6 iconic movie locations to travel to

Travelling through film is a beautiful way to see the world. How a director has crafted a scene, how the actors have brought it to life and the significance of what surrounds them all come together to create iconic moments in film. Discovering their locations and exploring them in your own travels can be a wonderful way to relive classic scenes and add another dimension to your travel planning.

What films mean something special to you? Here are some iconic locations we’ve picked that will transport you back to the sights and sounds of the original scenes.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – The iconic green and maroon floating home in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighbourhood was home to architect Sam (Tom Hanks) and his son Jonah in this classic ’90s romantic comedy. The fame the film brought to the area changed the real estate landscape forever, and the home still looks exactly the same today. While in Seattle, take a boat cruise through the salt waters of Puget Sound and onto the fresh water of Lake Union. The cruise will take you right past the Sleepless in Seattle floating home community as well as offering a great insight into the local fishing scene – including boats from the Deadliest Catch. Sleepless in Seattle.

Before Sunrise (1995) – Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) meet on a train in Europe and, on a whim, decide to get off together in Vienna. What follows is a night of discovery as they get to know each other and this beautiful European city. Their first kiss takes place in Prater Park, a large public park in the city’s 2nd district, at the top of the Riesenrad Ferris wheel. You can still visit the Prater today and ride the 67.45 metre-tall wheel that sits at the entrance to the amusement park. Before Sunrise.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) – Historic Savannah, Georgia is the backdrop for this intriguing book and movie based on real-life events. All the filming took place in town, and Savannah’s charm and haunting beauty drift throughout the streets. While in town, take a tour of the impressive Mercer Williams house, once home to the private restorationist Jim Williams who amassed a vast collection of 18th and 19th century furniture, artwork and Nanking porcelain. Part of the movie is shot in the local Bonaventure cemetery, an imposing burial ground draped in skeins of Spanish moss. Wander among the crumbling gravestones and rusted decorative iron fencing, spotting pops of deep red roses. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Lost in Translation (2003) – When in Tokyo, fans of Sophia Coppola’s film must pay a visit to the vertiginously located Park Hyatt hotel in Shinjuku. From the sky-high swimming pool where Bob Harris (Bill Murray) swims laps to the dimly lit New York bar where he first meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the Park Hyatt is a reminder of the film at every turn and offers some of the most impressive views across the city. Lost in Translation.

Amélie (2001) – In the north of Paris sits Montmartre, a hill rich in bohemian history and decadence capped by the magnificent Sacre Coeur church. The neighbourhood is home to Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tatou) in this delightful French film that takes a whimsical look at contemporary Parisian life. The Café des 2 Moulins, where Amélie works as a waitress, has become a popular destination for fans of the film and a crème brulee named in her honour is listed on the menu. The streets of Montmartre are a beautiful pocket of Paris to explore, so immerse yourself in the beauty that has captivated artists and poets for many centuries. Amélie.

The Tourist (2010) – While this film received mixed reviews from critics, one can’t say a bad word against the jaw-dropping scenes shot in the dreamy city of Venice. From the outdoor restaurant scene filmed on the iconic white terrace of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to the scenes of Elise (Angelina Jolie) alighting a water taxi on the Grand Canal, Venice is captured in all its glory in this film, making it an inspiring watch ahead of your own Italian adventure. The Tourist.