A recent Imtiaz Ali movie has been trending all over Instagram. Main Vaapas Aaunga films the pre-partition India in such a way that it feels like we too have known those streets of Sargodha, a small village which is now in modern-day Pakistan. But this made us reminisce about how Imtiaz Ali has a way of transporting us to a different place while we are sitting cross-legged in our theatre seats. While travelling to another place through books and movies is an absolute experience, travelling to those places in reality is another kind of adventure. So, we have put together a list of destinations that Imtiaz Ali has made us romanticise, from the mountains of Himachal and Kashmir to the streets of Prague, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Corsica, along with tips to help you experience them yourself. 

Follow Geet's map to the Himachal

Film: Jab We Met

Himachal isn't just the backdrop of Jab We Met. It quietly mirrors Geet's journey. The carefree energy of "Yeh Ishq Hai" gives way to the quiet heartbreak of "Aaoge Jab Tum", and somewhere between those two songs, the mountains witness her transformation. That's the beauty of travelling through Himachal. One moment you're laughing your way through bustling markets and winding roads, the next you're standing before snow-covered peaks with nothing but your own thoughts for company. Whether you come looking for adventure or a little clarity, these hills have room for both.

Where to Go
Shimla • Manali • Rohtang Pass • Naggar Castle • Jalandhar

Traveller's Checklist

• Divide your stay between Shimla and Manali instead of choosing only one. Each offers a completely different mountain experience.
• Visit Rohtang Pass only after checking permits and weather conditions, especially during peak season.
• Spend an evening wandering Old Manali's cafés, bakeries and live music spots instead of rushing back to your hotel.
• Explore Naggar Castle around sunset for panoramic Himalayan views without the larger crowds.
• Try regional dishes like siddu, trout, and fresh apple products while travelling through Himachal.

Best Time: May-June or December-January for snowfall
Getting There: Fly to Kullu or drive from Chandigarh.
Recommended Stay: 4-5 nights

Lose Yourself in Prague's Timeless Streets

Film: Rockstar

“If you observe a regular bench in one of those parks in Prague, you will notice that the iron that goes round and round on the sides of the bench finally becomes a devil's tail; it was the center of witchcraft in Europe at some point in time. So there's a certain dark beauty to it, and it matched exactly what I wanted to show in Rockstar”- Imtiaz Ali.

Prague quietly shapes Jordan's journey. Its Gothic skyline, centuries-old bridges, and narrow cobbled lanes become the backdrop for some of the film's most memorable moments. Even if you've never watched Rockstar, the city has a way of making every walk feel cinematic. 

Where to Go
Charles Bridge • Old Town Square • Prague Castle • Lennon Wall • Vltava River

Plan Your Visit

• Walk across Charles Bridge before 8 AM to enjoy the city's most iconic landmark before it fills with visitors.
• Reserve at least half a day for Prague Castle, including St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane.
• Wander through Old Town without a fixed route. Some of Prague's best cafés and hidden courtyards are found by accident.
• Take a sunset cruise on the Vltava River for one of the city's finest skyline views.
• End the evening at a traditional Czech pub to sample local favourites like goulash, roast pork and Czech beer.

Best Time: April-June or September-October
Getting There: Fly into Václav Havel Prague Airport.
Recommended Stay: 3-4 nights

Every Wrong Turn Leads Somewhere Unexpected

Film: Jab Harry Met Sejal

Europe in Jab Harry Met Sejal isn't just a collection of famous landmarks. It's where Harry and Sejal slowly drop their pretences while chasing a lost engagement ring across bustling cities, canals, rivers, and old town squares. From Amsterdam's charming waterways to Budapest's grand architecture and the lively streets of Prague, every stop feels less like a tourist checklist and more like a chapter in two strangers learning to understand each other. If you've ever wanted a trip that mixes iconic sights with spontaneous detours, this is the route to follow.

Where to Go

Amsterdam • Budapest • Prague • Lisbon

Travel the Harry & Sejal Way

• Rent a bicycle in Amsterdam and explore the quieter canal neighbourhoods beyond the main tourist routes.
• Spend an evening walking along the Danube in Budapest before crossing the illuminated Chain Bridge after sunset.
• Set aside time to simply wander Prague's Old Town without a fixed plan. The city's hidden lanes are part of its charm.
• In Lisbon, ride the historic Tram 28 to discover colourful neighbourhoods and panoramic viewpoints.
• Leave room in your itinerary for unplanned café stops, street musicians, and conversations. Some of the best travel memories aren't scheduled.

