It’s summertime and that means two things: holiday and block-buster movies.  The summer is prime time for the movie industry, breaking out their biggest and baddest movies for all of us to enjoy.  Some of the biggest movies in the world and cult classics have a fan base that would travel to the ends of the earth to catch a glimpse of where their favourite movie was filmed.  A grand example of this is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which was filmed on location in New Zealand.  New Zealand has seen tourism spike ever since those movies came out over 10 years ago, and it hasn’t stopped since. So if you’re a movie lover and want to travel this summer, check out these places where some of your favourites were filmed.

Harry Potter- England

One of the biggest franchises of all time, Harry Potter reached millions of movie-goers when the first movie hit theatres in 2001 and has made over a billion dollars ever since.  Potter fans are no joke and many find themselves travelling to the locations where the movies were made.  These movies have become so popular, there is now a Harry Potter World in Walt Disney World, and a new one opening up in California in the coming years!  But the film studio tour in London is the best filming location to visit if you’re a die-hard Harry fan.  Take the tour, step on to the actual sets in the studio where the movies were made, and visit the original Hogwarts Express Train at 9 3/4 platform.  It’s the ultimate Harry Potter experience for all. Other filming locations around England include Oxford, Durham, Wales, and areas outside of Bath.

Game of Thrones- Multiple locations

Ok, this isn’t a movie, but it might as well be.  The fan base for this HBO TV show is enormous and their obsession doesn’t stop at loving Jon Snow.  Fanatics have been changing their travel plans to include film locations in their itinerary, in hopes of catching a scene or two being shot.  Others, on the other hand, might be trying to find Jon Snow.  Who knows.  But the show has done something fantastic with it’s locations; they have become tourist attractions themselves.  You are now able to take tours in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Northern Ireland, and Iceland to get a behind-the-scenes look at the famous show.  I can tell you this from experience; King’s Landing a.k.a Dubrovnik’s Old Town is magical.  So maybe travelling to a movie or show location is the way to plan your travels from now on.

Braveheart- Scotland

The ultimate action movie with the ultimate performance from Mel Gibson, Braveheart is STILL one of the best movies ever made.  Besides great acting and characters, the backdrop of Scotland plays an integral part of the movie and storyline.  Not to mention, it’s drop-dead gorgeous.  If you’ve been to Scotland then you know about the jaw-dropping landscape.  If not, then I suggest you change your travel itinerary to the northern section of Scotland.  The movie was filmed in many locations throughout the area, including the uber beautiful Glen Nevis.  If rolling hills, greenery, rugged castles, beautiful waterfalls and vistas, then Scotland is for you.

Sound of Music- Austria

The hills are definitely alive with the sound of music in Austria.  And you can’t go anywhere near Salzburg without hearing about it.  The mountains around Salzburg are incredible on their own, but tack on one of the most famous and influential movies in the history of movie-making, and you have one solid tourist attraction. There are plenty of The Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg and they will all take you to the spectacular locations and buildings used in the movie. But the best way to see the sights is by road trip.  Not only will you see some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe, you will be able to relive the scenes in the movie, however small they might be. And on your own time.  If you want to sing your heart out at the top of a mountain, by all means, do it!  I promise you, you won’t be alone.