The Dreamiest Rom-Coms to Make You Wanderlust for Italy

To say that Italy is a beautiful country is a complete understatement. And the type of beauty that Italy has is so diverse. There are historic hubs like Rome, Venice, and Florence and the natural oases that are Lake Como and Cinque Terre, among many others. Thanks to them, it's no wonder that Hollywood is so mystified by the place that they continue producing films set here. Especially romantic comedies. Italy is already known as a romantic country overall, but the rom-coms set here further solidify this idea. Here are some that will instantly make you want to go here.

Roman Holiday (1951)

The movie that launched Audrey Hepburn's career, Billy Wilder's iconic 1951 romantic comedy, 'Roman Holiday' was the pioneer of wanderlust films. Though it was in black and white, this unforgettable classic showed the best of Rome, from its most famous landmarks to hidden gems that eventually became famous because of the film. Who'd ever forget the sight of Hepburn and Gregory Peck riding across the Italian capital on a Vespa? Not to mention that funny scene at Bocca della Verità too! 'Roman Holiday' essentially laid out the many movie tropes that other romance movies have used over the years. Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Only You (1994)

Prior to his superstardom as Ironman, Robert Downey Jr. starred in an underrated yet undeniably classic 1994 romantic comedy called 'Only You.' In this screwball rom-com, Marisa Tomei stars as Faith Corvatch, a Catholic school teacher who, when she was 11-years-old, played with an Ouija board and discovered that the name of her fated partner is 'Damon Bradley.' Though years later, she was set to marry someone else, she discovers that a man named 'Damon Bradley' is set to go to Venice. Thinking of this as fate, Faith travels to Italy, particularly to Venice, Rome, and Positano, and meets a man (played by Downey Jr.) who identifies himself as Bradley. They both fall for each other but is this guy really the 'Damon Bradley' she's been looking for? Source: OldSchoolTrailers YouTube Channel

Life is Beautiful (1997)

Although the Academy Award-winning 1997 film, 'Life is Beautiful,' is more known for its tragic, tear-jerking ending, the romance between Guido (Guido Orefice) and Dora (Dora Orefice) makes it a rom-com masterpiece. Set in the beautiful city of Arezzo in Tuscany in 1939, Guido, a young Jewish-Italian waiter who works at his uncle's restaurant, meets and falls in love with Dora, a gentle young teacher at a nearby school. Though she's engaged to be married to someone else, Guido concocts all sorts of antics and meet-cutes in order to get close to Dora. After a ton of hilarious moments, the two falls in love and have a son named Giosuè. And thus, the light-hearted part of the movie ends. Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

The romanticism of Italy doesn't just pave the way for finding your true love. It also helps you find your true self too. Such was the case of Frances Mayes, the protagonist of the 2003 rom-com, 'Under The Tuscan Sun.' Mayes (played by Diane Lane), after getting divorced and losing her home to cheating ex-husband, buys a new one located all the way in a small town in Tuscany called Cortona. Little did she know that the place she bought was an old and decrepit villa that was hardly livable. But after fixing it up and getting to know her neighbors, she finally starts her new life under the Tuscan sun. Source: InStreamFactory YouTube Channel

When in Rome (2010)

Here's another must-see rom-com set in Rome, the 2010 chick flick, 'When in Rome.' And this one has a little bit of magic put in! Starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel, it tells the story of Beth (played by Bell) a New York City art curator who travels to Rome to attend her younger sister's wedding. Whilst there, she bumps into Nick (played by Duhamel), who saves her from a couple of awkward situations and she instantly finds him attractive. But when she discovers that Nick was nothing more than a playboy, she heads over to the 'fountain of love' (based on the Trevi Fountain) and picks up a poker chip. After that, a magical spell binds both Beth and Nick together into one crazy yet romantic adventure. Source: Touchstone Pictures YouTube Channel

Letters to Juliet (2010)

The 2010 dreamy rom-com, 'Letters to Juliet,' is the archetypal wanderlust-inducing flick. Based on a non-fiction book by Lise Friedman, it tells the story of Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried), a young American writer who travels to Italy with her chef fiancé. Whilst there, she goes to Verona and discovers the 'letters to Juliet,' left by all sorts of women affected by love in 'Juliet's courtyard.' And among them, she reads Claire's (played by Vanessa Redgrave) heart-wrenching story. Affected by her letter, she writes back to Claire who, upon reading Sophie's reply, heads to Verona with her grandson (played by Christopher Egan) to search for her lost love. Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

To Rome with Love (2012)

You can always trust Woody Allen to make a romantic comedy that won't just make you laugh and cry, but also have your eyes sparkle at the beautiful settings and amazing backgrounds. In his 2012 flick, 'To Rome with Love,' he presents four separate vignettes that show all kinds of love happening in the Italian capital. And if setting the film in one of the most beautiful cities in the world wasn't enough, he also enlisted some of the biggest stars in Hollywood for his cast. Apart from Allen himself, the movie starred the likes of Judy Davis. Alec Baldwin, Penélope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Elliot Page, Roberto Benigni, and more. Source: Movieclips Trailers YouTube Channel

If you ever want to go far away, to a place that you've probably only seen in your dreams, Italy is the way to go. If you don't believe it, watch any of these memorable romantic comedies. They'll definitely strengthen your wanderlust for this place!

To truly experience the dreaminess of Italy, get a luxury home while you're here.