WE TAKE INSPIRATION from the
silver and small screen's best locations, from Hawaii to Miami, Rome to
Paris, via Jamaica and Morocco
"Try a little star spotting at the bar at Miami's Delano hotel, or at night follow the likes of Mischa Barton and Eva Longoria, who party at Setai's Prive lounge"
HAWAII
What's filmed there? - Lost, Tears of the Sun, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbour, Windtalkers, Jurassic Park...
Why go? Oahu, Hawaii's heart, is best known for
its Golden Coast, the legendary Waikiki beach. Take a grand tour,
including the North Shore's big wave beaches and infamous Pearl
Harbour. Surfers should call in at Roxy Quiksilver in Honolulu, the
first all-women's surf boutique in the world, and pick up aloha shirts
at the Kamehameha Garment Co. Everyone really does wear them!
Where to stay Check into the W (www.whotels.com)
for a plush experience, like John Travolta and Bruce Willis did. With
views over Diamond Head point, and the hottest club in town, the W is a
haven of cool in Waikiki with 350-thread count sheets, goose down
pillows and a fully stocked 'munchie box'!
Where to eat For dinner, head to 'the Grill' at the
W, try the delicious tangy tuna Ahi and finish off the meal with a
chocolate lava cake. If you fancy a martini, choose from the 'Streaker'
or the 'Striptease'! For a laidback surfer style bite, pop in to Duke's
on Waikiki Beach or stop at one of the North Shore's roadside shrimp trucks.
Seeing the action Go exploring and you might
stumble across the cast shooting an episode of 'Lost'. The series is
filmed all over the island, from hotels like the Kahala to the Valley
of the Temples cemetery.
Getting there...find out more with Hawaii Tourism Europe www.hawaiitourism.co.uk, Tel: 0207 202 6384
Fly from London Heathrow- Honolulu (via LA) from �720 www.flightcentre.co.uk, Tel: 0870 499 0042
Rent a car from Dollar Rent A Car when there www.dollar.co.uk
MAJESTIC MOROCCO
What's filmed there? Alexander, Troy, Rendition, Gladiator, Blackhawk Down, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Mummy, Sahara, Kingdom of Heaven, Babel, Charlie Wilson's War
Why go? It's exotic, it's fun and it's good value.
Marrakesh is fascinating and a big part of the attraction is the
legendary souk just off the huge Djemma El Fna square, where you'll
find everything from orange juice stalls to snake charmers... but there
are also fabulously luxurious hotels, restaurants and cool bars to keep
you busy.
Where to stay To stay in style check in to the beautiful Maison MK (www.maisonmk.com),
a Brit-run riad (merchant house with interior courtyards) in the
1000-year-old medina, within the old city walls. It's all about
contemporary cool interiors and very friendly service. At night, watch
the sun set from the roof terrace, armed with a glass of wine, or for
something different try an in-house yoga lesson.
Where to eat? The
city is teeming with restaurants, whether you prefer the street stalls
or the swanky French-Moroccan cuisine. Try the Villa Rosa in Gueliz for
a fantastically decadent setting minus the tourists, or the rooftop
terrace at the excellent Bab Firdaus for perfect chicken tagine (North
African stew).
Seeing the action Pop across the Atlas Mountains to
Ouarzazate, known as the 'gateway to the desert' and home to the huge
movie studios where most of the location shoots take place.
Getting there... find out more about Morocco www.visitmorocco.org
easyJet flies to Marrakech from �62.99 one-way (incl. taxes) www.easyjet.com
JAMMING JAMAICA
What's filmed there? Dr No, Prelude to a Kiss, Blue Lagoon, Cocktail, License to Wed, Live and Let Die
Why Go? There's an unmistakable Caribbean vibe in
the air! Hit the beach, go swimming with dolphins or just browse
through the higgledy-piggledy stalls at the arts and crafts market in
Ocho Rios, which sells carved wooden goods, t-shirts and more. ?
Where to stay Check in to the Royal Plantation (www.lhw.com),
a beautiful old-fashioned plantation house, for a taste of colonial
luxury. Relax in the jacuzzi, book in to the spa or laze in a
hammock... A movie-maker's favourite, the hotel can boast many famous
past guests including Winston Churchill, Robin Williams, Alec Baldwin
and Meg Ryan.
