Certain destinations seem forever intertwined with the worlds they once helped create on screen. Places where cinematic moments have long outlived the credits, shaping not only the way we remember a film, but the way we dream about travel itself. And increasingly, travellers aren’t simply seeking out beautiful hotels or beaches, they’re searching for places that feel like stepping into a story.
Few destinations embody that quite like the Costa Smeralda. Along Sardinia’s glittering northern coastline, Cala di Volpe still carries the unmistakable aura of classic Bond-era glamour. The hotel continues to carry the effortless elegance that made it an unforgettable Bond backdrop in the 1970s: sweeping terraces, yacht-lined views and old-world Mediterranean sophistication. The architecture still feels cinematic, the marina still hums with understated excess, and evenings continue to unfold with timeless elegance that feels untouched by trends. Costa Smeralda has always understood luxury as a lifestyle rather than a spectacle, and somehow, decades on, that atmosphere continues to define the destination today.
Further north, another Bond backdrop tells a very different story. In the Swiss Alps, the mountain village of Saas-Fee, known for scenes filmed for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, feels worlds away from Sardinia’s golden coastlines, yet no less cinematic. Here, towering peaks frame glacier stillness, snow settles softly across traditional chalets, and the atmosphere feels almost suspended in time. At The Capra, that sense of quiet escapism is woven into every detail, balancing alpine authenticity with deeply considered luxury. The hotel’s intimate scale and calming interiors feel entirely in tune with the landscape beyond its windows.
This summer, The Capra continues to lean into that cultural richness with the launch of a new programme of niche retreats and experiences designed to connect guests more deeply with the destination itself. A reminder that modern luxury travellers are increasingly searching for meaning and immersion alongside indulgence.
Film-inspired travel is not driven purely by nostalgia. Increasingly, the destinations capturing travellers’ imaginations are being shaped by modern television and streaming culture.
Mykonos’s appearance in Emily in Paris has reignited its reputation as one of Europe’s most glamorous summer playgrounds. Yet beyond the familiar beach clubs and whitewashed alleyways, there is also a softer, more refined side to the island emerging, one centred around design, atmosphere and slower luxury.
At BILL&COO Mykonos, that balance feels particularly well executed. Set above the Aegean with sweeping sea views and a sense of understated calm, the property captures the polished glamour Mykonos has become synonymous with, while still offering moments of genuine tranquillity away from the island’s high-energy pace. Days move effortlessly between quiet mornings overlooking the water, sun-drenched lunches, and evenings that feel cinematic in their own right.
This summer, BILL&COO unveils a new culinary direction under the guidance of Executive Chef Aggelos Bakopoulos. Centred around a more immersive approach to luxury dining, the experience places exceptional Greek ingredients at its heart, complemented by the subtle depth of fire-led cooking and a warm, intuitive style of hospitality that feels both refined and deeply personal.
Meanwhile, on the French Riviera, The White Lotus has cast a renewed spotlight on a world of Riviera glamour defined by intrigue, indulgence and carefully choreographed luxury. At Nammos Cannes, set against the iconic Palm Beach, that atmosphere unfolds naturally through golden hour energy and evenings that transition seamlessly from relaxed elegance into something far more vibrant. Now entering its third season following its reopening on 8 May, Nammos Cannes continues to cement itself as one of the Riviera’s defining summer addresses; a place where travel, culture and spectacle blur seamlessly together.
Ultimately, that is why film and television continue to shape the way we travel so powerfully. They offer more than wanderlust; they offer emotional worlds we want to step inside. Whether it’s the enduring sophistication of Bond-era Sardinia, the dramatic stillness of the Swiss Alps, the polished glamour of Mykonos or the Riviera allure of Cannes, these destinations invite travellers to become part of the narrative themselves, if only for a little while.
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