Best Time: April-June or September-October

Getting There: Fly into Amsterdam or Budapest and travel between cities using Europe's extensive rail network or short flights.

Recommended Stay: 7-10 nights

Laila Majnu: Let Kashmir Steal the Last Word

Film: Laila Majnu

Bollywood has had a special place for Kashmir in its heart for years, so many love songs were shot in Kashmir that it became a cliché. But very few films have showcased Kashmir as intimately as Laila Majnu. The valleys don't simply frame the love story. They become part of it, carrying every reunion, heartbreak, and silence with equal grace. Kashmir is described as heaven on earth, and rightfully so, as both lovers finally unite after their death, and they are seen dancing among the mountains of Kashmir. 

Where to Go
Srinagar • Dal Lake • Betaab Valley • Pahalgam • Aru Valley • Gulmarg

Local Experiences Worth Your Time

• Spend at least one night on a traditional houseboat instead of visiting Dal Lake only during the day.
• Book an early morning shikara ride when the lake is calm and the floating markets begin to wake up.
• Explore Srinagar's old city for centuries-old wooden architecture, spice markets and authentic Kashmiri bakeries.
• Visit Betaab Valley and Aru Valley on separate days if possible. Each has a distinct landscape and pace.
• Set aside time for a traditional Wazwan meal and warm cups of kahwa between sightseeing.

Best Time: April-June or September-October
Getting There: Fly into Srinagar.
Recommended Stay: 4-5 nights

Highway: Let the Road Rewrite Your Plans

Film: Highway

This is less about reaching a destination and more about surrendering to the journey. We witness Alia’s character becoming free of her boundations as she looks out of the truck window and lets her hair flow with the wind. From the highways of Haryana to Himalayan deserts to riverside towns and Rajasthan's endless dunes, every stop feels wonderfully unpredictable yet comforting.

Fun Fact: The shots of Alia Bhatt looking out of the truck were all shot with a static camera tied to the truck while it drove at 80 km/h speed. 

Where to Go 
Spiti Valley • Rishikesh • Rajasthan Desert • Rural Punjab

Travel Like the Film

• Give yourself at least five days for Spiti instead of attempting a rushed circuit.
• Spend your first night in Kaza to acclimatise before exploring higher-altitude villages.
• Attend the evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, then explore Rishikesh's quieter cafés the next morning.
• Carry cash while travelling through remote Himalayan villages, as digital payments aren't always reliable.
• Finish the trip with a night under Rajasthan's desert sky, complete with folk performances and camel safaris.

Best Time
Spiti: June-September
Rajasthan & Rishikesh: October-March
Getting There: Reach Spiti via Shimla or Manali by road.
Recommended Stay: 5-6 nights

Tamasha: Escape to the Island Where Reinvention Begins

Film: Tamasha

Before Ved returns to everyday life, Corsica permits him to become someone else. Rugged coastlines, turquoise water, and sleepy hill towns make the island feel wonderfully detached from routine. Since Corsica feels like a place at the corner of the world, the director himself calls it an outlandish experience, yet culturally consistent in every way. So, if you feel like your loosing touch with your true self, then Corsica might be exactly what you need.

Where to Go
Bonifacio • Calvi • Ajaccio • Shimla • South Delhi

Make Time For

• Rent a car from the airport. Public transport doesn't reach many of Corsica's best viewpoints.
• Spend a full day exploring Bonifacio's dramatic limestone cliffs and old citadel.
• Drive along the western coastline for scenic beaches and mountain roads.
• Sample Corsican cheeses, cured meats, and chestnut-based desserts at family-run restaurants.
• If you're recreating the film's journey, pair Corsica with a short stop in Shimla and Delhi.

Best Time: May-September
Getting There: Fly via Paris or Nice.
Recommended Stay: 5-6 nights

Travel Junky's Take

Rather than chasing every filming location, travel the way Imtiaz Ali's characters do. Stay longer than planned. Take the road that wasn't on your itinerary. Talk to strangers. Eat where the locals eat. Some places reveal themselves slowly, and those are often the ones you remember the longest.

Conclusion

By the time you've traced these journeys, you'll realise Imtiaz Ali's films were never only about romance. They were about movement, discovery, and becoming someone slightly different by the time the credits rolled. Whether you're watching the sunrise over Dal Lake, wandering Prague's medieval streets, or sharing a meal in Amritsar, every destination offers more than a backdrop. It offers a story waiting for you to step into.