by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:17th November 2020
Films that will get you planning for your next mini-break
I’ve love it when we’re sitting on the sofa of an evening watching a film together and a scene in the movie passes through a location we’ve visited. It always gets us reminiscing about our visit and the wonderful adventures that we encountered on that trip.
Wouldn’t it be a fantastic if your job was a film location scout.
It then got me thinking about some of the incredible European places we’ve visited and the movies that have been captured there. I’m sure some these classic films will tempt you into planning your next European mini-break. Or even better start plotting some locations for a road-trip.
Why not Pin it for later?
Our first 10 movies
We'll be discovering the following;
You can click on the link to jump to the section, and to return, just click on the title.
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Perhaps Hannibal is not the most uplifting of movies; however, parts of this 2001 blockbuster were filmed around the captivating streets of the city of Florence.
The Duomo in Florence
This Ridley Scott movie starring Anthony Hopkins as Dr Lecter and Julianne Moore as Clarice Starling is a sequel to the Thomas Harris novel ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, and equally gruesome.
Although it’s not for the faint-hearted, don’t let that distract you from the charm and beauty of the Tuscan city and its historic Duomo and the magnificent Ponte Vecchio.
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Ohh I love a James Bond movie and especially one starring Daniel Craig.
The high-action exploits take 007 to many places around the globe in Casino Royale; however, it’s the spectacular scenery around Lake Como that I remember so well.
The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como, Italy
After Bond is tortured at the hands of Le Chiffre he is seen convalescing in the picturesque gardens of Villa Balbianello on the banks of Lake Como.
Mr White's residence on Lake Como
Located in the Lombardia region of Italy, this is a stunning part of the world. While visiting Lake Como I highly recommend that you hire your own speed boat for the day. Cruise around at your own pace and soak up the captivating bays and inlets dotted around the shores.
If you're hooked like us and want to tour around the beautiful Italian Lakes in northern Italy, then take a look at this DK Eyewitness book.
This Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide is invaluable, I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
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One of my favourite cities in the world is Seville in Andalucía, southern Spain, and particularly around the striking Plaza de España.
So, when we were watching the George Lucas Star Wars movie the ‘Attack of the Clones’ I couldn’t believe it when I saw that it was used as the backdrop for Naboo.
A view of Plaza de España
I am a fan of the Star Wars empire especially the original three films, what’s there not to love about C-3PO and R2-D2 shuffling around the sand dunes.
Let’s not digress if you only choose one location to visit in Spain, you must make it Seville in the spring or autumn, you won’t be disappointed.
Also keep an eye out for the Plaza de España in the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia.
Ahhh the call of Andalucía, I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our southern Spanish road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
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Well the title gives its location away a bit, but hey it wasn’t a secret.
In my opinion the 2008 movie ‘In Bruges’ starring Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson is a classic. Although it involves the two guys playing hit men in the dark streets of Bruges, it has some really funny scenes, as they await their orders.
The pretty, medieval Bruges
Brendon Gleeson’s character Ken can’t resist taking in the sights around the picturesque city, at the bemusement of Colin Farrell.
Ohh don’t forget to indulge in the local chocolate while in Bruges.
London Movies
Take a peek at our Movies filmed on the streets of London Part 1 and Part 2. So often we stumble upon film crews when we are strolling around London.
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A little more on the light-hearted side is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the 1968 classic family movie starring Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts and Sally Anne Howes as Truly Scrumptious.
The courtyard of Schloss Neuschwanstein
The eccentric inventor and his children can be watched enjoying their adventures in their flying car. Parts of which were filmed around the lush region of Bavaria in southern Germany.
The magical Neuschwanstein Castle which is used during the film is just near the colourful town of Füssen, which is at one end of the enchanting Romantic Road.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Vulgaria?
Then a further 150 miles north still along the Romantische Strasse is the incredibly attractive walled Medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. When you stroll around Rothenburg it really does feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set and even more so if you visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber
at Christmas time.
