If you say you’ve never seen a movie that gave you a sudden strong urge to book a ticket to some far-flung destination with hopes of emulating the film protagonist’s adventures, you’re lying (that, or the Souvenirs staff is just looking for a reason for a travel). Here are a few of our favorite wanderlust-sparking movies.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
This story of four best friends who spend a summer spread across the world but stay connected with a pair of jeans inspired major wanderlust in all of 10-year-old us, especially Lena’s iconic summer in Greece. Riding a donkey to your grandparents’ cottage in Santorini surrounded by clear ice-blue water… honestly, who didn’t dream of going to Greek islands and meeting the perfect man?
Lizzie McGuire movie (2003)
Following her junior high school graduation, Lizzie and her best friend Gorgo take off on a summer adventure in Rome. After the dreamy Italian pop star Paolo mistakes her for his singing partner, Isabella, Lizzie begins a double life posing as her brunette doppelganger to help Paolo and pursue their budding romance in one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic cities. With its cliche but cute Disney storyline and gorgeous scenery, “The Lizzie McGuire” movie will definitely get you excited about having your own Italian adventure (preferably complete with a dreamy, but non-manipulative, Paolo).
Leap Year (2010)
After years of dating, Anna’s boyfriend still hasn’t proposed…and it looks like he’s not going to get around to it anytime soon. Having heard of a Celtic tradition that allows women to ask the question, Anna decides to take matters into her own hands by flying to Dublin to surprise him with a proposal. However, her trip doesn’t quite go as planned, and she finds herself falling for an Irishman (we definitely fell for his accent). Filmed in the green hills of the Irish countryside and the cobbled streets of Dublin, “Leap Year” is sure to make you want to book a ticket ASAP for some of your own quirky and exciting adventures in Ireland.
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
After she thought she had it all, Liz Gilbert is now newly divorced and not sure where to go next. She takes off to Italy, India and Indonesia to, as the title says, eat, pray and love her way to self discovery and happiness. There’s no doubt it will tempt you to make the same move the next time a bad week feels like the end of the world. Better yet, this movie is based off a true memoir!
Letters to Juliet (2010)
Sophie’s pre-honeymoon trip to Italy goes very wrong, and then very right, through a series of adventures involving letters to “Juliet,” which are left in a Verona courtyard by women in search of romantic advice. The letters are answered by the self-styled “Secretaries of Juliet,” women through whom Sophie becomes involved in a decades-old romance and an adventure across Verona, and ends up finding real love herself along the way.