Five Fantasy Places We'd Love to Have a Holiday

Let’s face it—sometimes the real world doesn’t quite hit the mark. The queues are long, the drinks are overpriced, and no one rides dragons or lives in a giant walking castle. Which is why, in the spirit of dreaming big (and nerding out just a little), we’re packing our imaginary bags and heading for the most magical destinations fiction has to offer.

Here are five fantasy places we’d love to holiday—if only we could find them on Google Maps:

1. The Shire

From: The Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit

Vibe: Bucolic bliss meets second breakfast heaven.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Middle-earth, The Shire is where time slows down and pies mysteriously multiply. With its thatched-roof hobbit holes, lazy rivers, and impossibly green fields, it’s the ultimate unwind destination. No orcs. No stress. Just gardening, ale, and possibly a party in the Party Tree.

Top activity: A pub crawl from Hobbiton to Bywater—with mandatory elevenses and a nap.

Pack: A waistcoat, good walking shoes, and an appetite for at least six meals a day.

2. Hogsmeade Village

From: Harry Potter

Vibe: Cosy winter break with magical treats on tap.

If you’re craving snow-covered rooftops, butterbeer, and shops full of things that definitely weren’t cleared by Health & Safety, Hogsmeade is the spot. Visit in the colder months for the full festive charm—roaring fires, enchanted sweets, and maybe a run-in with a magical creature or two.

Top activity: Stocking up on tricks and treats at Zonko’s and Honeydukes.

Pack: A wand, a woolly scarf, and a firm budget—you will overspend on chocolate frogs.

3. Camelot (as seen in BBC’s Merlin)

From: Arthurian Legend / BBC’s Merlin

Vibe: Medieval glam with a side of dragons.

Sure, there’s the odd magical duel and the occasional betrayal by a close friend, but Camelot is the place for castlecore done right. Spend your days watching jousts, exploring enchanted forests, or sipping wine with suspiciously good-looking knights.

Top activity: Sneaking into the Round Table chamber for a very Instagrammable moment.

Pack: Chainmail optional, dramatic cloak encouraged.

4. Narnia

From: The Chronicles of Narnia

Vibe: Whimsical wonderland with a side of epic adventure.

Step through the wardrobe and into a realm where it’s always a bit magical (and sometimes permanently winter). Narnia is all enchanted forests, talking animals, and forgotten thrones. One minute you’re having tea with a faun, the next you’re part of a prophecy.

Top activity: Sledding through snow-dusted pines, followed by a feast in Cair Paravel.

Pack: A fur coat (but make it vintage), your courage, and a healthy respect for lions.

5. Ankh-Morpork

From: Discworld by Terry Pratchett

Vibe: Grimy, chaotic, and absolutely brilliant.

Okay, it’s not relaxing in the traditional sense—but Ankh-Morpork is nothing if not unforgettable. Think of it as Venice meets Dickensian London, run by wizards, crooks, and deeply sarcastic civil servants. It smells faintly of magic, sausages, and questionable ethics.

Top activity: Watching the Night Watch stumble into trouble, or bartering in the Unseen University gift shop.

Pack: Sturdy boots, a guide to local scams, and your best deadpan expression.