Published 22nd Dec. 2025
Written by Emma Begley
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Have you ever felt the urge to hop on a flight after watching a particularly good film? Us too. From settings to storylines, travel and cinema are inextricably linked, taking viewers on a journey through new and exciting destinations. While this has been the case since film’s inception, the connection between the two has grown in recent years, with ‘set-jetting’ (visiting locations featured in films or television) holidays steadily on the rise. Fancy a piece of the action? Read on to discover our top ten films to transport you around the world…
We’re kicking off our list of top ten travel films with one close to our heart: Death on the Nile. Originally written by Agatha Christie in 1937, Death on the Nile tells the tale of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder aboard the SS Karnak, inspired by Christie’s own Nile cruise aboard the elegant Steam Ship Sudan.
This iconic work of detective fiction has been adapted for the big screen twice (first in 1978 and again in 2022), and the original film adaptation was filmed aboard the SS Sudan. Along the way, the boat itself becomes one of the film’s main characters. If you want to step aboard, now’s the perfect time: with the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death fast approaching in January 2026, what better way to get lost in her writing than on a cruise down the Nile?
Image by Pie Aerts.
From deserted hotel corridors and quiet encounters to neon lights and buzzing nightlife, Lost in Translation tells the story of two discontented Americans seeking a deeper meaning to life on their respective trips to Tokyo. Despite being filmed on location in Japan, much of the 2003 film was shot inside the Park Hyatt Hotel, and the quiet hum of the hotel contrasts with the bustling city life taking place outside.
Lost in Translation isn’t your typical love story. Tokyo becomes an unintentional third character in Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson’s strange romance, as they find a connection despite feeling as disconnected from their own lives as they are to Tokyo’s culture and customs. The almost uncanny nature of the film draws viewers into the beauty of the city as the story unfolds.
Image by Pia Riverola.
Inspired by Danish author Karen Blixen’s 1937 memoir, Out of Africa is a story of love, female independence and late-stage British colonialism, set against a backdrop of Kenya’s sprawling grasslands. Blixen moved to Kenya in 1913 to marry Baron von Blixen and remained there for the duration of their tumultuous marriage (and six years after), working on the coffee farm that she and her husband had bought.
The 1985 film, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, is more epic love story than factual account, but it nonetheless transports viewers to Kenya through its magnificent landscapes, wonderful wildlife and vibrant atmosphere. Blixen’s passion for Africa, along with her genuine appreciation for the native Kikuyu people, emphasises Kenya’s starring role in her journey of self-discovery.
Image by Luke Mackenzie / Getty Images.
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of train travel, so The Darjeeling Limited was a no-brainer for our list of movies to take you around the world. Directed by Wes Anderson, the film whisks you on a journey of grief and forgiveness as three brothers reunite to catch a train across Rajasthan a year after their father’s death.
The Darjeeling Limited was mainly filmed in Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s ‘Blue City’, and features beautiful technicolour shots of the electric blue and orange train, sprawling sandy plains and towering mountains. If a family trip to this colourful north Indian region sounds like your kind of holiday (without the sad side, of course), we’ve devised the perfect way to discover Rajasthan by train, so you can admire it from a comfortable carriage.
Image by Matthieu Paley.
Set on the idyllic island of Sicily, Cinema Paradiso is a love letter to Italy and the movies. The 1988 film won a number of awards, and for good reason: it tells a beautiful story of how a young Sicilian boy, Salvatore, came to love cinema under the mentorship of a father-figure projectionist at his local film house.
While the film primarily consists of an extended flashback set in Sicily, present-day Salvatore lives in Rome and has not returned to the island since he left as a teenager. His return at the end of the film paints Sicily as Salvatore’s true home, a quintessentially Italian place filled with joyful nostalgia and bittersweet memories.
Image by Malte Jaeger/LAIF-REA.
Next up on our list is the French classic, Amelie. A far cry from today’s Emily in Paris, Amelie is all about finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. The film tells the story of a quirky Parisian waitress who, despite battling feelings of loneliness, makes it her mission to spread positivity and happiness throughout the city.
