Reels That Fueled My Wanderlust

My wanderlust fueling is dedicated to the Movie” Around the world in 80 days”. A movie about how far you can go to chase your dreams. Sitting in front of “The black and white Idiot box”, at the tender age when everything is soaked like a sponge, this movie made a mark. After that, it has been many movies that kept on fueling the lust to make a lifetime partnership.

It transformed me into a traveler and a blogger, and my lust for movies continues. I am trying to compile a list of my favorite Hollywood and Bollywood movies which over the years have been impacting, and my favorites have kept on evolving.

Many of my attributes are stamped through these reels, as seeing is believing. Exhilaration, Adventure, Friendships, Survival, Empathy, Minimalism, Madness, Love, and I have experienced each when on the move.

Each attribute is a part of my life and has made me take on newer challenges and make better choices. Most of the time, the tickets and itinerary for the location were ready before the movie was over. The location hit hard than the story.

We grow up watching our parents and our surroundings. The value system forming an integral part of our upbringing, but some values are imprinted only when seen visually and in the way, they are presented.

Growing up I fell in love with every picturesque location, the wilderness of the lead role, real stories which inspired me to get going irrespective of what age I was, Loved the leap of faith they took, the list can go on and on each with a distinctive character.                                  

A die-hard movie buffoon, this pandemic time, when I am confined to my home I am happy to go down the memory lane and the reels to somewhat contain my wanderlust… (Reels).

Movies inspired me to “Dare to Dream” to bow down to the Natural forces, and to be a part of the incredible Phenomena of the almighty, and to acknowledge the  Importance of every breathing being on the planet. I realized life is too short to not appreciate every nuance of a wonderful place called the planet Earth.

DDLJ (1995) Prime Video

This Bollywood romance was a Box office hit, where every Indian heart throbbed to be in the place of the young couple and each one in that era must have seen the movie several times. I got lost in the locations right from the Sarso (Mustard) fields in Punjab to a small chocolate shop somewhere at the foothills of the Alps. Switzerland in those days was the most sought-after destination. I traveled in the Red convertible then and later did the run in the sarso fields when on a trip to Attari near Wagah Border. The romance and locales left a deep mark.

Dil Chahta Hai (2001) Netflix

This another Box office hit showcased a beautiful rustic Goa and coming of age of the Indian youth and what friendship means. The film was a roller coaster ride of emotions and Locations. Goa being the Bucket list destination of every Indian the movie is shot through Goa and Australia and I could tick off both.

 Zindagi Na Milegi Dobra (2010) Netflix

This movie on deep friendship speaks volumes of growing together and then growing apart missing out on some important events in each other’s life when you need a shoulder. The movie is the epitome of vacationing and adventure sports to some dare to dream activities, around the most scenic locations of Spain and Andalusia. A forever young movie, every time you watch you are sure to catch up with your pals. Both destinations are addictive and you fall in love with the place, people, food, and festivals. The adrenaline-rushing Adventure sports bring the best out of you and it’s like winning a battle over your own fears.

Highway (2014) Hot-star

Learning to survive when on the move is my takeaway. Breaking the barriers of home confines, tasting freedom, and living simple life which can be lived with bare minimum basics. This movie took me around the beautiful Northern states of India where I lost my heart. My bucket list was ready as the truck took me from one state to another into the gorgeous mountains, where I too eventually made home visiting it once a year.

Yeh Jawani hai Diwani (2013) Netflix

Travelling, hosting, blogging, and life on the move can be a profession. It gave me hope that people with travel bugs while on the journey can experience life’s landscapes. Shot at many locations in Himachal Pradesh and my favorite city in Rajasthan UDAIPUR, the Movie takes you through beautiful snow treks and then the palaces and some ruins in Rajasthan where overcoming challenges and slow, solo, and soul travel are important.

Leap year (2010) Netflix

Shot in Ireland, the lead female takes you around the countryside, through breathtaking hamlets, hospitable people. Before you know, you are the female pulling your trolley bag moving around. The vistas from Aran Islands, Connemara, Temple Bar, Georgian Dublin, Wick low National Park, and Olaf Street, Waterford until you reach Dublin keep your jaw dropped and wondering as too beautiful something can be.

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Prime Video

Shot in Tuscany, everyone who sees wants to reside here. Who wouldn’t want a villa to live at a destination with sand, water, and surf? With the sun only so much to die for a tan. The White Villas, covered with bougainvillea flowers adding color and the chic life, I felt my struggles will pass if I reside here. I had reached the town of Crotona by the time the movie was over.

All Roads Lead to Rome (2016) Prime Video

Your Road travel lust is instigated when you see the characters chasing each other through some magnificent location to reach Rome. The movie set in the valleys of Tuscany making it a top destination inspired me to travel solo and have been a trigger for Sunday trails.

Seven Years in Tibet (1997) Netflix

A biographical war drama film set in the mighty Himalayas takes the prisoner to Lhasa. Home to the young Dalai Lama. The awe-inspiring yet treacherous Himalayas, lush fertile Valleys, this small country with distinctive culture and traditions is a sure shot inspiration for south Asian tourism.

Holiday in the Wild (2019) Netflix

The Movie takes me to Zambia where how life is all about giving in. The rustic and mystic Jungles with the Big 5 makes you want to be in that part of the world, where minimalism, unconditional Love, and nature reigns supreme.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Prime Video

American Comedy-drama takes every westerner on Indian sightseeing through multiple Locales and how beautiful the country is, how hospitable the people are, and most of the time patience and giving in to the situation finds many answers.

The Bucket list (2007) Prime video

This movie gives me confidence that I can start at any age, sooner the better. Age is just a number and life is short so take it as it comes. The duo ticks their bucket list as they take stock of the situation, feelings, and relationship. I too moved with them enjoying the various picturesque destinations.

Thanking the technology as I couch surf, becoming a traveler from home, I have all the destinations on the tip of my fingers, be it the old classics, the romcoms, or the adventure. The OTT platforms have brought us a new way to connect more closely. Films and, documentaries with great sound effects, 360-degree videos, and video blogs. The technology is so evolved that from our home we get the best of sound effects, Cinematography, and photography which bring nuances of the reel life with such precision, you are thrilled and eager and thankful for the visual entertainment which is such a delight.

Cinema has the power to transport you to another era. The epic-old and modern-day Romcoms, dramas, and comedies recount classic journeys and destinations recalling actual travel experiences. Travel documentaries are undoubtedly inspirational and may pinch you to plan your next travel adventure to one of the captivating destinations you saw on Netflix.

Some of my favorites are

# The Notebook (Prime Video)

# Devbhoomi (prime video)

#Virgin River (Netflix)

# Dil Dhadake Ne Do (Netflix)

# Kilometer kilometre (Netflix)

# Everest (Netflix)

# Julie and Julia (Netflix)

# Anjana Anjani

# Into the Wild

# Queen of Kotambe

I hope you relate to the blog and the movies, I would love it if you can share your favorite movie and a brief description of what inspired you. Kindly post in the comment section. Stay tuned to Varsha Mahore Blogs. Enriching lives through travel.