Best Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Hello, ToursByLocals Travelers! I’m Sara K. from the Customer Support team and very pleased to be a guest writer for our blog this week.

Have you ever watched a movie and instantly been inspired to travel? Some places just shine on the big screen! I’ve listed some of my favourite travel inspired films below, along with some wonderful ways for you to have your own movie-worthy moments in each place.

Four Movies to Inspire Travel

One for all our solo-travelers! A biographical journey of a newly-divorced woman, who leaves New York and travels to stunning locations with rich histories such as Naples, Delhi and Bali. The cinematography made me as equally envious of surroundings as it did the food! This movie ​is a​ vacation in itself. Fun fact: Julia Roberts only agreed to film her Bali scenes on location if the producers agreed to allow her to have her family there too.

See our tours in Naples, Delhi and Bali below and you can create your own adventure! Food Lovers Tour in Naples Explore Delhi in a day Dive into Balinese culture

Lost in Translation

Experience Tokyo Nightlife and Culture through the eyes of two insomniacs who strike an unlikely friendship. Tokyo is a city that needs no introduction, it’s one of our most popular cities for Private Tours. Have you considered a night tour ​à la​ Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, though? Fun fact: ​Lost in Translation grossed nearly $120 million worldwide on a mere $4 million budget. It also won Sofia Coppola the Best Original Screenplay Oscar.

See ToursByLocals' after dark recommendations below: Shinjuku by Night Yakitori Nightwalk Tokyo by night

Memoirs of a Geisha

From the bright lights of Tokyo, we travel back in time to industrial Osaka and majestic Kyoto. Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my favourite books, but the movie really brought it to life for me. Set during World War II, follow the journey of a young girl sold to a geisha house in Gion and experience the award-winning cinematography and movie score. Fun fact: Neither Li Gong nor Suzuka Ohgo could speak English at the time of filming.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s UNESCO world heritage sites. Visit both Kyoto and Osaka to learn the history and traditions of these wonderful cities. Spend a day in Kyoto from Tokyo Highlights of Kyoto Deep dive into Kyoto Sake and local food experience in Kyoto

Vicky Christina Barcelona

As if I could leave out my favourite writer and director, Woody Allen. This film will seduce you and fill you with sunshine. It’s truly a celluloid love letter to holiday romances and Northern Spain. Fun fact: The now married Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz began dating during the filming of Vicky Christina Barcelona!

Book one of our private tours in Barcelona and Oviedo. We can’t promise that you’ll find a significant other, but you will fall in love with all things ​España. Barcelona in a day Barcelona as you wish Hiking and spa experience in Oviedo.