Top 10 Romantic Travel Movies

There is nothing more romantic than finding love through travel. Yes, you can have a fling while on the beaches of Hawaii or get down and dirty at a Slovakian beer festival but there is more to romance travel than just finding your next true love. It is more about finding yourself and falling in love with that person. You have literally known yourself inside and out for your entire life. You are the last person that you think about before going to bed at night and the first person you think about when waking up in the morning.

When people think of travel and love, the first movie that usually comes to mind is Eat Pray Love. This classic movie (based on the book of the same name) is a memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey of finding who she really is through travel and storytelling. The viewer follows Liz through her trials of learning the Italian language in Italy, gaining weight because of the delicious food, learning how to listen in India, giving back in Bali and finding that her journey has solidified her views about herself, re-imagining the life she will live.

If you are a fan of romantic movies set in exotic locations, then this Top 10 list is for you!

10 – Wild

"I’m lonelier in my real life than I am out here.”

Reese Witherspoon stars in this adventure film based on Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. With no prior experience of hiking, she sets out to walk one of the most difficult through-trails in the country to get away from her crumbling life. As she walks, she finds herself in difficult situations that she alone has to conquer.

9 - The Beach

“Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience.”

Leonardo DiCaprio shines as he take on the role of Richard who was on a mission to find something real. Something he could connect with. When told about a secret island paradise, he recruits a couple travelers to join him on his quest for utopia. Once attained though, he soon realizes that the strength has to come from within to make it in life. Once you experience adventure, it will forever be ingrained in who you grow to be as a human being.

8 - A Good Year

“If you find something good, you have to take care of it. You have to let it grow.”

Russell Crowe plays Max, a banker in London who inherits his uncle’s vineyard in Provence. While growing up in this beautiful destination, he begins to remember all of the special memories this place holds and after reflection, he decides on what is important in life. Is success and money all that this rat race has in store for us?

7 - Midnight in Paris

“Paris after midnight is magic.”

Woody Allen’s movie centers on the enchanting city of Paris. While Owen Wilson’s character is on a trip with his fiancée's family, he finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920's each evening at midnight. His adventures with past artists put a new spin on the romantic history of this great city. This romantic comedy brings ‘the city of light’ into a stunning tour of local and historical sights, creating a wanderlust of excitement.

6 - The Grand Budapest Hotel

This movie takes you along on the adventures of Gustave H, a concierge at a famous European hotel and the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. Packed with an all-star cast like Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, this comedy-drama brings you back to the 1920’s era of romance and luxury in a stunning ski resort. Although the plot is based more on situation than romance, the beauty of the featured hotel and destination shines through and is well worth enjoying.

5 - Anna and the King

“If not now, when? You cannot shut the world out forever.”

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and this movie are inspired by Margaret Landon’s Anna and the King of Siam, which was inspired by the real-life adventures of Anna Harriette Leonowens, a British governess who worked for King Mongkut of Siam. Jodi Foster stars as Anna who comes to teach the children of the king of Siam. As their rocky relationship builds through the strain of different cultures, this visually stunning film brings the beauty of Asia to life. Though it portrays difficulties and struggles, with Anna attempting to introduce Western ideals and culture into the household, it also brings forward issues of religion, slavery and imperialism.

4 - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s movie takes viewers back to 1969 Hollywood, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick and his longtime stunt double Cliff make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. This film pays tribute to the last of Hollywood’s golden age. Packed with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Al Pacino, they carefully depict their love of film by creating a story-line that follows the transformation of the industry as a whole.

3 – Frida

Staring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina and Antonio Banderas, this movie is a biographical drama which depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. This visually haunting film traces the artist’s lifelong relationship with her husband/mentor Diego Rivera and the struggles she faced throughout her life. From an injury at a young age, the pain and determination shine through as the viewer follows Frida in her journey as an artist.

2 - Crazy Rich Asians

Based on the book of the same name, this movie stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh. Rachel is excited to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Unbeknownst to her, Nick comes from an extremely wealthy family. His friends and family do not take well to her but rising up from the drama, Rachel holds her own and stands up to the socialites by playing a game of will.

1 - Under the Tuscan Sun

Loosely based on the novel of the same name, this is my all-time favorite romance movie about how Frances finds herself in Tuscany. After an ugly divorce, she tours Italy and buys a disheveled villa. Throughout the restoration process, she not just rebuilds her home but also her life, settling into beautiful friendships, both old and new.