Act Out 2017’s Best Action Movies at These Top Travel Destinations

By Mike Richard Published December 19, 2019

Some travelers are inspired by food, some by adventure, and others still by the whims of their bucket list. However, Hollywood can prove a worthy, if unconventional, source of inspiration as well. There was no shortage of big-budget action movies in 2017. Here are three of our favorites to to inspire your next adventure trip.

New Zealand (Alien: Covenant)

New Zealand (Alien: Covenant) — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Few destinations get more love from sci-fi directors lately than Iceland and New Zealand. The latter played a big role in this year’s Alien: Covenant as the setting of Ridley Scott’s newly discovered (and quickly conquered) planet. With its dense rainforests, glacier hiking opportunities, endless beaches, and dramatic volcanic peaks, the country has long been a favorite for adventure travelers.

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Vietnam (Kong: Skull Island)

Halong Bay Vietnam (Kong: Skull Island) — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Given King Kong’s “birthplace” of Manhattan, Vietnam may seem like an unlikely setting for his next beastly takeover. Yet, that’s exactly where Kong: Skull Island took him this year. With its endless green paddies, winding rivers, and dramatic limestone peaks, the country provided the perfect backdrop for the remote setting of Skull Island. Cast members John C. Reilly and Samuel L. Jackson described the film’s locations as the most beautiful they’ve ever shot in. Like so many of the world’s best destinations, Vietnam is best explored slowly. Exodus Travels’ 14-day Trails of Vietnam tour is a perfect example, complete with walking, paddling, horseback riding. The tour reads like a highlight reel of the country’s best stops, including Halong Bay, Hanoi, the Mekong Delta, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.

South Africa (The Dark Tower)

Okavango Delta — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For this highly anticipated adaptation of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King — specifically the first novel in the series, The Gunslinger — director Nikolaj Arcel relied heavily on Southern Africa to serve as the film adaptation’s futuristic, Wild West-style landscape. Many scenes were filmed in South Africa — Cape Town in particular — which proved the perfect setting to depict how “the world has moved on.” While exploring the southernmost tip of the continent, don’t miss Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the stunning deserts of Namibia, and the bucket-list-worthy Victoria Falls straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

Travel

Austin Texas travel guide: Where to stay, what to eat, and more

Austin travel guide that explores all the city has to offer

A picture of the Austin skyline and ladybird lake

Austin, Texas is truly the city that never stops buzzing with energy. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is a bustling city where the sound of country, blues, and rock spills out of every venue, from cozy dive bars to large concert halls. But there's more to this cool Texas town than just music -- Austin's unofficial motto, "Keep Austin Weird," perfectly sums up the eclectic vibe here. Austin celebrates individuality at every turn, evident in the city's quirky street art, offbeat shops, and funky local businesses.
A big part of the city's charm comes from its college culture, with the University of Texas adding a youthful buzz to the city's already electric atmosphere. And you can't forget about the food -- Austin is a BBQ lover's paradise, with mouthwatering smoked meats that will have you coming back for seconds (or even thirds).

In this guide, we'll cover where to stay, the best places to eat, must-see attractions, and a few tips on how to save some cash along the way.
Where to stay

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The largest hotel in the world: A mind-blowing 7,000+ rooms in Malaysia

Put on your walking shoes when you're visiting this hotel.

First World Hotel

As someone who’s spent years bouncing between destinations, staying in everything from tiny airport hotels to the colossal resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to hotels. Spoiler alert: I hadn’t. The largest hotel in the world doesn’t just raise the bar; it tosses the bar out of sight.

With a mind-blowing 7,000+ rooms, this hotel is a destination in itself. It’s the kind of place that makes even the most luxurious resorts look like cozy bed-and-breakfasts. In this post, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the largest hotel in the world – what makes it so incredible, its standout features, and even a few other hotels that have come close to stealing its crown.
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Travel

High-end shopping: Study reveals what luxury travelers buy around the world

This is what the wealthy buy when they travel

outside of a Prada store

Did you know that some luxury travelers spend millions on high-end purchases during their trips? A new study by Judaica WebStore takes a closer look at the luxury shopping habits of wealthy travelers, uncovering the most sought-after items and the destinations where high-end purchases thrive. From custom jewelry to rare wines, here’s a breakdown of the top luxury items travelers buy on vacation.
Top luxury purchases travelers make on vacation

Custom jewelry
Custom jewelry is a favorite buy among luxury travelers, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. New York City is a hotspot for engagement rings from Tiffany & Co., while Dubai’s Gold Souk is perfect for one-of-a-kind gold pieces. Paris remains the go-to for high-end jewelry, featuring names like Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier.
Fine art
Art lovers often find themselves in Paris, Florence, or New York, where fine art can range from $10,000 to $1 million. Paris offers iconic galleries and auctions, while Florence attracts buyers of Renaissance masterpieces. New York, with events like Art Basel, is a prime spot for rare finds.
Limited-edition handbags
Handbags, especially limited-edition ones, draw the rich to Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. The Hermès Birkin in Paris is legendary, while Milan offers exclusive Gucci and Prada collections. In Tokyo, Louis Vuitton offers bags designed just for Japanese buyers. Prices run from $1,500 to $150,000.
Exotic spices and gourmet ingredients
For foodies, Morocco, India, and Italy are top destinations. Morocco’s markets are filled with fragrant spices, while India’s Kashmir region is known for its prized saffron and Italy’s Piedmont region is famous for its white truffles. Prices for these items are typically between $50 and $1,000.
Antiques and collectibles
Collectors flock to London, Istanbul, and Jerusalem for antiques and unique religious and historical items. London’s Portobello Road, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, and Jerusalem’s Old City offer treasures ranging from $50 to $100,000.
Perfumes
Perfume is a classic luxury item, with Paris and Grasse offering bespoke options -- Fragonard in Paris and Grasse’s workshops let travelers put together their own fragrances. These luxury perfumes range from $500 to $10,000.
Luxury wines and spirits
When it comes to wine and spirits, travelers head to Bordeaux for private tours and tastings, Scotland, where collectors can find exclusive Scotch whiskies, and Italy’s Piedmont region, known for its coveted Barolo wines. Rare bottles can go for up to $10,000
Handcrafted leather goods
Florence’s Santa Croce district, Marrakech, and Paris are top spots for leather goods. From bags to belts, these handcrafted items range from $500 to $5,000.
Fine china and glassware
Vienna, Prague, and London are home to some of the world’s finest porcelain and glassware. Prices for these items range from $200 to $5,000, with each piece carefully crafted to appeal to collectors.
Luxury watches
Timepieces remain a timeless investment. Geneva and Zurich lead the way with iconic brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, with prices ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million.