Where to eat The Royal Plantation has a very
civilised afternoon tea with the best scones in the Caribbean. At
night, join in the manager's legendary fondue parties or head to Le
Papillon, the fine dining French restaurant, for fantastic tiger prawn
and lobster raviolis or superb Surf & Turf.
Seeing the action To see the sets, as well as the
sights, hit Dunns Falls, the famous waterfalls featured in Dr No, or
stop by GoldenEye, Bond creator Ian Flemming's hideaway. A little
further along the coast, in Port Antonio, dip in to Brooke Shield's
Blue Lagoon or chill on Tom Cruise's Cocktail beach...
Getting there... Virgin Atlantic flies from London Gatwick to Montego Bay from �619 return including taxes www.virginatlantic.com
Go exploring in a 4x4, seven days from �224 www.hertz.co.uk
ROMANTIC ROME
What was filmed there? Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Bourne Identity, Gangs of New York, Mission Impossible III, Ocean's Twelve, Roman Holiday
Why go? Rome, the eternal city, is ever so romantic
and beautiful. See the landmarks, like the Piazza della Rotonda with
the incredible Pantheon, the Vatican and the legendary Sistine Chapel,
or the Piazza Navona for Bernini's Fontana dei Fiumi fountain. For some
chic shopping, head to Via Condotti for some Gucci, Prada and Fendi...
Where to stay For the ultimate in glam, try the very chic Hotel de Russie (www.roccofortecollection.com)
just a stone's throw away from Piazza di Popolo. With beautiful rooms,
a serene spa, and a gorgeous garden, it's where the A list stars stay,
and was even home to Brad Pitt, George Clooney and the rest of the
Ocean's 12 crew.
Where to eat To go low key, try the little
trattorias like the down to earth Antica Peroni, with delicious
Parmigiana on the menu. If you want to push the boat out, try the
celebrity favourite Antica Pesa on Garibaldi in Trastavere, where Colin
Farrell, Nicolas Cage and Matt Damon have all dined.
Seeing the action To get a great view of the city
climb up the Spanish Steps, or get the lift up to the terrace of the
Quadrigas on Plaza Venezia, where the view stretches as far as the eye
can see. And don't miss the Trevi Fountain of Roman Holiday fame!?
Getting there... easyJet flies to Rome return from �56.77(incl. taxes) www.easyjet.com
MARVELLOUS MIAMI
What's filmed there? CSI Miami, Miami Vice,
American Idol, Dexter, Nip/Tuck, Marley and Me, Casino Royale, Licence
to Kill, Speed 2, There's Something About Mary
Why go? Vibrant and blessed with great year-round
weather and brilliant beaches, Miami has definite star status. There's
plenty to do, from shopping at the snazzy Bal Harbour mall, seeing the
Art Deco hotels on Collins Avenue, to strolling down Ocean Drive. Don't
miss the infamous Everglades if you want to see the 'gators.
Where to stay? For total indulgence head to the downtown Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com/miami) like Tom and Katie did, or if you prefer to be at the heart of the action on a budget, try The Catalina (www.catalinahotel.com) in trendy South beach. Hang out at the SpyLounge, or escape to the pool.
Where to eat? Tuck in to some seriously aphrodisiac goodies at Tantra (www.tantrarestaurant.com) or if you want to go gourmet with a view, try 'Azul' overlooking Key Biscayne for fabulous rock crab. 
For a more down to earth experience, head to Jerry's dinner on Collins Avenue.
Seeing the action Try a little star spotting at the
bar at the Delano hotel, or at night follow the likes of Mischa Barton
and Eva Longoria, who party at Setai's Prive lounge.
Getting there... for more information... www.MiamiAndBeaches.com or www.VISITFLORIDA.com, Tel: 0870 770 1177. Fly to Miami with Virgin Atlantic from �504 including taxes www.virgin-atlantic.com
Hire a car to go cruising in style www.avis.co.uk
All flight prices correct at time of going to press.
WORDS: ROWENA CARR-ALLINSON
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