiful Bali.
Romancing the Stone
Romancing the Stone is an action-adventure romantic comedy where a New York novelist has to go to Columbia to save her sister and ends up in the jungle in search of treasure with a strapping strong man by her side. This film was one of the first to inspire me to set off to the jungles for my own adventure.
“Life is about courage and going into the unknown.”
~ quote from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a film about an awkward photo editor for Life magazine who is quiet and reserved yet has an astounding imagination. When his job is threatened he heads off on an epic journey of a lifetime that will take him around the globe from New York to Iceland and Greenland to the Himalayas.
Lawrence of Arabia
Based on the life of T.E. Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia is an adventure drama that will take you from Cairo to Jerusalem on the heels of the British Lieutenant. This film will make you want to head off into the sunset across the desert on camel back.
