Embrace Your Inner Superhero: Booking.com Reveals The Adventurous Locations Behind This Fall’s Long-awaited Sequel
Four years have passed since fans were introduced to the tribal world of legends and heroes in a technologically advanced fictional east African kingdom. This fall, the story continues as the long-awaited sequel of the superhero action movie is set to hit screens. In the next edition of the popular franchise, warriors and queens band together to protect their kingdom from a hidden undersea nation using superpowers including enhanced strength and speed.
With well almost a third (32%) of US travelers wanting to venture to a destination featured in a movie or TV show,* Booking.com has uncovered five incredible destinations where the shimmering towers, sprawling grasslands and sparkling savannahs of the movie were filmed. From dramatic mountain ranges in Africa to metropolitan cityscapes in South Korea and incredible waterfalls in Argentina, travelers can embrace their inner superhero and travel to the jaw-dropping backdrops of the amazing franchise film.
Known locally as the ‘Kingdom in the Sky,’ the alpine country of Lesotho encircled by South Africa was the main setting and filming location of the fictional kingdom in the movie. Crisscrossed by a network of rivers and mountain ranges, and featuring magnificent waterfalls and dramatic peaks of the luscious emerald Maloti Mountains, visitors will feel like they are stepping into a scene of a sci-fi movie in an alternative universe. The more than half (54% ) of US travelers who say being physically active is a personal motivation to travel,** can explore the incredible highlands on foot as the area is famous for world-class hiking and jaw-dropping views. Lesotho may be accessible from more well-known destinations like Durban and Johannesburg in South Africa, but its remoteness makes it a special destination full of untouched natural beauty which travelers can explore on horseback like the locals. Bed down in the capital city of Maseru, with easy access to the rich traditional culture of the Basotho community that can be experienced in the welcoming villages dotted around this kingdom.
Where to stay: The Clan Guest House is located in Maseru and offers a cozy stay for travelers looking to relax somewhere comfortable and modern during their adventure. A Booking.com Travel Sustainable property, the restaurant offers amazing locally sourced food and guests can enjoy delicious meals and sundowners outside in the charming garden. After an action-packed day exploring the backdrop to the sequel, guests can cool down in the accommodation’s luxe pool or even order room service for the movie star treatment.
Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and features something for every type of traveler. From beautiful sandy beaches and bustling urban markets to rugged mountains and steaming hot springs, this old port town has so much on offer. Featured as the backdrop for that unforgettable and exhilarating car chase in the superhero franchise, travelers can get in on the action and explore the buzzing Asian city themselves. For those wanting to swap an exciting car chase with a cool boat trip, a nighttime Tour with Cruise towards Dongbaek Island offers the sights without the traffic. Locals love the laid-back beach scene, exquisite seafood and casual tent bars, and the hot springs are well-known spots to unwind after a spa treatment. Geumgang Park offers unforgettable views of the city’s skyline and travelers can visit the beautiful Buddhist temples to immerse themselves in the traditional cultural history of Busan. The Gamcheon Culture Village is a vibrant neighborhood nestled into the side of a mountain and well worth a visit with its bold street art and kaleidoscope of colorful houses. Art enthusiasts can head to one of the many contemporary galleries there to get their culture fix.
Where to stay: For travelers wanting to feel on top of the world, the Signiel Busan Hotel, between the third and nineteenth floors of the LCT tower, offers panoramic views of the city fit for a superhero. Featuring cool and modern interiors and a stylish bar serving delicious cocktails, guests can feel like the main character in their own movie on vacation here. The exquisite infinity pool overlooks the ocean and the hotel is also a short walk to the beach for travelers to enjoy sea, sand and good vibes.
Due to its immense natural beauty, the production company drew inspiration from the mystical Rwenzori mountain range and Bwindi National Park in south-west Uganda to create the movie’s mountain tribe settlement. Dating back 25,000 years, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an ancient rainforest of ecological uniqueness and incredible natural beauty. This UNESCO world heritage site is globally famous for being home to half the world’s gorilla population and people travel far and wide to have a face-to-face encounter with these majestic silverback creatures – a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bwindi is also home to a small population of forest elephants, and travelers may be lucky with a sighting in this mystical and magical rainforest. This off-the-beaten-track destination is one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa and an incredible place for travelers with a real sense of adventure.
