Some movies don’t just tell a story. They sell you a place. Not in an obvious, “Visit this country!” tourism ad way, but in a subtle sense. Maybe it shows more landscape than dialogue. You know, those movies that get you to immediately Google Maps the place once it ends?
Here are some films that really let a certain country shine.
A Tourist’s Guide to Love (Vietnam 🇻🇳)
My mom and I watched this a while ago, right before we booked our family trip to Hanoi. Before that, I’ve been to Vietnam once, but I didn’t really have a good experience. This movie convinced me to give it another try.
This 2023 rom-com starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Ly, Ben Feldman, and Andrew Barth Feldman in his debut, showcases Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, Da Nang’s coastal calm, and Hanoi’s bustling chaos in a way that feels warm, lived-in, and deeply romantic.
A travel itinerary inspired by this movie would focus on:
- Slow walks through old towns at golden hour.
- Cafe hopping and people watching.
- Coastal cities and cultural hubs.
Call Me By Your Name (Italy 🇮🇹)
Italy has been filmed a thousand times, but Call Me By Your Name makes it feel intimate instead of touristy.
Set in Lombardy, this 2017 movie featuring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer lingers on sun-drenched countryside, quiet town squares, and lazy bike rides through history. It’s Italy without the rush; no packed itineraries, no urgency.
Your itinerary here should include:
- Small towns over major cities.
- Long lunches and even longer silences.
- Wandering with no particular destination in mind.
Before Sunrise (Austria 🇦🇹)
Vienna in Before Sunrise (1995) is all cobblestone streets, tram rides, and dimly lit corners that feel like secrets.
The city is filmed in a way that makes you want to walk everywhere, get lost, and talk about life until sunrise. The scenery is subtle, but intentional. It makes Vienna feel romantic without trying too hard.
A Vienna itinerary inspired by this film would be:
- Walking-focused, not attraction-focused.
- Full of cafés, record shops, and riverside pauses.
- Designed for wandering and conversation.
Lost in Translation (Japan 🇯🇵)
Tokyo in 2003’s Lost in Translation feels lonely, neon-lit, and peaceful all at once. This movie captures quiet hotel rooms above a buzzing city, night streets glowing in artificial light, and a sense of being both overwhelmed and alone.
A film-inspired Japan itinerary here would balance:
- Urban exploration at night.
- Moments of solitude.
- Minimal plans and intentional pauses.
But that’s personally not how I’d want to spend my time in Tokyo. That’s just me though.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Iceland 🇮🇸)
This is the film you watch when you want to disappear into nature. Iceland’s waterfalls, open roads, and endless skies are the real stars. The scenery makes you feel small in the best possible way.
Your itinerary should revolve around:
- Scenic drives.
- Natural landmarks over cities.
- Letting landscapes dictate your pace.
Film-inspired travel itineraries aren’t about recreating scenes shot-for-shot. They’re about understanding how a movie feels about a place, then letting that guide your journey. Let your trip unfold like a story, not a schedule. Sometimes, the country isn’t just where the movie happens. It is the movie.
All images sourced from IMDB