Reel Life Living
Planning your summer in Europe? Let the most popular shows and movies in recent times guide your bookings. From Italian villas that you’ll remember from The White Lotus to the Scottish estate that played stand-in for Balmoral Castle in The Crown, we’ve got a round up of some of the most picturesque and extravagant stays you can book for your next holiday.
Daphne and Harper’s Noto Villa in The White Lotus, Season 2
The extravagant stay that Daphne (Meghann Fahy) books for herself and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) in Noto is Villa Tasca, a luxurious palazzo in Palermo, Sicily. The historical property boasts of four bedrooms with en-suites, ornate artwork, gold-edged paintings and 20 acres of manicured gardens, along with more modern fixings like air conditioning, on-call chef, butler, room attendants and delicious food and drink options.
Miles Bron’s Private Beach Home in Glass Onion
The scenic location from this ensemble cast murder mystery can be your home for a few days, if you’re travelling to Greece. Part of the Aman group of exclusive hotels, the Amanzoe in Porto Heli features a set of luxuriously appointed villas, one of which is Villa 20, which played the role of eccentric billionaire Miles Bron’s home—minus the glass onion structure, which was created using visual effects.
Downing Street and Balmoral Castle in The Crown, multiple seasons
As you look through the rooms of the Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire, UK, you may find yourself recognising some of them as backdrops from key scenes from The Crown. Many of the grand rooms of the Georgian mansion stood in for the interiors of Downing Street in Margaret Thatcher’s time (her cabinet picture was taken in this home), as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Scottish estate, the Balmoral Castle. When it’s not a location for popular period dramas, it serves as an exclusive destination for intimate weddings, retreats and celebrations with its 13 beautifully-appointed bedrooms, over 100 acres of grounds, and a legacy that goes back nearly a 1000 years.
The Luxury Train in Murder on the Orient Express
The ultra luxe site for the eponymous murder in the Agatha Christie book adaptation, the Orient Express is an actual historical train that travels specific routes in Europe through the year. Called the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the train consists of carriages painstakingly restored from the 1920s in Art Deco design. The suites feature double beds, en-suites and large windows that allow you to take in the breathtaking views as you pass them by, cocktail in hand.
The Island from Ticket to Paradise
If you’ve seen this 2022 release starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, you were most likely as taken in by the scenic location as you were with the redux of their on-screen pairing. While the movie is set in Bali, most of it was shot in Australia, specifically around Queensland, including the Gold Coast and Brisbane. If you’re looking to recreate the balmy island vibe on your next holiday, book yourself into the Palm Bay Resort, one of the key locations for the movie. Take a day to explore the Whitsundays Islands by air; indulge in watersports and other activities around the island; or just lounge by the poolside and enjoy bottomless seafood platters.
