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Travel destinations that let you live inside your favorite films

Ever notice how a great movie doesn't just entertain you, but it moves in with you? Decades later, a certain hillside or harbor can still transport you straight back to that film’s universe. These beautiful places let you step inside the story. Picture yourself twirling on an Austrian hillside like Julie Andrews, or wandering Rome on a whimsical, Audrey Hepburn-style escapade: suddenly you're not just a tourist, you're the protagonist. These 10 destinations let you climb inside your favorite movies and have your own cinematic adventure.

The rolling green hills around Salzburg look exactly like they did when Julie Andrews twirled through them singing at the top of her lungs. Standing there, you'll sense the urge to fling your arms wide open, and honestly, go for it. This 1965 film raised generations of Americans on family sing-alongs and annual rewatches.

Visiting is a warm hug from your childhood, only with better scenery and no commercial breaks.

Cobblestone streets, the Trevi Fountain, a Vespa buzzing past ancient ruins: Rome practically invented cinematic romance. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck made runaway adventure look effortlessly glamorous in 1953’s Roman Holiday, and walking these same piazzas, you'll feel like royalty in disguise, ready for your own delicious mischief.

Fair warning: you may be tempted to get a short, chic haircut and eat gelato on the Spanish Steps. Resistance is futile, so why bother resisting?

Vast golden savannas, dramatic skies, the distant silhouette of a giraffe… Kenya is pure sweeping-epic territory. This is where Meryl Streep and Robert Redford made an entire generation swoon over safari sunsets and doomed romance in the 1985 film. Out there, you'll be humbled by the landscape's grandeur.

It's a place that invites reflection: about love, about risk, about how sometimes the most beautiful stories are the bittersweet ones.

With its misty highlands, dramatic cliffs, and ruins that whisper of ancient battles, Scotland looks like it was built for a rousing speech. Mel Gibson's blue-faced, freedom-shouting warrior in the 1985 movie turned this rugged landscape into something legendary.

It's equal parts thrilling and funny to imagine yourself as a fearsome clansman while wearing sensible walking shoes.

With whitewashed buildings tumbling down blue-domed cliffs into a sparkling sea, Santorini is basically one giant postcard. It's where ABBA hits and Meryl Streep's carefree spirit turned a Greek island into pure joy in the 2008 movie musical, based on the smash Broadway show. You'll get the urge to dance on a rooftop terrace at sunset, and really, you should.

This is nostalgia dressed up as vacation: a reminder that it's never too late for a little dancing queen energy.

The dramatic desert landscapes and ancient architecture of Morocco stood in for the Roman Empire's outer reaches, giving this 2001 Best Picture winner its sun-scorched grandeur. Wandering the markets and kasbahs, you might sense Russell Crowe's steely determination.

It's a place that makes you think about strength, legacy, and whether you, too, are "entertained."

Emerald hills, misty mountains, and endless green slopes: New Zealand made Middle-earth come alive in Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, released between 2001 and 2003. Hobbiton is every fan's dream brought to life: a sunlit haven celebrating a joyful, simple lifestyle where the cheery locals love nothing more than good food, plenty of sleep, and a grand party.

Even if fantasy epics aren't usually your thing, stepping through those round doors brings a sense of pure magic.

Neon lights, quiet hotel bars, a city that hums with energy **yet somehow feels lonely at 2 a.m.**—Tokyo captured something quietly universal about connection and disorientation. Visiting, you might recognize that same reflective haze Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film captured so well, wandering unfamiliar streets with fresh eyes.

Paris has always been romantic, but 2001’s Amélie gave it a whimsical, candy-colored twist: cobblestone lanes, cozy cafés, and a sense that magic hides in ordinary moments. Sitting at a sidewalk café, you might be inspired to do something small and delightfully odd, just because.

It's a lovely nudge to notice life's little pleasures, even if you never quite mastered French beyond "bonjour" and "croissant, s'il vous plaît."

Turquoise water, dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden coves: Thailand's beaches look like a secret paradise, which is exactly what drew backpackers (and a young Leonardo DiCaprio circa 2000) there.

Visiting, you might get that old itch for adventure off the beaten path.

10 gorgeous places to visit in Rhode Island

They say "good things come in small packages," and Rhode Island is the living proof of it. Despite its size, the smallest U.S. state has some of the most charming and picturesque places you could imagine. From the compact, clean, and architecturally charming city of Providence to 400 miles of coastline — no wonder it is called "The Ocean State" — Rhode Island is packed with beautiful landscapes and historical sites perfect for a relaxed vacation on the coast. Let’s take a trip across Rhode Island’s most iconic corners.

