7 Romantic Dates Inspired By Classic Film Locations

[film reel scrolling]

[Meredith] Hi, I'm Meredith Carey,

an editor at Conde Nast Traveler,

and I've designed some incredible dates

inspired by seven classic romantic movies.

I'll be transporting you

from screen to cities around the world,

suggesting dates based on some of my favorite moments

from across cinematic history.

The will they, won't they tension

between Jane Austen's Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet

has inspired centuries of movie romances.

Recreate that Georgian era magic for yourself

by traveling to England's Wiltshire region

for a Pride and Prejudice inspired tour

of the finest country gardens.

Just know, it's B.Y.O. Mr Darcy.

The first stop is the Wilton House,

owned by the 18th Earl and Countess of Pembroke.

It stands in for Darcy's Pemberley Estate in the 2005 movie,

but it probably looks familiar,

since it's been used as the filming location

in shows like Bridgerton and The Crown,

and movies like Emma and Sense and Sensibility.

In this scene, Keira Knightley runs through the pouring rain

and over the bridge at the Stourhead Estate.

She finds refuge in a temple of Apollo

before Matthew Macfadyen's Darcy

makes his first declaration of love.

I don't understand.

I love you.

Most oddly.

[Meredith] Which is quickly turned down.

You can visit the Stourhead Estate

and stand in the temple of Apollo,

just like Keira and Matthew.

But it isn't the only romantic spot

in the extensive gardens worth visiting.

Be sure to explore the cozy cave-like grotto

and the flower-filled garden behind the mansion.

Wrap up the day with afternoon tea,

a time-honored British tradition.

In fact, the UK actually drinks

some 36 billion cups of tea every year.

Take in delicious scones, sandwiches, rotisserie

and of course tea,

overlooking the gardens at Lucknam Park Estate.

Book a room at the estate's hotel to stay beyond tea

and indulge in the on-site spa.

The hot stone massage will relax you

after a day spent tromping around

in true Elizabeth Bennet style.

Next, to the sticky summers of upstate New York.

Revved up by Dirty Dancing and the vacation romance

between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray,

we're heading to the Catskills.

In this scene, which wasn't actually in the original script,

Patrick and Jennifer practice their moves

and end up crawling on the floor

to Mickey and Sylvia's hit, Love is Strange.

There are plenty of Catskills resorts

that keep that same nostalgia alive.

Plan a getaway at the Mohonk Mountain House,

a Victorian castle retreat set overlooking a lake.

Just like the fictional Kellerman's in the movie,

the resort has been owned by one family, the Smileys,

since 1869.

There are daily activities, like bingo and ice skating,

depending on the season.

But if you're a major Dirty Dancing fan,

you'll want to plan around Mohonk's Swing Dance Weekend

in March of 2022.

After letting loose, sneak away to one of the many gazebos

sprinkled all over the property.

If you'd rather watch dance than participate,

plan a trip to the Kaatsbaan Annual Summer Festival

in Tivoli, New York.

Dancers, musicians and poets perform new works

on an outdoor stage set on the the 153 acre estate.

No one is standing in a corner here.

Looking for a steamy tropical escape?

Channeling How Stella Got Her Groove Back,

head to Jamaica's romantic Negril.

In this scene, Angela Bassett gradually lets her guard down

at her resort's pajama party, dancing with Taye Diggs

to the perfectly titled slow jam,

The Art of Seduction

by Jamaican British reggae artist Maxi Priest.

In Negril, you have to stay at Rockhouse.

In its 25 years on the island, it has hosted rock royalty

like Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones.

While the new beachfront suites are stunning,

it's the thatched roofed bungalows that offer

the most romantic getaway.

Make time for swimming in the infinity pool at sunset

and cliff jumping.

But don't worry, red ladders descend into the sea

for easy access back to dry land.

During the day, visit Reggae Horseback,

which offers romantic rides on shaded mangrove trails,

complete with nature flora, fauna and edible spices

throughout its 900 acre private estate.

You'll end the ride with a horseback trip to the beach

and into the water for a ride and swim, if you so choose.

Come nighttime, head just down the road

to the Rockhouse's sister property,

home to the Jamaican outpost of Miss Lilly's,

where DJs spin reggae and dance hall into the late hours,

and the jerk platters reign supreme.

On this date,

inspired by Celine Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire,

we're diving into France's Brittany region.

In this pivotal scene filmed in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon,

Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant lower their scarves

meant to protect them from the strong wind

and kiss for the first time in a stone alcove on the beach.

You'll find an equally breathtaking coastline

in the Cote de granite rose.

There's no place in northwestern Brittany

that's quite as impressive as the Pink Granite Coast,

which is dotted with spectacular rock formations.

