Travel Films Featured Image

Remote wanderlust: The Newmarket Holidays team’s favourite travel films

Cosy up with our staff pick of adventure movies.

fallback image for author
Newmarket Holidays

Think back to those glorious times on school holidays or summer break, when you’d polish off a year’s worth of trilogies and box sets in a matter of weeks. We might not be able to unlock this much time off, but we certainly enjoy taking the time to unwind by rewatching some old classics. Here are the team’s top picks of travel and adventure movies:

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Iceland has a starring role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Picture: New Line Cinema)
Iceland has a starring role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Picture: New Line Cinema

“One of my favourite travel films has to be The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The sense of escapism and adventure, plus the vivid Icelandic scenery, makes it hard to turn away from the screen. The way Walter pushes himself to leave his comfort zone and experience the world is a fascinating journey.” - Andrew Miles (E-Commerce Director)

Skyfall (2012)

“I love any films that include travel. In that sense, Bond films fit that bill. I particularly enjoy Skyfall, in the way it cinematically captures a range of locations from the eerie Hashima Island in Japan to Scotland’s vast highlands to the bustling Istanbul.” - Andrew Miles (E-Commerce Director)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The snow-capped peaks in The Lord of the Rings are a delight to watch (Picture: New Line Cinema)
The snow-capped peaks in The Lord of the Rings are a delight to watch (Picture: New Line Cinema)

“The Lord of the Rings is one of my favourite movies of all time. I even once went for a 12-hour movie marathon to watch the whole trilogy. The film’s inclusion of New Zealand’s natural scenery, as well as the epic fantasy quest, makes it a must-watch.” - Bartek Gasienica (Website and Connectivity Engineer)

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

“This film tells the real-life story of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer, played by a young Brad Pitt, as he is imprisoned by British in India whilst climbing in the Himalayas when World War Two breaks out. He escapes and makes the treacherous journey to Tibet, where he finds a land forgotten by time and befriends the young Tenzin Gyatso, better known as the Dalai Lama.

“I first saw this film in Dharamsala in the Himalayan foothills of Northern India, which is where the Tibetan Government-in-exile is based. The story is famous there, with cafés and restaurants playing the film every evening!” - Tom Fleming (Lead Marketing Copywriter)

The Beach (2000)

“I remember watching this film before I embarked on my first proper backpacking trip. The film gave me my first taste of the paradise islands and beaches of Southeast Asia, and my first sense of what backpacking might be like. Yes, I did visit the filming location!

“If you’re unfamiliar with the film, the plot follows a young American backpacker Richard (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) as he travels through Thailand, looking for a fabled paradise island marked on a map by a stranger. However, when he gets there, all isn’t quite as it seems – it’s something of a paradise lost. A thrilling sense of adventure permeates the story at every turn, and I’m sure I wasn’t alone in relating to Richard’s desire to ‘escape’ day-to-day life.” - Tom Fleming (Lead Marketing Copywriter)

Be sure to share with us your favourite travel films. Happy viewing everybody!

Top Newmarket Holidays:

Hawa Mahal Palace Of Winds, Rajasthan, India
Beyond the Taj – Inside the Real India
India
+ 4 More
  • Travel by train to Udaipur, set sail across Lake Pichola and catch an evening aarti ceremony at a local temple
  • Journey around Udaipur on a guided tour, stopping at the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and the pretty Saheliyon-ki-Bari
  • Set off on a tour of Old Delhi, where you’ll witness its most famous landmarks
  • Embark on a culinary walking tour, call at the local foodie spots, and learn about the epicurean traditions
  • 15 days from £2,885 pp

    was £3,085 pp

  • Dates Available

    November 2024 - November 2025

  • Duration

    15 days

  • Depart From

    2 airports

  • Meals

    30 included

Zoomed out image of Glenfinnan Monument, with the view of Loch Shiel and the surrounding mountains
The Best of the Scottish Highlands
Scotland
+ 4 More
  • Spot wildlife on a cruise on the Moray Firth
  • Go mythical monster hunting on a boat trip on Loch Ness
  • Enjoy a ride on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway
  • Discover the beauty of the Moray Coast and visit Brodie Castle
  • 7 days from £1,059 pp

    was £1,159 pp

  • Dates Available

    October 2024 - October 2025

  • Duration

    7 days

  • Depart From

    6 airports

  • Excursions

    5 included

  • Meals

    12 included

Green northern lights curving from the right back to the left. Below, a lake with ice blocks
Iceland - Reykjavik and the Northern Lights
Iceland
+ 4 More
  • Explore Reykjavík on a guided tour
  • Enjoy an optional visit to the steamy and salubrious Blue Lagoon
  • Set off on an included tour in search of the Northern Lights
  • Join the Southern Shore Adventure optional excursion
  • 5 days from £732 pp

    was £915 pp

  • Dates Available

    October 2024 - March 2026

  • Duration

    5 days

  • Depart From

    5 airports

  • Excursions

    2 included

  • Meals

    4 included

Related articles

New England

Best holidays for older couples

Be tempted by relaxing, fascinating, and adventurous holidays all over the world.

Ruins of a temple on a hill, with view of mountains in the distance

The best archaeological sites to visit in Greece

Tour the birthplace of democracy on a fascinating trip to Greece’s best-preserved historical sites.

Gettyimages 522941132 New York People

5 things couples argue about on holiday

We chat with two relationship experts about how to have a conflict-free trip.

You'll love our holidays