Film Recommendations to Ease Your Travel Cravings

Travel is everyone's passion. Who wouldn't want to travel the world, meet new people, get to know new cultures, right? Although this passion has been hampered by the pandemic, we have never given up, maybe we postponed it a little bit, that's all. We're sure to watch movies that will warm you up and alleviate your longing for travel in these cold days when the snow paints the whole country white. Moreover, in each of the films we have chosen for you, the leading cities. Then the plan for tonight is clear; choosing a movie from the list, stretching your feet and immersing yourself in the magical arms of that city while sipping your coffee... Have a good time.

1. Amélie

The romantic comedy film about the experiences of Amélie Poulain, acted by Audrey Tautou, is one of the most important works in French cinema. In the film, Amélie is a young waitress who observes the people around her and works in Montmarte who wants to do people a favor. One day, Amélie finds a small toy box and embarks on a small journey through Paris to get it to her owner.

Shot in various locations in Paris, the film takes you on a journey to many popular parts of the city. One of the most famous places in France that Amélie visited is Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in French Gothic architectural style, the Cathedral has been one of the most important landmarks in Paris since the 12th century. Unfortunately, due to the fire in 2019, it is not open to visitors temporarily. The

Foire du Trône funfair is another building that will add fun to your journey in Paris. In the film, we see this funfair as the work place of the man Amélie fell in love with. The Saint-Martin Canal, the Café des Deux Moulins café where Amélie works, is also a place to go to Paris, where you'll fill your heart with love of travel.

2. Lost in Translation

In the film, Bob Harris, a middle-aged man played by Bill Murray, goes to Japan for a commercial shoot. There, charlotte, who is equally depressed and is in Japan due to her husband's work, begins to have an affair with Scarlett Johansson. The critically acclaimed film was shot in Tokyo, Japan. Thus, the film shows us the beauty and vibrant life of Shinjuku and Shibuya, the most colorful districts of Tokyo.

Shinjuku, a large business and entertainment district around Japan's busiest train station, is the location of Park Hyatt Tokyo, the hotel where Bob and Charlotte stayed and met. Shibuya is a youth-dominated entertainment district. . The karaoke part, one of the iconic scenes of the film, was filmed here on Karaoke Kan. The film also shows the Tokyo Tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, one of Tokyo's most important landmarks. Not only does the film showcase what a fun and colorful life Japan has, it also encourages us to go to a karaoke party in Tokyo.

3. Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun, starring Diane Lane, is a heartwarming romantic film set in rural Italy. Frances Mayes, an American writer, suffers from writer's blockage after her divorce. To get his life in order, he chooses to buy a house in Tuscany. Relaxing to watch, the film features several iconic locations in Italy.

What we saw at the beginning of the film is the famous Florence Cathedral. Built in the 13th-15th centuries, the cathedral is the first example of similar domes built during the Renaissance with its bright lantern in its dome.

Villa Laura, which has an important place in the film, is just one of the villas for rent in Tuscany. Other beautiful places in Italy, such as Piazza Venezia and Amalfi beaches, are featured in the film. After watching the film, you might want to consider a holiday to Tuscany.

4. The Bucket List

Starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, the film is about two terminally infected men starting their to-do list before they die. Unlike other movies, the film is shot in many different locations and offers you many countries and activities to visit and see. For example, the two visit the Taj Mahal, considered one of the most important monuments of Islamic tomb architecture. The structure, which is of great importance to India, attracts hundreds of visitors every year. 

Another important place is the Great Wall. The film shows actors riding motorcycles along the Great Wall. This is, of course, forbidden in normal life, but it is free to cycle uphill to the Great Wall.

The film also features a safari tour of Tanzania. The film encourages viewers to take a safari tour where you can see the wildlife most closely.

Other places you can take a Mount Everest Base Camp Trekking Tour in Nepal or explore the Giza Pyramids in Egypt. You can also prepare a to-do list just like in the movie and stop by the locations where the movie was shot.

5. In Bruges

If you want a more action-packed film than the films listed above, you can choose the movie in the crime-comedy genre Bruge. Colin Farrell as Ray and Brendan Gleeson as Ken star. Ray and Ken, who live as two hitman, are sent to Bruge, Belgium, by their boss after a failed mission and are stranded there. Their boss also wants Ken to kill Ray.

In the film, which is dominated by comedy, it is possible to see the beauties of Belgium in every frame of the film. In the area of great cultural, artistic and historical structures, you can visit the Groeninge museum, where you can see works by Belgian painters, or enjoy dishes with a fusion of French-Belgian cuisine at cafedraal restaurant.

While you're in Belgium, you can take a boat tour of the Rozenhoedkaai Canal, as Ken and Ray do. Towards the end of the film, we see Minnewater or "Lake of Love." It's named after a local legend who tells the love stories of characters Stromberg and Minna. The park has a romantic atmosphere and music festivals are held every July. There are even swans to watch in the lake.