This beautiful section of the Italian Riviera is known for its eponymous Cinque Terre or ‘Five Lands’ – five picturesque villages and the surrounding carefully-terraced farmland that have been insulated from outside influences for generations. This spectacular territory was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, but tourism has proven to be something of a poisoned chalice. The sudden inflow of visitors has placed major strain on the area’s infrastructure and the desire to capitalise has seen tension between developers and local residents grow.

It was the problems that these growing pains posed for the region that the Vendemmia documentary team set out to document when filming began in 2008. Then, unexpectedly, after the team wrapped up their filming in late 2010, a sudden series of events struck the area.

A scandal broke, revealing evidence of widespread political corruption, compounding the problems already facing Cinque Terre. Land deals and development projects that posed a threat to the area’s outstanding natural beauty and traditional ways of life were under way.

Local residents, already facing the challenge of coping with a booming tourist industry that threatened to destroy their livelihoods, were outraged at the extent to which the land which they called home was being exploited.

Further disaster came in the form of severe rainfall in October 2011. The extreme weather caused widespread flooding and mudslides, resulting in several deaths and major damage to two of Cinque Terre’s villages, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.

Knowing that they could not let these new problems go undocumented and compelled by their love of the region and its people, Weller and Boeckle realised that they would have to revisit major sections of their film if it was to achieve its objective of bringing awareness and support to Cinque Terre.

In order to finance the project, the team at Harvest Films Productions have opted to use kickstarter.com to raise the necessary funds. With nine days still to run, the project has already secured its ‘bare-bones’ funding package of $2,600, but additional support will contribute greatly to their ability to deliver an excellent and effective product.

We wish Weller, Boeckle and their team all the best for the project and join them in spreading the message about the importance of sustainability in tourism. The situation in Cinque Terre could apply to any number of other destinations.

Let’s not destroy what we’re trying to love.

After quitting his job, photographer Kien Lam spent a large part of 2011 travelling around the globe. Along the way he made use of his excellent eye for a photograph by taking the thousands of still and moving picture, many of which went into compiling this incredible time-lapse footage.

While the film contains its fair share of recognisable landmarks, what we enjoy about it is how the process Lam has used works just as well with unspectacular locations. A crooked bridge over a fast-flowing stream looks just as fantastic as the Eiffel Tower when it’s portrayed in this way.

In addition to serving as an inspiration, the film also conveys a powerful sense of urgency. The feeling of fleeting moments slipping by, no matter where you are, really makes you want to get off the couch and make the most of the time you have available.

If we can experience even a fraction of what Lam portrays here this year, 2012 will be worthwhile.

Special thanks to our friends at Urban Adventures and pocketvillage for making us aware of this wonderful video.

On the one hand, the forces of globalisation and business on an international scale continue to develop, shifting the balance of power away from individuals and into the hands of corporate bodies.

On the other hand, individuals and families are resisting this movement. An increasing number of people have taken a stance against the erosion of individuality and local values, binding together with those in their local areas to reassert their independence and unique characteristics.

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The Economics of Happiness film refers to the latter as an economics of ‘localization’ – the process of recognising and promoting the value of local abilities and assets in the face of a rapidly homogenising world.

From a traveller’s perspective, this documentary poses some interesting questions. For example, should we be so quick to jet overseas blithely when our actions contribute to significant environmental problems? On the other hand, without recognition the appeal of local values and regional distinctions, what would be the point of travelling at all? After all, the idea of ‘local travel’ is at the heart of a growing number of mindful travel companies, many of them now associated with something called the Local Travel Movement, a not-for-profit platform started by people from companies founded on a passion for Local Travel and commitment to Local Travel values.

We feel that this film waves some important flags, raises some thoughtful points of discussion for all of us who love to travel, particularly about the reasons that we choose to do so. We hope you feel the same way.

The One Day on Earth project began in 2008, with the vision of uniting the entire world in a single film-related project. The potential for collaboration offered by the internet is something that continues to be explored to this day, but the group behind One Day on Earth set out to achieve something that had never been seen before: a collection of moments, experiences and events from all corners of the globe with a single unifying experience – they all took place on the same day.

