Traveling is a state of mind. And one of the ways that most spread this “travel spirit” are films that awaken our desire to go out there and get to know the world.
Some films inspire us, motivate us, make us dream. They make us want to choose a destination, plan, and give us ideas of experiences that we hadn’t even thought about living yet.
We selected films where travel is the central theme, films that describe the experiences and discoveries of travelers and their impact and influence on their lives.
Check our list and get inspired!
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Destinations: Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas
Walter Mitty leads a life full of adventures and memorable experiences, but only in his imagination. Working as an image editor for the famous American magazine Life, he finds himself in a risky situation at work, and, to reverse the situation, begins a grand adventure the size of his dreams, traveling through breathtaking landscapes on the other side of the world.
A Good Year (2006)
Destinations: Provence, France
Max Skinner is a ruthless businessman whose only reason for living is to acquire wealth at the expense of others. But when he inherits a vineyard in the South of France, the dynamic and stressed Skinner begins to relax and enjoy the simplest – and most precious – pleasures of life.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Destinations: Italy, India, and Indonesia
Based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s autobiographical best-seller, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ demonstrates that there is more than one way to lead life and travel the world.
Liz Gilbert was unhappy with her life and, after going through a painful divorce, embarks on a journey around the world that turns into a search for self-knowledge. In each place she lives, she discovers new experiences that will change her way of perceiving life.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Destination: South America
Based on real facts, the film chronicles Che Guevara’s journey when he was a young medical student in 1952, having decided to travel through South America with his friend Alberto Granado. The motorcycle trip ends after eight months when the vehicle breaks down. Thus, the duo begins to explore the cities by hitchhiking and long walks. The film depicts beautiful images from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Colombia.
Into the Wild (2007)
Destination: North America, especially Alaska
Directed by Sean Penn from Jon Krakauer’s acclaimed book. Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who soon after graduating chooses to give up his privileged life and begins a journey through America, the film portrays each stage of his travel and the colorful characters he encounters that shape his character.
Wild (2014)
Destination: west coast of the United States
Also inspired by a true story, Cheryl Strayed is a woman tormented by her past who decides to make a long trail alone, without much technical and physical preparation, as a kind of redemption and to overcome her mother’s death. During her journey, she goes through various trials but discovers a real insight into how she faces life.
Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Destination: India
Three American brothers, who hadn’t spoken for a year, go on a train trip through India to discover themselves and re-establish family ties. However, their “spiritual quest” quickly deviates from the proposed path, and they find themselves abandoned in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine.
To read the edition 8 of our inflight magazine Azorean Spirit click here.
