Movie magic is something special. The world looks more exciting, more spectacular, when blown up on the big screen. Whether it’s Peter Jackson capturing New Zealand’s lush green landscapes in his Lord of the Rings trilogy, or the Star Wars films transforming Tunisia’s troglodyte caves into an alien landscape, films highlight how diverse and wonderful our planet Earth really is.
And the best part: travelers can hop on a plane and experience many of these destinations firsthand! If you have cinephile clients interested in exploring abroad, here are some of the best movie-themed land tours being offered by travel advisor-friendly tour operators.
Abercrombie & Kent: Lord of the Rings Tours
Abercombie & Kent sets a high bar for Lord of the Rings tours. The luxury tour operator A&K has introduced a new Luxury Small Group Journey (LSGJ) “Wonders of New Zealand,” which includes an exclusive visit to Hobbiton, the Middle-Earth film location from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Here, travelers will visit iconic sites like the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the gardens of The Shire.
The private Hobbiton experience is just one highlight of the 11-day trip, which also includes a Maori village visit, a behind-the-scenes look at one of Marlborough’s premier wineries and vineyards, and a whale-watching cruise.
Suzanne Teng, Director of Global Group Product told TMR the trip is “fascinating” even for guests who aren’t fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s story.
“It’s so beautiful, and sometimes people just love the technical aspects of moviemaking. Sometimes they just liked the trivia, or they liked the storytelling,” Teng told TMR. “The facilitators can engage everybody.”
Avanti Destinations: Harry Potter Tours
Avanti Destinations’ Harry Potter tours are very popular – so popular, in fact, that the Harry Potter tours at Warner Bros. Studios in London need to be booked well in advance. Fans of the iconic wizarding world have eight tours to choose from, including two private tours. Guests will visit filming locations for beloved story settings like Platform 9 3/4, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, Gringots Bank, and more.
Also popular: Avanti’s “Harry Potter Train,” aka the Jacobite Train in Scotland, which always draws a crowd and sells out months in advance.
Intrepid Travel: Lights, Camera, Action Tours
Intrepid Travel offers fans of the big (and small) screen multiple trips to live out their cinematic fantasies. In fact, the tour operator has a category dedicated to trips related to movies and TV shows: Lights, Camera, Action.
The land journeys in this category have a movie or TV-themed caspect, like a Forrest Gump component to Intrepid’s “Western USA National Parks Loop” trip or the Gladiator II content offered for its “Best of Morocco” itinerary.
Matt Berna, Intrepid’s president and managing director, the Americas, told TMR that Intrepid has “gone a bit further on some trips,” going beyond the basic film locations and studios tours. One such standout is the Star Wars-inspired content offered as part of Intrepid’s “Tunisia Expeditions” itinerary.
“We have a trip that visits the troglodyte caves, which were used to film Star Wars scenes,” Berna told TMR. “As part of the trip, [travelers] spend two nights staying over and sleeping in those caves, and visiting some of the other shop vendors and sites from movie sets in that area.”
Unforgettable Travel Company: Gladiator II Tour
Unforgettable Travel Company is launching a Gladiator II tour, “Gladiator’s Italy.” This seven-night private tour invites travelers to “follow in the footsteps of the gladiators,” and includes guided tours of Pompeii, the colosseum, and more. The basic package includes ordinary access, but after-hours access can be added for a premium.
A recent newcomer in the industry, UTC prides itself on hyper-personalized bespoke itineraries for luxury clients. This includes a customized welcome basket for travelers, filled with items based on their likes and preferences (pictured).
“We’re a small organization, so we a lot of touch points with our clients,” Graham Carter, chief commercial officer and co-founder of UTC, told TMR. “We understand our clients better.”
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