Top 10 Filming Locations

If you’ve ever watched a movie and thought, ‘wow, I wonder where that is?’ here are some famous filming locations you can visit on a Travelsphere escorted tour.

1. La Dolce Vita

Rome, Italy: In 1960, the great Italian film director Federico Fellini brought us La Dolce Vita, a film depicting the life of a journalist, Marcello Rubini, played by actor Marcello Mastroianni. Shot partly on location and partly using a set, one of the movies most famous scenes shows Sylvia, played by Anita Ekberg, wading through the Trevi Fountain in her ballgown. It was shot on a cold March evening, and despite wearing a wetsuit under his clothing, it’s claimed that Mastroianni had to drink a large amount of vodka before shooting the scene!

2. Lawrence of Arabia

Wadi Rum, Jordan: Based on the life of TE Lawrence, an English Officer who led Arabian forces during World War 1, Lawrence of Arabia is an epic three-and-a-half-hour movie released in 1962. It was filmed mostly on location in Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert, amid burnt-orange sand dunes and breathtaking rock formations. On a Travelsphere escorted tour of Jordan, you can stay in a Bedouin-style tent in this stunning and spectacular landscape.

3. The Sound of Music

Salzburg, Austria: One of the most famous musical films of all time, The Sound of Music is still loved by many today and follows the story of a free-spirited young Maria and the Von Trapp family. The film is set in Salzburg and many of the films famous scenes were filmed in the city, including Mirabell Gardens which is where Maria and the Von Trapp children sang “Do, Re, Mi”. On a visit you’ll recognise the gnome garden, the Pegasus fountain and the famous North steps which provide stunning views of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

4. Lord of the Rings

Matamata, New Zealand: All three of The Lord of the Rings movies were shot on location in New Zealand. Take a tour of New Zealand and experience Middle-earth™ for yourself in the town of Matamata on North Island. The village of Hobbiton™ was created here for the films and is today open to visitors. On a tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, you’ll explore the home of the Hobbits™, The Shire™, and venture inside the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn.

5. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Siem Reap, Cambodia: Scenes from the 2001 adventure movie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, were filmed at the Angkor Thom temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Played by actress Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft embarks on a mission to retrieve part of an ancient talisman from a mysterious, vine-clad temple, known in real life as Ta Prohm. Today, the temple is a popular place for tourists to visit, and the crumbling walls entwined in tangled tree roots are best viewed early in the day. Other scenes from the movie were filmed at the incredible Bayon temple – famed for its 54 towers adorned with carvings of smiling faces.

6. Gladiator

Rome, Italy: Considered to be one of the greatest historical epic films in history, Gladiator won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. Although not filmed in Rome, we had to include it in this list as it is set in the Eternal City and sees gladiators fight in the historic Colosseum.

7. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets

Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland : Calling all Muggles! Here’s your chance to step aboard the real-life Hogwarts Express. The Jacobite steam engine and carriages, which run on Scotland’s West Highland Line, took centre stage in the Harry Potter films. They played the part of the Hogwarts Express - the magical train which departed from Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station. Today you can take a stunning journey on the Jacobite Steam Train through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. You’ll even cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films.

8. Rocky

Philadelphia, USA: Perhaps the most iconic sporting movie ever made, the original Rocky movie won an Oscar for Best Picture in 1977. The film is a true rags to riches story as small-time boxer Rocky Balboa gets and unlikely shot at the world heavyweight title held by Apollo Creed. Set in Philadelphia, many of the films scenes were shot in the city, and arguably the most famous scene sees Rocky training on the streets of Philadelphia and running up the Art Museum’s flight of stairs, which is now informally known as the ‘Rocky Steps’.

9. Casablanca

Casablanca, Morocco: Set in World War II, a nightclub owner in Casablanca agrees to help his former lover and her husband escape to America. The film has seen its reputation grow since its release in 1942 into an all-time classic. Just like Gladiator, the movie wasn’t filmed in Casablanca but the setting of this movie is so iconic that we couldn’t leave it out.

10. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Seville, Spain: One of the highest-grossing media franchises of all-time, Attack of the Clones is the fifth film in the Star Wars film series and the second chronological chapter. During the film a young Anakin Skywalker and Queen Padmé Amidala arrive in the city of Theed on planet Naboo and walk through the hallways of a royal palace lined with regal pillars and views of domes in the distance. This scene was filmed in Seville at the Plaza de España. The extravagant plaza boasts flamboyant architecture, a Gothic cathedral and displays a beautifully tiled alcove for each of Spain's provinces.