Wanderlust meets
Widescreen
Compiled by Nicola Jayasundera
Transport yourself into a cinematic world where movies and television series come to life, captivating far-off realms become the locales of ‘here and now’ adventures, and strolling through fantastic dreams is quotidian.
Set-jetting (a ‘location vacation’) offers a unique and immersive way to explore the planet we live on and experience firsthand the remarkable destinations that have graced the silver screen.
Romania
Step into the world of Wednesday, one of Netflix’s most watched series of all time. The Gothic structures you see on your widescreen find their home in Romania’s capital Bucharest. No stranger to all things dark and spooky, the Nevermore Academy owes its sinister exterior to Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni. Its gothic interiors are from Palatul Monteoru and Casa Niculescu-Dorobanţu in Bucharest. The school’s fabulous greenhouse is also located in the city at the Bucharest Botanical Garden.
Iceland
This Nordic island has served as a backdrop for numerous blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. Begin your adventure by visiting the mesmerising black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, which are featured in Game of Thrones. Walk along the dramatic coastline with its towering basalt columns and crashing waves, and feel the atmosphere of the show come to life.
Scotland
Oozing historic charm and elegance, Scotland became the second highest set-jetting destination following the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The film was shot in multiple locations including Northumberland in the UK and Sicily in Italy but it was Scotland that came out on top. Visit St. Vincent Street in the centre of Glasgow, which is featured in the trailer, at which time it was decorated with hundreds of American flags.
Outback
The fifth instalment in the Mad Max series will focus on a young Furiosa battling against two tyrannical warlords. This franchise is returning to the Australian Outback in New South Wales, and taking over entire country towns and desert locations including Broken Hill, Silverton and Hay on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. In the aftermath of an extended drought, the filming brought a hive of activity and a much needed boost to the local economy.
Czech Republic
Upcoming American action thriller Ballerina, which stars Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas, has finished shooting in Prague. It features stunning scenes in Czechia’s capital city and other areas across the country. The crew shot scenes in the Old Town of that city by Dlouhá Street and around the National Theatre of Prague. Filming also took place in the beautiful region of Moravia, the picturesque town of Štramberk and the city of Ostrava.
Morocco
The sequel to the iconic Gladiator film will hit cinemas in November next year; and if it is anything like the original, it’s going to be a blockbuster. With certain scenes shot in Morocco, many locations serve to portray the ancient Roman setting, and the crew filmed in the city of Ouarzazate and the historic fortified village of Aït Benhaddou.
Lithuania
Season four of the critically acclaimed Stranger Things was shot in the stunning city of Vilnius. Part of the season was filmed inside the Lukiškės Prison in Vilnius. St. Nicholas Church in Semeliškės was also part of the set. The small aerodrome in Alaska seen in the movie was actually the Kyviškės aerodrome in the eponymous village east of Vilnius.