Just some pure escapism for you this week as the entire team of myself, Kanise, Kendall, Sarah, Tori and Kristin wish you all a super safe and wonderful holiday season.

This week’s top five is my Top Five Travel Christmas Movies.

I think you will have realized by now that I seem to relate almost everything to a travel experience of some sort.

1. In Bruges
While it's a slight stretch to categorize this as a "Christmas Movie," it does nonetheless play out against the very Christmassy and beautiful backdrop of Bruges, Belgium. Featuring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson who play two Irish hit men, the swings between drama and comedy make it a winner for me. Perhaps though to be watched after the kids have gone to bed. The tagline sort of gives this way: Shoot First, Sightsee Later.
If nothing else, you will almost certainly want to visit Bruges (above) afterwards.

2. Love Actually
I can't believe this is almost 20 years old. The classic rom-com that weaved 9 different stories into one movie wasn't far off being a 90 minute advert for Visit Britain (below). It remains hilarious and many people's favorite Christmas movie of all time. Then again you couldn't really go wrong with a cast that includes Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley and Emma Thompson.

3. Elf (above)
Will Ferrell's best movie? Discussion please.
This hilarious Christmas classic also helps cement my love for NYC and triggers memories of a Christmas spent at the Plaza Hotel right next to Central Park (below) in my early teens. Filming locations included Macy's, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Somehow we learn a real human lesson by the end, but just how we got there was all in the hands of Will Ferrell's magic.

4. All the Harry Potter movies?
This epic series quickly became something of a Christmas tradition for kids of nearly all ages, with adults definitely enjoying them equally as a guilty pleasure. Scotland (and England of course) feature heavily in all 8 episodes but for me the Hogwarts Express is the major travel connection. When the world is traveling again who wouldn't want to ride The Jacobite, a genuine steam train, over the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct (below) which is featured in the movie so often.

5. The Polar Express (above)
Another steam train to focus on and this Christmas movie came along at the perfect age for my children back in 2004 and was a staple in the house for many years. Personally I love the graphics/animation which look a little clunky in todays CGI world, but add depth to the characters for me, 6 of them played by Tom Hanks. The train in the movie is bound for the North Pole, and the closest you can realistically get to that location is Lapland, Finland which is a veritable winter wonderland and probably the most Christmassy location on earth. Imagine the family joy at the 2021 winter and Santa experiences such as the 2 below we can create for you in Rauna, northern Finland.

I love travel and I love travel planning just as much. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts.
We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.

If you are ready to start planning your next travel destination let us know by clicking HERE.

Be social and follow along on our travel adventures.

Want our blog posts delivered straight to your inbox?
Enter your email below to subscribe to our newsletter.