When I think of movies and Hollywood I usually think about a highly manicured, makeup covered world full of beautiful people. I guess for the most part that's exactly what it is. However, just the other day I caught a bit of a movie based in one of my favourite travel destinations. The depiction of that country was less than flattering and I started to understand why so many of my friends reply with "really, you went THERE?" when I talk about my travels.

Hollywood has a big influence over the impression in our mind of a foreign destination we haven't been to. Quite often the most interesting of stories involve conflict and a less than idealised depiction of a country. For me it was never a problem. I travel to see historical sites, interesting architecture, food and generally immerse myself in a different way of life. I'm ready for anything when I travel but never has anywhere lived up (or down) to the negative portrayals in some movies.

Here are a few of my favourite movies set in countries that were far more welcoming, safe and stable than their silver screen versions:

The Quiet American
- Vietnam

There were no explosions, Generals marching troops through the streets or opium dens, at least not that I saw. Vietnam for me was a fun, beautiful place with some of the most welcoming people I've ever met.

Midnight Express
- Turkey

This movie couldn't be further from my Turkish experience. Hash wasn't anywhere to be seen and the only jail I saw was on a tour of an old Ottoman castle.

Salvador
- El Salvador

If you're going to let movies turn you off a destination then this film will ensure you never set foot in El Salvador. But the civil war has long ended and my visit of just over a week was totally incident free. Luck may have had a little to do with it as I hear there is a fair bit of crime but surely nothing like what James Woods' character was exposed to.

55 Days at Peking
- China

You wouldn't recognise Beijing if you thought it looks like it did in this film. While some of the big city folk can seem a little indifferent to the western tourist you're pretty safe betting you won't be shot at by a man sporting a half shaven head and long pony tail.

Michael Collins
- Ireland

Perhaps a couple of the iconic buildings still remain in Dublin and the castle is definitely there but the only uprisings you might see are when the pubs shut.

Transsiberian
- Russia

This train route was my office for two years of my life. While they did get a lot of the details right the only smuggling I saw were locals moving clothing, crockery and other domestic items from China to Russia.

All but the last film I saw before travelling to these places and they didn't make me think twice about going. Wars end, dictators are overthrown and countries modernise. But I guess cinema is a powerful medium when it comes to forming our expectations of a place.