You probably clicked on this article because you’re sick of school and in dire need of a vacation. Let us help you out! You can never go wrong with national monuments, but why not visit the places that inspired the movies, television shows and musicians you love? Here are 15 places all millennials should see before they die.
1. Santorini
Santorini is known to many as the most beautiful part of Greece. The islands that form Santorini are the remains of twelve eruptions from a volcano that scientists still consider active. We can probably thank The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants for making us aware of this picturesque location. Fun fact: Oia, the town where Lena’s relatives are from, hosts one of the world’s best sunsets. Why should you visit Santorini? The food (obviously), the culture and the view.
2. The Upper East Side
Located in Manhattan, New York, the Upper East Side is sleek, chic and iconic to us because of Gossip Girl. Famous families (like the Kennedys and Roosevelts) have spent generations living on the Upper East Side. Why should you see it? High-end fashion boutiques, famous socialites, museums and Gossip Girl and Sex in the City hotspots tours. Perhaps you’ll even meet your very own Chuck Bass…
3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Remember that one birthday you turned 11 and waited outside on your front porch for your Hogwarts letter? Remember that feeling you got when you realized you really were a Muggle? Well, guess what? We Muggles recreated the Wizarding World so that we could enjoy it, too. Plan a trip to Orlando, Florida, to experience the series you fell in love with by taking a step inside Harry’s universe. Why should you see it? Hogwarts, Honeydukes, The Leaky Cauldron, Ollivanders…the list goes on and on. After all, you’re never too old for a little magic.
4. Angel Falls
Located in Bolívar State, Venezuela, Angel Falls is the world’s highest, uninterrupted waterfall. Angel Falls, also known as El Salto Ángel, is named after Jimmy Angel, an adventurous American pilot from Missouri who was the first to fly over the falls. Angel Falls is also the real-life equivalent to Carl Fredricksen’s Paradise Falls in the movie Up. Why should you see it? The view, duh. Getting to the Falls requires a bit of a journey, so if you’re one for adventures, this site is for you.
5. Trevi Fountain
In Rome, the Fontana di Trevi is a whimsical piece of art and one of the oldest water sources in the city. Legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain from over their shoulder, they are guaranteed a return back to Rome. The fountain has appeared in many notable films including The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Why should you see it? Well, to guarantee yourself a trip back to Rome, of course.
6. Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, is the second most populated city in Spain. There is still a dispute on the origins of the city. Some believe that Hercules founded the city approximately 400 years before the building of Rome. Others believe that the city was built in the third century BC by Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal. You probably recall Barcelona from the second Cheetah Girls movie. Why travel to Barcelona? Wine, diversity, contemporary architecture and ghost tours.
7. Beverly Hills
Located in Los Angeles County, California, Beverly Hills is the setting of shows like The Hills and 90210. Beverly Hills is home to the world’s very first Cheesecake Factory and the world’s first 24-hour cupcake ATM. Why should you see it? Rodeo Drive, the celebrities and The Beverly Wilshire (where Pretty Woman was filmed!).
8. Mont Saint-Michel
Located in Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s most recognizable landmarks. The small, rocky, medieval-walled island known as Mont Saint-Michel is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city is also the inspiration for Rapunzel’s parents’ castle in Tangled. Why see Mont Saint-Michel? Medieval architecture, religious monuments and French culture.
9. Toronto
Toronto—located in Ontario, Canada—never really made its mark on pop culture until the rise of musicians such as Drake, Party Next Door and The Weeknd. Toronto is known for its iconic urban slang, its international film festival (TIFF) and the CN Tower. It’s also the most diverse city in the entire world. Why visit Toronto? The diversity, the legal drinking age (nineteen!), the CN Tower EdgeWalk and Ripley’s Aquarium. Also, Drake is always in town.
10. Alsace
Located in France and bordering Germany and Switzerland, Alsace is a mixture of two cultures. The creators of Beauty and the Beast used the villages of Alsace as inspiration for Belle’s home of Little Town. Why see Alsace? World-renowned wine, the beauty of Alsace during Christmastime and the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle.
11. Iceland
Located in Europe, Iceland’s dramatic volcanic landscape and sharp contrasts make the nation look like an entirely different planet. Due to the its location, it doesn’t get dark at all during the summertime. Iceland has also hosted many film sets including the production of Interstellar, where the Svínafellsjökull glacier was used to act as Mann’s planet. Why see Iceland? Geysers, geothermal spas and Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights).
12. New Orleans
Located in southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans is known for its music, nightlife and cuisine. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. Many movies and TV shows, including The Princess and the Frog and The Originals, are heavily based on New Orleans culture. Why should you see New Orleans? Mardi Gras, jazz, the history and the cuisine.
13. The Forbidden City
Located in Beijing, China, The Forbidden City was the Chinese Imperial Palace from 1420-1912, acting as home to 24 emperors. The city’s name pays homage to the historical rule of no one entering the city without the emperor’s special permission. The design of the Emperor’s home in Mulan is unmistakably based on The Forbidden City. Why see it? The rich Chinese culture and the ancient buildings and artifacts!
14. Nærøyfjord
Located in Norway, Nærøyfjord is a narrow and dramatic fjord. The name Nærøyfjord comes from the Norse god Njord, the god of the seafarer and the sea. The landscapes of Nærøyfjord inspired Arendelle in Disney’s Frozen. Why go to Nærøyfjord? The landscape, the fresh air and the sound of waterfalls! You could drink the water straight from the rivers and waterfalls if you wanted, too.
15. Dominica
Commonly mistaken for the Dominican Republic, Dominica is located in the Caribbean Sea between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Due to its lush landscape, Dominica is known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Scenes from two out of the four Pirates of the Caribbean movies (Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End) were filmed in Dominica. Why see Dominica? Scuba diving, nature, hot springs and beaches!