Film-inspired tours in Europe

Many cities in Europe have served as the setting or inspiration for iconic films, such as the Harry Potter series of films, Room with a View, The Godfather trilogy, Sound of Music and La Dolce Vita. If you have a favorite movie that was set in Europe or inspired by European culture or landscapes then consider one of these film-inspired vacations.

The UK

The UK has been the setting of many iconic films, including the James Bond films, Trainspotting and the Harry Potter series of films. It is home to many famous landmarks, which are recognized around the world, such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London.

If you have a Harry Potter fan in the family then you may be interested in this Harry Potter Experience, which is a specially created vacation package for families that includes a Studio Tour and fun day trips to magical locations where filming took place.

Or perhaps you’re a fan of Bill Forsyth’s film Local Hero, starring Peter Riegert, Denis Lawson, Fulton Mackay, and Burt Lancaster. This 1983 comedy-drama was set in a frictional village in Scotland and if you feel in love with the Scottish landscape from that movie then why not take a tour of the Scottish Highlands and enjoy Scotland’s quaint village pubs and sample local food, such as haggis.

If the cult classic Trainspotting by Danny Boyle sparked your interest then a tour of that takes you to London and Edinburgh is a must. In Edinburgh you can take a stroll down Princes Street, which featured in the opening scenes of the movie, and you can see other iconic sights, such as the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. In London you can visit famous landmarks, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace for the ultimate UK vacation.

Italy

Room with a View was set in the glorious city of Florence and many have noted that the movie is a real visual treat – who could not fall in love with the last scene, showing Lucy and George kissing in front of the breathtaking view of the Arno? Florence will certainly not disappoint and we highly recommend visiting one of the art galleries while in the city and perhaps enjoying a wine-tasting tour to the Chianti region.

Perhaps The Godfather movies are more your style. In that case, a customized vacation to Catania will appeal, from where you can visit the unspoiled Sicilian hilltop towns that were made famous by Coppola’s famous Godfather trilogy on a movie sites walking tour.

Another classic film set in Italy is La Dolce Vita, which was filmed in Rome. Be sure to visit the Trevi Fountain on your vacation in Rome, from where Anita Ekberg emerged in her strapless black dress, which is one of the most iconic scenes in the film. Rome was also the inspiration behind Roman Holiday, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, and what better way to celebrate the film than zipping around Rome yourself on Vespa?

Austria

Salzburg on the German border featured in scenes from the family favorite and Oscar winning film The Sound of Music. There are many themed tours that you can enjoy in the city, such as Sound of Music dinner shows and a trip to The Sound of Music Museum. Even if you’re not a fan of the film, Salzburg is beautiful in its own right and well worth visiting for the city’s historic center and the scenic Alpine surroundings.

Another movie set in Austria is Before Sunrise, which is a romantic movie about two strangers who meet on a train. It is set in Austria’s capital, Vienna, and shows little known spots in and around Vienna, such as The Cemetery of Nameless Souls, which is on the city’s outskirts. Whether you love the movie or not Vienna is a beautifully romantic destination to explore and is full of character and culture.

France

The chic atmosphere and iconic architecture of Paris has inspired many films, including Before Sunset, The Girl on the Bridge and, of course, Breathless. The latter was shot entirely on location in Paris with a handheld camera but the cityscape was captured perfectly in the film, including the Champs-Elysees.

If you choose to visit Paris and want to visit the famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, we highly recommend purchasing “skip the line” tickets so that you can make the most of your vacation time and avoid queueing for tickets. You can also enjoy wine-tasting tours in Paris and you can also hire segways as a fun way to discover the city.

If you are thinking about a vacation in Europe and would like us to put together a customized trip that includes stops in cities and locations that have inspired iconic films, please contact a member of our dedicated team on +44 1223 637328 or click here to send an online inquiry. You can also click here to see more about our Norway tour, which was inspired by Disney’s animated film Frozen.