Beautiful European film sets
As summer draws to a close, many of us are already thinking when to book our next vay-cay. If you are a movie buff then you may well consider Europe, and visit some of the classic European movie sets, many of which define a city. Here are some of the best:
Spain
Barcelona
If you are spending a while in delightful Catalonian, then a two-day break in Mini Hollywood, Almeria offers a lot of fun for the whole family. You can rent a car in Barcelona and ride down the beautiful coast to Almeria. Here you can visit Mini Hollywood and the film sets of the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns such as “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”.
This western town was built especially for a few famous Sergio Leone films and features; saloons, bars and bank hold ups, it is a must see for all western buffs, especially with the beautiful mountainous backdrop.
Belgium
Bruges
Whilst you are in Belgium, it would be rude not to visit the magical city of Bruges and explore the city like Irish hitmen Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson do in the movie aptly titled “In Bruges”.
Only an hour and a half’s drive away from the capital of Brussels, your best option is renting a car in the morning and spending the whole day there. Although In Bruges wasn’t necessarily a box office smash, it has since taken on a cult status. This film is appreciated by fans for its dark humour and Irish banter, whilst surrounded by wonderful architecture and serene canals.
France
Paris
The second instalment of Richard Linklater’s critically acclaimed romantic trilogy is set in Paris. Not only did Before Sunset retain the charm of its predecessor (which was awarded a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it also was filmed in yet another stunning location, this time Paris. It is one of only a few of films set in Paris that don’t feature the Eiffel Tower.
The film follows the characters of Jesse and Celine as they meander through the streets of Paris as they discuss concepts of life and love, only becoming speechless when they arrive at the Notre Dame Cathedral. The character eventually recites an anecdote he heard about how a German soldier who was ordered to blow up the church couldn’t, because “it was just so beautiful”.
Italy
Florence
Whilst you are in Italy you must visit Florence and the movie set of “A Room with a View”. Whether you fly into in Rome or Milan, car rental in Italy is easy and will allow you to explore some of the most beautiful parts of the country. With scenes like the bloody knife fight in the Piazza Della Signoria, many international directors have since been impressed by the ancient beauty of Tuscany, even the 2001 horror film Hannibal manages to showcase some of the finest architecture Florence has to offer, such as the Palazzo Vecchio.
Greece
Skopelos
This was the location of the box office smash Mama Mia. The turquoise waters of Kastani beach and the infamous wedding scene at the quaint church of Agio Ioannis to Kastri is where Donna belts out the ABBA classic “The winner takes it all”. These are just a few of the places you will recognise. If you are flying into Athens, then you will need to rent a car and head Northeast to Agios Konstantinos and then take a ferry across.
