“Something was cooking up in Dubrovnik that day. Roofs with orange terracotta tiles, marvellous stone and wild seas were seen here. King's Landing with high-growing cliffs and a beautiful historical metropolis wall overlooks the Adriatic sea. Thousands of people were seen gathered around the Jesuit Church. These lovely and stylish Baroque stairs were positioned at the south of Gundulic Square, but that is not it. People from far away lands - people you have never seen in the locality were also here to be a witness to a historic moment. With a massive anachronistic crowd in tow, the ceremony had already begun. While the masses were yelling “Shame, Shame”, you may have turned around and laughed if you were a tourist in the vicinity. This place was called the Great Sept and Cersei Lannister was about to perform her ‘Walk of Shame’ (Game of thrones, 5x10).”

It is not hard to imagine how exciting it is for the fans and followers of a multimedia production to be present at the location their favourite scenes were shot. Look, I have my vices too. As a Potterhead, I enjoyed a criminal level of excitement from the ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' in Orlando. For the tourism business, these film locations may bring many soft hidden places to limelight as for years to come, fans from all around the world coming to Dubrovnik would ensure to shoot the ‘Walk of Atonement’ in their own ways.

Look, don’t take my word for it, just talk to anyone cooped up indoors during multiple lockdowns, watching Emily in Paris or Money Heist. You better believe Emily in Paris fans are fantasizing about visiting a cute little café at Place de l’Estrapade. Ditto for Money Heist fans looking to visit the Royal Mint of Spain aka the Spanish National Research Council.

In the following blog we will revisit the locations where your favourite scenes were shot in real-time...sans the actors, the light effects, the crew, curious onlookers but you will have the destination and the script in hand - or on your mind!

Paris

Paris has inspired all sorts of artists over the years, from painters to literary giants. 'The city of stars' shines the brightest on the big screen and has served as the backdrop for countless films over the past century. We've seen the city in animated films, suspenseful thrillers, dark biopics Paris knows how to steal a scene. Here are a few of the references you might have seen in the film.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The comedy-drama in the fashion industry will have you laughing and empathizing with Andy and if it is fashion, what other location is better than Paris. Most of the drama and turn of events take place in Paris during Fashion Week. From going on dates to Miranda being Miranda, Paris was the home to major drama and revelations unfold. Place de la Concorde is the fountain where Andy throws her phone into. All the hotel interiors are actually the St. Regis in Manhattan. Some other locations where the film was shot were Notre Dame, Rue de la Bûcherie.

“That’s all.”

Inception (2010)

Dom Cobb is portrayed as a thief who can steal secrets from the dreams of people. One day, he receives a project to ‘plant an idea’ in someone's mind through dream travel. He goes on to assemble a literal dream team, including architect Ariadne, who helps him create labyrinthine “dreamscapes." The scene where Cobb helps Ariadne test out her skills and creates a bridge that seems to go on forever as she folds the streets of Paris to a 90-degree angle is shot on the Bir-Hakeim Bridge.

No, this blog is not a dream inside a dream - neither *disclaimer* have we implanted anything in anyone’s mind. But next time you go to Paris, do not forget to visit the Bir-Hakeim Bridge and stand where Christopher Nolan directed this marvel.

Le Bazar de la Charité (2019)

I had the opportunity to watch this French Netflix series also called ‘Bonfires of Destiny’ (English dubbed). The story in a nutshell begins with fire being set in a yearly charity event in 1897, killing over 100 people, primarily aristocratic women and injuring 200 others. A chapel now sits at this location. The series is about the change in the destiny of the survivors and those investigating the fire. Based on the actual event taking place in Paris gives the viewers of this series a chance to stand where the charity event took place. The show was filmed at various locations within France, some of which can be visited.

Germany

A lot of films ranging from sci-fi, romantic, action and comedy have been shot in Germany. Germany has many famous places and beautiful landscapes that make it a great place for filming. We have shortlisted our favourite ones right here. This is not a list of all films made in Germany. If you find that an important movie is missing, you can add it at the end.

