Christmas is still a fair while away but for film buffs, it’s already the most wonderful time of the year – the start of awards season. Nominees for the Golden Globes will find out they’ve been shortlisted in the next few weeks, quickly followed by those lucky enough to be up for an Oscar or a BAFTA. Luckily for us, Manchester Airport‘s extensive network of more than 200 destinations gives us a direct link to some of cinema’s most iconic locales that will allow to relive the movie or TV programme.
If you’re a fan of the silver screen, visiting the scene of your favourite flicks is probably high up on your travel wish list – and now’s a great time to bag yourself a bargain. You can get to the stunning locations that form the backdrop for some of this year’s most hotly-tipped awards nominees – as well as classic blockbusters from years gone by, all from Manchester Airport.
Top movie destinations to visit from Manchester Airport
Abu Dhabi – Dune: Part Two
Movie fans wanting to see the stunning landscapes depicted in Dune in person can fly from Manchester to Abu Dhabi with Etihad from £599pp return. Take a camel ride across the dunes and then relax on the beach – with temperatures in the 30s even in winter.
Budapest – The Brutalist
Visitors will recognise Budapest landmarks like the Hungarian Parliament building, and can learn more about the city’s war history, and the impact on its Jewish community, at the Dohány Street Synagogue and Museum. Fly to Budapest with Ryanair for £52pp return.
Morocco – Gladiator II, plus The Mummy and Lawrence of Arabia
The town of Ouarzazate, nestled in the Atlas Mountains has, in the past, provided the backdrop for hits like The Mummy and Lawrence of Arabia, and its Kasbah Taourirt fortress is a stunning sight. You can fly return to Marrakesh from Manchester for as little as £47pp with Ryanair – and from there you can catch a direct bus to Ouarzazate.
New York – A Complete Unknown, plus Gossip Girl, Home Alone 2, Friends and many more
Many scenes depicting Bob Dylan in the new Timothée Chalamet biopic breaking out in New York are filmed in the city and neighbouring New Jersey – but A Complete Unknown is far from the first blockbuster set in the Big Apple. Films like Spiderman, Home Alone 2, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and When Harry Met Sally all use a Manhattan backdrop, as do popular small-screen series like Gossip Girl and Friends. You can fly to New York from only £439pp return with AerLingus.
Dubrovnik, Croatia – Game of Thrones
Dubrovnik caters to fans of the series with official walking tours taking in filming locations, and visitors can take in stunning views from above the city on the Dubrovnik Cable Car. You can reach Dubrovnik direct from Manchester from just £42pp return with easyJet.
Skiathos, Greece – Mamma Mia!
Skiathos is a picture-perfect resort island in the Aegean, and as such made the perfect backdrop for the iconic Mamma Mia!. easyJet flies here from Manchester from just £218pp return – make sure to check out the island’s incredible beaches and outstanding local cuisine.
Malta – Troy and Popeye
Many scenes set inside the city walls of Troy were filmed in Malta’s Fort Ricasoli, while other scenes were shot on the small Maltese island of Comino. Another spot film buffs will love is Popeye Village – a purpose-built set for 1980 live-action musical Popeye which is now a theme park. You can get to Malta and back with Ryanair direct from Manchester, with prices from £56pp return.
Almeria – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
A little piece of the American West in southern Spain, Tabernas is a small desert near Almeria and has three permanent film sets which have been used to film Spaghetti Westerns since the 1950s – including, most famously, 1966 hit The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. For a proper cowboy experience, go on an organised horseback tour. You can fly to Almeria from Manchester for £169pp return with Jet2.com.
Innsbruck – SPECTRE
Filming took place around the Alpine town of Sölden, near Innsbruck in Austria, and a number of Bond-themed excursions and tours are available with local tour operators. The ‘007 ELEMENTS’ installation in Sölden houses a number of exhibits including props from the film and invites visitors to take on an interactive Bond mission. You can fly with easyJet from Manchester to Innsbruck from £55pp return.
So, where will you visit on a voyage of discovery? Browse the Manchester Airport website to book your flight to one of these gorgeous movie destinations – who knows, you might gain intel on the next big movie.