Bruges, Belgium (In Bruges)<\/span> Koh Phi Phi Leh, Thailand (The Beach)<\/span> Glencoe, Scotland (Braveheart)<\/span> Fort Ricasoli, Malta (Gladiator)<\/span>
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.funcage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Bruges.jpg\" "\\"Bruges\\"")
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\nNot to go all Brendan Gleeson on you, but Bruges really is one of the most achingly picturesque preserved medieval cities in Europe, just as he insists at the open of this dark, heavy comedy. The Belfry in the Grotemarkt is truly striking, every building ornate and there is an emanating sense of melancholy or maybe a hit man-esque glamour as you ease along the canals. Much less congested than Europe\u2019s Poster Children, (Paris, Prague, Vienna etc), you can keep to yourself and your musings in Koningin Astridpark, (where Colin Farrell contemplates suicide) or punch Canadians over a lovely dinner at Caf\u00e9draal on Zilverstraat. Wait for Ralph Fiennes\u2019 call in your room at Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce Hotel, before your one normal beer, \u201cbecause you are normal\u201d at the pub.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.funcage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/kohphiphi.jpg\" "\\"kohphiphi\\"")
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\nFirst, if you haven\u2019t read the book by Alex Garland, do it immediately. It\u2019s outstanding and features even more screwed up beach life than the movie does. Second, how cool would it be to really live on \u201cThe Beach\u201d (sans Tilda Swinton, naturally)? Well, hop on a boat from Phuket and make for the Phi Phi Islands, where the movie was filmed. Much of the infrastructure was maimed by the 2004 tsunami but the perfect beach from the film endured, as pristine as ever. You feel like you have literally entered a postcard when stretch out and take in this vista. Vibrant blue water and lush flora, sand as fine as sugar\u2014someone get me a cocktail with an umbrella in it, pronto! For the serious adventurer, (Leo DiCaprio would be proud), trek north past Bangkok to visit Haeo Suwat Falls in Khao Yai National Park. Be a man and jump before the ladies this time!
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\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.funcage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Glen-Nevis.jpg\" "\\"Glen")
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\nWell it doesn\u2019t get manlier than Braveheart, does it? Before Mel Gibson\u2019s cheese slid off the cracker, he was renowned for this ambitious blockbuster. Luckily, Scotland\u2019s hills are still awe-inspiring, even if Mel\u2019s stock has plummeted. Shot mostly in Glencoe, in the western foothills of the Highlands, Braveheart showcased the rugged allure of Scotland. Just north on Loch Leven near Fort William, Glen Nevis is the site of Lanark, in the imposing shadow of Ben Nevis\u2019 peak. They copped out and ended up filming many of the battle scenes in Ireland, but Scotland is the real star of the epic, from the ten craggy Mamores Peaks (a perfect full day hike), to Mornay\u2019s castle in Edinburgh (the Edinburgh Council Chamber). Pop on your kilt and hit the countryside!<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.funcage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/fort-ricasoli.jpg\" "\\"fort")
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\nThe small country of Malta was host to a million dollar third of a Roman Coliseum replica just so Russell Crowe could kick some ass. Although there was extensive CGI at work in the final movie, Fort Ricasoli itself is a sprawling ancient fortification that worked as the perfect foundation upon which Rome was constructed. Starkly sun bleached and wave beaten, the 17th century ramparts were adorned with the arena, streets, statues, gates and colonnades. Check out the view of the Mediterranean that Joaquin Phoenix had during his climactic slaying. No one will mind if you give a triumphant fist pump (like I did when Joaquin was finally stabbed right in the neck).You\u2019ll have to hop over to Moroccan Ouarzazate to spy the setting for Russell\u2019s first gladiatorial fights, in A\u00eft Benhaddou. The stunning Atlas Mountains and compulsory camel ride will be worth the trip, though.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.funcage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Denali-Alaska.jpg\" "\\"Denali")
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