The Hunger Games Mockingjay-Part 2 (2015)

The final film of the world-famous franchise was not only shot in Berlin and the surrounding area, but its world premiere also took place in the German capital. The film featured many Berlin locations including the Tempelhof Airport which was used as a background for the District 2 battle. The former airport is now a sprawling park. Kraftwerk is another Berlin location where the cast spent their day. You can pretend to march along with the war and sing in unison, “Are you, are you coming to the tree?”

Hanna (2011)

A famous action thriller film revolving around Hanna, a girl who was trained since her birth for a purpose. Before setting out for the completion of her project, she is told by her father to meet her in Berlin. A good part of the film is shot in Germany with a lot of action sequences. The film is moving in a decent pace and locations in view are Bad Tölz, the water bridge at Magdeburg, Köhlbrandbrücke and Reeperbahn in Hamburg and various sites in Berlin, such as Kottbusser Tor, Görlitzer Bahnhof and Spreepark. I suggest you watch the film if you haven’t already and let us know in the comments section below which scene was your favourite - so we can tell you where to go!

Prague

Prague is a famous location regularly used to capture background scenes for movies that don’t take place here. Directors head to the town because of the low manufacturing prices related to filming here and successfully show Prague as cities like Vienna or Narnia. In addition to the truth that Prague’s structure isn't different to many different European cities. Check out the list of movies shot here and tell us which you could recognise.

Mission Impossible (1995)

The first film of the very famous Mission Impossible series started with Prague as a location. Brian De Palma’s 1995 blockbuster became the first massive all-star Hollywood production to come to Prague. A fully action-packed film about Ethan, an MI6 agent with elegant suspense and motion sequences. It additionally makes remarkable use of Prague in its beginning scenes, with a standout moment atop Charles Bridge. For the scene when Ethan Hunt meets a weapons dealer, the location was Hotel Evropa and the jump when the restaurant aquarium explodes happened in our very own Old Town Square. Other nearby places covered Lichtenstein Palace, the National Museum.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Disney's Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe were filmed just three and a half hours away from Prague to another famous destination called Adršpach-Teplice Rocks. Adrspach National Park was the chosen location to be seen as the magical place we all wanted to go to as a child. How many times have we opened our wardrobes hoping that it has turned into a gateway to Narnia? The labyrinth of rocks, some towering as high as 100 meters (330 feet), is reminiscent of Bryce Canyon but set amid a pine forest and lake.

New York

For most of us, New York has made us laugh in Seinfeld, made us love, cry & savour moments in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and made us eager to know how Ted met the mother, but this city is much more than just that. This busy yet magical city has been on the lists of directors and production crews as a beautiful backdrop having its own life and personality. Apart from the history of the Empire State Building, here are a few movies that will let you enact the other famous spots in New York.

Night at the Museum (2006)

The American Museum of Natural History has been welcoming all museum enthusiasts and fans of the movie Night at the Museum for more than a decade now. At every step, you got to squint your eyes real hard cause I am sure that capuchin monkey winked at you. Or maybe, you are not as lucky as Larry the newly appointed watchguard. This film set absolutely within side the museum and Central Park now also lets you enjoy a dedicated Night at the Museum tour.

Enchanted (2007)

Enchanted made it possible for fans to visit the fairyland, in New York and not to a land as strange and terrifying as theirs. Giselle is pushed into a well by the evil stepmother Queen Narissa that lands her into... Times Square! Visit the Bethesda Fountain and enjoy the pretty architecture in Morningside Heights. Express your love, dance on the paths of Central Park while singing to the tunes of "That's How You Know."

Pack up!

Bring out your inner drama queens and book your next cinematic adventure now!

In this blog, we took a journey around the world to explore Prague, New York, Paris and Germany. As an ode to your beloved characters, we suggest you take a trip to these fantasy lands and fulfil your dreams as the ultimate fanboy or fangirl! If you are satisfied being a couch potato, well, you can continue to couch surf - and meet me at this blog next month for more travel tales.

Still, if like me, you are itching to travel now, go and book your flight now by emailing our friends over at contact@orbistravels.co.uk. Their agents actually take the time to help you customize your tours and use your budget wisely.