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Top 10 Oscar Winning Films That Inspire Travel

As Hollywood prepares for its big night, the Oscars, we asked VirtualTourist.com members to pick the “Top 10 Oscar Winning Films That Inspire Travel”. And the winners are:

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Petra, Jordan:

Without a doubt, the number one film that inspired VirtualTourist.com members to travel is the 1989 Oscar-winning flick. “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” While the historical elements of the film are not accurate, what is real is the location where they filmed the famous final scene. Indiana Jones finds the Holy Grail inside a lost temple carved out of the sandstone cliffs in Petra, Jordan. The enormous Monastery at Petra is believed to have been used as a church, but likely began as a temple. What you can’t debate is how awe-inspiring it is. (Won Oscar for Best Sound Effects Editing, 1990)

Born Free, Kenya, Africa:

In 1966, many viewers watched as George and Joy Adamson, a couple living in Kenya, raised three lion cubs in “Born Free.” The beautiful scenery and the idea of seeing wild animals, especially big cats in their natural surroundings, have inspired many travellers to take a trip to Kenya. (Won Oscar for Best Original Song and Original Music Score, 1967)

The Third Man, Vienna, Austria:

Considered one of the greatest films of all time, “The Third Man,” set in Vienna, Austria takes place in the picturesque streets highlighting Viennese landmarks like the Giant Ferris Wheel. But it also takes viewers through the seedier side of the city, such as the sewers. Whichever you find inspiring, it’s no doubt thanks in part to the cinematography, which won the Oscar for that in 1951.

Schindler’s List, Krakow, Poland:

Schindler’s List” is the true story of Czech born Oskar Schindler, a businessman who tried to make his fortune during the Second World War by exploiting cheap Jewish labour, but ended up penniless having saved more than 1000 Polish Jews from almost certain death during the holocaust. The most award film on the list has inspired many VirtualTourist.com members to visit Krakow, Auschwitz and the former Jewish ghetto area of Podgorze to learn more about these tragic moments. A museum has also been erected in the Schindler factory which travellers say is thought provoking and chilling.
(Won 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, 1994)

Annie Hall, New York City, New York:

Some people argue “Annie Hall” may be one of the best movies ever made in New York. What can’t be argued is that the film is director and star Woody Allen’s love song to New York City and his love for Manhattan. VirtualTourist.com members have been inspired to visit New York City to better understand see his romanticized view of the city and experience for themselves the energy New York offers. (Won 4 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, 1978)

All Quiet on the Western Front, Ypers, Flanders, Belgium:

“All Quiet on the Western Front” made quite a bit of noise when the novel was first published in 1928. In 1930, it was made into a film with the same name which tells the story of a German soldier during World War I. Both take readers and viewers on a journey through the First World War battlefield sites in Flanders and northern France and makes history buffs and travellers in general want to visit the war cemeteries as well as the wonderful, moving and evocative ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ museum in Ypres. (Won Best Picture and Best Director, 1930)

The Sound of Music, Salzburg, Austria:

The hills are alive with “The Sound of Music”! The Oscar-winning musical tells the story of a Maria who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower and features some beautiful scenery around Salzburg. Whether it’s snapping a selfie at Mirabell Gardens where Maria dances with the children, viewing he Nonnberg Convent where Maria lives as a young novice or sneaking a kiss from a loved one at the “16 going on 17″Hellbrunn Palace gazebo, Salzburg has inspired many VTers to pick up and make their way to Austria. (Won 5 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, 1966)

An American in Paris, France:

Gene Kelly singing and dancing throughout the streets of Paris? Get your passport ready because that gets our members off their couch and on a plane to visit the many wonderful sites that Paris has to offer. Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, a Parisian neighbourhood, or Moulin Rouge, many travellers find themselves saying au revoir to their home and bon jour, Paris! (Won 6 Oscars including Best Picture, 1952)

The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66, from Oklahoma to California:

Shot in 1940, “The Grapes of Wrath” based on the novel of the same name, follows the Joad Family as they travel along Route 66 from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life. The Joads were met with many challenges as was director John Ford, but he was determined to capture the authenticity of Route 66 and he does just that as viewers travel through New Mexico, Arizona and California. He beautifully captured Route 66 which has many travelers hitting the road to do the drive for themselves. (Won 2 Oscars including Best Director, 1941)

The Motorcycle Diaries – South America from Argentina to Peru:

The Motorcycle Diaries chronicles the real life story of Che Guevara’s journey through South America including such amazing destinations as Patagonia’s Lake District, the Andes, the Atacama Desert and the Inca site of Machu Picchu. Whether you agree with Guevara’s ideologies is irrelevant. What’s important to take away from this film is the importance of travelling abroad to gain life experiences. And that is just what it has done for many VirtualTourist members. (Won Oscar for Best Original Song, 2005)

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