The 10th of October 2010 (10/10/10) was the distinctive date chosen to be documented in never-before-seen detail by crews from around the world. The beauty and diversity displayed in every country on the planet was captured for all to see. It has now been compiled into a full-length feature. You can view the trailer below:

One Day on Earth – Motion Picture Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo.

Despite some confusion with director Ridley Scott’s Hollywood offering, Life in a Day, One Day on Earth, which is due to be repeated on November 11th this year (11/11/11), aims to raise awareness of the environmental issues that we face together as a race, as well as the interconnectedness of all aspects of life on the planet. In addition, it specifically intends to draw attention to causes in need of your support, including 350.org, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and the WWF.

You can pre-order the complete 10/10/10 feature and find out how you can get involved in upcoming events on the One Day on Earth website.

Kayaköy Village was abandoned after the 1923 population exchange between Greek Muslims and Turkish (Greek) Orthodox Christians. The village was never re-inhabited and is now a museum. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Ghost Town

Louis de Bernières, famed author of the novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which catapulted the Greek island of Kefalonia into superstardom, has also worked his magic on the village of Kayaköy, not far from Kaş, on Turkey’s Lycian coast.

Kayaköy – or Kaya Village as it is also known – was inhabited by Greek nationals until 1923, when, following the Turkish War of Independence, , there was a population exchange between the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece. Kayaköy, now still abandoned and preserved as a museum, is used as the setting of de Bernières’s 2004 novel, Birds Without Wings, sometimes described as a Turkish War and Peace.

Kayaköy is now a popular stop-off with tourists en route to the nearby town of Fethiye.

Walk Like a Lycian

The 500-kilometre Lycian Way stretches from Fethiye to the ancient city of Antalya and is one of the big draws of a trip to the south. Waymarked in 1999, the footpath snakes around dramatic coastline and mountain terrain, using a network of ancient roads, shepherd’s paths and forest tracks. It was voted one of the world’s top ten walks by the UK’s Sunday Times newspaper.

Numerous ruins, temples, castles, ports and local villages are dotted along the Lycian Way, guaranteeing sightseeing distractions are plentiful. A popular undertaking with hikers during the cooler spring and autumn months, the Lycian Way is also attractive to outdoor adventurers pursuing activities such as canyoning, yachting and scuba diving.

Just a 30-minute boat ride from Kas, the Greek island of Meis makes for a great day trip. The harbour area is charming and a real highlight of any visit, with a warren of alleys and houses behind the pretty waterfront shops and restaurants. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Island Idyll

Another popular destination in the region is Meis (‘Kastellorizo’ in Greek), just six kilometres off the coast of Kaş. This Dodecanese Greek island is an easy day trip from the Turkish mainland.

Movie buffs may be interested to learn that Meis served as the setting for the Oscar-winning Italian movie Mediterraneo, which follows the exploits of a group of Italian soldiers marooned on a Greek island after their vessel is sunk in World War II.

Troubled World War II vessels aside, boats are the most reliable means of making the crossings to the island. One fitness-focussed alternative approach, however, is the yearly swim and canoe race.

Water sports mavens know that diving is particularly popular in the area and there are many dive sites in the waters off Kaş and Meis. Dives can be arranged to suit all levels of expertise, but experienced underwater explorers can take advantage of some great wreck and deep dive opportunities. There’s even an option to explore the remains of an Italian WWII plane 60 metres down!

The crystal-clear water and almost daily sunshine mean that deep diving is very popular in and around Kas and there are also plenty of great WWII wrecks to explore. whl.travel's local connection in the area can arrange dives or courses to suit all abilities. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Homage to Homer

No review of this part of the world is complete without a mention of Homer’s masterpiece, The Odyssey. The ancient town of Olympos, located in a valley 90 kilometres southwest of Antalya, probably takes its name from nearby Mount Olympos. According to Homer’s epic, it is from here that the god Poseidon looked out to sea and witnessed the storm that shipwrecked Odysseus’s boat as he sailed from Calypso’s island.

