Florence Pugh has never been an actor who does things by halves, and it turns out the same applies to her travel recommendations. In remarks reported by Condé Nast Traveler, Pugh described an edenic destination she loves in the strongest possible terms — calling it, in effect, the eighth wonder of the world. It is the kind of unguarded, enthusiastic praise that immediately sends readers searching for flights, and it says as much about how travellers now choose where to go as it does about the place itself.
Celebrity travel picks have become a powerful force in modern tourism. A single interview quote, a photograph shared between filming projects, or a quiet recommendation on a talk show can move a destination from well-kept secret to bucket-list staple within weeks. When the recommendation comes from someone with Pugh’s reputation for candour, the effect is amplified. Audiences trust her taste precisely because she rarely sounds as if she is selling anything.
Why the ‘Eighth Wonder’ Label Sticks
The phrase “eighth wonder of the world” has been applied, over the years, to everything from ancient temples and natural rock formations to feats of modern engineering. It endures because it captures something travellers recognise instantly: a place that feels larger, older or more beautiful than photographs can properly explain. An edenic destination — lush, unspoiled and seemingly untouched by the pressures of mass tourism — fits that description especially well.
Places earn this kind of reputation through a combination of dramatic landscape, biodiversity and a sense of genuine remoteness. Travellers describe arriving somewhere and feeling, often within minutes, that the usual rules of busy itineraries and crowded viewpoints do not apply. That feeling is increasingly rare, and increasingly valuable. As overtourism reshapes famous cities, quieter corners with strong local character are drawing a new generation of visitors who want depth rather than checklists.
Pugh’s praise also reflects a broader shift in how holidays are planned. Rather than following only traditional guidebooks, many travellers now build trips around personal recommendations from people they admire — actors, chefs, writers and photographers whose work takes them around the world. Filming locations in particular have introduced performers to landscapes that most tourists would never otherwise encounter.
A Destination Shaped by Nature and Craft
What makes an edenic place memorable is rarely a single landmark. It is the layering of experiences: local food prepared with ingredients grown nearby, handmade objects sold by the people who made them, and communities that still shape daily life around the landscape rather than around visitors. That connection between place and craft is something we return to often, from our look at the global handicrafts market outlook to profiles of independent makers working in small batches.
Responsible visitors understand that the qualities Pugh praised — tranquillity, natural beauty and authenticity — are fragile. Travelling outside peak season, choosing locally owned accommodation, hiring local guides and respecting protected areas are not minor details. They are the practical steps that keep a destination edenic for the next traveller, and for the people who live there year-round.
Interest in sustainable, experience-led travel continues to grow, as reporting from outlets such as National Geographic Travel has documented in recent years. Travellers are spending more on fewer, more meaningful trips, staying longer in one place and seeking out food, craft and outdoor experiences rooted in local life rather than imported attractions.
What Travellers Should Know Before Going
If Pugh’s recommendation has put the destination on your list, a little preparation will make a considerable difference. Research the best season carefully, because edenic landscapes often come with pronounced wet and dry periods that shape everything from road access to wildlife viewing. Book small, locally run places to stay well in advance, since limited room numbers are part of what keeps these destinations unspoiled.
Pack for time outdoors, allow unscheduled days in your itinerary, and resist the temptation to treat the trip as a photo checklist. The places travellers describe in wonder-filled terms reward slowness: early mornings, long walks, conversations with residents and meals that cannot be rushed. They also reward curiosity about how things are made and grown locally — a theme close to this magazine’s heart, explored in our coverage of competitive factors in the craft brewery industry and the small producers behind it.
Whether or not this destination ultimately joins the informal list of world wonders, Pugh’s comment has already achieved something useful. It has reminded readers that the most memorable travel is not always found in the most famous places. Sometimes it is found where nature is still in charge, where communities still make things by hand, and where a visitor’s first honest reaction is simply wonder.
