What would Luna do (WWLD)? This is what we asked ourselves when we imagined planning an itinerary for Ms. Luna Lovegood on an extensive trip around the Muggle world. Is she someone who’s looking to chill out or an adrenaline junkie? Would she seek the thrill of great finds at open-air markets? Maybe she’s a foodie in search of the best vegan eats? With this in mind, here are some places we thought she would get a kick out of visiting.
1. National Centre for Circus Arts (London, England)
The center prides itself as being one of the leading providers in circus education (and yes, there’s an actual BA in Circus Arts). Naturally, they provide a range of workshops and recreational classes that explore the trapeze, tightrope, juggling, and acrobatics. If Luna wanted to experience being a Muggle with non-magical means of defying gravity, we’re pretty sure she would be drawn to this sooner or later. This seems right up her alley.
WWLD?: Spend the day debating with herself on whether to enroll in the Circus Arts Acrobatics course or the Equilibristic Course before finally deciding to just do both. Globe walking and rolla bolla anyone?
2. Croajingolong National Park (Victoria, Australia)
Image by Corey Thomas (Instagram)This national park hosts one of only twelve World Biosphere Areas situated in Australia and is a natural mash-up of some of the best features its landscape has to offer: beaches, staggering sand dunes, rivers, lakes, and rocky headlands. With its high level of managed sustainability and pure vastness, this park is the perfect sort of place to seek solitude and happen across great biological and natural discoveries for the serious explorers out there.
WWLD?: Seek out the land art sculptures by Corey Thomas (see picture) and explore the sand dunes along the Thurra River, examining it for evidence of Australian Sphinxes.
3. Cerro Paranal (Atacama Desert, Chile)
Image by ESO/ Y. BeletskyLocated in the Atacama Desert, Cerro Paranal’s lack of light pollution and clear weather makes it one of the best locations for unobstructed stargazing, something that must be appreciated by both wizards and Muggles. The nearby Paranal Observatory with its four powerful telescopes (so strong that they can combine to form the “Very Large Telescope”) offers tours that will prove particularly useful for those not possessing an OWL in Astronomy.
WWLD?: Establish a temporary campsite and spend the nights staring up at the sky while pondering the existence of Moon Frogs.
4. Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (Pilton, Somerset, England)
Image by Ben CreminFounded in 1970, this world-renowned festival takes place on roughly 900 acres of farmland, earning it the title of the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. The open-air environment is perfect for viewing, taking advantage of the surrounding landscape and ensuring you are forced to mingle with the crowd (whether you like it or not). Plus the slew of additional activities (theater, cabaret, and circus performances) guarantees that so long as you’re a lover of the arts (as is Luna), there’s something special to be had for every single visitor.
WWLD?: Perform an impromptu rendition of “Do the Hippogriff” by the Weird Sisters, complete with an on-the-spot dance routine, shortly before crowdsurfing her newfound fans.
5. The Museum of Picture Books (Iwaki City, Japan)
Image by Ken LeeSure, it’s stocked only with children’s books. But who can think about that when they’re all so beautifully displayed to specifically showcase their covers? Architect Tadao Anda deliberately pursued this unique set-up to ensure a vibrant, colorfully rich, and whimsical atmosphere. This sort of fascinating design is more along the lines of the places that we picture Luna settling down with a great book.
WWLD?: Immediately begin searching for a copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to identify the exact breed of talking rabbit described in the book.
6. Holi Festival (India/Worldwide)
Image by Modes RodriguezThis festival of colors has certainly earned its name by facilitating some of the most electric and mass uses of dry powder and colored water ever seen. Of course, the event boasts a far deeper significance since it is steeped in Hindu religion and tradition, but nowadays it’s celebrated around the world as a friendly but frenetic exchange of dousing one another with all the glory of a rainbow. The day-long activity is usually preceded by a large bonfire and a mental calculation of which outfit you’re willing to sacrifice since you know it will soon be ruined.
WWLD?: Somehow show up prior to its start in a flamboyant and already heavily stained, splotched, and splattered sundress, causing everyone around her to wonder if they have missed the festivities.
7. Street Art (Berlin, Germany)
Image by Mr. iMaaxWhile this type of art won’t be present on every single street of Berlin (especially in the posher areas), if Luna uses her keen sense of direction to navigate the Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain areas, she will be sure to discover that the neighborhoods are awash with these public displays. With depictions covering a wide array of subjects, Luna’s free spirit will surely draw inspiration from the diverse surrounding murals.
WWLD?: Find an available 8×8 patch of concrete and begin painting her interpretation of what Nargles really look like, only to be chased off by a nearby property owner. However, this being Luna, she of course persistently returns to complete her work.
That’s it for our top selections!
We would definitely like to hear any destinations you can also vividly picture Ms. Lovegood (or another character) in, so be sure to let us know.
