‘You, Me & Tuscany’ And 7 Other Destination Romance Movies To Swoon Over

You, Me & Tuscany is a destination romance at its peak, with a charming love story that is just as engrossing for its romantic arc as it is for the gorgeous scenery. The Little Mermaid (2023)'s Halle Bailey positions herself as a good rom-com lead opposite Regé-Jean Page, who has lost none of the charm he deployed to terrific effect in Bridgerton (2020). 

The real draw of the film—beyond seeing Page's Michael find an excuse to take off his shirt—is the countryside of Tuscany, with much of the film taking place in a scenic small town, at gorgeous villas overlooking the countryside, and the vineyards that serve as Michael's passion. A cute throwback to an earlier era of rom-coms like Maid in Manhattan (2002), You, Me & Tuscany knows exactly what audience it is appealing to and knows exactly how to do it—with gorgeous shots of the Italian countryside juxtaposed alongside a straightforward but charming love story.

One of the best love stories in movie history, Before Sunrise makes perfect use of Vienna as the setting, highlighting the gorgeous nature of the Austrian city. Directed by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are perfectly cast in this star-crossed love story, focusing on two young people who meet by chance on a train ride and decide to take a day together in the city. 

Soft-spoken and gorgeously shot without an ounce of cinematic coincidence, the entirely grounded approach to a love story works because of just how good Hawke and Delpy are as Jesse and Céline. The pair reunited for two follow-up films, Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), both of which are also terrific snapshots of a long-term love story bolstered by setting the story in Paris and Greece, respectively. However, there’s a quiet and timeless beauty to the way Linklater films Vienna that only adds to the underlying ageless quality of the film’s romance.

Just as much a love letter to London as it is a sweet rom-com about taking big swings on romance, Notting Hill is one of the best examples of the genre. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are delightful in the film as a divorced bookstore owner and a famous Hollywood actress, who meet by chance and develop an instant chemistry. 

The back-and-forth between the pair, along with a script that has just the right amount of spikey jabs courtesy of the legendary screenwriter Richard Curtis, lands all the necessary beats to be an engrossing romance. The focus on London highlights the hidden beauty of the urban sprawl, from the lively streets of Portobello Road to the cute tea gardens that the pair find. A perfect pick for audiences who have a love for classics of the romance genre like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), the adorable portrayal of London might convince you to buy a ticket on British Airways immediately after you watch the film.

Arguably the most openly silly entry on this list, Leap Year gets a serious assist from the Irish countryside that takes up much of the plot. The Amy Adams-led film follows Anna as she decides to try to use an old Irish tradition that allows women to propose to men on February 29th, aka Leap Day. While traveling to Dublin, however, Anna starts to fall for the local pub owner Declan, who agrees to give her a ride to the city. 

Adams has a great talent for comedy and romance, with prior films of hers like Enchanted (2007) making a good case for her talents in both genres. Leap Year's lush greenery adds to the sweet romantic core of the film, giving it all a beautiful visual touch. While the film may suffer from a lackluster script that actually offended some Irish critics when it hit theaters, Adams and the Irish countryside do their best to elevate the production.

Singapore serves as the beautiful backdrop for Crazy Rich Asians, a delightfully charming story that uses the Southeast Asian city to its full potential. While the film received some blowback from critics over the casting decisions, Constance Wu and Henry Golding have a great underlying chemistry that grounds their romance even as the luxury of Nick's wealthy family sets the stage for a vibrant love story. 

The underlying themes about class disparity and the witty dialogue adds some depth to the film that the rom-com genre isn't necessarily known for, all without distracting from the central love story or the gorgeous setting. Singapore rarely gets to look so beautiful in Hollywood films, and it makes for a great setting for this love story, especially as it serves as a chance to highlight Southeast Asian architecture and culture. Crazy Rich Asians is a lovely story that is bolstered by terrific performances and a gorgeous background.

A modern riff on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, the Australian setting for Anyone But You adds a sense of natural beauty to the story. Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney set themselves up as major movie stars with this film, their push and pull of a love story that can't quite seem to escape their hangups with one another, lends the story some nice prickly elements to contrast against the natural beauty of Sydney. 

Pretending to be a couple to appease their respective families during a destination wedding, Powell and Sweeney’s Ben and Bea fall in love in a way that won’t surprise anyone who has seen a rom-com before—although it's those prickly elements and the central two performances make this a great new movie for fans of older rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally (1989). Anyone But You isn't trying to reinvent the wheel; instead, with an assist from gorgeous locations like the Australian coast and the Sydney Opera House, Anyone But You can deliver a charming romance of misdirection that knows how to play that beat for laughs and drama alike.

One of the most affecting and bittersweet romance movies of the last twenty-five years, Portrait of a Lady on Fire has a gorgeously rendered portrayal of the French island of Brittany that highlights why the country is so often seen as one of the world’s most romantic destinations. The film follows a talented artist who is commissioned to paint a portrait of the wealthy heiress, Héloïse. 

Against the backdrop of French beaches, the pair fall in love even as they know their relationship will never get the chance to be fully realized. A quietly tragic but emotionally stirring story of the enduring power of love in a finite world, Portrait of a Lady on Fire gorgeously depicts the French setting with a soft touch that makes it all the more romantic. The delicate use of French music, especially during the unforgettable bonfire scene, only underlines the beauty of the setting. 

One of the best romance movies of all time—even if it doesn’t end with the main two characters getting together—Roman Holiday is a timeless classic that also highlights the gorgeous architecture of the Italian capital. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck at the top of their game, the pair play a European princess and a reporter who end up taking a whirlwind trip through the city almost by chance. 

Many of the tropes and visual cues that the other films on this list use to make their world feel real can be traced back to this movie, which perfected the romantic destination tropes that are still at play decades later. The central romance is gorgeously bittersweet, striking the perfect balance between longing and reality that all young lovers must confront. Even in black and white, Roman Holiday is vivid in its portrayal and remains one of the best destination romance movies ever made.