Top Five Travel-Inspiring Films

While many turn to travel brochures or advice from their local travel agencies, it's often the silver screen that inspires many to look into traveling to far-off or foreign lands. Looking for some great travel inspiring films? Here are five hidden gems that are certain to give you a yen to travel:Romanced by Africa: Released in 1985, the romantic movie "Out of Africa" remains a top favorite travel-inspiring film, combining a romantic tale with beautiful Kenyan backdrops. Who could watch the likes of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, coupled with the beauty of Africa and not want to visit this beautiful land? Equally intriguing, is that this magnificent movie is based on a true story, with special attention paid to the detail of the replicas that were used in the film. A classic film in its own right, "Out of Africa" mixes the awe-inspiring landscape of Africa with amazing acting and a beautiful soundtrack.

Love and Lore: Ireland has always conjured up the desire to travel - beautiful seascapes, vibrant lands of emerald green, and intriguing tales from days of old often inspire people to visit the land of Eire. "Into the West" and "The Secret of Roan Innish" are two wonderful family films that mingle Irish myths with amazing scenery that are certain to give someone a secret desire to become a Traveller and see the old country. "The Secret of Roan Innish" offers sea-side visions of a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland, whereas "Into the West" starts with a grisly and somewhat dismal look at the Dublin slums, but also offers the viewer a peek into the life of the Irish Gypsy, or Traveller. Regardless of whether one desires to focus on gritty realism or romance and fantasy, Irish movies never fail to encourage travel to the Emerald Isle.

Mapping Via Memoirs: Japan most certainly received a tourism boost with the blockbuster hit, "Memoirs of a Geisha." Not only was it an outstanding film with an amazing story, but it also offered viewers a beautiful cultural view of Japan with a sort of Cinderella twist. While one might be leery of the movie, suspecting numerous gratuitous sex scenes in lieu of actual story, "Memoirs" provides viewers with lush visual imagery and an intriguing tale that easily draws one in and holds them captivated from start to finish.

A Lesson in Adventure: An unlikely favorite is the often overlooked "Hidalgo." Set in the late 1800's, it's the story of a Pony Express rider who is invited to pit his humble little mustang against fierce Bedouin and their noble Arabian steeds in a grueling and often deadly race across the Arabian desert. Not only is this an engaging story, rich with drama and action, but it's also a heartwarming tale that inspires. Visually stunning, it's a movie that's sure to encourage one to pack their bags, throw caution to the wind, and follow that dream - even if it does take you halfway around the world!

Traveling When As Opposed to Where: While the thought of traveling to distant and exotic lands appeals to many, for some, the lure if not just being able to view far away lands but, rather, to explore the past or to sneak a peek into what the future might hold for us. There have been any number of television shows and movies to prove our fascination with this concept - from the recent "Time Traveler's Wife" to the longest-running science fiction show in existence - the adventures of "Doctor Who."

If you're looking for a true time-travel gem, however, a rare gem can be found in the comedic "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." Silly and yet amusing, this movie continues to rate high with new viewers and few who've seen it ever forget it. Offering glimpses into the past and the future, one is sure to be amused by the antics of two teenage boys and scores of historical figures - even if it's not yet a possibility, Bill and Ted definitely inspire one to look for their own time-traveling phone booth and set out on their own adventure. In a word, even sporting a rather young and goofy Keanu Reeves, the movie is definitely "Excellent!"

Regardless of where your imagination may take you, there is certainly bound to be a movie out there that will inspire you to travel to far-off lands. These were a few hidden gems that might inspire some of you. What are your hidden gems? What movies encourage you to buy that plane ticket?