In the modern era, back in 1997, the town played host to a dramatic recreation of The Odyssey. The lavish small-screen adaptation boasted a bevy of big-name actors including Isabella Rossellini and Christopher Lee!

A very popular area with tourists keen savour centuries of fascinating Greek and Roman culture and history, it’s also a hit with adrenaline junkies who can try their hand at canyoning, mountain biking, rock climbing and sea kayaking in the surrounding Olympos-Bey Mountains National Park (Olimpos-Beydağları Milli Parkı).

Toronto is fast becoming the most popular 'body double' for Chicago and New York. It has become the location of choice when shooting a movie or TV show set in either of these iconic US cities.

The Canadian Big Apple

Toronto has spent years playing the part of other cities – most often New York or Chicago. While Toronto does not usually ‘star’ in a major motion picture, it has had a few celluloid moments. Off the top of my head, there are Owning Mahowny, Chloe, The Hurricane, the upcoming Scott Pilgrim vs The World and the Canadian classic Down the Road.

But rarely do familiar Toronto landmarks (like the CN Tower or City Hall) actually make an appearance in movies since few are set in Toronto; the cameras cleverly keep those landmarks out of the frame. Most often, movies are shot on side streets, in back alleys, around old industrial sites and inside heritage properties (like a pub owned by a friend of mine) – parts of the city that only locals would recognize. I think you really have to be a certain kind of movie geek (like myself) to get a kick out of seeing an alleyway Samuel L. Jackson and Geena Davis ducked down in 1996′s The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Fancy a Little ‘Extra’ Work on the Side?

Having said that, there are a lot of movies being filmed in Toronto throughout the year and there’s a good chance you’ll see the white trucks and trailers used by production companies as dressing rooms, mobile makeup departments and equipment storage. Gaffers, key grips and teamsters are everywhere. Asking one of them for an autograph could be fun, since, unfortunately, star sightings are a lot less common.

The famous Toronto skyline does not get to feature in a lot of films, unfortunately, but if for Toronto natives, there are hours of fun spotting local haunts in the raft of movies and TV shows that are shot here every year.

While exploring the city, you just might also end up stumbling onto a live set and joining in with the rest of the extras as I did about 10 years ago during the filming of John Q, starring Denzel Washington. A large crowd had assembled around TV news vans and police cars and when I saw it was a movie shoot, I slipped into the crowd and followed the directions given to us (‘hide your jackets,’ ‘cheer like crazy when a hostage is released,’ etc). Did I catch a glimpse of Denzel? No. Can you see me on screen in the cheering crowd? Not unless you have HD TV and much better eyes than me.

Rubbing Shoulders with the Stars

One of the things that does make Toronto an exciting place for film buffs is the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). For a little more than a week every autumn, A-list celebrities, actors, fans and paparazzi converge on Toronto. Now one of the largest film festivals in the world, TIFF has become an important place to see new films and, for many, a place where you can rub elbows with stars.

Big names like coming to Toronto. They like the food, the shopping, the sights and sounds of the city (live music, art galleries, etc) and, most importantly, the people. Here, movie stars can let their guard down a little more than usual. They can walk the streets without being mobbed (unless you’re Brad Pitt or George Clooney, I suppose) and do some things they probably wouldn’t do in Hollywood.

The Toronto Film Festival is a great time for celeb spotting. The Hollywood A-list are said to enjoy the relatively relaxed atmosphere in the city and, judging by Tommy Lee Jones’s grin as he arrived to promote his 2006 movie, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, it must be true!