Right after setting foot in Newport, you are struck by Rhode Island’s scenic views surrounding the area. But its nature is not the only attraction; the city features spectacular mansions from the Gilded Age, where some of 1800s America’s wealthiest families built their summer "cottages" — now open to the public.

Newport is also home to a rich sailing culture — it’s often been called "Sailing Capital of the World" — where visitors can explore picturesque harbors and take part in sailing events and excursions. Newport was founded in 1639, which makes it one of the oldest cities in New England with more than 400 years of history.

Even older than Newport, Providence was founded in 1636, making it one of the oldest cities in the United States. Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and home to a mixture of colonial history, prestigious universities, and an ever-evolving art scene that can keep you walking for hours.

Taking a relaxing stroll around the College Hill neighborhood, observing some of its colonial homes and brick streets, is always a good choice in Providence. The city also hosts a world-famous art installation named Waterfire in which nearly 100 bonfires are lit along the river, and visitors can navigate through them in gondolas, adding wood to the fire while musicians and dancers perform live — a one-of-a-kind experience.

Brown University is part of the nation’s eight prestigious Ivy League universities and has educated a number of influential people like John D. Rockefeller Jr., John F. Kennedy Jr., Emma Watson, Ted Turner, and John Krasinski. Brown stands atop College Hill in Providence with a beautiful campus open to the public, filled with historical buildings that date back to the 18th century.

Besides Brown’s internationally known academic excellence, the university is also a fantastic place to spend the afternoon walking or reading under the shade of a tree. A fun fact about the school: it was the first Ivy League university to accept students regardless of their religious affiliation.

When it comes to picturesque views, Bristol hardly has any contenders. The town is simply gorgeous. Its historic architecture, colonial houses, and stunning view of the Narragansett Bay are truly breathtaking.

Despite Bristol's calm and relaxed atmosphere, the town is famous for its Fourth of July celebration, the oldest in the country since 1785, two years after the end of the Revolutionary War. The town’s Independence Day parade attracts roughly ten thousand visitors every year.

Located inside the historic Newport Casino, the International Tennis Hall of Fame attracts not only tennis buffs but also anyone who wants to enjoy one of the finest examples of Shingle Style architecture in the United States. Inside, visitors can explore the museum with more than a century of tennis history and visit one of the few remaining public grass courts in the country.

Many legendary American tennis players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras, and Serena Williams, as well as other international legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Visitors can attend the yearly Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, where players are honored.

Almost the only way to get to Block Island is by ferry — and it's totally worth it. Situated about 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean, the island offers the perfect vacation destination if you’re looking for either a simple and relaxing time at the beach or more active pastimes like biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and boating.

Some of the main landmarks of the island include its coastal bluffs and historical lighthouses, all enshrouded by the unique New England atmosphere. The island covers only 10 square miles, so it's totally explorable in a day. One highlight is that nearly 40% of Block Island is protected from development, which guarantees an amazing time for nature lovers.

Narragansett is Rhode Island’s classic summer escape. The town overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers some of the most impressive ocean views of the area, as well as beautiful sandy beaches, including Narragansett Town Beach — a mile-long beach.

One of Narragansett's most recognizable landmarks is The Towers, which was built in 1886 as the entrance to the Narragansett Pier Casino, before a devastating fire left only the stone archway that stands now. Visitors can also enjoy the town’s fresh seafood, and surf enthusiasts can catch some of Narragansett's Atlantic waves.

Within the town of Westerly, Watch Hill used to be one of New England’s premier summer resorts in the late 19th century, where wealthy families from New York, Boston, and Philadelphia would vacation. Surrounded by a relaxed coastal atmosphere, this elegant seaside village invites visitors to explore its big Victorian homes, beaches, and luxury hotels.

Besides its undeniable elegance, the village is also home to the historic Watch Hill Lighthouse, first established in 1808 under President Thomas Jefferson, as well as the oldest continuously operating carousel in the United States, the Flying Horse Carousel.

A big part of visiting Rhode Island includes seeing historical architecture, and Wickford Village is one of the best-preserved colonial villages in New England. The village is found in the town of North Kingstown along the shores of Narragansett Bay, filled with quiet waterfront streets, locally owned boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafés.

The village is an authentic historical district, with dozens of buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With houses and structures more than 200 years old, Wickford Village gives visitors the feeling of stepping back into colonial New England.

Colt State Park is one of the youngest landmarks on this list, but it has still been around since 1968. The park can be found in Bristol just a few minutes from downtown, and it covers approximately 464 acres — one of Rhode Island’s largest waterfront parks.

Colt State is the perfect spot for a morning walk or an afternoon picnic with the family, while taking in the scenic bay views and peaceful setting. There are different species of birds flying around the park, and if you are lucky, you may even see a deer roaming the land.