We love movies for their capacity to take us to different places, whether real or imaginary. Filmmakers possess the skill to depict a variety of locations on screen by filming around the globe, constructing elaborate sets, or utilizing advanced CGI technology. Viewing these films often inspires in us a longing to see these enchanting destinations in person. Here are 3 extraordinary locations from films nominated for the coveted 'Best Picture' award at the 2024 Academy Awards that we truly adore. Let's explore them together!
So what are the locations featured in this year's Oscar-nominated films?
1. Seoul, South Korea – Past Lives
Source: Cait Ellis/Unsplash
Childhood friends are reunited in the film Past Lives, where schoolmates who were separated rekindle their relationship after Na Young is sent to Canada by her parents. The movie showcases nostalgic flashbacks of Seoul, the economic and cultural hub of South Korea. This bustling city boasts a juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers against ancient palaces and pagodas.
For a breathtaking view, visitors are encouraged to ride the cable car to reach Namsan Seoul Tower, a towering structure standing at 774 feet high, providing an impressive panoramic sight of the city. Explore Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant cultural landmark in the country. Apart from the well-maintained 15th-century palace, visitors should not overlook the enchanting "secret gardens," accessible only to those invited by the king. Fashion enthusiasts will enjoy the stylish Gangnam district, while beauty aficionados can indulge in the variety of cosmetic shops in Myeongdong. Wander through the historic passageways of Insadong, where traditional teahouses, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques line the streets.
2. New Mexico, United States – Oppenheimer
Source: Vivian Arcidiacono/Unsplash
The Manhattan Project launched the world into the Atomic Age and brought an end to World War II in the mid-1940s. Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer led the project, and he's the central figure in the upcoming 2023 film Oppenheimer, featuring Cillian Murphy. Director Christopher Nolan was granted permission to film at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the birthplace of the atomic bomb, and at the White Sands Missile Range, where the first prototype was tested on July 16, 1945. While some scenes were shot at Los Alamos, most of the New Mexico scenes were recreated at Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre retreat once owned by painter Georgia O'Keeffe.
Today, both Los Alamos and White Sands remain active federal government facilities.Visitors to Los Alamos must take guided tours of its historic buildings three times a year, while civilians visiting White Sands must undergo a federal background check. Ghost Ranch is privately owned and offers day passes, tours, and overnight stays.
3. Palm Springs, California, United States – Barbie
Source: Erin Hervey/Unsplash
In the summer hit movie Barbie, a significant part of the story unfolds in the fictional setting of Barbieland. Director Greta Gerwig revealed that the delightful pink and sunny atmosphere of this make-believe paradise draws inspiration from the real-life charm of Palm Springs. Particularly, the film's fantasy buildings are influenced by the design of the iconic Kaufmann Desert House, a renowned residential structure in the United States.
Although the Kaufmann Desert House is privately owned, visitors to Palm Springs can catch a glimpse of its driveway through the gates. Take the opportunity to explore this architectural gem along with other notable homes by joining the MCM & Martinis architecture tour. Palm Springs has historically been a favored retreat for Hollywood stars, with celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley owning properties in this desert haven.
4. Boston, Massachusetts, United States – The Holdovers and American Fiction
Source: Matt Collamer/Unsplash
Barton Academy, the upscale setting for The Holdovers, may not exist as an actual boarding school, but the fictional New England institution is actually a combination of five different schools. According to director Alexander Payne in an interview with Town & Country, the movie's Barton Academy is a blend of Groton, Northfield Mount Hermon, Deerfield, St. Mark's, and Fairhaven Public High School in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Each of these schools contributes a different element to create the fictional academy in the film – one for the cafeteria, one for the gymnasium, one for the hallways, one for the exterior, and one for the chapel.
For a picturesque campus that exudes a preppy atmosphere and is open to the public, Harvard University's Cambridge campus is a must-visit destination just a short distance from downtown Boston. The expansive Harvard Yard, spanning 223 acres, is home to the university's historic buildings, including the iconic Massachusetts Hall dating back to 1720. Visitors can enjoy free, student-led tours of Harvard Yard and explore various guided tours showcasing the university's natural and cultural highlights.
In the acclaimed film American Fiction, which is also a Best Picture nominee, Boston serves as a prominent backdrop with scenes filmed at Sand Hills and Peggotty beaches, the Fort Point neighborhood, Harvard Street, and West Roxbury.
5. New York, New York, United States – Maestro
Source: Ben Michel/Unsplash
In the film Maestro, Bradley Cooper both directed and starred alongside Carey Mulligan in the romantic tale depicting the relationship between famous conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Bernstein made history by becoming the first native-born American conductor to lead a major symphony orchestra in the United States, taking on the role of conductor for the New York Philharmonic in 1943.
The New York Philharmonic performs at the David Geffen Hall in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. For those who are unable to attend a performance, guided tours of the venue are available during the day. In addition, Bernstein is known for composing the music for the successful Broadway production turned film, West Side Story. Tourists visiting New York City can explore more about this iconic musical at the newly opened Museum of Broadway.
Elevate your travel experience with ParkingNearAirports.io: enjoy convenience!
Source: freepik/Freepik
Have you ever heard something about off-site parking? If not, we recommend you take a closer look at this part of the article, as this information will be handy for those who prefer to travel by air and get to the airport by their own car.
Most people suppose that parking at the airport is the fastest and most convenient option for them. However, it's not actually true. We'll explain to you why.
To be true, being in a terminal parking lot isn't convenient at all. Although on-site airport parking is the nearest place where you can leave your vehicle for the period of a trip, you can face the following difficulties:
- You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
- You will need to carry the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
- You must pay expensive fees without great service.
Sounds not good, right? However, we found an excellent solution for you – in this case, off-site parking can become a savior for you. So if you're trying to find a parking spot with great service nearby the airport you're flying from and don't want to leave there the most significant part of your budget, pay attention to this option.
How does it work?
Source: Peter Thomas/Unsplash
Obviously, people who chose a car as a way to get to the airport want to leave their vehicle safely while traveling and not to face the problems we described above. So what can off-site airport parking offer its customers?
Although a few miles usually separate such parking from the airport, you shouldn't worry about this. Off-site parking provides free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport. Thanks to this, it removes any worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
How does it work? Actually, everything is straightforward: when you come to the entrance, the staff will remove your luggage from your car and load it onto the shuttle, which will take you and your bags to the terminal. Then, the vehicle will be parked securely.
In addition, this type of parking is much cheaper, and this is good news, as nobody wants to waste money. Therefore, off-site parking is the perfect option to receive excellent service and save money at the same time.
Want to find some great offers? You don't need to go somewhere – just find it right here!
Source: Falaq Lazuardi/Unsplash
We're glad to inform you that you can find this solution right here. Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers the best prices on airport car parking and bundles hotel and parking packages. Besides, we provide the services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Our platform allows you to reserve a parking spot through a few clicks within the application. As a result, customers receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking spot upon arrival at the off-airport lot. Besides, if plans change, you can cancel hassle-free and receive a refund.
To understand it better, we would like to give you an example. Let's imagine that you live in Baltimore, Maryland. If you're planning a trip to Palm Springs, California, you can use the services of cheap parking near BWI Airport with shuttle. If you're coming from Cincinnati, Kentucky, the situation is the same – you can choose affordable CVG valet parking. So it just depends on the place you're flying from.
Also, ParkingNearAirports.io offers its customers special airport parking coupons. With the help of these coupons, you can make the price for parking even two times less. So don't forget to use them to save as much money as possible.
You can find all the necessary and helpful information connected with the off-site airport parking on our official website. Enjoy traveling!