Movie sets and places where Hollywood blockbusters are filmed gain a new kind of fame for a destination and become a new attraction. Who doesn't want to relive the romance of "Midnight in Paris," or storm across the desert Tom Cruise-style in the newest "Mission Impossible" flick set in Dubai?  A movie's location can be as important as its all-star cast for box office success and popularity. We love spewing off movies filmed in or about Chicago as it gives a sense of hometown pride (Transformers 3, Contagion, Breakfast Club, Mean Girls, Home Alone, to name a few). Here is our list of best destinations that helped set the scene and play a killer supporting role, and the interesting facts you didn't know about them.

Sex and the City 2- Abu Dhabi

When our femme fatales accompany Samantha on a work trip to the UAE, they encounter quite the clash of cultural norms, but actually ended up filming in Marrakech, Morocco so they wouldn't have any trouble with the real law as a result of the women prancing around in skimpy bikinis. While Abu Dhabi may have gotten a sexy makeover as a result of SATC, they still remain a little old school on women's rights so do your homework before planning a girlfriend getaway to the Middle East.  

The Beach- Koh Phi Phi

Wherever Leo's in a bathing suit, women aren't far behind. The sexy set of the adventure thriller The Beach was set on the island of Koh Phi Phi, said to be discovered upon receiving a map of a secret island paradise. This real life escape is part of the Krabi group of islands in Southern Thailand, and the area has gained a considerable boost in tourism as a result of the flick. During filming, the crew was criticized for damaging the lush environment as they had to remodel the sand by flattening it with a tractor. Much to the relief of the locals, a later tsunami restored much of Phi Phi to its original condition.

Blood Diamond- Sierra Leone

The center of controversy for the diamond industry, Blood Diamond brought to light the warzone that goes on behind the scenes of one of the world's most coveted stones. The film's ending referenced an actual meeting that took place in Kimberley, South Africa in 2000 which led to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme being created in an attempt to certify the origin of diamonds and ensure they're not obtained from conflict areas. De Beers had pushed for the film to contain a disclaimer that said the events it portrayed were fictional and outdated, but Warner Brothers refused since the area is still wrought with dangerous practices. Even so, the Kimberly process has been said to have reduced the number of blood diamonds sold from 4% to 1% so it did have a positive effect on the situation.

The Hangover- Las Vegas

Situated in the ritzy Caesar's Palace on the Las Vegas strip, the hilarious tale of a bachelor party gone wrong is believe it or not based on a true story. Showcasing sin city in all its glory, the Hangover is actually an adaptation of executive producer Chris Bender's friend disappearing after being sent a large bill from a strip club. While the real version is Mike Tyson, baby and tiger-free, the 15 days it took to film surely lived up to the city's mantra of what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Slumdog Millionaire- Mumbai

The daring tale of love and literacy of a boy from the Dharavi slums of Mumbai who somehow makes his way onto the game show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," was one of the best received foreign films in decades. Following its release in India, the film faced criticism from the public alleging that it fuels Western stereotypes about poverty in India. Various media outlets claimed it peddled "poverty porn" and that even the title was derogatory. Press is press though; it gave India some much needed buzz as an interesting culture to explore.

Your college years may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't get a little crazy every once in awhile.  Full moon parties take place once a month throughout southeast Asia, but one of the hottest spots to get in on the action is Koh Phangan, Thailand. Full moon parties occur on the night of the full moon, but don't fret, if you miss it, there are also half moon, quarter moon and black moon parties.  Basically, if you are staying Koh Phangan, you will not be getting much sleep.

It All Started When...

Once upon a time, a group of tourists discovered the magic of the full moon on the beaches of Koh Phangan, Thailand.  They decided to celebrate their birthday under the stars, and it has now grown into an international tradition that attracts people from all over the world. In fact, when the movie, The Beach came out in 2000, it was partially inspired by the growing popularity of the full moon party.

Party Until the Sun Comes Up

Most say it is the best party atmosphere they have ever seen, and is a truly once in a lifetime experience. Beginning at dusk, 20,000-30,000 people gather each month as the yellow moon begins to rise. Several booths are set up selling glow sticks and face paint and fire dancers light up the beach. All types of music--reggae, dance, techno, drums and bass break out along the beach causing an outburst of dancing among the crowd. After awhile, partygoers enjoy a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Set Stereotypes Aside

Don't let the image of thousands of obnoxious young people wreaking havoc deter you from being part of the fun. Most people who go are just out to have a good time, and it is rare to have conflict during the full moon party.

Accommodation

Because the full moon party is a worldwide known event, it is important to plan in advance where to stay. It is advised that you arrive four days prior to find accommodations for a decent price.  If you want to be in the middle of the action, stay in Haad Rin. For a regular room, it is about 500-800 baht per night (approx. $17-30). The closer you get to the full moon party, the higher the prices are.

