11 movies that inspired me to visit Europe

11 Movies that inspired me to visit Europe are those movies that really made me fall in love and forced me to pack my bags and go to this amazing continent of Europe.These movies will  actually take you there and after watching these films you will surely plan a trip here.

So are you ready for the list ….here is our (SidmeetsNik) list

1.Letters to Juliet 

This movie made me fall in love with Italy instantly and most importantly regained my faith in the concept of Love. It is filmed in Verona, Siena and Tuscany and captures landscapes of Italy beautifully. The movie also shows glimpses of Italian people who love their fields and vineyards and have simple concepts of happiness. The movie is well directed and a die hard romantic film not to be missed at all.

2.Under the Tuscan sun

What will happen if an American woman recently divorced, suddenly leaves her country and tries to settle in Italy? Will she be able to cope up with the slow, romantic and laid back Italian life or will she regret on her decision to stay in Italy…this is what the movie is all about. It is a true reflection of Italian life where people harvest olives, get their hands dirty in their fields, eats together in harmony and enjoy life to the fullest.

The movie is shot in Italy showcasing Florence, Rome, Tuscany, Prositano and you will just feel like booking a ticket to Italy and having a quiet life there after watching this movie.

3.Chasing Liberty

A rebellious teenager movie where the protagonist just wants to explore life and have fun on her own terms and what if she gets a chance to travel in Europe all by herself and just chase her liberty …how exiting will that be. isn’t it? Its one of my favourite movies and is shot in some of my favourite locations like Prague, Venice, Berlin, Austria, Essex and some parts of UK.

4. My life in Ruins

This movie is actually like going on a trip to Greece as we get to see the old ruins of Greece with its historical details. Georgia the heroine of the film plays the role of a tour guide  and hence the whole movie revolves about tourism in Greece.

Georgia,while discovering old ruins of Greece finds her own MOJJO in life.

this film shows all major locations like The Pantheon, Acropolis, Delphi(the temple of Apollo), and Olympia and the movie is must watch for all those who are eager to visit Greece and know its history.

 5. To Rome with love 

‘Volare… Volare ..Cantare…oh ho ho ho’ is the opening Italian song of the film meaning ‘lets fly and sing and enjoy our lives away from the maddening crowd’….is this not everyone wants to do on a holiday and what better place to enjoy all of this while you are in Roma…or Rome.

This film is like a photo gallery of Rome showcasing its ruins, cobbled streets, cozy restaurants, sunny weather and tourists. Before planning a trip to Rome do watch this movie for sure.

6. Before Sunrise 

Whenever I have traveled as a teenager or in my adolescent days, I always had this fantasy of meeting a stranger on a train and falling in love with him…no I didn’t meet Nik on a train, neither did I meet anyone else, but that childhood fantasy came alive when I saw this movie. It is filmed in Vienna. Two strangers meeting on a train and exploring an unknown place together and chatting endlessly through out is what you can see in this film. When I saw it for the first time I felt that the hero and the heroine chats little too much but when I actually went out to Europe with Nik we did the same…J. A definite must watch for all those in love and for all those who want to fall in love.

7. Before Sunset 

It’s the sequel of Before Sunrise and this time Jesse and Celine meet in the most loving city of Paris nine years later. What did happen to them for all those years? Did they marry? If yes how and where? All of your questions will be answered if you watch both the films. But what I adore the most in these films is the spots, the cafes, the small book stores, the hand in hand walks under the sun, and last but not the least heart to heart conversations along river Seine. If you have been to these places you will relate to it more and if you haven’t been there then you will surely long to go there.

8.Julie and Julia

This movie unveils another aspect of my passion which is love for food. I am a big time foodie and hence experiment a lot with cooking. The movie shows lives to two individuals, one based in New York and the other one in Paris. Both are true stories of Julia Child and Julie Powell. This movie also throws light on the most important aspect of writing and blogging (which is why you can read my blog today and we are connected).

I like this movie because it is the perfect amalgamation of food and travel. It showcases exotic French recipes and shows interior parts of Paris. It also throws light on early Parisian life. The character of Julia Child is played so beautifully by Merly Streep that, I instantly fell in love with both Julia Child herself and French cooking.

A good movie to watch with your mother and your mother in law on a lazy Sunday.

9. Monto Carlo 

Three Girl friends plan a trip to Paris on a minuscule budget from their saving but their trip turns out to be a royal one…How? Watch the movie to know and also watch the movie for some breath taking views of Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco in France and some parts of Budapest, Hungary.

10. Midnight in Paris 

Ever wondered how Paris would have been in 1920s in the times of Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and Pablo Piccasso ( I hope you know these names which are true legends of Art, music and literature).

What if you get a chance to travel back in time and meet these iconic people and understand their passion for their work and learn from them. This is what happens to Gil, a struggling writer, in the movie ‘Midnight In Paris’. It’s a fantasy movie about time travel, hope, passion and trusting yourself wonderfully written and directed by none other than Woody Allen.

It’s enchanting to see and experience the early Parisian life where these legends truly enjoyed their life and partied hard at nightclubs, went to concerts, wore pearls and diamonds and ate lunches and dinners at exotic Brasseries. After watching this movie me and Nik really felt like going back leaving this 21^st century and understood the meaning of “OLD is GOLD” in true sense

11. A Good year 

 How about some old French wine from your own vineyard and your own château overlooking the amazing Provence. ‘A good year’ is the movie all about this and much more. Filmed totally in France it makes us think, whether running behind money is the only important thing to do in life or the joy of actually living life on our own terms is the Real life? Russel Crowe gives full justice to his role and the film nicely captures areas of France like Gordes, Bonnieux and Vaucluse.

These are definitely the movies which forced me to plan my trip to this amazing continent. I personally love all these movies and I do watch them again and again to relive my memories of Europe. There are  many other movies shot here like Sound of Music, Life is Beautiful ,Copenhagen, In Bruges, Eurotrip, When in Rome, French Kiss,The tourist, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Eat Pray love,P S I love you, The leap year etc etc.

If you too have your personal list of Europe centered movies do write to me back.We can discuss them here and enjoy the world of cinema.

Till then Dream…Travel…and Enjoy life.