In addition to Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, the American series “Sex and the City” had a fifth main character: Nova York. Home and backdrop for the adventures and romantic and professional disappointments of the four women, the city of around 8.5 million inhabitants played a key role throughout the series’ six seasons of the late 1990s and the two mid-2000s films.
Now, both the characters and New York itself return to the small screen with the spin-off of “Sex and the City”. “And Just Like That…”, the new series that debuted in December on HBO Max, has already made a splash with the narrative update and the absence of Samantha Jones – played by Kim Cattrall.
In this return to the spotlight, the franchise carries a legacy linked not only to fashion and women’s freedom, but also to destinations to be explored. In addition to New York, where, between one cosmopolitan and another, the characters frequented restaurants, bars, shops, parks and hotspots, the series and the films landed in other points around the world that made sense with the narrative.
Mexico, Abu Dhabi, Paris and other cities within the U.S were some of the main destinations where the four characters traveled and lived different experiences from everyday life in the Big Apple.
In celebration of the new chapter of “Sex and the City”, the CNN Travel & Gastronomy listed some of the places around the world that the original series and the two films in the franchise took place. Press play, or rather, check it out below and plan your next trip in the most elegant style possible:
Paris
The sixth and final season of the series is marked by the decision of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) to leave New York and move to the French capital along with her love Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov), a Russian artist.
As the narrative develops and Carrie realizes that she cannot maintain a relationship with Petrovsky, several important points of Paris are explored in the scenes. THE Hotel Plaza Athénée, five-star and one of the most famous in the City of Light, is where Carrie is at the start of her French adventure. A Parisian landmark, where flowers decorate the balconies and the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower pleases the guests.
Other famous tourist spots appear in the course of the plot, such as the Saint-Sulpice fountain, 19th-century fountain designed by the architect of Napoleon’s tomb; The Place Dauphine, 17th century triangular square; and the Pont des Arts, which crosses the Seine river and was known for its chain locks.
Dior’s store in Montaigne Avenue, which brings together luxury stores, and the modern restaurant Kong, a place that makes a connection between the cuisines of Paris and Japan, also appear between the scenes.
Abu Dhabi
Most of the second film in the franchise, released in 2010, takes place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which boasts modern skyscrapers, mega shopping centers and colossal mosques. Scenes in an ultra-luxury hotel, discovered in the desert and authentic streets with traditional shops are part of the narrative.
However, the taste of Abu Dhabi in the film does not correspond to reality: in fact, the scenes were shot in the surroundings of Marrakech, no Morocco, country in North Africa. According to “Condé Nast Traveler”, the airport, hotels and even the dunes were filmed in the African country.
The quartet stays in the Royal Suite of the current hotel Sahara Palace Marrakech, situated outside Marrakech, in a region called the Palmeraie – an oasis of hundreds of thousands of palm trees. The rear of the hotel faces the Atlas Mountains, which separates the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts from the Sahara Desert.
Another hotel that appears in the plot is the five star resort Amanjena, when Carrie has a date with her ex-boyfriend Aidan Shaw (John Corbett). The square Jemaa el-Fna, the main square of Marrakech, was also used as a backdrop for the scenes.
One of the highlights of the friends’ trip is when they ride camels and enjoy a real desert feast – the scenes were shot in Sarah. Dunes near the town of Ouarzazate, “the gateway to the desert” and camel rides near the village of Merzouga, high above Erg Chebbi, were used for filming, as was a beach in Essaouira, city on the southwest coast of Morocco.
Mexico
In the first film, when Carrie is left at the altar by the love of her life, Mr. Big (Chris Noth), the character decides to go on her bitter honeymoon with friends at a resort in the Mexico. beautiful views to the Pacific Ocean, dinners washed down with margaritas and relaxing in the infinity pool are some of the attractions that the four women enjoy while trying to distract Carrie.
Even taking place in Mexico, the actual filming took place in the California, next to Malibu – nor were they shot in a huge resort. In fact, a private mansion was used to bring the hotel to life: Villa Lizton on Encinal Canyon Road, a Mediterranean-style home situated on more than six acres of land above La Piedra state beach.