Party Safe

The point of the Full Moon Party is to let loose and have a good time, but make sure you party smart.  Wear solid shoes because it would ruin your trip if you stepped on a broken bottle. Also, drink lots of water throughout the night since the climate is hot and humid and you don't want to get dehydrated.  Stay out of the ocean because the waves are strong. Finally, make sure to bring as little as possible because theft is quite common. But don't let the bad stuff deter you, if you come to have a good time and plan well, the night will be a success!

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

Colorado is a state which attracts people for its natural beauty, majestic mountains and mild weather.  Red Rocks Amphitheatre located in Morrison, Colorado is a must-see, especially for the lover of live music. The only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world should be part of any cultural enthusiast's bucket list. Though not officially one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, it continues to be a place of wonderment in our minds as music groups dream of one day playing on the magnificent stage.

See your favorite band in an amphitheatre etched into the mountainside over-looking Denver's distant cityscape.  Every seat is guaranteed a view which will not disappoint. Red Rocks is not just an amazing place to see a concert, it is a place which creates a feeling you never knew you had.  The magic lies in the rocks and if these walls could talk, oh the stories they would tell.

The History of Red Rocks

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is 6,450 feet above sea level and consists of mixed plants and animals from both the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains.  These two regions came together to create the wonderful diversity you see today.

Believe it or not the famous red sandstone rocks were once the bottom of the ocean floor 250 million years ago which slowly rose up creating the walls seen today.  The Amphitheatre is made of Ship Rock and Creation Rock, 200-300 foot monoliths, which make up the walls and produce the appealing sounds heard by thousands of spectators.  John Brisben Walker (purchaser of Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1889) was the first to perform here in 1906. These rocks are just crawling with history making them all that more enchanting.

More than Just a Music Venue

Most people do not know Red Rocks is open year round, so come be a part of the magic any time of the year. If there's no act scheduled, you can still visit the Red Rocks Performer's Hall of Fame, Interactive Hallway and the Geological and History Exhibits. Tours are available Monday through Sunday starting at 10 am. 

Red Rocks is equally popular for the outdoorsy crowd. Enjoy beautiful scenery on a variety of hiking and biking trails and beautiful picnic spots. There is also an onsite restaurant called Ship Rock Grille. Because of the Amphitheatre's many steps, the venue is attracts local runners who want a bit of a challenge.

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

There's four star cuisine and then there's uniquely memorable dining experiences. This is the latter. From strange service to crazy locations, monkeys delivering your meal to meals being prepared by robots, one thing's for sure, at these odd spots, you will definitely not run out of things to talk about. Just be sure to pass the vino! 

Meals Cooked by Robots- Japan

It's no surprise that the majority of odd eateries are in Asia. FA-men is a ramen restaurant in Nagoya, Japan in which two robots, a chef and a sous chef prepare you soup and chit chat while cooking. Strange? Watch the video.

Meals Prepared by Dwarves- Philippines

Called the Hobbit House (not sure if that's PC), Peace Corps volunteer and college professor Jim Turner was so inspired by Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books that he founded a bar entirely staffed by "little people." Inside its candle lit interiors, one can recognize the paintings of scenes from the trilogy as well as posters of local folk legend, Freddie Aguilar. It made our list of top 10 dining experiences in the world.

Dining Table Suspended in the Sky- Worldwide

If you ever wanted to defy gravity, now's your chance. Host the most unusual dinner party possibly ever by inviting 22 of your closest friends to be suspended in the air 50 meters high. Stationed on a moveable platform, this table can essentially be located anywhere in the world you have access to giving you plenty of options for crazy backdrops. Just don't look down.

Meals are Cooked Using Volcanic Heat- Spain

A major attraction on Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands is Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains), which is marked by a sign depicting the devil. As part of your tour, stop at El Diablo Restaurant to enjoy its barbeque that uses geothermal heat and a cast iron grill placed over a hole in the ground - an idea crafted by famous Spanish chef César Manrique. Staff members give impressive demonstrations which show the intense heat of the earth just below the surface, just watch out for flames.

Communicate with other Patrons via Telephones- France

France is known as the city of love and a little café in Montpellier is trying to ignite the sparks a little faster. At Restophone, each table is outfitted with a telephone to communicate with other tables, to spark up conversations or to ask someone to dance. Great for groups, but even better for singles. Maybe you want to talk about your weird restaurant experiences?

BBQ chickens set on fire, catapulted through the air, and caught by a waiter riding unicycle- Thailand

Can you say random? This is one of those only in Bangkok weird dining experiences. Ka-tron was established in 1986 originally across the Department of Meteorology, with the name literally meaning "rebound." And if flying food is not enough entertainment while you dine, there's karaoke too.