Films that Inspire you to Travel, or Maybe Not!

Some films inspire us to pack our bags and fly off to visit the sites shown on the screen. However not all movie travel tales have a happy ending and may put us off leaving home at all.

Australia

The Australian tourism board couldn’t ask for a better advert than the epic blockbuster “Australia“. The cinematography is stunning with its fiery sunsets and expansive vistas. As the gal falls in love with the rugged hero we can’t help but fall in love with Australia. But not all Australian films depict their residents in the same way. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Australia is populated by crazy people if you’ve seen any of the following films. “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert“, “Muriel’s Wedding” and “Strictly Ballroom” all feature colourful, larger than life characters but they are also uplifting stories about how the underdogs eventually come out on top.

Thailand

The Beach by JavaSquid

What better way to relax than a beach holiday in Thailand. It’s hard to find a beach that isn’t already crowded with backpackers celebrating at a full moon party but a map may point you in the direction of secret paradise. “The Beach” based on the novel by Alex Garland shows us how idyllic life can be, but also the difficulties of living in a small, closed community. There was much controversy over whether during the filming the local area was damaged or polluted but there’s no doubt that even more backpackers have been venturing to Thailand since it’s release.

The Beach (in the real world!) by JavaSquid

It’s hard to forget the devastation caused by the Boxing Day tsunami when more than 200,000 people lost their lives. New film “The Impossible” is based on a true story of how one family on holiday in Thailand survived this tragic event. The incredible special effects are enough to put you off any seaside trip.

Backpacking

I’m not sure why backpacking has become synonymous with horror movies but that seems to be the case. Perhaps we are less likely to be disturbed by the gruesome deaths if the occur to budget travellers.

A Backpacker Hostel by Allie Caulfield

If you’re a true backpacker then you’ve probably stayed in some cheap and basic hostels. Not many offer the promise of sexy, young girls who love American men but in Slovakia there is just such a “Hostel“. What’s the downside? A sadistic killer is waiting for them. This horror film was not well received by Slovak officials who felt it portrayed the country as dangerous, corrupt and uncultured. The tourist board of Slovakia invited the director on an all-expense paid trip to their country so he could see for himself but he declined.

With the tagline ‘There are some places tourists should never go’, “Turistas (Paradise Lost)” tells the story of a group of backpackers in Brazil who, following a bus accident, discover the perfect beach bar but end up being drugged and robbed. What more could possibly go wrong? Watch it and find out. Embratur, the Brazilian government’s agency of tourism stated they did not feel that the film would hurt Brazil’s image as viewers would differentiate reality from fiction.

Adventure Travel

We all love a good adventure and it usually involves some kind of activity.

Water babies will love nothing more than strapping on an oxygen tank, facemask and fins to explore beneath the water. However, make sure you listen carefully to your dive master or you may end up getting left behind like the couple featured in “Open Water“. This tense aquatic thriller shows how relationships can be strained when you’re stuck with your partner in the middle of the ocean. The Sequel “Open Water 2: Adrift” puts even more people in the water when they excitedly jump off their sailboat without first lowering the ladder so they can climb back on.

For those who prefer spelunking you may want to put on your helmet, grab your flashlight and head underground with half a dozen fit women. Most of us have been drawn into the unknown in the hope of discovering something or even just discovering our own capabilities but during the caving expedition of “The Descent“, the women find more than they bargained for.

Cruising

Before the release of the film “Titanic” in 1997, cruise companies were concerned that the film’s tragically true ending would put people off taking a sea trip, but in fact it had the opposite effect. European cruise companies saw a 20% increase in bookings as tourists wanted to sail the seas in the style of Leonardo and Kate.

The capsized Costa Concordia

However, more recently the cruise industry has suffered a blow following the sinking of the Costa Concordia in January 2012, when 32 people lost their lives. The incident was tragically reminiscent of the 1972 film “Poseidon Adventure” where a luxury cruise ship overturned and trapped people inside.

Archaeology

One of the best travel jobs must be as an archaeologist. Seriously, look at how much fun “Indiana Jones” has trying to find long lost artefacts. He’s travelled to South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, somehow surviving natural disasters, satanic cults and the German Army.

Accident-prone librarian Evy Carnahan becomes an unlikely heroine in “The Mummy” films, which take us on a historical journey to ancient Egypt, London and China. Only one problem, with supernatural beings appearing en route, you’ll be screaming for your mummy!

Expat Life

Old House by santanartist

Haven’t we all had a moment when we’ve dreamed of leaving our 9 to 5 world behind to venture abroad and find love, life and hope. Well in “Under the Tuscan Sun“, divorcee Frances does just that. Based on the book of the same name and staring Diane Lane in the main role, it demonstrates the ups and downs of expat life and maybe makes you think twice about restoring an old house in a foreign country.