U.S
The Angels
In season three, the girls decide to take a few days of vacation in Los Angeles while Carrie has work meetings. “When visiting Los Angeles, two things are essential: the first is to rent a wonderful car. The second is knowing how to drive it”, says Carrie about the city that is permeated by long highways and public transport is not so used.
Between sunny days, different parties to which they are used to and flirting with other men, the characters bathe in the pool in a hotel with a privileged view of the city centre, go to a country bar and even a coffee shop that serves infused teas – right to your face from there
the studios of Warner Bros. in Burbank, next to The Angels, are part of the recordings, as Carrie has work meetings on site. The famous studio water tank and movie sets that imitate New York appear in the images. In fact, the place is a tourist spot and can be visited by the general public, with a tour of the most famous studios – as far as the recordings of the series “Friends“.
In addition to Warner Bros., the characters are invited to a party at the playboy mansion, which, in the end, turns out to be a comic experience in the narrative. The mansion of the late businessman Hugh Hefner exists in real life and is located in the upscale neighborhood of Holmby Hills, next to Beverly Hills, a place permeated by huge properties, high walls and expensive cars coming out of garages.
Atlantic City
Located about a two-hour drive from New York, Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a popular vacation destination for Americans. In the fifth season of the series, the girls spend a weekend there at the invitation of Samantha, who, in turn, is with Richard Wright (James Remar) – the character’s rich boyfriend at the time.
The city is known for its casinos e hotels, like the Taj Mahal (current Hard Rock) and Caesars Palace, as well as shops, restaurants, bars, waterside promenade and exciting nightlife.
In the plot, the characters are hosted at the Taj Mahal, which in the series is owned by Richard, but which in real life belonged to Donald Trump. The hotel and casino opened in 1990 with 11 thousand square meters of gaming area, more than two thousand rooms, calling itself “the eighth wonder of the world”. It was sold in 2014 and closed its doors permanently in 2016.
Malibu
In the franchise’s first film, Samantha relocates her business to Los Angeles to be close to Smith (Jason Lewis), her boyfriend, who is now a Hollywood star. The two live in an oceanfront home in Malibu, a city known for being the vacation home of countless celebrities.
West of Los Angeles, Malibu stretches more than 32 miles along the Pacific Ocean, with long sandy beaches that are popular with surfers and locals to watch the sunset. The center has designer stores and the restaurants are trendy, such as the Nobu Malibu, darling of Hollywood stars.
In the film, however, despite flirting with her neighbor and shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Samantha ends up feeling lonely and decides to move back to New York.
Hamptons
Quoted several times throughout the series’ episodes, the Hamptons are in the imagination of many people because of its appeal in several movies and other hit series. It is a popular destination for the New York elite on weekends and in summer, when temperatures rise and the beaches become more attractive.
Part of the East End of Long Island, the Hamptons are a collection of villages that comprise the cities of Southampton, East Hampton and Montauk, in the state of New York.
Expensive real estate and private golf clubs are some of the attractions in this select region, where many American celebrities maintain mansions. Charming restaurants, beach walks, and elegant downtowns with a sophisticated rustic feel can be found throughout this area.
Suffern (NY)
The small village of Suffern, New York, is where Aidan, then Carrie’s boyfriend in season four, has a very simple and very rustic country house in the middle of the forest. Carrie, a city woman, cannot connect to the place the way she would like.
Located about 50 km northwest of Manhattan and incorporated into the municipality of Ramapo, the village has around 11 thousand inhabitants. Trails, friendly cafes, a few restaurants and a theater, Lafayette, are among the attractions of the bucolic place.
It’s in this episode of “Sex and the City” at the drive-thru of a local diner that Carrie says one of the best-known lines of the series: “Hi, I’d like a cheeseburger, big fries and a Cosmopolitan.” The film “The Irishman”, nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture in 2020, also had scenes shot in Suffern.
Reference: CNN Brasil