During last year’s TIFF, Drew Barrymore hopped behind the bar at Sweaty Betty’s and served drinks to customers. Also last year, LeVar Burton (who played Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: the Next Generation) sent a tweet to all of his Twitter followers in Toronto inviting everyone to meet up for a beer. I went (along with a few dozen others) and was actually able to have a conversation with him. As the former host of Reading Rainbow (a TV show I watched throughout my childhood) and a character on Star Trek, he was one of my favorite actors. Organizing the ‘tweet-up’ and chatting with all of us revealed that he was an incredibly nice guy and now ranks as one of my all-time favorite people. He said that he would never do something like that back in LA. He said Canadians were cool and he felt comfortable doing this sort of informal meet-and-greet in Toronto. He called us ‘chill.’

Toronto is a city that may look like other places on screen, but there really is a distinct feeling to it that you can really only sense when you’re here. We’re good at playing New York or Chicago on screen, but in real life we’re very unlike either of those cities. There’s a reason Toronto is popular with production crews, movie stars and film buffs, and I think it has more to do with the true character of this city, what its people are like and all the things that happen off camera.

Rawcheh Rocks - in English, Pigeon Rocks - is a top tourist site in Beirut. The restaurants and coffee shops along the Rawcheh coastline are a great place for a night out and a popular spot with both locals and visitors.

Hay Fever

The Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts has been championing literary talent across the globe since 1988, with several celebrated events in Cartagena (Colombia), Maldives, Kerala (India) and Europe. Recent years have seen it dipping its toes in more exotic waters, with new Lit Fests in Beirut (Lebanon) and Kenya. Beirut 39, in April, was a collaborative effort between the Hay Festival and UNESCO to name Beirut the World Book Capital City in 2009 to showcase the 39 best Arab writers under the age of 39 and provide a forum for young, new talent to discuss its take on modern Arab literature.

Its second event, the three-day Storymoja Hay Festival scheduled for October in Nairobi, is the other new kid on the literary block. Begun by five passionate writers keen to bring East African literature onto the world stage and promote a strong culture of reading, literacy and social cohesion in their native Kenya, the organisers see the event as a catalyst in the ‘reading revolution.’ Although set up to identify and develop local writers, the festival does not limit itself to homegrown talent; noted international guest speakers have included the Indian poet and novelist Vikram Seth and the acclaimed British writer Hanif Kureishi.

Along the coastal route between Galle and Hambantota, stilt fishermen are a common sight. The best time to catch them at work is at dusk. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau)

Galle-ic Charm

In late January of each year, south of the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo, the town of Galle is transformed into a literary mecca. Established in 2006 to boost much-needed tourism to the tsunami-riven area, the four-day Galle Literary Festival has really proven itself a darling of the book-lovers’ circuit. Attracting visitors by the thousands to a raft of literary superstars, the event garners rave reviews for its energetic mix of cultural diversions, great food, beautiful surroundings, and, of course, eminent guests. One of last year’s speakers, the famed historian Anthony Beevor, was impressed enough to declare “I have attended literary festivals on five different continents and Galle is simply the best.” High praise, indeed!

Scary Movie

A teenager’s dream, the Riga International Fantasy Film Festival in the capital city of the Baltic nation of Latvia features the latest movies from the sci-fi, thriller and horror genres. Given life by popular demand, the biennial event takes place from late April to early May and showcases both full-length features and, more recently, short films as well. Filmmakers lucky enough to win Best Film can look forward to taking home the coveted Golden Tooth award, with the Silver Tooth on offer as the Special Jury Prize!

Turkish Delight

Currently in its 13th year, the International 1001 Documentary Film Festival takes place in Istanbul, Turkey, at the end of October. The event showcases work from all over the world and places great emphasis on fostering open dialogue between filmmakers and audiences from different cultural backgrounds. Humanitarian values and cultural understanding are at the heart of this festival, and films must demonstrate an underlying message supporting this to feature in the event.

Essays and Canapés

Set in the Glamour Bar and the Crystal Room of the world-renowned celeb hang out, M on the Bund, the Shanghai International Literary Festival is a decidedly sophisticated and classy affair. Think intellectual debate and cerebral musings meets elegant cheese and wine soirée – a unique Shanghai shakeup. Going strong since 2002, this meeting of literary minds takes place over three weekends in March and has attracted distinguished talents such as Amy Tan, Gore Vidal, Arundhati Roy and Louis de Bernières.