I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Germany road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
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Your mission should you choose to accept it, is a visit to the Czech Republic’s capital of Prague, where the original 1996 Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible was captured.
The centre of old Prague
In this fast-paced action thriller Ethan Hunt races through the cobbled lanes of the ancient city of Prague, on a mission to uncover who amongst he’s team has double-crossed him.
Prague is a beautiful city and although it may have been a little tarnished in the past with its rowdy visitors, is truly worth a visit. Especially taking an evening stroll across the historic Charles Bridge.
It’s good to talk!
Please share with us your favourite movie locations around Europe, we’d love to know where you’ve visited.
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Our next stop is to the magnificent city of Paris, ooh la la!
In particularly around the streets of Montmatre and Moulin Rouge. Yes, it’s the 2001 Baz Lurhmann movie of the same name.
The Moulin Rouge, Paris
This colourful lively musical starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor is set in 1899, during the French Bohemian revolution.
Nicole and Ewan not only begin to fall in love that also share with us their incredible singing skills.
This region of Paris is so interesting, within a few streets of each other Paris’s nightlife comes alive and the beautiful Sacre Coeur dominates the Paris skyline.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris
I love the atmosphere all around the streets of Montmartre, also keep a lookout for the tiny terraced vineyard just beyond the striking basilica.
If you've yet to discover the beautiful architecture in Paris, and the pleasure of strolling along the River Seine at sunset, then you're in for a treat.
I find DK Eyewitness travel guides invaluable, they're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Paris adventure, now you can grab the revised copy.
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We are still in France this time the movie I’ve picked is Ronin. Which is filmed around the southern shores of the country, specifically around Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
This action, crime thriller stars Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and Sean Bean to name a few.
The back lanes of Nice
The old town of Nice
One of the reasons I chose Ronin was not just for the fact that I really enjoyed the movie, but also because some of the car chase scenes shot around Villefranche-sur-Mer. Watching the vehicles hurtling around the tiny lanes brought back some great memories for us of our road trip along the Côte d'Azur.
The Welcome Hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer as seen in Ronin
Specifically, when were sitting on the side of the picturesque quay of Villefranche, with boats bobbing up and down in the harbour while enjoying a crisp glass of rosé wine.
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And you thought Dubrovnik was all about the blockbuster drama Game of Thrones.
Well, the Last Jedi gets a look in too. The eighth movie of the Star Wars series starring the delightful Carrie Fisher, sees John Boyega and Mark Hamill heading amongst the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik.
The streets of old Dubrovnik or is that the City of Canto Bight
Dubrovnik has had a bit of a reputation for being overcrowded; however, the reason for this is that the ancient walled city nestled along the Adriatic Sea is stunning.
Take a wander around the ramparts and you truly appreciate the wonder of Dubrovnik, far-stretching views over the terracotta rooftops and the glistening seas beyond.
If you've yet to discover the delights of Croatia you're in for a treat. While planning our road trip, I used the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our north to south Croatian road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
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Ahh, we are back to the land of gelato and pasta, yes Italy and the glorious canal city of Venice.
We are on the trail of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in the 2010 movie The Tourist. Angelina Jolie plays a British woman on the run as her husband (Steven Berkoff) owes a vast sum of money and has undergone plastic surgery to disguise himself.
The view of Venice from Ponte dell'Accademia
Angelina befriends Johnny Depp on the way to Venice as a decoy hoping that the police believe that Depp is her husband. Twisting tales ensue complete with boat chases and stylish Venetian balls.
The meandering canals weaving amongst the charming architecture and the grand piazzas will win me over every time. Venice is so elegant, unique, and a treasure to this wonderful country.
An iconic view across the Grand Canal
We visited in springtime and it was everything we had hoped it to be, especially the ice-cream.
You’ll also catch scenes from the James Bond movie Casino Royale, which I mentioned above for Lake Como.
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