7 of the best Oscar winning destinations

Some movies take us to such wonderful places that we want to pack our bags right away and head out there. Take Belgium, for instance. I once went on a fabulous holiday to Bruges purely because I’d seen the location in a film (aptly named In Bruges). My partner at the time drew up a map of notable places from the movie and over the course of the weekend, we recreated the footsteps of two hitmen, played by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, while also managing to try out much of Belgium’s finest export, beer. So settle down with popcorn for some armchair travel to glorious Oscar-celebrated land and cityscapes. Fortunately, Saga Holidays can take you there.

Kawarau Gorge in New Zealand (Anduin River in The Lord of the Rings)

Where else could we start? This epic trilogy won an eye-watering 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for The Return of the King. And aside from the accolades, what made the films unforgettable was New Zealand’s magical landscapes – verdant green hills, ancient forests and dramatic river valleys. The country embraces its Middle-earth fame and welcomes visitors to see for themselves.

The holiday: The Best of New Zealand

Explore the dramatic scenery of South and North Island – the snow-capped Southern Alps, fiords, glaciers, natural hot springs and award-winning wine regions.

From £6,475pp – 21 days; price based on two sharing and including flights.

Santa Ynez Valley, California

A midlife crisis, foibles in friendship and a passion for wine might sound like an ordinary day for many of us, but these are the themes central to Sideways, Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2005. A love letter to California’s wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley’s vibrant vineyards and burnished hills will have you booking a plane ticket before you can say Pinot…don’t order the Merlot though (you’ll need to watch the film to get that reference). And for more California you can also watch La La Land (six Academy Awards), where the stars aren’t only in love with each other but also with Los Angeles.

The holiday: California and the Golden West

Travelling around California (and nudging into neighbouring Nevada and Arizona), this trip includes Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, drives along Route 66 and the Pacific coastal road, and explores Yosemite National Park.

From £3,436pp,16 days; price based on two sharing and including flights.

The Dolomites

So favoured is Italy as one of the top cinematic destinations, we have four films that make the final cut. Rome’s cobbled streets and vibrancy, the backdrop for Roman Holiday, Tuscany’s romantic allure for Room With a View and Call Me by Your Name, finishing off with The English Patient, taking audiences to the awe-inducing cave dwellings of Matera. Beautiful surroundings, amazing food and wine, wine, wine…what’s not to like?

The holiday: Food and wine in the Dolomites

On this Italian food and wine holiday, immerse yourself in la dolce vita, exploring the source of superb regional produce, with hands-on cooking lessons and samplings of native dishes and wines.

From £1,265pp, 7 nights; price based on two sharing and including flights.

Vienna Opera House

Vienna’s imposing architecture, winding streets and dusky alleys are essential to The Third Man’s moody vibe. The film captures the city at a pivotal moment in history, just after the Second World War, blending its stunning old-world elegance with an air of mystery. When you visit, you can take a tour of the famous sewer (better than it sounds) where Orson Welles’ iconic Harry Lime gets shot.

The holiday: Vienna and the Cities of the Danube

On this river cruise to several cities, you have time in Vienna to explore both independently and on an excursion to view Vienna's Imperial palaces, such as the Habsburgs’ summer residence. The city’s Museums Quarter features a mix of contemporary and historic buildings housing famous artwork by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and other renowned artists.

From £2,124pp, 7 nights; price based on two sharing and including flights.

Prague, Czech Republic

Wes Anderson’s visual masterpiece set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Costume Design. Although not a real place, it draws inspiration from the jaw-dropping landscapes, grand architecture and fairytale charm of the Czech Republic and Germany. The European postcard vibe is a perfect excuse for a whimsical trip abroad.

The holiday: Vienna, Prague and Budapest

Wonderful architecture spanning the centuries, vast imperial palaces, ancient castles and a rich cultural heritage. This trio of atmospheric central European cities is where you’ll make many memories.

From £2,795pp, 10 days; price based on two sharing and including flights.

Banff National Park, Canada

We’ve got two for the price of one with this rugged beauty, as The Revenant was shot in the wild, untamed landscapes of both Argentina and Canada. This modern masterpiece has three Academy Awards and is a perfect example of the location being the star of the film (Leonardo di Caprio aside). While most of the movie was shot in Canada, the final scenes had to be relocated to Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego due to unseasonably warm weather. And so you get the chance to see both spectacular landscapes.

The holidays: Canada - Rocky Mountaineer - First Passage to the West

Spend two days onboard the magnificent Rocky Mountaineer train – this is no run-of-the mill 8.45am to St Pancras. Enjoy the hospitality of your onboard hosts as you travel through narrow canyons, open ranch lands and into the spectacular forested peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

From £1,687pp, 2 days price based on two adults sharing, travelling in low season, excluding international flights.

South America – Grand Tour of South America

The mysterious Inca city of Machu Picchu, the Iguazu Falls, lake-lands of Chile and Argentina, and exhilarating Rio de Janeiro. This epic South America tour covers myriad iconic sites across four countries. A proper adventure.

From £6,733pp, 22 days; price based on two sharing and including flights.

Times Square, New York

Did you know that New York is one of the most common settings for an Oscar-winning film? Hardly surprising when you consider the energy and vibrancy of the Big Apple. One of the most iconic is West Side Story, the Romeo and Juliet inspired story of the Jets and the Sharks featuring one of the most memorable soundtracks of all time – hardly surprising as it was written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The 2021 version of the 1961 classic, directed by Stephen Spielberg, was shot in Harlem and Brooklyn.

The holiday: Multi-Centre: New York, New Orleans & San Francisco

Explore all points east, south and west on this city break itinerary, experiencing three of America’s iconic cities in action-packed days. Flying from the east coast to the Deep South and California is the most comfortable and convenient way to travel around the US – plus you’ll get to tick off a whole host of Oscar-winning film locations.

From £2,379, 12 days; price based on two sharing in low season, excluding international flights