(collaborative post)
Have you ever been watching TV whether intently or idly switching, and saw a destination, thinking, ‘That place looks amazing, I must go there’?
It might be from a TV show you’ve been watching, for example, a drama or an ongoing series you love. The camera pans out to a beautiful city, and you immediately fall in love with it. Or maybe you were watching sports or entertainment, and the camera panned out from a football stadium. When watching F1 in the UK at Silverstone, you might think you’d like to attend an event there. Well, there’s nothing stopping you, and TV is a great source of inspiration. If football is your hobby, maybe you could visit your favourite European stadiums. It could be a show you’re currently watching, such as Game of Thrones, inspiring you to visit its iconic filming locations. Let’s look at some popular and iconic destinations you’ve seen on TV and why you’d go there.
Barcelona – Iconic Football Stadiums and Grand Prix Circuits
In Barcelona you find the home to some of the biggest stadiums and events in sport. Camp Nou is the stadium for the Catalan giants Barcelona FC. The Grand Prix Catalunya, where the Spanish Grand Prix takes place, is also in Barcelona. If you’re a fan of both, a weekend here would definitely be a fun experience. The distance between the two destinations is about 30 minutes by car, or around an hour and a half by public transport. You could definitely visit both in a day; who knows, you might catch an event at both if the stars align and you have your own transport!
Wimbledon, London – The Championships
If you’re a tennis fan, a visit to Wimbledon in London is a must. Home to the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, The Championships, Wimbledon offers a unique experience. You can tour the grounds, visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, and even watch matches during the tournament if you plan your visit in June or July. The iconic Centre Court, the lush green lawns, and the chance to spot tennis stars in action make it a dream destination for tennis enthusiasts. Whether you’re exploring the history or catching live matches, Wimbledon provides an unforgettable experience.
Bayon Temple, Cambodia – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
If you’ve watched any of the movies or lived since 1995, you’ll know Lara Croft’s profession takes her to cool places. Most are inaccessible to those who aren’t mountain-scaling, deep-sea diving archaeologists. However, one place you can visit is Bayon Temple. Built as a Buddhist structure for worship, this monumental temple invites fans to explore its eerie stone faces and hieroglyphic patterns..
Dubrovnik, Croatia – Game of Thrones Locations
Following the success of Game of Thrones, Croatia became an incredibly popular tourist location, especially Dubrovnik. People flocked from far and wide to see the streets of Kings Landing and the ‘shame steps’. In Dubrovnik, you can walk along the castle walls of Kings Landing. You can visit the Red Keep and walk to the bay’s edge, where Sansa spends a lot of time staring. This spot is popular for fans to recreate scenes, alongside the steps. Dubrovnik is also close to local islands used for other Game of Thrones locations, like High Garden.<
In addition to Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik was also used as a filming location for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, serving as the city of Canto Bight.
Matamata, New Zealand – Home of ‘The Shire’
Matamata is known to Lord of the Rings fans as ‘The Shire’. Matamata is a beautiful location to visit and a must-see for fans of Peter Jackson’s LOTR series. Matamata stays true to the set and looks exactly like it does in the movies. You can see over 40 ‘hobbit holes’, take guided tours to the clearing where Bilbo had his party before mysteriously disappearing, and relax at the ‘Green Dragon’, a tavern beloved by all LOTR fans, where you can unwind and slow down , ‘with a mug of ale in your hand, after a hard day’s work.
Salzburg, Austria – The Sound of Music
Musical fans will find Salzburg not only a lovely city but also famous for many The Sound of Music locations. You can visit iconic sites like Schloss Leopoldskron, the exterior of the Von Trapp household and now a hotel, Schloss Hellbrunn, where Maria and the Captain sang Something Good in the Gazebo, and St. Peter’s Monastery, where the family took refuge while escaping.
Other iconic locations that offer fans the chance to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favourite movies and TV shows.
New York City, USA – Various Films and TV Shows
The city of New York is featured in countless films and TV shows, from Friends and Gossip Girl to Home Alone 2 and The Avengers. Central Park, Times Square, and the Empire State Building are must-visit landmarks.
Alnwick Castle, England – Harry Potter
In the first two Harry Potter films, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland served as Hogwarts. Fans can explore the grounds, which offer broomstick training sessions and other themed activities.
Skellig Michael, Ireland – Star Wars
Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of Ireland, is the site of Luke Skywalker’s hideout in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Its rugged beauty and ancient monastic ruins are breathtaking.
Petra, Jordan – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The iconic Treasury building of Petra is instantly recognisable from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The ancient city carved into the rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wadi Rum, Jordan – Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian
The dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum have been featured in Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, and Dune. The area offers stunning views and adventure tours.
Tuscany, Italy – Gladiator
The picturesque fields of Tuscany were used in Gladiator for the scenes depicting Maximus’ home. The region is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and charming villages.
Edinburgh, Scotland – Avengers: Infinity War
Edinburgh’s historic streets were featured in Avengers: Infinity War. Fans can visit the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, and other iconic locations from the film.
Oxford University, England – Harry Potter
Several colleges within Oxford University, such as Christ Church, were used as interiors for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. The Great Hall inspired Hogwarts’ dining hall.
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, USA – La La Land
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is featured in the romantic musical La La Land. It offers stunning views of the city and the iconic Hollywood sign.
Hatley Castle, Canada – X-Men and Deadpool
Hatley Castle in British Columbia served as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the X-Men films and Deadpool. The castle’s beautiful gardens are also worth exploring.
This post was published in collaboration with a content partner. The article is meant to inspire you how to live a slow, simple, soulful and sustainable lifestyle and may contain (affiliate) links to articles, websites or products/services that may be of interest to you.
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