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Blockbuster locations: How to stay where the big summer movies were shot

Live action: The Lion King hits cinemas in July - excellent excuse for a safari jaunt - © 2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Live action: The Lion King hits cinemas in July - excellent excuse for a safari jaunt - © 2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The big summer movie has always been an odd idea. At a time when – as your mother said – you should be outside “making the most of the weather”, the studios want you inside, eating popcorn.

Still, if you’re going to sacrifice a hot day to sitting in the dark, you may as well use your chosen blockbuster as inspiration for travel. To where?

1. Thor star

How about Durham Cathedral (durhamcathedral.co.uk), which turns up in “Avengers: Endgame”, the 187th (ish) film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (out now) as a screen version of Asgard.

Poor choristers. They’ve just recovered from the cathedral being Hogwarts; now it’s all Thor and his hammer. When will they get any singing done?

Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame

2. In the roar

Why, you may ask, remake animated masterpiece “The Lion King” as a “photorealistic” blockbuster? Because the new version (July 19) has comedian Donald Glover voicing Simba, Beyoncé as Nala and South Africa as a setting.

Excuse for a safari? Yep – 15-day Cape Mountain Zebra self-drive from £3,721pp with flights at expertafrica.com.

3. Maine event

Nothing says “summer travel fun” like a film about a demonic clown who feeds on children’s fears. Still, Stephen King’s horror classic “It” has always been tied – on page, if not in exact filming location – to the US state of Maine.

The fictional town of Derry, the story’s setting, is effectively Bangor, where the writer has long lived and worked. “It Chapter Two” (September 6) will reinforce the connection. Complete North America’s 14-night Miraculous Maine trip visits the city as it explores this prettily rustic state in depth.

From £2,499pp, including flights (completenorthamerica.com).

It Chapter Two, set in the fictional town of Derry - Credit: LMKMEDIACOM
It Chapter Two, set in the fictional town of Derry Credit: LMKMEDIACOM

4. Hanks alot

Is it daft to take travel tips from a stuffed cowboy and a plastic spaceman who turn 24 this year? Yes. But “Toy Story 4” (out June 21), which extends the franchise this summer, sees Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks, pictured) and Buzz Lightyear on a US road trip.

Something like the 15-day Planes, Trains & Desert Terrains fly drive, from £2,450pp with flights (bon-voyage.co.uk)? Indeed. To Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and beyond (Colorado) – as no one has ever said.

5. Wadi issues

Has there ever been a film set vaguely in the Middle East that didn’t use Jordan’s sandscape Wadi Rum?

The live-action “Aladdin” (out now) does, with Will Smith as the genie. Happily, you don’t need to be coated in blue body paint to enjoy an eight-day Splendours of Jordan tour. From £1,645pp, with flights (coxandkings.co.uk).

Wadi Rum - Credit: getty
Wadi Rum Credit: getty

6. Beatles about

“Yesterday” (June 28) is the story of a man who wakes up in a world where only he remembers the Beatles – and builds a career exploiting their work. It ups its surreality feel by pinning itself to the not-very-Lennon Norfolk coast.

Two nights in a shepherd’s hut at Clippesby Hall (clippesbyhall.com) near Great Yarmouth start at £160.

7. Vin-derlust

“Wine Country” (out now) goes where “Sideways” went in 2004 – California’s vineyards. Only this time, the dysfunctional men-quaffers are replaced by the likes of Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, shredding their friendships over chardonnay.

The scenery is glorious – accessible via the one-week San Francisco and the California Winelands self-drive sold by American Sky. From £1,449pp with flights (americansky.co.uk).

8. Women in black

Men In Black: International takes its enjoyable silliness to Marrakech - Credit: eyevine
Men In Black: International takes its enjoyable silliness to Marrakech Credit: eyevine

Will Smith isn’t in “Men In Black: International” (out this weekend) – but the excellent Tessa Thompson is. This reboot of the secret-agents-and-aliens series takes its enjoyable silliness to Marrakech, among other places. Four nights at the five-star Riad Monceau, flying from Stansted on Sept 25, start at £515pp, via expedia.co.uk.

9. Hail Caesars

You never need an excuse to go to Vegas, but Julianne Moore’s superb performance in “Gloria Bell” (out now) – where a middle-aged divorcee recovers her mojo in Sin City – is certainly reason enough.

A seven-night break to pertinent location Caesars Palace, flying from Heathrow on Sept 21, costs £1,796pp, via virginholidays.co.uk.

10. Pain in Spain

I don’t want funny Martians or kids’ cartoons. I want something sharp. Substantial. I want “Pain And Glory” (Aug 23), Spanish genius Pedro Almodóvar’s study of an ageing film director (Antonio Banderas) and his midlife crisis.

OK, then you want Valencia (and its Paterna area), which is one of the settings. And you want a three-night break to the five-star Westin Valencia, from £768pp, with flights, via kirkerholidays.com.

Pain And Glory, the study of an ageing film director (Antonio Banderas) and his midlife crisis - Credit: allstar picture library
Pain And Glory, the study of an ageing film director (Antonio Banderas) and his midlife crisis Credit: allstar picture library
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