Holiday Destinations That Will Make You Feel Like A Movie Star
Bring on the movie magic
You know the feeling, you’re watching a movie and wish you could step into the screen and be immediately transported to the magical location in which the action is set. Well, you can. Be it the glittering promise of Los Angeles or the grand European splendour of Budapest, your very own movie magic moments really are just a click away. It’s time to write your own script…
Los Angeles
Think of the silver screen and you immediately think of Los Angeles. A destination full of pockets of movie magic, culture, celebrities, sun, nightlife and must-see sights. It’s where stars are cultivated and legends are certified.
To experience the city like a movie star, you need to go beyond the tourist trail. Cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, catch a sunset in Santa Monica Bay, or book a night at the legendary Chateau Marmont where Hollywood history was made. For culture, the Walt Disney Concert Hall remains an architectural icon, while The Broad and LACMA offer world-class art. And of course, LA’s dining scene is a star in its own right, from Michelin-starred tasting menus to the celebrity-loved casual haunts of West Hollywood.
New York
Few cities are as famous as the Big Apple. The backdrop to countless iconic movie moments, it’s a 24-hour city with something for everyone. By day, stroll through the lush greenery of Central Park, pretzel in hand, just a stone’s throw from the luxurious base for keen city explorers: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. Head to the buzz of Times Square or get a bird’s eye view of the city from the top of the Empire State Building. By night, sup cocktails as you take in the the world’s most recognisable, twinkling skyline, then enjoy a show on Broadway.
Winter opens up a whole new side to the city, with ice skating around the spectacular Christmas Tree at the bottom of Rockefeller Center, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the wonderful festive window displays on Fifth Avenue are just a few of the attractions that deserve a place on your to-do list. Go on, make a date with the city that never sleeps.
Kyoto
If Los Angeles is Hollywood’s stage, Kyoto is where timeless beauty takes the spotlight. Once Japan’s imperial capital, the city feels like a living film set. Whether it’s strolling beneath cherry blossoms, wandering through bamboo forests, or gliding past gilded temples. Kyoto has appeared in films like Memoirs of a Geisha, its lantern-lit alleys and tranquil gardens evoking an atmosphere that’s both romantic and otherworldly. For a star-worthy stay, check into a luxury ryokan with private onsen, where every detail feels curated for a scene-stealing escape.
Istanbul
Few cities rival Istanbul’s cinematic allure: Byzantine domes, Ottoman palaces, bustling bazaars, and glittering views across the Bosphorus. It’s a city that has doubled as a backdrop in countless films (From Russia with Love, Skyfall, Taken 2), giving every corner a sense of drama.
For a star-worthy stay, check into the Ciragan Palace Kempinski—an Ottoman palace turned luxury hotel—or soak up the skyline from a rooftop suite in Karaköy.
Between private yacht cruises, exclusive hammam rituals, and sunset cocktails overlooking the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul delivers both Old World romance and A-list glamour.
Rome
When it comes to cinematic romance, Rome is simply unavoidable. From the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, its cobblestoned streets have been immortalised on screen, most famously in Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck’s Roman Holiday. Today, you can channel that same star energy with Vespa rides past the Colosseum, aperitivos on rooftop terraces, and stays at opulent hotels like Hotel de Russie or JK Place Roma.
In Rome, every piazza feels like a movie set and every moment, a scene worth remembering.
Cairo
Home to a wealth of world history, a visit to the city of Cairo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where countless adventures await. Base yourself along the serene River Nile, down which you can take a cruise in a charming traditional felucca to enjoy the sunset and fresh breeze.
Alternatively, put on your explorer’s hat and head to The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Egypt and the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world, where a passionate Egyptologist will bring the story of the monuments and their creation to life.
Hungry for more? Then start you very own treasure trove at the Khan el Khalili bazaar, where lively bartering is encouraged.
St. Moritz
Snow-dusted peaks, frozen lakes, and a jet-set crowd make St. Moritz one of the world’s most glamorous winter playgrounds. It has long attracted royalty, Hollywood legends, and fashion icons—from Audrey Hepburn to today’s A-listers.
Honeymooners and holidaymakers alike can check into the legendary Badrutt’s Palace or Kulm Hotel, sip champagne après-ski, and arrive at slopeside parties by horse-drawn sleigh.
With its mix of old-money elegance and cinematic alpine drama, St. Moritz feels like stepping into a scene from The Spy Who Loved Me or The World Is Not Enough.
Budapest
Budapest is a city of two halves, literally. On one side of the River Danube sits Buda, on the other Pest, with The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest ideally located for both. Rich in majestic architecture, it’s a city that has been used time and time again as a backdrop to movie moments – even doubling as cities including Paris, Berlin and Buenos Aires.
Transport yourself back to medieval times as you visit monuments including the Royal Palace, Budapest Historical Museum, the National Gallery and the Fisherman’s Bastion, then stroll across The Chain Bridge to take in the two sides of the breathtaking city at once. In the mood for even more romance? Head to Vajdahunyad Castle, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a fairytale.
Also known as the City of Spas, Budapest is famed for its thermal waters, so take the time to sample them and achieve ultimate relaxation in a European city full of wonder.
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram /@budapest_hungary