Film Locations

Welcome to Mykonos’ Hippie Chic Hotel

Published April 9, 2015 | By Clark Norton

The Mykonos waterfront.

Every once in a while I come across a press release so — shall we say, “unusual” — that I have to share it with my readers.

This is one sent by a Mr. John Karaglanis, who introduces himself as “the new General Manager of Hippie Chic Hotel for the 2015 season…We are pleased to present you Hippie Chic Hotel, a new concept in Mykonos.”

This immediately raises the question — what exactly is the concept behind “Hippie Chic Hotel”? Is it a chic commune, a fashionable “Hog Farm”-type operation transplanted to one of the trendiest and most expensive Greek islands? Maybe a chic backpackers’ hostel?

I ask because as a baby boomer, I can’t help but be struck by the name “Hippie Chic Hotel.”

Back in the day, circa the late 1960s, hippies were cool, groovy, with it, but oftentimes… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Countries, Europe, Film Locations, Luxury travel, Marketing | Tagged Greece, Greek Islands, Hippie Chic Hotel, hippies, Mykonos | Leave a comment

Don’t Let Terrorism Deter You From Traveling

Published March 25, 2015 | By Clark Norton

Sidi Bou Said, near Tunis, is one of Tunisia’s premier — and most colorful — resort towns . Photo from TourismTunisia.com.

When my son sang in a children’s choir some years ago, I attended a meeting where parents were debating whether it was safe to send their kids off to Britain to compete in the famous National Eisteddfod competition in Wales.

There had been some recent bombings and kidnappings in London, the first stop on their itinerary — hence the concern. I noted that the choir members would have more to fear from the bus ride from the airport into the city than from any sightseeing or other activities they would experience in London or Wales.

My statement was immediately misinterpreted by a number of other parents who thought I was suggesting that terrorists would be out to kidnap or bomb a busload of choir boys and girls just… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Countries, Cruises, Film Locations, food, museums | Tagged Bardo Museum, camel ride, El Djem, Sahara Desert, Sidi Bou Said, Star Wars film locations, Tunisia | Leave a comment

Film Fan Going to England? Try These Locales

Published March 6, 2015 | By Clark Norton

Bletchley Park Mansion, site of The Imitation Game. Photo by Shaun Armstrong, courtesy of VisitBritain.

British films were nominated 21 times in several Academy Award categories this year, including two for Best Picture, two for Best Actor, one for Best Actress, one for Best Director, and two for Best Supporting Actress.

Two were winners in major categories: Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, while Graham Moore won for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Imitation Game.

If you’re headed to England this year, you can visit a number of location settings for these films. Here’s where:

The Imitation Game

The inspiring but ultimately tragic life story of brilliant mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing is the focal point of this historical drama set in the Victorian estate of Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, used as the unlikely… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, Countries, Europe, Film Locations, museums | Tagged Angelina Jolie, Bletchley Park Mansion, British films, Cambridge, Eddie Redmayne, Graham Moore, Into the Woods, Maleficent, Meryl Streep, Mr. Turner, Oscar-nominated films, Petworth House, St. Johns College, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything | 2 Comments

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Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.