Travelling to a place you’ve only ever seen on television or on the big screen can be seriously exciting, and it’s a great way to connect with your destination. If you’re interested in visiting somewhere that’s famous for its appearance on TV or in movies, try the following ideas.
Mexico
If you didn’t cry at the end of Coco, you’re probably in the minority. Regardless of your feelings about this heartfelt Pixar-Disney movie, you will likely agree that it presents Mexico as an incredible place to see, with its mariachi bands, iconic towns, and Day of the Dead celebrations –this will allow you to experience firsthand the culture this movie was based on.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s claim to fame is its role in the Lord of the Rings series as well as the Hobbit movies, but did you know that old-school favourites Xena the Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys were filmed there too? Taking a road trip in New Zealand is the best and most efficient way to spend your trip; you can find plenty of filming locations easily accessible by car.
New York
New York has been the setting of a vast variety of iconic TV shows, perhaps most notably the 90s sitcom Friends (although sadly this one was primarily filmed in Los Angeles). Sex and the City used New York to bring us the dramatic tales of Carrie Bradshaw and her friends, and more recently, Girls told the stories of a group of twenty-somethings living in the city. It’s easy to create your own tour of the Big Apple, in which you can stop at all the filming locations of your favourite shows. Why not snap a photo in front of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment or visit one of Hannah’s favourite restaurants?
Albuquerque, New Mexico
At first glance, Albuquerque doesn’t seem like it’d top the bucket list of any traveller, but as it was the setting of Breaking Bad, this scorching hot city offers a treasure trove of locations for fans of the show to visit. Saul Goodman’s office, the famous car wash, and restaurants featured in the show are all possible to see in person, as is the Whites’ house – just don’t throw a pizza onto the roof, its owners plead! For Transformers fans, you may also want to make the short journey down to Alamogordo. There are plenty of things to do in Alamogordo, but the Holloman Air Force Base featured heavily in the Transformers films, making it a popular destination to visit.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider awed its viewers with shots of the magnificent Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia. On a trip to Cambodia, tourists can visit the ancient city, which is just one of multiple ‘lost cities’ in the Southeast Asian country.
The United Kingdom
Discover gorgeous castles, gardens, and villages in Wales, Scotland, Northland Ireland, and England. Dozens of movies and television shows from Doctor Who to Paddington to the Princess Bride have been shot in the UK and have grown into beloved favourites. Explore the settings of your historical dramas like Downtown Abbey and childhood classics such as Beatrix Potter, and indulge your fandom in beautiful, fun collectibles for your favourite blockbuster films while you’re there.
Samoa
This picturesque group of islands is the perfect place for an idyllic holiday. The hit movie Moana, while not officially set in Samoa, certainly takes inspiration from these beautiful islands. Tourists visiting Samoa can expect to see beautiful beaches, stay at beachfront hotels, eat fresh food, and meet friendly locals – it’s about as close to the fictional Motunui as you can get.
Petra, Jordan
This incredible ancient city has attracted tourists for decades, and its role in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade brought its fame to new levels. Step back in time when you take a tour of this ancient city – and channel Indiana Jones in that iconic final scene while you’re at it.
The world is full of wonderful places to visit, and travelling is especially enjoyable when it involves visiting a site you’ve always found fascinating. Whether you indulge your inner child by visiting an area made famous by Disney, or you’d prefer to visit a city from your favourite crime show, travelling to places you’ve seen on TV shows or in movies is sure to make for an unforgettable trip.
Author’s bio:
Maia Fletcher hails from the sunny city of Gisborne, New Zealand. Apart from producing articles for blogs and local businesses such as Mr Blinds, she also loves watching movies and travelling. Visit Tumblr to see more of her published works.
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