Occasionally, when reading a book or watching a movie, the setting becomes a character upon itself. Sure, Twilight could have been easily set in another Rainy Town, USA, but would that town feel like a living, breathing, part of the adventure? I dare say, no. As I often find myself swept up into one adventure or another, albeit completely imaginary, I long for vacations that bring these stories to life. This may be part of the reason I have already been to the tiny town of Forks, Washington. Save your pennies, grab a friend and book your tickets to one of these Fangirl vacations!
Pacific Northwest
Attempting to look unappealing to any stray vamps in the area
This is an easy vacation to plan without raising too many eyebrows. Millions of people each year visit the PNW and maybe only 10% of those have any Twilight leanings. However, if you have a bumper sticker stating you “drive like a Cullen,” don’t even try to hide your Fangirl purpose. No one will believe you.
After spending a few days in Seattle, rent a car and drive through the Peninsula. Plan for at least 1.5 days to spend in the area. If particularly sporty, plan extra time to walk the trails of the Hoh National Rainforest and some extra time for contemplating life on First beach. Do not be dismayed by the over abundance of Twilight in the town, just roll with it.
Have an extra few days? Take your car on the ferries leaving from Port Angeles (don’t get turned about trying to find the bookstore) to Victoria Island and then onto Vancouver. Go stalk your favorite TV star as they film locally. You will have missed the Twilight cast by a couple years, but be on the look out for those Winchester brothers (Supernatural) and the cast of Once Upon a Time.
Ireland and Scotland
Nothing more Craic-y than the Temple Bar on New Year’s Eve
Perhaps you have some Celtic blood and the old mother country has been calling your name or perhaps you just really like Guinness. Those are totally legit excuses to tell friends and family instead of, “I really want to see the Craic for myself in the Temple Bar District, but don’t worry, I’ll ‘stay to the light.'” Telling your coworkers that you are planning a trip to see where #JAMMF became a man and where the Frasers and the Murrays used to live, may get you a few side eyes. Although, I feel like people would appreciate you seeing the “Hogwarts” Castle.
If you have the lucky excuse of your Alma Mater playing it’s season opener in Dublin next year, easy excuse to get to do it all over again — especially after reading the Fever Series at least 5 times and 17 Outlander books.
AUSTRIA
I am 16 going on 33…
Who hasn’t imagined being on the mountain tops in the Alps, with your arms flung wide singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music?” This is one vacation that I have yet to complete, but I dream of doing this each and every time I watch the Sound of Music.
“I have always wanted to go to Austria” will not raise any eyebrows. Explaining that you can’t wait to reinact the “Do-Ra-ME” song in full harmonies, may do the trick. Who am I kidding? Find me a person that does not love this movie and will not be totally envious of you prancing around Salzburg wearing your Julie Andrews best.
Where would you take your perfect “Fangirl” or “Fanboy” vacation?
