As Seen On: Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

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Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol was not only a rollicking 2 hours of solid entertainment, it was also filled with destinations that are a must-visit. Anuya Jakatdar lists all the places Ethan Kawke’s resilient team covered in the movie—your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to read this article, pick the places you like, and get set for an awesome trip!

Destination#1: Budapest, Hungary

Movie Moment: The place where Agent Hanaway (Josh Holloway) gets killed.

Why go: The capital city of Hungary, you’ll also remember Budapest as the place they shot Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in, pretending it was Italy (SO not!). Often called the Paris of the East, Budapest is the step-child that people forget about because they’re too busy being dazzled by London, Paris, Rome and co. A grave mistake, because Budapest has a distinctive natural charm of its own. The river Danube divides the city into two—the Buda hills to the west and the Great Plains to the east, the two parts that the locals insist, exist in perfect harmony.  The architecture ranges from Baroque and neoclassical to art nouveau and boats ferry you up and down the Danube, proudly showing off a city that has embraced romance like a second skin. Pssst: It has also, rather enthusiastically, embraced partying.

When to go: May or October

Don’t miss: Shoes on the Danube promenade, Gellert Hill, Andrassy Avenue

Destination#2: Moscow, Russia

Movie Moment: The place where Cobalt’s team bombs the Kremlin

Why go: The Cold War gave this striking city a bad-guy image, and Hollywood added more than its share of infamy. A living, breathing metropolis, Moscow has emerged from its troubled past, a towering spire of history and art. Clock towers and cathedrals outline its sky, but pale in comparison to the city’s most impressive structure—the Kremlin (which Hawke’s team infiltrates and is later accused of bombing). The Kremlin houses the Russian President as well as the nation’s executive house. The construction of the monument dates back to the days of the Russian Tsars, who made it their home. A singular experience, the Kremlin and Moscow itself are a tourist’s delight. Go.

When to go: End April, Beginning of May

Don’t Miss: St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Bolshoy Theatre, the night life

Destination#3: Dubai, UAE

Movie Moment: The place of the exchange between Moreau and Wistrom

Why go: A global business hub, Dubai is famous for its towering vistas and beautiful sandy deserts, although Mission Impossible chooses to focus on its most famous creation, the Burj Khalifa, also known as the world’s tallest skyscraper. At 828 metres and more than 160 storeys, the Burj Khalifa has made quite the name for itself in architectural circles. It also helps that in the movie, Tom Cruise climbs up its grand glass walls using magnetic gloves and socks. (However did they shoot that? HOW?). The Observation Deck is naturally the highest in the world, and offers a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings. As its location is in Downtown Dubai, you can shop (the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, is a stone’s throw away), fine dine, go sightseeing, and even book yourself on a tour of the surrounding Arabian desert.

When to go: Between November and April

Don’t Miss: The Dubai Shopping Festival, Al Mumzar Park, dune bashing

Destination#4: Mumbai, India

Movie Moment: The place where Anil Kapoor gets to strut his stuff.

Why Go: The fourth and final destination of the movie is ‘Aamchi Mumbai’, one of India’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Chances are, if you’ve lived in India and loved to travel, you’ve visited Mumbai. If not, well, here’s what to look out for. If you take the MI4 view of things, you “have” to visit Mumbai’s town area, famous for Victorian architecture and eclectic, delicious food. It is also the oldest part of the city. Must visits: The Gateway of India, CST railway station, Colaba Causeway (great for some budget roadside shopping) and  along the way, do find time to grab a drink at the city’s oldest, most iconic bars—Café Mondegar, Café Leopold, Café Ideal, Café Universal.  If you’re on the other side of the city, Bandra is foodie and shopping haven, while Borivali National Park is one of the world’s only forest reserves in the middle of a metropolitan city.

When to Go: December and January

Don’t Miss: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, the temples of Bhuleshwar, the washers at Dhobi Ghat, the leather goods at Dharavi, street food during Eid-ul-Fitr at Mohammed Ali Road, and a hair-raising ride in a rickshaw.

Related Packages:

Dubai Dhamaka – Winter 2012 @ 61,244* Per Person

Eastern Europe Treasures @ 40,233* Per Person

About Anuya
Anuya Jakatdar is a 25-year-old writer who is great at making really bad puns. Like this one: Q. What did the Mexican say to the bhajiwali? A. Quesadilla? Follow her on Twitter! Her handle is @boozeandshooze (She knows, she knows!)
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