Clearly I'm Obsessed With These Movies Because Here Are 10 Trips That I Took Based On My Favorite Scenes
If you're a bit of a pop culture nerd, movie buff, or world traveler, then you've probably watched a scene in a movie and thought, "I would love to travel there in person."
Disney / Via giphy.com
I'm here to tell you that it's perfectly normal to get travel inspo from movies, even if the planning starts with a tray of animated beignets.
Disney / Via giphy.com
To make you feel seen, I've gathered a few of my own memories from trips that I took solely based on scenes from my favorite movies.
1.Barcelona, Spain (The Cheetah Girls)
What can I say? You gotta strut like you mean it, and that's exactly what I did during my time in Spain. But if strutting isn't your thing, free your mind with the mosaics and beautiful architecture at Park Güell. Get inspired by the Cheetahlicious views and fierce artwork. There are plenty of outdoor activities if you'd like to explore the park, but if you prefer to relax and enjoy the greenery, you can ride a bike or sit on one of the many benches while you take in the scene.
2.Watford, England (Harry Potter)
I trekked all the way to Watford, England to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The Harry Potter Tour was incredible, full of fun facts, interactive exhibits, and a number of movie props including Flying Ford Anglia. But just to warn you, the car isn't enchanted, so unfortunately I didn't get to fly. But if you do visit the studio, there's a flying broom installation which at least gives the illusion of flying through a green screen effect. That illusion is good enough for a muggle like me.
3.Paris, France (Passport to Paris)
I can't be the only one who had every single Olsen twins adventure on their bucket list. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen dominated the screen in the '90s era with films set in Rome, New York City, The Bahamas, London, and so much more. Passport to Paris was my first inspiration for visiting France. The twins toured quite a bit in this film—Notre-Dame, Arc de Triomphe, the Seine, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, so it was only right for me to pose in a similar manner in this city of love and beauty.
4.Jamaica (How Stella Got Her Groove Back)
This one may seem like a stretch, but in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Delilah, played by Whoopi Goldberg, tells Stella (Angela Bassett) that they're going to visit Rick's Cafe while they're in Jamaica. Now, the film doesn't actually show them visiting the restaurant, but that didn't stop me from taking the journey nearly 20 years after the release of the film. At Rick's, you can be like Stella, getting your groove back with a little sneaky link (👀), or you can catch a vibe by the bar. For dining, you can sip on a Bob Marley inspired drink, order some fresh lobster per Delilah's suggestion, and then after dinner, jump off the cliff into the clear blue waters of Negril. There's even a pool, live music, and a beautiful pop-up that frames the best sunset view on the island.
5.Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (Last Holiday)
Yes, I followed the Queen, Queen Latifah that is, who stars in Last Holiday. The movie takes place at Karlovy Vary, which is about a two hour ride from Prague, Czech Republic. I'll admit, Karlovy Vary sounded like a fictional place when I heard it, but after Google proved it to be very real, I booked a trip and was even more surprised to learn that Grandhotel Pupp was open to the public for lodging. I had lunch at the hotel restaurant and did what any travel enthusiast would do. I made a TikTok with Georgia Byrd's hotel reception scene, and I can confirm that looking up at the lobby ceiling does make you want to cry.
6.Brooklyn, New York (Crooklyn)
Ok, so my fascination with New York began right here with this Spike Lee classic, Crooklyn. Most of the scenes were filmed at 7 Arlington Place in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn. Now a bed and breakfast, this brownstone is seated in the center of the block. It's a wonderful sight to see when you grew up rewinding— RIP to the VHS days—and rehearsing that one stoop scene from the film.
7.Rome, Italy (The Lizzie McGuire Movie)
You may not be as lucky as Lizzie McGuire, exploring Rome with a celebrity, but you can still make a wish at Trevi Fountain. Even though Rome is extremely crowded, I doubt you'll meet a famous man who knows a singer that looks just like you. You probably have a better chance at performing at the Colosseum, or at least outside like I did when I failed to get entry tickets. Ooopps! Either way, bear the heat, make a wish at the fountain, and see one of the seven world wonders.
8.Maxim's Paris (Living Single)
So, I took Regine's advice and visited Maxim's in Paris, France. You remember the episode of Living Single where Max and Kyle were pretending to date each other so that Max could impress her ex? In "A Kiss Before Lying," they pretend to have visited Maxim's, so I booked an actual dinner there as well. The restaurant feels a bit tucked away despite its central location, so the chances of running into your ex are quite slim. This romantic place is a historically famous restaurant, but surprisingly, I didn't have to wait in any long lines to get my tender rack of lamb.
9.New Orleans, Louisiana (The Princess and the Frog)
I get a sweet tooth just thinking about this movie. It's odd, but there's something about animated food that just gets me going. In this case, there were several restaurants and historical sites that inspired The Princess and the Frog, but my favorite is Café Du Monde in New Orleans. The line was out the door, but the good thing is that it's open 24 hours, so if you have a craving in the middle of the night, Café Du Monde will welcome you with southern hospitality.
10.Amsterdam, Netherlands (The Fault in Our Stars)
After watching The Fault in Our Stars, I just had to visit Amsterdam and see the majestic canals and narrow houses in person. You'll easily spot the infamous bench at the intersection of Herengracht and Leidsegracht, and you'll feel every bit of emotion between Hazel Grace and Augustus as you sit and take in the scene. Maybe you'll be lucky like me and find someone to pose as your Augustus...
