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INTERVAL WORLD
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Issue 1, 2019
intervalworld.comon Saturdays and every third Sunday of the month (except when
closed for events). Reservations are required. During the escorted
excursion at Castle of Saint Florentina, visitors will learn about the
history, architecture, and other secrets of the palace, and are offered
a delicious glass of Spanish sparkling wine at the end of the tour.
SUMMERTIME CINEMA
Back on the mainland, hop the ferry from Cape Cod to Martha’s
Vineyard, Massachusetts, to explore the real-life beach towns that
gave life to Amity Island, the fictional setting of the 1975 film
Jaws
.
This original summer blockbuster is still considered one of the greatest
movies of all time, and the recurring notes of its famous chill-evoking
score have become the theme song of impending doom in pop
culture. On Martha’s Vineyard, communities embrace the claim to
fame with tribute events, weekly summer screenings, and an over-
abundance of movie merchandise in the quaint seaside shops
(seriously — you’re gonna need a bigger boat).
WHAT TO DO:
Sink your teeth into Edgartown Tour Company’s
family-friendly one-hour walking tour to get the inside scoop on the
thriller’s production. Tread in the footsteps of protagonist Chief Brody
as you visit the sites from the big screen — such as the police station,
ferry, Main Street, town hall, and more — and discover the impact the
film had on Martha’s Vineyard and the world.
Want to brush up on all the scenes before taking the tour? From
late June through August, stop by the historic Capawock Theatre
in Vineyard Haven to catch a Friday showing of the beloved picture.
A HERO’S JOURNEY
On New Zealand’s North Island, venture into the verdant pastures of
the Shire to experience the delightful Hobbiton community featured in
the popular movie trilogies
The Lord of the Rings
and
The Hobbit
.
The enchanting 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set site is adorned with
the landscaping, decor, and accessories used in the movies. It’s
located just outside the town of Matamata, an hour and a half north
of Taupo, and two hours south of Auckland.
Farther south — about 90 minutes from Taupo and 45 minutes
from Turangi — is Tongariro National Park, where a number of scenes
from both film series were created. While often digitally enhanced,
the area’s desolate landscapes have been used as the setting for
Mordor, the movies’ archvillain Sauron’s home base, including the vast
Whakapapa and Tukino ski areas, and the barren Rangipo Desert.
Shots of the park’s beautiful Mount Ngauruhoe,
an active volcano, were transformed with CGI
(computer-generated imagery) to create Mount
Doom, a fictional volcano and hero Frodo Baggins’
ultimate destination in
The Lord of the Rings
.
WHAT TO DO
: Take a guided tour of Hobbiton
Movie Set to discover where and how your favorite
scenes were shot. See the quaint and colorful
Hobbit Holes, visit the Old Mill, and enjoy a com-
plimentary Hobbit-style beverage at the famed
Green Dragon Inn. There’s a cafe on-site with
outdoor seating that provides fantastic views of
the surrounding farmland and mountains. And if
you’re bringing souvenirs home, stop by the Shire
Store for an extensive selection of themed gifts.
Reenact your favorite scenes and capture
stunning panoramas of Tongariro National Park’s
remarkable terrain. While experienced hikers (and
extreme fans) may want to follow Frodo’s journey
up the mountain, the landmark can be easily
admired from below.
n
MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS;
JAWS
ScreenProd/Photononstop/Alamy Stock Photo; Hemis/Alamy Stock Photo
HOBBITON MOVIE SET; MATAMATA, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND;
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
AND
THE HOBBIT