Where to stay: Located in Bugambira near Rushaga Gorilla Tracking, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge offers guests luxurious lodges for a glamping experience in the Ugandan forest. Featuring beautiful garden grounds and an exceptional pool, guests are only a short drive away from the briefing point entrance that leads to the gorillas. The lodge also offers bicycle rental, so adrenalin junkies can embrace their inner superhero and cycle through the national park.
Travelers seeking to behold a powerful natural phenomenon fit for the main character of an action movie, should head to Puerto Iguazu, the local destination for the Iguazu Falls and one of the natural wonders of the world. Featured as the filming location for the Warrior Falls in the movie, visitors can step into the world of legends and experience the magnificent 275 waterfalls that cascade there – especially on an exciting boat ride to encounter the falls up close and personal. Uniquely located on the tri-border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, travelers can discover the incredible rainforest and ecosystem with waterfalls as big as 260 feet high. For the 77% of US travelers who consider seeing beautiful natural scenery important when picking a destination,** this destination is full of tropical wildlife and plants, and travelers can immerse themselves in a world fit for legendary characters amongst colorful birds and 500 species of beautiful butterflies.
Where to stay: The Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel features stunning architectural style integrated into the subtropical rainforest just a short drive away from the magnificent Iguazu Falls. The luxurious hotel offers two fantastic restaurants that serve delicious local cuisine such as world class Argentinian steak bursting with flavor, as well as gorgeous views of the surrounding rainforest and guests will feel like they are fully immersed in the scene of a movie. For an action-packed stay, the hotel can organize trekking and horse rising in the Iriapú jungle and guests can unwind in the hotel’s spa and sauna after an exciting day of adventure.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
At the center of some of the top universities in the world, and stretched out along the north shore of the Charles River, it’s no surprise that Cambridge in Massachusetts has been used as a filming destination to set the scene for some of the genius characters in the superhero sequel. Full of innovative minds and with a bohemian feel, Cambridge is home to integrated college campuses, top-class museums, a buzzing performing arts scene, and incredible restaurants. To explore Harvard campus from a student’s perspective, a Guided Harvard University Walking Tour will give visitors a dynamic view of college life while allowing them to discover some of the university’s most iconic sites. Travelers can make the most of the cozy book and coffee shops, settling down with a good book and a pastry while people-watching. Harvard Square is full of historical buildings and cool boutique shops, while visitors can meander along the Charles River or attend one of the many regattas held throughout the year to experience world-class rowing races with the Boston skyline in the distance.
Where to stay: Just opposite the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus where the sequel was filmed, The Kendall Hotel is a historic Victorian-style boutique hotel originally built in 1894. This classic hotel has a cozy atmosphere in the heart of Cambridge and hosts a wine drinks reception each night on their Rooftop Retreat for social travelers. It’s also home to a fantastic restaurant that serves comfort food for guests to replenish themselves after a day exploring Cambridge.
Rich in history, color, and charm, Old San Juan is situated in the Caribbean capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, and is a popular filming location for the superhero franchise where the coolest comic book characters have come to life. The elegant neighborhood features blue cobblestoned streets lined with rainbow-colored buildings where visitors can soak up the colonial architecture and bold street art that unfurls to a dramatic palm-fringed coastline. Known as the ‘walled city’ because this historical destination is partially encircled by an ancient wall, travelers can go back in time by visiting one of the city’s grand gothic-style fortresses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. For those seeking adventure, embark on a Hidden Waterfall Hike with a trip outside of the city to discover the extraordinary beauty of the Puerto Rican mountains on a forest trail to majestic falls with natural pools to swim in. Back in the city, a plethora of farm-to-table restaurants celebrate Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage, alongside street food vendors serving up mouthwatering Caribbean delicacies from plantain to tembleque, a silky coconut custard perfect for any traveler with a sweet tooth. San Juan is also the birthplace of the piña colada, so visitors can sip on this cooling cocktail made from fresh local produce watching the spectacular sunsets.
Where to stay: Blending traditional charm with modern stylish flair, Villa Herencia Hotel is located on a delightful pastel-colored street just a short walk away from the beach. This boutique hotel features fantastic local artwork and a lovely balcony where guests can recline on sunbeds and soak up the Carribean sunshine. Situated in the Old San Juan, where scenes of the movie were filmed, the hotel is surrounded by eclectic shops and restaurants which travelers can visit to absorb the local culture.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.
**Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.