Poetry and Prose in the Pink City

Considered the grande dame on the Asian scene, the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival in India already has a head start on the big-name front by way of its founder-directors: the esteemed writers William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale. The Jaipur event brings together a glittering cast of both national and international literary characters. Popular crowd pleasers have so far included Kiran Desai, Orhan Pamuk, Salman Rushdie and Donna Tartt. Not content to limit itself to a celebration of the written word, the festival also features film, music and theatre. Anyone interested should make sure to be in town from the 21st to 25th of January.

Tshila is a world-fusion musician from Uganda who began her career as a member of the pioneering Ugandan hip-hop group, Bataka Squad. Here she is pictured embarking on her solo career performing on stage at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in 2006. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Ugqueen)

Out of Africa

Billed as ‘so much more than a film festival,’ Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) has the honour of being the largest film, music and arts festival in East Africa. Movies are shown in various locations right across the island of Zanzibar and audiences can expect the full spectrum of celluloid entertainment from local shorts to world premieres, all in keeping with a changing yearly theme. Part festival, part carnival, the event is famed for its wild parties, live music and DJs nights, which continue throughout the entire two weeks and culminate in an awards night celebrating the best picks. Never forgetting its roots, ZIFF is all about promoting local talent in film and music and offers cultural tours, exhibitions and workshops in the local community.

Freedom of Expression

The largest and most prestigious event of its kind in Mexico, the 10-day Expresión en Corto International Film Festival, in the last week of July, has been going strong since 1997. Over 80,000 people swoop on the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato Capital to enjoy 10 days of screenings featuring over 400 films. Fun quirks of the fest include the projection of horror movies in the municipal graveyards (panteónes) and showings of gay, lesbian, erotic and underground films in the subterranean streets of Guanajuato Capital. In addition to conventional movie theatres, other venues include the Jardín Principal (main square) of San Miguel de Allende and the classical open-air staircase of the University of Guanajuato. The event attracts some pretty big names; past attendees include Oliver Stone, Gaspar Noé, Tim Burton and Spike Lee. Best of all, as a state-sponsored non-profit cultural event, admission is absolutely free!

Situated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum is also known as the Forbidden City and is China's largest museum. The imperial palace was home to a succession of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Last Emperor – Beijing, China

A winner of seven Academy Awards, The Last Emperor is considered one of Bernardo Bertolucci’s best films. With the scenic setting of imperial China, the film was the first western production ever granted permission to shoot within the confines of the Forbidden City of Beijing. At nearly three hours in duration, the biography elegantly maps out the life of Pu Yi (1903-1967), the final Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, displaying scenes from his life that reflect the history of early 20th century China. Filmed throughout Beijing and parts of Manchuria, The Last Emperor was exquisitely shot by cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro, and cost a whopping US$25 million – hardly small change for 1987.

Life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has inspired many a writer and filmmaker. One of the most famous films of recent years to delve into the hardships of Brazilian slum life is the critically acclaimed 'City of God', which garnered a slew of awards worldwide.

Cidade de Deus (City of God) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Instead of gorgeous beaches and nightlife, City of God dares to show a different side of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on a true story about a boy named Rocket growing up on the city’s outskirts. Taking place in the 1960s, the emotionally violent tale captures Rocket’s struggle to free himself from the clutches of his morally deficit setting. The story takes place over two decades, displaying how children living innocently in the favelas (slums) grow up to become drug lords battling for power and terrain. With sex, drugs and a soundtrack that just makes you want to samba, City of God is everything that you want it to be and more. Director Fernando Meirelles’ art direction is stunning, cinematically bringing to life the exquisite beauty of Brazil juxtaposed with the unsightliness of inhumanity.

The beautiful mountain oasis of Chebika in Tunisia is a popular film location. As well as featuring in the award-winning movie, 'The English Patient', this picturesque spot can also be seen in the recent Star Wars movies.

