AND THE OSCAR FOR BEST LOCATION OF THE YEAR GOES TO THESE FOUR PICTURESQUE FILMS. - NY POST February 20, 2007 -- FOUR years ago when we first awarded prizes for our favorite film locations in these pages, the idea of trips inspired by films wasn't exactly new. But now, things have gotten out of hand- not only is the concept trendy, with every release bringing entreaties from various tourist boards enticing travelers to come see where the movie was made, there's even a term for this type of trip: set-jetting. Nothing keeps us in our seats like a movie where the location plays a central role. And while this year wasn't the best, there were some definite highlights. Here, the five Oscar-nominated films we liked most. 1) THE QUEEN To set "The Queen" in its context of royal residencies, perfect parklands and grandiose reception rooms, production designer Alan Macdonald used three houses in Scotland, but the cast and crew also found themselves a temporary royal home at Brocket Hall, a few miles from London. Set-jetters can't stay at Brockett Hall itself, but they can stay at the Brockett stables (Melbourne Lodge), combined with a dinner at the Hall's fine dining venue, the Auberge du Lac (www.aubergedulac.co.uk). For real Queen sightings, there's always the real Buckingham Palace (www.royalcollection.org.uk). 2) PAN'S LABYRINTH To bring this magical fantasy set in post-Franco Spain to life, director Guillermo del Toro headed directly for the verdant Aguas Vertientes/La Garganta region, soon to be established as a Natural Park. These pristine hills near the city of Segovia can be hiked on a journey that includes stays at local rural bed and breakfasts and a visit to the city of Segovia itself, a UNESCO-protected treasure, filled with Romanesque churches, winding medieval streets and the smell of suckling pig, the town's traditional dish. Find more info on the Segovia region at segoviaturismo.es. 3) LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE This quirky road picture lead a stellar cast on a wild ride through the Southwest, starting from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ending with a bang in the Los Angeles-area town of Redondo Beach. What's more fun than a road trip in an old VW bus through the desert? In Cali, the exteriors on the beach for the beauty pageant were actually shot in the town of Ventura, north of L.A., mostly around the Crowne Plaza Hotel (www.cpventura.com). Book their whale watching package at $199/pp for a one-night stay half-day boat trip. 4) MARIE ANTOINETTE Sofia Coppola got lucky. She was given permission to shoot in the parks and palaces of Versailles, located just outside Paris. How? She had to work outside of regular opening hours. Although after hours visits are not allowed to just anyone, you can get exclusive solo access through Paris Prive (www.parisprive.com). They'll set up private visits to Versailles and to the ateliers of the fashion designers who worked on the film, including that of Bruno Legeron (Mr. Flowers and Feathers) who created the frippery that Kirsten Dunst sports as the doomed queen. 5) BABEL Many of the most moving scenes in "Babel" were filmed in an atmospheric setting - the Draa Valley, in Morocco's Taguenzalt region, for example. Michael Diamond of Heritage Tours, a New York-based Morocco tour specialist, suggests using Ouarzazate as a base and heading south to Zabora, continuing to M'Hamid, the last stop on the old caravan route before crossing the Sahara to Timbuktu. He also recommends staying in a restored kasbah in the oasis of Skoura, about 30 minutes from Ouarzazate, and hiking around (www.htprivatetravel.com).