Get Inspired to Travel With These TV Shows & Movies

Since we've been spending more time at home, we've been watching some amazing TV shows and movies that make us want to hop on a plane and visit the destination. Since we can't travel just yet, we wanted to share our favorites with you—some old, some new. Grab the popcorn, turn on the TV, and check out one (or more!) of our suggestions. Maybe you'll find a new destination you want to visit!

'Under the Tuscan Sun'
This is by far the #1 favorite travel-related movie among our staff. It takes place in Italy and follows the journey of a woman (played by Diane Lane) who goes on a trip to Italy and decides to start a new life. Here's what our staff shared:

Starting a new life in a new country—inspired by the culture, beauty, and heart of the destination—isn't an easy thing to do. Overcoming the challenges, setbacks, and other obstacles can prove to be so fulfilling and inspires travel to wonderful, beautiful, secluded destinations to fully enjoy the culture.
—Steve Orens, President, Plaza Travel

It inspired my first trip to Cortona! Every time I watch the movie I want to go back!
—Denise Schaefer, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

You can almost taste the wine and the food! Great movie!
—Barbara Ashley, Where in the World Vacations (an independent affiliate of Plaza Travel)

It is one of my favorites, I've seen it like ten times.
—Patty Thorington, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

It is great for anyone going to Italy and interested in lovely scenic views of the countryside, with a hint of coastal views. Mostly it is about friendship and relationships with their foreign Italian community.
—Andrea Halloran, Travel Advisor, Air Apparent (a division of Plaza Travel)

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'Out of Africa'

'Out of Africa' with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep is a favorite movie of mine. Aside from being a great love story, it showcases the beauty of the vast lands of the African plains. It is such a wonderful movie and it always transports me to both a different time and place.
—Leslie Wahlgren, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

This movie was filmed in Kenya and the UK—makes you dream of going to Kenya.
—Jennifer Parker, Director of Entertainment and Production Division, Plaza Travel

The most goregeous film ever.
—Karen Kasen, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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'Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unkown'

'Parts Unknown' explored topics around food, travel, culture, and creativity and mainly drew inspiration from Bourdain’s passion for culinary and travel diversity. The show inspired me—and still inspires me—to travel because Bourdain didn't travel primarily to trendy spots around the world. Nor did he seek luxury or fancy meals in the wealthiest cities on the planet. What he sought was something far less tangible and much deeper. Bourdain longed to know and understand other cultures, people, and places.
—Jared Massie, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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'Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations'

During this quarantine, I have actually been addicted all over again to 'Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.' He talks about the culture, but he takes me away with the food. I love it!!!
—Patty Thorington, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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'Crazy Rich Asians'

The movie 'Crazy Rich Asians' inspires me to want to visit Singapore and the Malaysian islands! I love the scene where Nick (one of the main characters) and his friend are sitting on Langkawi Island, off the coast of Malaysia after the escaped the bachelor party at sea. It looks like such an amazing place to be able to soak up the beauty of nature.
—Daniella Steele, Luxury Concierge, Plaza Travel

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'Somewhere in Time'

It takes place at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. The hotel and scenery is a main character of the movie. It's too close and spectacular NOT to go.
—Jennifer Parker, Director of Entertainment and Production Division, Plaza Travel

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'The Hundred Foot Journey'

It's the story of how two families from different countries—India and France—battle over who has the best restaurant, as the restaurants are across the street from each other. The story evolves to show how they begin to learn from each other... I’ll leave it at that without giving the away the ending. The story shows how different cultures can learn, grow, and get along.  In addition to being a great story, this movie inspires travel to multiple beautiful destinations and includes regional food, history, and culture.
—Steve Orens, President, Plaza Travel

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'Mamma Mia!'

When I watched 'Mamma Mia!' it made me want to go to Greece so much so that I booked a cruise for my husband and I.
—Lisa Candiloro, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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'Saving Notre Dame'

I watched this documentary on National Geographic and it was about how the cathedral in Paris is being restored after a fire that occurred in April 2019. It brought me back to when I went to Paris just a few months before the fire. It was my first time in Paris and I was only there for a day, but I was blessed to see the outside and inside of Notre Dame. The restoration will take many years to complete, but I hope one day I can return and not only see Notre Dame, but the rest of Paris and France as well.
—Dan Marroni, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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'Don't Look Now'

Before I went to Venice for the first time, I watched this movie with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. It's a thriller movie, but there are wonderful scenes of Venice. Last time I was there, I went to the church that was in the movie: San Nicolò dei Mendicoli, one of the oldest in Venice.
—Patt Colletto, Travel Advisor, Plaza Travel

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