Stunning film locations, story book destinations and stays straight from the silver-screen!
When is the last time you read a good book or saw an amazing film and wished you could see into the world described within its pages? Perhaps you pondered what it would be like to live in the same era as Pride & Prejudice? Or imagined a visit to the Hundred Acre Wood?
Does being transported into the world of your favourite film inspire your wanderlust? Dreaming of destinations from blockbusters. Fabulous Inferno inspired Florence? ‘La La’ Los Angeles?
‘La La Land’, set in LA, USA, is in cinemas now. ‘Inferno’, set in Florence, Italy, is out on Blu-ray & DVD on 20th February.
Well, now you can bring the landscapes of your imagination and the movies to life by staying in one of these picture perfect locations straight from the story books! Whether it’s a genuine setting from a much-loved novel, or a beautiful location used as a backdrop to film one of your favourite movies, these places where you can go and stay are truly magical.
Did Mamma Mia get you dreaming of gorgeous Greek islands? Or where you inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s journey in ‘Wild’? Here are some fabulous film locations that you can visit to bring your favourite movies or story books to life…
If you’ve been inspired by the beautiful places in this year’s Oscars, and need a little more help planning the trip of a lifetime, this handy travel guide from online travel agent Opodo should give you some more ideas!
Our favourite real life film locations that you can actually visit…
‘La La Land’ – LA, USA
This modern musical was one of the most anticipated films of the year. It’s already bagged loads of awards, and it’s set to win big at the Oscars. La La Land stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and tells the story of a jazz pianist and aspiring actress trying to fulfill their dreams in the city of angels. If you haven’t seen it yet, we won’t spoil the story for you, but there’s plenty of singing, dancing and romance to bring a smile to your face.
Stay at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills as a great base to explore ‘the city of stars’. Just 1 block from the Beverly Center Mall, this luxury hotel is a 15-minute drive from downtown Hollywood. It features a state-of-the-art gym, on-site dining, and a rooftop pool deck. It won’t be hard to explore the set of La La land as the film took place in locations all over LA; the film’s opening musical sequence was shot on the 105/110 freeway overpass, Mia’s pink apartment is in Long Beach and of course let’s not forget Warner Brothers Studio. Over the road from the studio you can grab a bite in the restaurant where Ryan Gosling plays his Christmas tunes in the film.
Pride and Prejudice (1995) – Wiltshire, UK
The National Trust’s Lacock village is a firm favourite for film and TV producers, most notably for its picturesque streets and historic cottages, untouched by modern alterations. The village’s most famous appearances include the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, where the town became ‘Meryton’.
Rent a cottage on the high street here
‘Wild’ – Pacific Crest Trail, USA
Reese Witherspoon was nominated for many awards for her performance as Cheryl Strayed in the film ‘Wild’ in 2015. The film was based on a book of the same name that was written as a memoir by Cheryl, describing her incredible hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in a journey of self-discovery. Although we wouldn’t recommend taking on the full 1,100-miles that Cheryl did, the trail takes in the stunning scenery of the West Coast of America and is worth a visit!
Stay in a tree house on the trail itself! For more and to book, click here
The Sound of Music – Salzburg, Austria
Believe it or not, but ‘The Sound of Music’ is 50 years old this year! The family favourite was filmed on location in Salzburg, Austria in 1964, and many of the sites used as a backdrop for the film can be visited today. During at visit to Salzburg you can see Nonnberg Abbey, which was the location for the convent, visit Mozart Steg, Domplatz and Herbert von Karajan Platz where ‘My Favourite Things’ was filmed, or even the Mirabell Gardens which provided most of the backdrop for the famous song ‘Do-Re-Mi’.
You can even stay in the real ‘Villa Trap’! Book a night here
‘Inferno’ – Florence, Italy
Following on from the smash-hit success of The Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown’s follow-up book, Angels & Demons, INFERNO is the latest epic adventure in the series. Set in the beautiful city of Florence, the film follows Robert Langdon (aka. Tom Hanks) on his latest nail-biting adventure after he finds himself the target of a manhunt while solving the most intricate riddle he’s ever faced.
Visiting Florence in Italy, you will be immersed in many of the locations from the film. Palazzo Vecchio, one of the first places visited by Langdon in the film, is difficult to miss as it grandly looms over Piazza della Signoria. See Salone dei 500 and the secret passages of the Duke of Athens, before admiring the Hall of Geographical Maps, the Capriate, the balconies and Dante’s infamous death Mask.
Stay right in the centre of the action at the gorgeous Hotel Brunelleschi, situated right in the heart of Florence. A historical masterpiece in itself, this four star establishment won’t fail to impress during your stay, and is even rumoured to be where Dan Brown himself stayed whilst writing the book of ‘Inferno’!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Rajasthan, India
One of our favourite heart warming films staring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy, ‘The Best Exotic Marogold Hotel’ is actually a real hotel called Ravla Khempur in Northern India. However, most of the scenes from the film are set in the busy city of Jaipur, which is the region’s capital. Explore the bustling city before venturing out to Khempur to be seduced by India’s rural landscapes.
Stay in the inspiration for ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ here
‘The Imitation Game’ – Bletchley Park, UK
Immerse yourself in the secretive world of the WWII code breakers with a stay at Bletchley Park, the home of the men and women who – like Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley in the film – worked towards deciphering Hitler’s codes.
Book a Bletchley Park break here
Mamma Mia – Skopelos, Greece
The smash hit musical that was turned into an all singing and dancing film, Mamma Mia – starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan – was filmed in Greece on the island of Skopelos. Wander around the pretty island and spot the places used as the backdrops for the film!
Visit this blue sea and white sand oasis and stay in this airbnb property
‘Gladiator’ – Rome, Italy
Although the gruesome, dirty and smelly world of Rome that is depicted in this Oscar winning film may not appeal, the Italian capital city today is a wonderful destination to visit if you are fascinated by history. Let the world of the gladiators and ancient Rome come to life as you explore the Colosseum and the Roman forum. Sadly Russell Crowe is not included.
Book a splendid hotel in Rome with a spectacular view of the Colosseum here
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ – Carlsbad, Czech Republic
The hotel in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is actually inspired by a real place in the Czech Republic where you can go and stay! Although Ralph Fiennes won’t be waiting to check you in, the Palace Bristol Hotel in Carlsbad still retains the charm of its nineteenth century origins and you can see where some of the film was set.
Take a look at the hotel and maybe book a stay here