If you have an unquenchable desire to see the world, not as a tourist, but to live and breathe another place or culture, then get ready to be inspired. To mark Oscar season, these five movies will make you want to pack your bags.
For every type of person, there is a reason to move abroad. The excitement of a new plan, the dream of finding love in the sun or following a new path in life, or just finding more interesting food! You won’t be the first to follow your wandering spirit, and even Hollywood got here first, so here we offer the movies that might match your own dream.
The late-mid-life crisis
If The Bucket List doesn’t inspire you to stop everything and start living the life you always dreamed of, maybe you’ve already kicked the bucket but haven’t noticed yet! The story follows the journey of two men, played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who after being diagnosed with cancer and faced with a grim prognosis, decide to pack up and explore the world. With the mission to tick off all the experiences on their ‘bucket list’, the pair travel around the world visiting iconic sites like the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Mount Everest and the North Pole. This thought provoking and soul awaking movie is a must-see for anyone who might not be immortal.
When an American woman loses her job and splits up from her partner she moves to the small town of Cortona on a whim and buys a degraded villa
Looking for a change of scene
Under a Tuscan Sun is the classic tale of travel, love and self-empowerment will make you want to back your bags and move to Tuscany. When an American woman loses her job and splits up from her partner she moves to the small town of Cortona on a whim and buys a degraded villa. As she begins renovating and repairing her new home with a team of Polish immigrants, she simultaneously begins re-building relationships and a life in her new country. The interesting characters she meets, the love interests that ensue and the trials and tribulations of an overseas move make this comedy-drama a worthwhile tale to tantalize your travel bug.
The heroes of these movies just went ahead and did it. If you’re ready to move abroad, the Viewing Trip app is an easy way to organise your property hunting adventure. Click here to see how to download it.
Looking for love
Eat, Pray, Love is based on a real-life tale and book by the same name, starring Julie Roberts. After a hard break up and a mini spiritual awakening she packs her bags on an epic journey to eat, pray and love. The first stop is Italy where she indulges in whatever her heart desires, meets great friends, and finds it easy to forget about her life in America. The next stop is India where she spends time in an Ashram seeking deeper spirituality while connecting with other soul-seekers on their journey. Finally, she heads to Bali where she meets the man of her dreams and begins a passionate and fun-filled romance. This light-hearted adventure takes you along for the ride, inspiring travel and reflection in your own life.
Finding yourself
Into the Wild is a true story. It follows the journey of a young man as he renounces his worldly possessions and travels across America on his quest to Alaska. The movie chronicles his adventures along the way, as he lives a nomadic life forming great relationships, having life-changing experiences and then when the time is right, continuing on his solitude journey. Running from the fear of being corrupted by modern society, he crosses the border into Alaska, makes his way to Denali National Park and finds an abandoned bus where he establishes a home. He stays alive by hunting and living off the land, and for the most part is completely content with isolation and his new life in the wild. No spoilers, but take your mobile if you’re inspired to follow him.
Although India isn’t what they had first imagined, their experiences along the way become more enriching than they could have ever desired.
Energetic retiree
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel starts with a group of British retirees move to India to enjoy a luxurious retirement at a discounted price. When they arrive at the Exotic Marigold Hotel they find the comforts and luxury they were promised was far from reality. Each of the retirees then follows their own path of discovery and adventure, and although India isn’t what they had first imagined, their experiences along the way become more enriching than they could have ever desired.