When you fall in love with a film, it’s for a number of reasons: the characters, the story – but also – the beautiful destinations. From the busy streets of Notting Hill’s London, to the lush forests of The Lord of the Ring’s New Zealand, the globe is scattered with iconic filming locations worth seeing in person.

London – ‘Notting Hill’

Remember the opening scene of Notting Hill where Hugh Grant strolls down Portobello Road?  In real life, this cobbled street is home to the charming Portobello Road Market. If you love thrift-shopping, make sure you don’t miss this open-air market. Full of antiques, fresh produce, books, street food and jewelry – this market is the perfect place to get some souvenirs or gifts for your friends and family back home. 

For a fun photo, visit the infamous Blue Door at 131 Portobello Rd, the original door where Hugh Grant’s roommate poses for the paparazzi in his underwear. The original door has been auctioned off to charity, but the new owners of the apartment have painted the current door blue as homage to the film. Local Japanese restaurant Nobu, is where Julia Roberts stands up to some mouthy tourists in the film and is also a fantastic spot for a bite to eat. Just like the movie, Nobu is both known for the delicious cuisine and its celebrity clientele. Who knows? If you book now, you might be sitting across from Brad Pitt, Zayn Malik or Kate Moss. 

Stay here.

New Zealand – ‘The Lord of the Rings’

As if created by J.R.R Tolkien’s imagination, the snow-capped volcanoes, vast forests and majestic lakes of New Zealand made the perfect setting for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 

Nestled between rolling green hills, around the town of Matamata, lies Hobbiton – a popular spot where many go to experience the life of a Hobbit. Naturally, that means signing up for The Evening Banquet Tour and exploring the lush green valley, followed by a mouth-watering spread of crispy, golden roast chicken, smoked Salmon fillet, slow-cooked lamb shank, garlic braised mushrooms and roast pumpkin. 

Another magical landscape is that of Kaitoke Regional Park – also known as Rivendell, the home of the Elvish people. This Elvish forest is the perfect outdoor playground – the 2500 hectares of mature native forest is mapped with novice hiking routes and more challenging hiking trails. 

Here, you can cool off in the clear pools, kayak down the gorge or just laze underneath the ancient trees with a picnic basket for two – pure Elvish magic. 

Stay here.

Los Angeles – ‘Ghostbusters’

Under the Hollywood sign, lies Los Angeles, the center of the American film and television industry. This city is also home to the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles – the filming location of iconic films like Ghostbusters. 

In the eponymous film, Ghostbusters were called out to the Sedgewick Hotel, which in real life is the iconic Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles. In the ornate lobby of this hotel, with its chandeliers, marble columns and towering ceilings as backdrop, Bill Murray and his team caught their first ghost, ‘Slimer’. 

This film was also shot in the then Burbank Studios, now known as the Warner Bros. Studios.  From around $65 per adult, you can cruise around this busy studio to see film memorabilia such as the ‘Batmobile’, experience live filming and even visit the ‘Central Perk’ set. If you’re feeling inspired, you can sign up for an improvisation class at The Groundlings Theatre and School, where Bill Murray, Kristin Wiig and Will Ferrell were enrolled as young aspiring actors. If the class sounds too daunting, you can also just drop by to watch a hilarious improvisation show. Who knows, Bill may even show up.

Some things might look bigger, brighter and better on-screen, but nothing beats seeing legendary film locations in real-life. When visiting these places, you’ll soon realize exactly why and how they have become some of the most iconic filming locations of our time.

Stay here.