The English Patient – Tunisia

Tunisia has been the setting for many films, such as Star Wars, Jesus of Nazareth, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, but perhaps unbeknownst to most, it was the location for what is thought to be one of the most romantic films of all time: The English Patient. Although the film takes place in the Sahara Desert, it was actually filmed in Tunis and other parts of Tunisia, telling the tale of a passionate love affair that blossoms during an archaeological expedition into Egypt and Libya. Told in flashbacks, the movie exhibits brilliant scenes of the remote desert and the infinite rolling landscape, which sets the scene for a tumultuous journey of love and deceit.

A historically significant region of central Romania, Transylvania is a popular destination with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but hardly a likely place for celeb spotting. This all changed in 2002, when Anthony Minghella enlisted the help of A-listers Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger to recreate a little piece of North Carolina in the Romanian countryside during the filming of 'Cold Mountain'.

Cold Mountain – Transylvania, Romania

A modern day Odyssey, the film Cold Mountain is the epic tale of a confederate soldier named Inman on a journey back to find his love, Ada, after the American Civil War. The gorgeous mountain scenery, which was meant to be Cold Mountain, North Carolina, was actually filmed in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania in the Eastern European country of Romania. John Seale, the cinematographer, artistically captures the breathtaking magnificence of the rural Romanian countryside, which would almost be enough to make an excellent film, even without the romantic storyline. However, with an emotional narrative and an original bluegrass soundtrack, the film is a triple treat.

Much like the favelas of Rio, the sprawling slums of Mumbai have provided the backdrop to some of the most striking and affecting cinema on India. Both the recent smash hit 'Slumdog Millionaire' and its Hindi predecessor, 'Salaam Bombay!', have brought much-needed attention to the plight of street children in the poorest neighbourhoods of Mumbai. (Courtesy of Wikimedia / Iijjccoo)

Salaam Bombay! – Mumbai, India

Nominated for an Academy Award for best Foreign Language film, Salaam Bombay! is the powerful tale of Krishna, a young boy forced to leave his home in the slums of Mumbai to make money for his mother. Similar to the contemporary Slumdog Millionaire, Salaam Bombay! is a culturally vibrant movie that defies convention to show the underside of Mumbai and the life of neglected street kids. This Bollywood favourite is replete with complex characters and an arousing plot, but what perhaps makes the film so real is that most of the actors were actually street children from Mumbai. After the film went public, the director, Mira Nair, started the Salaam Baalak Trust to help street kids, which is still in existence today.

Tavolara is quite a small islet, but reaches a height of more than 500 metres, with towering walls of granite rock that make this place a paradise for birds and other wild animals. It’s also home to a small number of families and the last remnants of the Kingdom of Tavolara, as it was an independent state for much of the previous two centuries, before becoming part of Italy.

Tavolara is a spectacular spot for diving as, in 1997, the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara was established to preserve the natural wonders of the surrounding seabed. This initiative has seen the implementation of significant measures to protect the area, offering care and protection to the territory in keeping with the idea of a sustainable use in the long run.

During the summer, Tavolara hosts a cinema festival. This is particularly interesting because it’s such an unusual location to watch a movie. An outdoor screen is set up at the Arena Cinema isola di Tavolara for the whole week and films are projected with Tavolara’s rocky peaks towering above.

This year’s festival starts this week, with the first screening on Wednesday (21 July 2010).

This natural stone pillar was, of course, featured in the 1974 movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun‘, and continues to radiate the style and excitement attached to a James Bond film. There’s something very mysterious about this island – it almost seems to defy gravity – and to see it close up is quite an experience indeed.

It’s no longer possible to climb the rocky outcrop, but a swim out to it for a quick touch is permitted.  However most people do not as there is generally a large crowd present – up to 4,000 visitors per day. This rock is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park, which is usually visited on a day trip from Phuket. While some areas (such as the one surrounding James Bond Island) can be busy, finding a slice of peace and quiet away from the crowds is always possible.