Do you dream of traveling? Do the long winter months make you wish you were in a foreign country? Winter escape movies will have you traveling without leaving the comfort of your home.
Sit back and enjoy these movies that will bring you to faraway lands and introduce you to new cultures. Walk the cobble streets of Italy or bask in the sun in Barcelona; all these films will transport you to dreamy lands, if only for a short while.
Movies that Let You Travel the World
Here is a list of iconic movies filmed in locations that will have you escaping winter without leaving your couch.
Eat Pray Love – Italy, India, Bali
This best-selling memoir turned movie starring Julia Roberts is a feast for the eyes and emotions. Author Elizabeth Gilbert finds herself at a crossroads in her life and decides to take several months off to travel the world.
She starts in Italy, where she eats all the pizza and gelato she can, and then heads to India, where she discovers the power of meditation. Lastly, she finds love in Bali and returns home to the USA as a new woman.
Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy
After a painful divorce, writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) travels to Italy and buys a rundown villa in Tuscany where she slowly begins to rebuild her life. She finds purpose, friendships, and even love.
This feel-good movie shows that we can start over at any age and anywhere.
Read more: Tuscany’s Hidden Gems: Small Towns and Villages to Explore.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India
This funny movie is set in India and stars a group of British retirees who plan to move to a hotel in Jaipur. The hotel had more promise than delivery, but they decided to make the most of it…and hilarity ensued.
Friendships, love, a new lease on life, and a few twists await you in this visually stunning movie.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Fictional Republic of Zubrowka
A Wes Anderson masterpiece, The Grand Budapest Hotel, transports you to a pastel colored ski resort in Europe between both World Wars. The film follows the hotel concierge, Gustave H, and his sidekick, Zero, as they go through adventures involving a stolen painting and a family fortune.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona – Spain
This romantic and intoxicating movie follows two American women who travel to Spain and meet a charming artist and his fiery ex-wife. Set in beautiful Barcelona, the film transports you to a vibrant Mediterranean way of life.
Lost in Translation – Japan
Travel to Tokyo in this movie about an aging American actor who meets a young woman staying at the same hotel. They spark an unusual and reflective friendship. You’ll see the neon lights of Tokyo at night and visit karaoke bars.
Mamma Mia! – Greece
If visiting Greece is your thing, you’ll love watching the musical Mamma Mia! Set on the sun-drenched island of Scopelos, the movie is about a bride-to-be who invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding to figure out who her father is.
Julie & Julia – France and USA
This heartfelt movie follows Julie, an American woman living in New York City, who decides to go through Julia Child’s French Recipe book, which she wrote while living in Paris. If you’re a foodie, this movie is for you!
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Iceland, Greenland & the Himalayas
This movie is for all those of us who believe that it’s never too late to go on adventures. The movie is about a shy photo editor who goes on a quest to find a missing negative. The movie is visually stunning, taking you through Iceland to the rugged mountains of the Himalayas.
The Hundred-Foot Journey – France
This heartwarming movie transports you to rural France, where an Indian family opens a restaurant across the street from a Michelin-starred restaurant. You’ll experience culture, traditions, and see how they form friendships and learn from each other.
How to Create the Perfect Winter Escape at Home
Cook a meal or drink some wine from the location of the movie you plan to watch. You will feel immersed in the culture and the people in the film. Do a little research beforehand. Find the locations on Google Earth and walk the same streets as where the movie is set.
Cozy up with your favorite blanket, light some candles, and enjoy the show!
Read more: Jaw-Dropping European Holiday Hotspots to Visit Without Crowds.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you enjoy watching destination movies in the winter? Which is your favorite movie? Which movie on our list will you watch next? Do you have any other winter escape movies to suggest? We would love to hear about your favorite movies that help you travel the world. Tell us about it in the comments below.