Movie Guide: EuroTrip

Rather recently I had the opportunity to take a six week trip to Europe. Something to be aware of when you travel to Europe on a budget, you probably will have down time. Whether it be on the train or those nights you choose to stay in to save money on drinks. Another note, Netflix is not a thing in most of Europe, so if your idea was to watch Netflix or Hulu during those nights, you might want to reconsider. I personally read twelve books on those six weeks and I brought some movies over with me.

Below is a list of movies I have found to be great for European travel. Most are American movies and not all are accurate, but they are all entertaining, especially when you've just missed your train, lost your jacket and feel absolutely hopeless. Why you ask? Well because those are common themes in many of these American-made European adventure movies.

ATHENS, GREECE:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Zwick, 2002)

In this romantic comedy, Toula falls in love with Gus, a non Greek, an outsider. Quickly they become engaged, forcing this Greek family to introduce him to all their customs and traditions before the approaching nuptials. Gus gets hazed, played, and tricked, all in the name of Greek tradition in this hilarious romance.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Kwapis, 2005)

This film is very famous among girls in their twenties and paints and gorgeous picture of the Greek islands, that is, whenever we are with Alexis Bledel's character. She travels to Greece to visit with family in her first summer away from her three best friends and inevitably finds love on the magical Greek islands.

ROME, ITALY:

Roman Holiday (Wyler, 1953)

Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn star in this classic romance. She plays a princess and he is a newsreporter from America. Initally he is supposed to write a story on her, but after time he realizes he is also falling in love.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (Minghella, 1999)

Tom Ripley, played by Matt Damon, seemingly accidentally cons a wealthy American into believing he is friends with his son. Tom is then asked to bring the son home, all expenses paid and at any cost necessary. This is the catalyst for a lifetime of lying and cheating.

TUSCANY, ITALY:

Under the Tuscan Sun (Wells, 2003)

Diane Lane, after a rather embarrassing divorce takes to Tuscany to help herself get over her heartache. While there she falls in love with a broken down estate and on a whim decides to purchase it with the money she got in the settlement. It is a beautiful story about finding oneself and falling in love with who that person is, made comical by the fact our heroine is a non-Italian speaking American.

VENICE, ITALY:

The Italian Job (Grey, 2003)

After being played, Mark Wahlberg and the remaining live members of his team head back stateside to sort out their lives, until Crocker (Wahlberg) discovers just where their betrayer has been hiding out. That is when he regathers the team for one last heist.

PARIS, FRANCE:

An American In Paris (Minnelli, 1951)

Gene Kelly proves just how wonderful he is in this Paris-based musical. He plays a starving artist who happens upon a rich aristocrat who hopes to make him her newest project. Although part of the deal is they must become companions, only he is already falling for another girl, and little does he know it is the same girl his friend is falling for!

Marie Antionette (Coppola, 2006)

Many have heard of the infamous Queen of France, the one that encited an entire revolution. Sophia Coppola paints a beautiful picture of life for Marie in Versailles, and in some ways you learn to love her, but then she just reminds you of the many sins she committed all over again in this ode to French history.

I could probably go on and on about the great movies you can watch that are centered around famous European cities, but these are some of my absolute favorites, not only because they paint a good picture, but because they are throughly entertaining. I feel confident that most people would like a lot of these movies.

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