Lights, camera, action!

by Simon Carter

Immersive experiences are at the very heart of travel, and the world of cinema and television is no different. Producers, writers, and directors want you to be captivated by the universes they’re creating, and that means finding ideal filming locations.

1Whether it’s calm and tranquil backdrops for setting up serene scenes, or vibrant lands to capture authentic realism, you’ll discover plenty of famous filming locations with Emerald Cruises. Here are some of our favourite destinations.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The architecture of Dubrovnik perfectly matched the envisioned aesthetic of the Red Keep, Westeros’ seat of power in the epic TV show, Game of Thrones Many scenes were shot in the Old Town district, and the island of Lokrum (just off the coast) served as the setting for Qarth, where Daenerys Targaryen landed in Season 2 before conquering in Season 4. In nearby Šibenik, you’ll find the setting for Braavos, where Arya Stark joined the mysterious and fearsome Faceless Men.

TAKE ME THERE...

Uncover Game of Thrones’ Croatian filming locations on a luxury yacht cruise through the Adriatic.

8-day Croatian Coast and the Best of the Adriatic Venice to Dubrovnik Visit

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Paris, France

One of the world’s most romantic cities, Paris has seen its fair share of screentime in heart-melting movies such as Amélie, Before Sunset, and Last Tango in Paris

But the French capital isn’t just the ‘City of Love’; it’s also the setting for high-stake thrillers. Inception took us on a mind-bending journey along the Pont de Bir-Hakeim Bridge, and a murder at the Louvre set Robert Langdon on his quest to uncover the church’s biggest mystery in The Da Vinci Code

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is an integral filming location in modern cinema, particularly when it comes to sci-fi.

Bladerunner 2049 showcased a futuristic version of the Hungarian capital, whereas Gemini Man was rewritten after its producer and writer fell for the city’s charm and made Budapest the film’s new setting over Paris.

The Martian, starring Matt Damon, was also filmed here. Most scenes were shot within Korda Studios, but exterior shots include the Palace of the Arts, the Bálna, and Margaret Island.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna has been the grandiose playground for the big screen’s most beloved secret agents.

From James Bond riding the Giant Ferris Wheel in The Living Daylights to Ethan Hunt foiling an assassination attempt at the Vienna State Opera in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, our favourite spies have seemingly done it all in the Austrian capital.

Even CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, has dashed through the city to escape his deadly pursuers in the hit streaming show, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

Salento and the Cocora Valley, Colombia

While not strictly a filming location, the beauty of Salento and the Cocora Valley left such a huge impression on the directors of the animated Disney hit Encanto, they based many aspects of their magical valley on the Colombian beauty spot.

The towering wax palm trees, the vibrant colour palettes, and architecture of Salento all inspired the magical surroundings of Encanto, while the Cocora Valley provided ample inspiration for the stunning forestry encapsulating the fictional village.

Wallilabou Bay, Saint Vincent

One of the biggest film franchises in modern cinema, Pirates of the Caribbean brought the islands to the big screen.

The first instalment, Curse of the Black Pearl, saw Captain Jack Sparrow nonchalantly sail into our lives on a sinking ship to Wallilabou Bay, the setting for Port Royal, where he rebels against the British Royal Navy’s regime and forms an uneasy alliance with ship-mate, Jack Turner. Saint Lucia and the Tobago Cays also feature in this smash pirate hit.