Are you a sucker for movies that make you want to pack your bags immediately? You know, those films where the scenery is so stunning you forget about the plot for a minute?
Some movie locations don’t just fade away after the credits roll. They stick with you. They become places you actually dream about visiting. And it’s not just because they look pretty on screen, but because they’ve somehow become part of our cultural DNA.
We’ve put together four spots that’ll make any movie lover’s heart skip a beat.
New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Peter Jackson basically turned his entire country into Middle-earth, and it’s the best marketing campaign ever.
The Hobbiton set in Matamata is still there. You can walk through Bag End’s front door. You can sit in the Green Dragon pub and drink ale (yes, actual ale). It’s surreal in the best possible way.
Drive a few hours and you’re in Queenstown, where they filmed those epic mountain scenes. The landscapes are so dramatic that they almost don’t look real. Fiordland will make you understand why Tolkien’s world felt so magical.
Pro tip: Book those guided tours. The behind-the-scenes stories are incredible. Did you know they built Hobbiton twice? The first time, everything was temporary. When they came back for The Hobbit films, they rebuilt it to last forever.
Scotland: Harry Potter Series
If you’ve ever wondered where movie magic actually comes from, it’s the Scottish Highlands.
The Hogwarts Express is a real train called the Jacobite Steam Train. It runs from Fort William to Mallaig, and yes, you can ride it. The route goes right over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the gorgeous stone bridge from the Harry Potter films.
Let’s be honest, it’s touristy now. But when that train rounds the bend and you see Loch Shiel stretching out below you, none of that matters. You’re 11-years-old again, waiting for your Hogwarts letter.
The Scottish tourism board should send J.K. Rowling a thank-you card every year. She put their country on every kid’s bucket list.
Italy: Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn eating gelato on the Spanish Steps. Gregory Peck showing her around Rome on a Vespa. If that doesn’t make you want to book a flight to Italy, I don’t know what will.
Roman Holiday turned Rome into the ultimate romantic getaway decades before Eat, Pray, Love was even a thought. The Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, those narrow cobblestone streets – they’re all still there, looking pretty much exactly like they did in 1953.
Rome’s one of those cities that lives up to the hype. It’s impossible to walk around without feeling like you’re in a movie yourself. Fair warning: the Spanish Steps are always packed with tourists. But early morning, when the light hits just right, it’s pure magic.
Jordan: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Petra is hands-down one of the most jaw-dropping places on Earth. When you walk through that narrow canyon (the Siq) and catch your first glimpse of the Treasury, you’ll get it. You’ll understand why they chose this place for Indy’s final quest.
The Treasury looks exactly like it did in the movie. The same rose-colored stone, same intricate carvings, same sense that you’ve stumbled into something ancient and mysterious.
But Petra is massive, and the Treasury is just the beginning. You can spend days exploring tombs, temples, and hiking trails that wind through the mountains. Go at sunrise or sunset if you can. The way the light plays on that sandstone is unreal.
These places aren’t just pretty backdrops. They’re destinations that changed how we see the world, one movie at a time.
Whether you’re Team Frodo or Team Harry Potter, whether you prefer Roman romance or archaeological adventures, these spots deliver. They’re not just Instagram-worthy (though they definitely are). The a’re the kind of places that remind you why you fell in love with movies in the first place.
Just like these movies transport you somewhere else, online poker does something similar. It’s that same escape, that same thrill of being part of something bigger than your everyday routine.
So pick one and book the trip. Your favorite film is waiting for you to step inside it.
