Different people are inspired in different ways, and while many people will be drawn to travel by wonderful and moving descriptions of locations and travel writing, other people will find that the visual depiction of a destination or activity to be an amazing inspiration. Ironically enough, movies do not necessarily need to be positive to inspire travel, but beautiful scenery and depictions of interesting local cultures can really touch people and encourage them to explore beyond their usual habitat.


Here are five movies that have inspired many other people to explore, and are well worth popping in your DVD player if you need a little nudge to travel.

 

The Beach

This story was based on the Alex Garland book of the same name, and with a soundtrack including some of the biggest dance music names in the world, and Leonardo Di Caprio as the star, there are many that think it brought the attractions of Thailand to the world's attention. The beaches that are almost paradise and the party culture of the island is one that is played up to its full potential, although at the time there was outrage among many Thai commentators about the portrayal of drug use in the movie. There is no doubt that this film played a big role in triggering a generation of young people to head to South East Asia, and to create their own amazing memories there.

 

Easy Rider

A classic road trip movie that is also one of the icons of the 1960s counterculture in the United States, Easy Rider follows two men on a road trip to try and get to New Orleans in order to enjoy Mardi Gras.

The film is most memorable for the distinctive characters of Peter Fonda, who dresses in leathers adorned with the Stars and Stripes, and cowboy Dennis Hopper. The movie covers some of the perils and pitfalls of dealing, smuggling and taking drugs, and has a tragic ending, but the images of two men on Harley Davidson motorcycles eating up the open road still appeals to people nearly half a century after it was first released.

 

Seven Years In Tibet

The Himalayas have always held a mystique and magic for those who try to capture the mountains in film, and combined with the Buddhist themes in the book that inspired this film, they certainly proved to be an interesting combination. A young Brad Pitt takes the role of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer captured by the British in Pakistan, who then escapes over the mountains to Tibet, an independent nation at the time. As well as amazing mountain scenes, there were also some lovely depictions of Lhasa and the Potala Palace where Harrer met the Dalai Lama, and this is certainly a movie to inspire those who want to head to the Himalayas.

 

The Way

Directed by Emilio Estevez and starring his father Martin Sheen, on one level this is a story about a father who chooses to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage path across Spain after the death of his son. The movie also highlights some of the amazing scenes that are found along the path, from the mountains of the Pyrenees to the rural towns and villages along the route. This is a great movie if you are thinking of going hiking in Europe, and also highlights some of the camaraderie of the walking community that is to be found along this path to Santiago de Compostela.

 

Into The Wild

This movie is one of the great film journeys that is also based on a true story. Following the journey of Christopher McCandless, who donated half his life savings to Oxfam before going traveling and then moving to Alaska to live a remote survivalist life, this film tracks his trip, and the people who helped him along the way. This is another movie that has a tragic ending, but is also a celebration of road trips, hitch hiking and even jumping on freight trains as methods of transport. The Alaskan scenery is also a big star of the movie, and will inspire many people to find out more about this interesting American state.