Whether you believe movies today are better or more engaging is irrelevant, no one can watch a true golden age movie without being caught up in the romance and beauty of a simpler time. It would seem that nothing was more romantic to Hollywood at the time than Europe, the land too far away to be accessible by the average Joe but close enough for the culture to reach over the Atlantic. Here are three famous golden age movies set in Europe that anyone can relive by visiting a few key points.

Roman Holiday / Photo released under public domain

Roman Holiday – Rome

Staring the encapsulating Audrey Hepburn in her first Hollywood movie, Roman Holiday follows Princess Ann/Anya as she tries to escape the pressure of her obligations just for a day. Accompanied by journalist Joe, Hepburn tours the city and sees some of its famous sites complete with a scooter as the most applicable mode of transport.

If you’re heading to Rome for a holiday you can visit the historic Spanish Steps where Joe arranges to bump into Anya so he can convince her to accompany him. Built in 1717 these steps are an iconic landmark in Rome and lead up to the 16th Century church of Trinita dei Monti. At the bottom of the steps you’ll see the world famous Barcaccia Fountain. It’s the perfect place to catch your breath from a busy day of shopping in all the surrounding boutique shops.

The second site Joe takes Anya to is the La Bocca Della Verita, an ancient marble carving said to be from the 1st century.  Rumour has it that anyone who places their hand in the mouth and tells a lie will have their hand bitten off. Sat in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin tourists flock to test this mask and most come away with their hands intact.

To Catch A Thief – French Riviera

To Catch A Thief stared the beautiful Grace Kelly and Cary Grant and follows them as retired cat burglar John works to clear his name after a copycat starts stealing jewels. This film is set in the French Riviera making it the perfect setting for Kelly’s wealthy character Francie and her mother and of course a whole host of sparkling jewels – it’s the very definition of decadence.

The Riviera is the perfect setting for this film, not because of any specific sights but because of the general reputation of the Riviera. Its wonderful weather, crystal waters and golden beaches and of course an excess of wealth make it the perfect setting for a film about wealth and love.

If you’re heading over to the Riviera there is plenty to see just driving along the stunning coast (as highlighted in the film). If you love art then Saint-Paul De Vence is the centre in this region with galleries, artist’s homes and show rooms everywhere. If you’re looking for the level of wealth and decadence seen in the film then head over to Monaco, one of the most expensive areas in the world. You’ll find shops, gardens, museums all at the highest quality that can easily swallow days of a holiday.

The Prince and the Showgirl – London

The personal life behind Hollywood ledged Marilyn Monroe is irrelevant; you can’t watch her on screen and not be encapsulated by her innocent vulnerability.  As with so many of her roles, Monroe plays Elsie who initially appears strong but would dearly love to be rescued (much as Monroe was reported to be like when she was alive). Unlike the other two movies mentioned above, The Prince and the Showgirl isn’t set in any exotic or tropical climates, but in the reserved sophistication of London, England.

Elsie is a show girl who catches the attention of regent prince, Charles. Throughout the film we watch the Prince chase Elsie in an attempt to woo. She ends up proving she’s smarter and more insightful than he thought and they fall for each other.

There’s no city in the world like London for portraying a regal feeling without losing the romance and if you’re ever heading to London for a holiday there’s plenty to see. Obviously you’ve got an amazing selection of museums and theatres to see but if you just want to while away a few hours on a summers evening, take a stroll along the River Themes. Walk past the impressive Houses of Parliament and along the embankment. You’ll usually see lots of street performers asking for nothing more than a donation in their hat if you like what you see, the perfect romantic evening without spending a fortune.

Jessica writes for Live in Portugal providing banking services in Portugal for any UK residents.

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In front of the palace you can see a column of the Immaculate, which was built in 1856 by Pope Pius IX. to commemorate the dogma of the immaculate conception. The column dates back to the ancient times, it was found in excavations in 1777, under a monastery. It is now topped with a statue of Virgin Mary.

View Piazza di Spagna – one of the most popular meeting points in Rome Italy in a larger map

On the south side of the Piazza di Spagna there is the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide, the seat of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

In the middle of the Piazza di Spagna rises Fontana della Barcaccia built in 1629 by Pietro Bernini. From this fountain you can step up Baroque Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti (the Spanish Steps), which were built in the years 1723-1726 at the request of a French diplomat Stephen Gouffiera. The architects were Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. The elegant staircase consists of 137 steps and has an irregular albeit symmetric structure. It is beautiful especially in May, when it is decorated with azaleas. The steps are usually very crowded; it attracts tourists as well as locals who use it as a gathering place.

Stairs lead to the French church Trinita dei Monti, built from 1495 to 1585 with the support of the French kings. In front of the church you can see the obelisk of 1788 which is the smallest of Rome’s obelisks. It is an ancient copy of Egyptian original, which formerly stood in the Gardens of Sallust.

View Piazza di Spagna – one of the most popular meeting points in Rome Italy in a larger map

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Trevi fountain / Photo by admin

The city sees between seven and ten million visitors annually. On holy years, this number can more than double to well over twenty million tourists. Last year alone, the Colosseum was vested by more than 4 million people while 4.2 million people made their way through the various museums of the Vatican. One of the biggest years in recent history was 2005 when more than 19.5 million visitors from all over the world made their way to the city.

For hundreds of years, the city of Rome has maintained its position as one of the most visited cities in the world. From the days of the vast and powerful Roman Empire to the rise of Christianity, billions of people have stepped foot in this most ancient of cities. However, there was a time when Rome did see a fall in tourism; during the revolutions of the 1870s.

Pantheon, Rome, Italy / Photo by admin

The Vatican Museums are considered to be the 37th most popular destination in the entire world today. The Colosseum on the other hand is ranked at number 39. St. Peter’s Basilica is perhaps the next most visited place in the city. Then of course there is the Pantheon, Forum Romanum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain which are well-known hot spots in Rome. Many visitors also stop by the Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo, Quirinal Palace as well as the Lateran Palace while they are in the city.

There is something romantic about having the opportunity to see some of the oldest manmade structures in the world; some dating back several thousand years.

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