Travellers Choice top destinations from films

Some movies stay with us because of a gripping storyline or a moving performance, we like the ones that highlight a destination and make us want to travel there.

Los Angeles, USA

LA has featured in so many films it may be a bit of a cliché to pick it, so we’re going to be more specific. Our first destination is Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Griffith Park is over 4,300 acres in size and features landscaped parkland as well as urban wilderness. The most famous attraction in the park is the Griffith Observatory, which sits on a hill overlooking the “city of angels”, and famously features in ‘Rebel without a Cause’, and more recently, ‘La La Land’. Travel tip: Admission to the building is free, but if you want to enjoy a visit remember that the observatory is closed on Mondays.

 

Rome, Italy

We love Rome, and so does Hollywood. From ‘Roman Holiday’ filmed in 1953, to the James Bond film ‘Spectre’ in 2015, the historic city has featured in too many films to name. If you only have a couple of days to spend in Rome, but want to see all the sights and channel your inner Audrey Hepburn (or Gregory Peck, of course) then we recommend you purchase a Roma Pass. This handy tourist card allows you free entry into selected sites such as the Colosseum, and you can enjoy free public transport around the city. Make sure you visit The Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain to really feel like you’re in a movie!

 

Barcelona, Spain

Another iconic European city has made it into this top 5; Barcelona. Famous for its surreal Gaudi architecture, this beach city is a popular tourist destination, and every time we watch Woody Allen’s ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ we are reminded why that is. We recommend visiting Barcelona, in May or June when the weather is good but not too hot. Explore the gothic quarter, admire the architecture, relax on the beach, and most importantly, feast on delicious local produce and wines – yum, tapas! A must-visit is Park Güell.

 

Aït Ben-Haddou, Morocco

The fortified city (or ighrem) of Aït Ben-Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is believed to have been established in 757AD by Ben-Haddou. It has been used in many different films and TV series including ‘Gladiator’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘The Mummy, and more recently, ‘Game of Thrones’. Aït Ben-Haddou is located on the former caravan route linking Marrakech with the Saharan Desert, and travellers and merchants would have rested in the city, before continuing their long journey. We recommend seeing the city with a guide, so that you can truly appreciate the history.

 

The Rocky Mountains, Canada

Despite being set in the American state of Wyoming, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ was filmed, almost entirely in Canada. To be more specific, it was filmed in the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian Rockies are famous for snow-capped peaks and deep, blue lakes, and there is no denying that they offer a spectacular backdrop to any film. In the movie we see the mountains during springtime, so they are lush and green. Brokeback Mountain doesn’t actually exist, and both Mount Lougheed and Moose Mountain were used as filming locations.

Which film has inspired you to travel to a destination?