Posted on Monday, 5 October 2020

These ten films combine stunning vistas with absorbing plots - and will surely provide inspiration for your next overseas adventure...

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

Diane Lane plays a divorcee looking to find herself once more - and where better to do so than Tuscany? Based on another true story, Lane's character buys an old house on a whim, and encounters a myriad of unusual characters, including an old British actor and a Polish builder. If nothing else, it will make you want to visit the stunning town of Cortona, Arezzo.

In Bruges (2008)

With the stunning architecture of Bruges as its setting, this hilarious crime drama stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as Irish hitmen on a mission. However, the former is more intent on getting drunk, while the latter is absorbed by his stunning surroundings. Of course, their blood-thirsty errand soon takes precedence, with laugh-out-loud results.

The Way (2010)

Martin Sheen plays a father grieving for his son, in this steady but surprisingly emotional hike-based drama. Sheen's character heads to Spain's Galicia and undertakes the route to Santiago de Compostela. Off-beat characters and fabulous scenery abound in this memorable travel flick.

On the Road (2012)

Despite being one of the true road-trip classics, Jack Kerouac's novel On The Road (1957) took a long time to hit the silver screen. And here is the result - an accomplished and suitably hedonistic account of the famous road trip of the late 1940s/early 50s. Join A-listers such as Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams, Tom Sturridge and Kirsten Dunst - and get ready to feel the pull of the open road.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

This feel-good globetrotting extravaganza features Ben Stiller as Walter Mitty, who bids farewell to his tedious office job at Life Magazine in search of adventure. Mitty aims to find a missing negative of famous photojournalist Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), promoting an odyssey that takes in Greenland, Iceland and the Himalayas. Amazing scenery and an enjoyable plot based on James Thurber's short story.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Wes Anderson's vividly colourful and eccentric film tells the story of the bickering brothers who undertake an epic rail journey across India. While filmed entirely in Rajasthan, The Darjeeling Limited convincingly portrays other locations in the subcontinent, including the Indian Himalayas. Overseas train adventures have never looked so enticing.

Patagonia (2010)

A Welsh couple head to Argentina to explore the links between the two nations. Their story interlinks with that of an older woman who travels from Cardiff to better understand her Argentine family roots. The group's guide is a Welsh-Argentine played by Matthew Rhys, who got the job after bumping into the film's director as he scouted for locations in Patagonia.

Tracks (2013)

Tracks is based on the memoirs of one Robyn Davidson, who camel-trekked across the Australian desert. Kicking off in Alice Springs she eventually reaches the Indian Ocean. For those among us who fancy a little solo travel but need a push, Tracks may be suitably inspirational.

Into The Wild (2007)

Into The Wild was inspired by the true story of graduate Christopher McCandless, who gave away his possessions and trekked from North America to Alaska. Given the heart-rending finale, this is more of a how-not-to-travel, than the opposite. However, it may still inspire you to head for the wild mountains, lakes and rivers of North America.

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