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Lights, Camera, © Northfoto/Shutterstock Stepping out of the shadows of Prague and Paris, Budapest is setting the scene and becoming a popular setting for major Hollywood films. Travel enthusiast and movie junkie Michelle Tchea heads there hoping to rub shoulders with her favourite stars. Words by Michelle Tchea

The cinematic vistas of Budapest resist the European charm. With From doubling as Buenos Aires are without a doubt beaming low production costs and a in the 1996 film Evita to the made in budapest with Hollywood appeal. Walking picturesque Budapest backdrop, serene streets of Steven Past films: Spy Game – Brad Pitt and down the streets of the the architectural buildings and Spielberg’s Munich, Budapest Robert Redford Hungarian capital, it is easy to historical bathhouses leave is not slowing down as host. Evita – Madonna and see how the attractive city is a many saying au revoir to Paris After shooting: Mission Antonio Banderas draw card for more than just and szia to Hungary. Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Munich – Eric Bana, Daniel Craig tourists. While Eastern Europe For tourists and local movie Tom Cruise probably had a few Underworld – Kate Beckinsale The Raven – John Cusack and Luke has been home to many buffs roaming Váci Utca for a travel tips for fellow actors Brad Evans Hollywood productions, little retail therapy, it’s easy to Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who Mission Impossible: Budapest is quashing all get lost in a 19th-century street called the city home for the Ghost Protocol – Tom Cruise competition and encouraging scene with bowler hats, similar filming of the much anticipated The Rite – Anthony Hopkins industry spearheads to choose to those out of Bel Ami, starring drama World War Z and Wanted. 2013 and beyond: the Danube River as the teenage heartthrob Robert Random cafés are the World War Z – Brad Pitt backdrop to its next million- Pattinson. However, if action best places to spot your A Good Day to – dollar project. is more your thing, turn the favourite stars, such as Arnold In the last decade, many have corner and you may just be in Schwarzenegger, or Jeremy Dracula – Luke Evans followed in the footsteps of the way of Bruce Willis, saving Irons, star of TV series The Places to go star spotting: Casablanca director Michael the world from yet another Borgias. 2013 cements Budapest Streets of Budapest – Váci Utca; Curtiz and turned the streets of world domination plot in the as the next Hollywood, with Sziget Festival in August (Music Budapest into prime movie Die Hard series. British actor Luke Evans returning and Cultural Festival); Cafe locations. Taking full advantage The slightly disturbing yet to Budapest (after filming Gerlóczy – Gerlóczy Street 1; th of the government’s tax rebate eerie feel of Budapest mixed The Raven there last year) for Gundel Restaurant – 14 District, Gundel Károly Street 4; Gerbeaud for foreign and domestic film with the historical buildings the remake of Bram Stoker’s – 1051 Vörösmarty tér 7–8 productions, production of tougher communist times Dracula. Now that is something Budapest; and Restaurant Zona companies are finding it hard to provides an unparalleled setting. to sink your teeth into. – Lánchíd Utca 7–9 Budapest

Budapest, Hungary ✈ Distance: 3,757 km ✈ Flight time: 5 hours, 55 minutes ✈ Frequency: Daily

Oryx June 13