For some time now, music videos have accompanied music releases, allowing us to take a look into a new world created by each artist. Songs take us on a journey, and music videos are as important to music as the plot is to a film. 39% of the Argentine travel community wants to take advantage of their vacations to get to know the culture they saw in a show or a film, so there is no doubt that there are people who are inspired by their favorite music videos to travel.
For music lovers, Booking.com is sharing a list of the destinations behind some of the most iconic winners from previous years, so that the traveling community can immerse themselves in the scenes of these musical masterpieces.
Fontainebleau, France
The stunning Fontainebleau Palace is located south of Paris, just a train ride or an hour's drive away. This sprawling forest and castle was once home to King Louis XIII, but more recently was the setting for pop star Lana del Rey's Born to Die music video. The magnificent chapel, gallery and grounds of this 12th-century palace are featured in the romantic yet haunting short film that accompanies the album's title track. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontainebleau Palace is now a museum that you can visit when visiting the town. Here you can discover how French rulers lived and delight in outstanding works of art, ideal for those who love history and art. You can also explore the beautiful woods surrounding the castle and climb the forest's rock formations, popular with boulders. This chic town is packed with shops, bars and restaurants, from Michelin-starred ones to street food stalls, and at weekends it has a wonderful market. A must-try dish is Fontainebleau, a traditional French dessert made with whipped cream and a fresh curd-like cheese, and served with red berries.
Seoul, South Korea
K-pop fans looking to don a pastel pink outfit and recreate the dance routine from the video that holds the record for the fastest number of views should visit Seoul. South Korean boy band BTS and American singer Halsey filmed the video for their hit Boy with Luv on the streets of the South Korean capital before it went viral. Seoul has plenty to offer with its eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture contrasted by Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets. To experience more of this musical genre, travelers can take a K-pop dance class to brush up on all the moves or record music in a studio and create a 30-second music video in a K-pop singer experience. After enjoying the music scene, a great outing is to check out Gwangjang Market for street food specialties like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) or mayak gimbap (seaweed rolls). BTS fans can also visit Otsu Seiromushi, the restaurant of Jin, one of the band members, near the beautiful Seokchon Lake.
Budapest, Hungary
Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s nighttime skyline, the music video for Katy Perry’s song Firework tells the stories of young people who once felt alone or excluded and are now brimming with confidence. The cast for the video was chosen from an open call that attracted over 30,000 people. Buda Castle and the Astoria Hotel are the settings for the video, which also includes aerial shots of the city, featuring the Széchenyi or Chain Bridge. Those who wish to recreate the nighttime setting of the music video can take a cruise down the Danube River at night and admire illuminated landmarks such as Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Gellért Hill. The video ends with the protagonists in the courtyard of Buda Castle as they light up the night with fireworks. To learn more about the history of the castle, one option is to take a guided tour of Buda Castle, led by a local historian, to immerse yourself in the historic heart of Buda. Elsewhere in this city, formed by Buda to the west and Pest to the east of the Danube River, you can enjoy spectacular architecture, mineral-rich thermal baths and a variety of bars and restaurants located in abandoned or ruined buildings.
Bedford, New York
Taylor Swift's music moves the world with its lyrics and melodies. The recent video for "All Too Well" is a short film that was a huge hit on the internet and won the coveted award for video of the year last year. In this story, which marks Swift's directorial debut, two actors star in an emotional and turbulent relationship during a trip upstate, with outdoor scenes filmed in the picturesque Bedford area of New York. The town of Bedford, located in Westchester County, has rolling green hills and beautiful homes, perfect for a romantic getaway and recharging. Just a short drive away is Pound Ridge, home to the Cross River Reservoir and the Westchester Wilderness Walk. While many New Yorkers visit Bedford to escape the hustle and bustle, those who want the best of both worlds on their next trip will be happy because the town is only an hour's drive away. Film lovers can take a private NYC TV and movie tour to visit some of the city's most iconic filming locations.
Port Kembla, Australia
In 1987, Australian rock band INXS released the video for their hit Need You Tonight/Mediate. The “Mediate” part is particularly quirky, with the band heading to a blast furnace in Port Kembla to film themselves with cards displaying the song’s rhyming lyrics. Port Kembla is a suburb of the coastal city of Wollongong, and while the steelworks blast furnace still stands today, it is a working workplace. So the traveling community can explore the surrounding industrial area and stretches of golden sand that stretch north from Sydney. The city is a surfer’s paradise, with beaches with coves, cliffs and bays, as well as rainforest trails that lead to stunning viewpoints. Travelers can explore the secrets of The Gong on a self-guided Wollongong scavenger hunt tour, which takes them to must-see sites such as the Wollongong Head lighthouse. Another option is to rent a car to travel along the iconic Grand Pacific Drive, one of Australia's most famous tourist routes that connects the city of Sydney on a route full of places with spectacular views of the sea.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
In 1988, the national band Soda Estereo released their iconic video for the song “La ciudad de la Furia” (The City of Fury), one of the most produced short films in the national industry. The images of the city help to represent the idea of an unstoppable city, showing the contrasts of how it looks between day and night. It also shows that this overwhelming city can show a sensitive side in the late eighties. This city, also known as “The Paris of South America,” offers the traveling community a vibrant nightlife, a flourishing art scene, and numerous cultural activities. Renowned museums, historic theaters, picturesque streets, cinema, and art attract visitors from all over the world. Its wide parks and avenues, such as the iconic
Avenida 9 de Julio, invite you to take relaxing walks and discover the hidden charms of the city.
Source: Booking.com