5 movies for those who are dreaming of a trip to Italy

Luciana Soares June, 2020

Ah, the Seventh Art … how not to love? Movie is one of the best ways to dream, get inspired and travel without leaving home. Therefore, a movie is always a good choice for those who are dreaming of a trip to Italy!

The Italian movie industry is full of amazing directors, actresses and actors, as well as undeniable classics! How can we not remember names like Sophia Loren, Monica Belucci, Federico Fellini, Giuseppe Tornatore, Monica Vitti, Luchino Vistonti? There are also more recent productions inspired by Italy, and we bring some of them here.

So, if you are dreaming of hitting the road and taking a trip to Italy, this little list will inspire you. See below 5 movies with landscapes and stories that take place in Italy and that will make you dream of traveling!

Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

Who has never dreamed of traveling and leaving everyday life behind? Eat, Pray and Love is the delightful story of Liz Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts), who after a traumatic divorce, takes a journey of self-discovery through Italy, India and Bali, Indonesia. On her trip to Italy, Liz delights with the pasta, sweets and ice cream, the perfect allies to teach her to enjoy the pleasure of good food and il dolce far niente: the sweetness of enjoying life without any obligation!

The great beauty (2013)

If you have already traveled to Italy and know Rome, you know it very well: it is frantic, stunning, almost surreal, but always beautiful. It is exactly this Rome that becomes the background of The Great Beauty. The film tells the story of Jep, a journalist who lived a life of parties for decades, in the crazy and beautiful Rome. When he turns 65, he analyzes his life and his relationship with the city. It is an excellent movie about superficiality, with magnificent scenes from Rome.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

No matter how many years pass, Cinema Paradiso never loses its immense beauty! This classic is a true homage to the Seventh Art. The movie tells the story of Salvatore, a famous film director who discovers the death of Alfredo, his childhood mentor, recalls his youth in a small village in Sicily. This is how we see the little, intelligent and mischievous Salvatore (Toto) to become friend of Alfredo, who takes care of the local movie theater. Alfredo is a witness to the most important moments in Toto’s life: his first love, his passion for the movie industry, the military convocation, disappointments, growth. A beautiful story to laugh, cry and be moved, besides making you want to organize a trip to Italy, including Sicily!

To Rome with Love (2012)

Woody Allen lovers know that the director tends to fall in love with the cities. It was New York, Barcelona, Paris, London … To Rome, with Love, Allen demonstrates his passion for the Italian capital. In this fun movie, we see four stories of adventure and romance, which occur at the same time, but never cross from the unusual perspective of a traffic cop! It is worth watching, laughing with clever dialogues and absurd situations, besides delighting with beautiful images of Rome, a city that cannot be missed on a trip to Italy!

Letters to Juliet (2010)

This movie is perfect for those who love romance and a transformative trip (Italy is perfect for that)! The story takes place in the romantic Verona, land of Romeo and Juliet. Here, the young Sophie starts her vacation with her fiancé, who is always busy. When visiting Juliet’s House, Sophie is enchanted by the wall where the deluded ones leave letters to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine. When she finds one of these letters, from 1957, the young woman decides to write to the author, Claire. Inspired by Sophie’s attitude, Claire decides to look for her old love, while Sophie rethinks her feelings about love and passion.

Luciana Soares is a journalist passionate about traveling. She works at Cieli di Toscana and has lived in Florence. She knows and loves the beauties of the region.