As the film progresses, it’s hard not to fall in love with Amelie, who offers a welcome contrast to the ‘rude Parisian’ stereotype. Through her whimsical lens, the film captures Montmartre at its most colourful, from the bright crimson of the Café des Deux Moulins to the lush green vines on Rue Saint-Vincent.
Image by Pol Albarran / Getty Images.
Set in the Mexican neighbourhood of the same name, Roma is based on director Alfonso Cuaron’s upbringing. The film is a frank portrayal of Mexican political and social dynamics in 1970: it tells the story of Cleo, a Mixtec maid who becomes pregnant while working for an upper-class family.
Roma is Cuaron’s love letter to his childhood home, in which he celebrates both the joy he felt there while also acknowledging the profound personal and political struggles present during the Mexican ‘Dirty War’. He doesn’t shy away from tackling themes of class and gender inequality head-on but emphasises the deep sense of solidarity that arose from these issues, painting a picture of small pockets of beauty within a fractured community.
Image by Alix Pardo.
It doesn’t get much more American than this. This '90s fan favourite follows Forrest, played by USA national treasure Tom Hanks, as he recounts the story of his eventful life from a bus stop in Georgia. It’s a tale of love and hope amidst hardships, and the film’s gripping storyline, compelling characters, and incredible visual effects won it six Oscars and numerous other nominations.
Forrest Gump isn’t just set in Alabama: it’s jam-packed with American cultural references and historic events. From Forrest inspiring Elvis’s iconic Hound Dog dance moves to his accidentally revealing the Watergate scandal, the film tackles some of the most important (and sometimes controversial) moments in America’s history, making it a tale that both upholds and debunks the ‘American dream’ ideal.
Image by Gantas Vaiciulenas / Unsplash.
Before Sunrise is all about travelling, so it’s only right that it features on our list. Like The Darjeeling Limited, train travel is a central theme, with the two main protagonists meeting on a train from Budapest to Vienna. Once they disembark, their fleeting love story begins, set against a backdrop of beautiful Viennese landscapes.
The entire film is set over just one night, as Jesse and Celine explore the choices that have brought them to Austria and contemplate how they truly feel about one another. To them, Vienna is both romantic and surreal: a night in the charming European city represents an escape from their everyday lives, so perfect that it might just have been a dream.
Image by Kateryna Ivasiva / Unsplash.com.
Okay, okay, so Eat, Pray, Love isn’t entirely set in Indonesia, but we couldn’t leave this Julia Roberts classic off our list. The film is an epic journey of self-discovery: after leaving behind her unfulfilling domestic life, the main character, Liz – based on real-life author Elizabeth Gilbert whose memoir inspired the film – travels across the world to rediscover her zest for life.
Each place that Liz visits is a chapter in her story: she travels to Italy to eat (naturally), India to pray, and Indonesia, where she ultimately finds true love. While Liz finds joy in each destination, her journey culminates on the beautiful island of Bali, set against a backdrop of lush forests, bustling markets and serene temples.
Image by Miren Alos.
Header image by Sonop Lodge.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
There’s more to Tunisia holidays than blissful beaches. History buffs are in luck with plenty of UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore, while architecture enthusiasts can admire the coastal towns’ white-washed facades. If natural wonders are more up your alley, Tunisia’s vast salt flats and towering palm groves are a must-see, while the artisanal treasures in the Medina of Tunis await those on a souvenir search.
9th December 2025 - Tunisia Travel Inspiration
Saudi Arabia may be relatively new to the international tourism scene, but it still has plenty to shout about. Fusing sleek modernity with ancient heritage, this mighty Middle Eastern nation boasts a whopping eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, copious cultural landmarks and untouched natural beauty. Not to mention its hearty cuisine, thriving coral reefs and idyllic island chains. Still wondering, why visit Saudi Arabia?
1st December 2025 - Saudi Arabia Travel Inspiration
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