Tourism based on movies and series destinations will be a huge travel trend for the next year and it’s not hard to understand why. Have you, like us, ever wanted to book a plane ticket right after seeing breathtaking landscapes in a movie or a TV show? If so, you’ll be served with our compilation of travel destinations to visit according to your favorite watch list.
Highlands, Scotland – Harry Potter, Outlander
With its lush green landscapes, stunning castles and fascinating history, it’s no surprise that Scotland has inspired many writers as the backdrop for their novels. If you grew up with the Harry Potter series or are a fan of Outlander, the Scottish Highlands are the perfect place to discover the highlights of both worlds.
For Potterheads, head to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct to see the Hogwarts Express, a train that exists in real life as the Jacobite Steam Train. If you book in advance, you can also take the train ride to feel like you’re literally on your way to Hogwarts.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Just a short walk from the viaduct, you can also stop at Loch Shiel, a beautiful lake that was used to film the scene where Harry Potter flies over the water on the back of Buckbeak, the hippogriff. If you’re looking for other places to relive the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, check out our complete article on places to visit like the real Diagon Alley in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic district.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
As you travel through the Highlands, you’ll also come across several notable locations from Outlander. One of your first stops should be the famous Midhope Castle, which served as the setting for Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s castle. We also recommend a visit to Culloden, to learn more about the famous battle that took place between the Jacobites and the British in 1745. Fort William, a fortress where Black Jack Randall had his headquarters, really exists, but all the scenes were filmed at Blackness Castle.
Croatia, Iceland & Spain – Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon
From fortified cities to royal palaces and black sand beaches, Croatia and Iceland are destinations to add to the top of your list if you loved Game of Thrones. To feel like you’re in the heart of King’s Landing, head first to the magnificent medieval city of Dubrovnik.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Surrounded by a huge fortification wall, this city has been the backdrop for several notable locations in the series, including Pile Gate, Lovrijenac Fort and the Spanish stairs, where Cersei made her notorious walk of shame. Throughout the city, you’ll find many guided tours to visit even more places made famous by the series.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
If you prefer the Stark family, the more arid landscapes north of Westeros will probably have captivated your eye. The majority of these scenes as well as some of those from House of the Dragon were filmed in Iceland. This land of ice and fire will certainly charm you with its numerous waterfalls as well as its breathtaking landscapes including the famous Diamond Beach, a black volcanic sand beach where pieces of icebergs are deposited according to the tide.
However, if you’re planning a trip to southern Spain, don’t miss a visit to the Alcazar of Seville, the Andalusian capital’s magnificent royal palace. This stunning place, known for its Moorish architecture and its lush gardens, was used to illustrate the region of Dorne in the original Game of Thrones series.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Chicago – The Bear
Third largest city of the United States, Chicago is often recognized for its impressive architecture and its many museums throughout the city. However, for several years now, it has also been its gastronomic side that has attracted crowds, thanks to the popularity of The Bear.
Crédit photo: Unsplash / Sawyer Bengtson
If the sight of the famous Italian beef sandwich from The Original Beef made your mouth water in the first season, you can relive a similar experience at the Mr. Beef restaurant, the inspiration behind the series. For fans of season 2, you can also recreate Sydney’s gastronomic journey through the Windy City by stopping at Kasama for a breakfast sandwich or by trying their excellent evening menu that allowed the establishment to become the first Filipino restaurant with a Michelin star.
If you plan ahead, you can also experience the high-level cuisine of Alinea or Ever, two other institutions of the city. Finally, a visit to Chicago would not be complete without having a classic deep dish pizza at Pequod’s or a slice at Lobo to complete your immersion in the culinary traditions of the city.
New England – Gilmore Girls
For us, fall officially begins when we start our annual rewatch of Gilmore Girls. While Stars Hollow is a fictional place, over the past few years we’ve visited several cute towns with the same type of vibe, easily accessible for a weekend getaway from Montreal.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Less than a 4-hour drive away, you’ll find Woodstock, Vermont, a charming little town filled with cozy cafes, craft shops, neighborhood restaurants, and even a covered bridge for a photo op. We also recommend stopping in Stowe, Vermont, or Littleton, New Hampshire for a brunch at the Coffee Pot, where you’ll feel exactly like you’re at Luke’s.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Thailand – James Bond & White Lotus
If you plan to visit Phuket or the south of Thailand on your next trip, Khao Phing Kan, nicknamed James Bond Island, is a must-see. This heavenly place was popularized by the 1974 film, The Man with the Golden Gun, since it served as a hideout for 007’s enemy, Francisco Scaramanga. A victim of its own success, respecting the place and limiting waste are essential so that access to this mythical island can remain possible in the coming years.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
If you’re a White Lotus fan, you probably know the hype behind the hotel used in season 2, the San Domenico Palace in Sicily. Well, for the third season, filming took place in Thailand, including Bangkok, the capital, and the islands of Phuket and Ko Samui. In fact, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui will be the focus, so if you want to stay there, hurry up before the series comes out and the place becomes too popular or crowded.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
Greece – Mamma Mia
Greece is a such magical destination where there’s something for everyone, from stunning mountains to idyllic islands, from antiquity to modernity. There is no better movie than Mamma Mia to illustrate the majestic landscapes of this wonderful country where the people are as friendly as the food is good!
Filmed partly on Skopelos Island and in the small village of Mouresi, you can feel like a dancing queen at Villa Donna and live according to the rhythm of the island while admiring fabulous panoramas and eating a good spanakopita. For us, Greece will always have a special place for us since it’s the first destination we visited together, only a week after we made our relationship official and we can’t wait to go back in the coming years.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
United Kingdom – Bridgerton, Downton Abbey
From its royal palaces to its Victorian tea rooms, there has been no shortage of movies and series featuring the UK in recent years. For fans of Bridgerton and the Regency period, one of the starting points of your visit should be Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the place used for Queen Charlotte’s residence. If you want to admire their London house decorated with wisterias, you must go to Ranger’s House in the Greenwich district. Very close to Buckingham Palace, you’ll also find Lancaster House, a filming location featuring Queen Charlotte’s apartments including her parlor, seen several times in the series.
For Downton Abbey fans, you can’t miss a visit to Highclere Castle. Located in Hampshire between London and Bath, this castle, located on more than 1000 acres of land, was the filming location for the series and the films. Open to visitors at different times of the year, you can immerse yourself into the world of the Crawley family as you walk through the different rooms of the house.
Crédit photo: Unsplash / Tim Alex
New Zealand – Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Rings of Power
After two popular film trilogies and a television series, there’s no doubt that New Zealand is a favourite place for fans of Tolkien’s works.
Crédit photo: Unsplash / Joss K
Of course, any Lord of the Rings fan should start their trip in Hobbiton, one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions and a filming location for the Shire. We also recommend visiting Fjordland, the largest national park of the country, which was used for several scenes in The Rings of Power as well as for scenes of Mordor in the second film of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Finally, even if you can no longer climb its summit, you can still go hiking to the base of Mount Ngauruhoe, better known as Mount Doom in the original movies. Of course, one does not simply walk into Mordor as Boromir would say, but you can at least visit several significant places of the universe created by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Crédit photo:
Unsplash / Sylvain Cleymans
We hope that our recommendations inspired you to visit these magical travel destinations and learn more about the history of these significant places that fascinated you while watching your favorite movies and series.
Have a good trip!
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