The geology ranges from massive rose gold boulders

to eroded pink sand, all contrasted beautifully

against the gray foam of the sea.

Make sure to plan a trip

around the Fine Art Museum in Quimper,

which has many works by 18th century French female artists

in its permanent collection.

Look for portraits by Adelaide Labille-Guiard in particular.

And while in Brittany, visit Cancale.

Set on the western side of the bay, the Mont Saint-Michel,

it supplies about a third of France's oysters.

It's the perfect place to indulge.

Beneath the town's lighthouse,

you'll find half a dozen stalls

fronted by women selling oysters of all sizes,

as well as Europe's famous flat oysters, Belon oysters.

Nothing says date night like a natural aphrodisiac.

Our next film is Roman Holiday.

The romance between journalist Gregory Peck

and heiress princess Audrey Hepburn

has inspired many trips to the eternal city.

In this particular scene, Gregory finds Audrey,

who's shirking her duties on a royal trip to Rome,

enjoying a gelato on the city's famed Spanish steps.

Well, it's you.

[Meredith] He invites her to explore

the best of Rome for the day.

But don't you have to work?

Work?

No.

Today's gonna be a holiday.

[Meredith] Start your trip at the Residenza Napoleone III,

an opulent suite in a resorted 16th century building

close to where the scene was filmed.

To feel like a true European princess,

lounge in the silk canopy bed, while the on-hand concierge

helps book private tours and restaurant reservations.

Saunter over to Prati, just north of Saint Peter's Square,

and duck into Casadora.

It's a pasta making lab that sells fresh noodles daily,

alongside artisanal olive oils, sauces and natural wines.

Plus, there's a kitchen

so you can experience the pasta for yourself

if you'd rather have a romantic dinner for two.

Grab a Vespa to visit the Spanish steps,

just don't sit down.

Perching on the steps ala Audrey

can result in a $450 fine these days.

You'll wanna put that money towards a shopping spree

at the luxury stores from Italian brands

like Prada, Gucci and Armani, that surround the steps.

As they say, when in Rome!

In the iconic film, Love and Basketball,

written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood,

romance plays out across LA.

In this scene, Sanaa Lathan wakes up Omar Epps

two weeks before his wedding to share her feelings

and challenge him to a high stakes game of one-on-one.

I'll play you.

What?

One game, one-on-one.

For what?

Your heart.

[Meredith] Start your trip by staying

at the Proper Downtown LA's Basketball Court suite.

It re-imagines the building's original vintage court

as a luxuriously fantastical open plan space.

Plan for a pre-tip off Omakase experience

of more than 15 courses at Q,

which sits just five minutes from LA's arena,

but feels a world away.

The energy of downtown LA immediately slows down

when you enter the intimate dining room,

and few restaurants outside Tokyo

execute Omakase sushi to this level.

If you're going to a game,

try snagging floor or suite tickets

to see the Clippers or Lakers hit the court.

You never know what celebrity couple

you could end up next to.

And if you're interested

in a romantic one-on-one game of your own,

check out the B.Y.O Ball court at Angels Gate Park,

which sits atop a cliff with incredible ocean views.

Just remember, all's fair in love and basketball.

And finally, to the gorgeous Singapore

for a date that reflects the romance

of Constance Wu and Henry Golding's Rachel and Nick

in Crazy Rich Asians.

In this scene, we get our first glimpse of Singapore,

with Constance and Henry's characters meeting up

with his soon-to-be married friends.

They head straight for the bustling Newton Food Center,

a famous hawker market in the city.

They stop at different stalls,

stocking up on dishes like laksa, sate, dumplings and more.

Best sate on the island, for sure.

[Meredith] Just like our protagonists,

your first stop should be Newton Food Center.

My best advice, come hungry.

Gorge yourself on the city's best street food,

from Hupke's fried oyster omelet

to Hank's savory carrot cake.

Collect bowls of nasi goreng, chili crab and more

from as many stands as you can,

before settling down and digging in.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay

and its grove of 160 foot tall super trees

don't just make for an opulent wedding reception background

or pretty Instagrams.

Be sure to visit the Cloud Forest,

which mimics the cool misty ecology

of the tropical highlands.

It has a treetop walk and a jaw-dropping indoor waterfall.

Next stop is Raffles Singapore,

which has maintained its near mythical status

even after its recent renovation.

Book a room to get the full experience,

including a personal butler,

or simply end your day at the famed long bar,

home of the boozy Singapore Sling cocktail.

It's the perfect nightcap.

And that's Around the World in Seven Films.

See you in the movie theater for more inspiration

and even more extravagant date nights.