Looking for inspiration to travel, or just a reminder of life on the road? The beautiful thing about film is that it can inspire you to do something you haven’t even thought about doing. Watching the characters on the screen explore and live out their best adventures makes you realise you can do it too. And sometimes, the best way to experience a place you haven't been to before is to watch a movie that takes place there. If you’re thinking of planning weekend breaks in Europe, here are five movies that will make you want to pack your bags immediately:
- Before Sunrise, Vienna
This romantic movie of two strangers who meet on the train really captures the pulse of Vienna, Austria. On a whim, Jesse and Celine disembark in Vienna for a day, and share a lifetime of intimacy in a short span of time. The scenes are mainly shot outside, so you’ll feel like you’re walking the streets of Vienna; strolling along the Danube and admiring the beautiful backlit buildings at night. The city, full of character and culture with its museums, classical music and grand architecture – is represented perfectly, and will make you want to hop on a train and fall in love with a perfect stranger.
- Roman Holiday, Rome
Audrey Hepburn makes everything look fun; especially a trip to Rome. The movie is about an overwhelmed princess who escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American reporter played by Gregory Peck. The film showed the warmly casual sense of Rome, the gelato vendors, the carefree Vespa riders; all set against classic backdrops like the Colosseum, the Palazzo Colonna, the Spanish Steps and The Arch of Septimius Severus and the Temple of Saturn. Roman Holiday is basically a romantic guide to Rome; and it’s a definite must-see if you plan on visiting the city.
- Under the Tuscan Sun, Tuscany
This movie is about a recently divorced writer who impulsively buys a villa in the Italian countryside while on vacation in Tuscany. With all the delightful wines, delicious food, charming cottages, and scenic rolling hills shown in the film, you’ll feel almost compelled to travel to this Italian paradise, and spend a few blissful days under the Tuscan sun. Quaint villages, Tuscan countryside, and spectacular coastal views, make up most of the stunning backdrop. Tuscany is a beautiful location for weekend breaks in Europe.
- The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, Santorini
Azure waters, whitewashed houses, and multicoloured cliffs make Santorini a magical backdrop for a movie – and a holiday. This movie about friendship made one of the most popular islands in Greece even more popular. Lena, played by Alexis Bledel, visits her family in Greece and ends up falling in love with one of the locals. The stunning scenery portrayed in the film will make you want to hop on a plane this instant. We love that you can see the volcano in the background and the typical Santorini blue roofs. The movie also shows the girls riding donkeys up the path from the port in beautiful Oia.
- Cloud Atlas, Majorca
This movie starts with a scene on the beach. It’s a beautiful picture; two giant cliffs with the wild sea in the background. This scene was shot in Torrente de Pareis, in the breathtaking Serra de Tramuntana. Cloud Atlas features quite a few stunning locations in Majorca, including Cala Tuent, Torrente de Pareis, Formentor and Es Colomer. If you can’t decide where to spend your weekend breaks in Europe, you can’t go wrong with Majorca. The island’s year-round sunshine and mild winters make it a great location for filming, and an even better location for holidays.
If Mallorca is on your list of weekend breaks in Europe, we have a range of family-friendly hotels that will cater to your every need. If you’re looking for hotels in Mallorca with a swimming pool, comfortable rooms and a seaside location, we’ve got you covered. Majorca is one of the best European holiday destinations for families – with its sheltered, blue-flag beaches, fun watersports, amazing dining options, and glorious sights and attractions.
