So, imagine this: you’re watching your favourite TV show, and the characters are exploring gorgeous landscapes, wandering through quaint city streets, or unwinding at a gorgeous resort. And now you’re probably thinking, “Wow, I’d love to be there!” Well, what if I told you that more and more people are actually making that dream a reality?
Enter set-jetting — the trend where people plan trips around the filming locations of their favourite movies and TV shows. It’s like regular tourism, but with a cool pop-culture twist.
Set-jetting has gained immense popularity over the last few years. From the epic landscapes of Game of Thrones to the sophisticated streets of Bridgerton and the idyllic resorts from The White Lotus, travellers are heading to these locations to capture a piece of TV magic in reality. Let’s look into why set-jetting has become a thing and how you can partake in this trend too.
Why Is Set-Jetting So Popular?
Set-jetting not only involves looking at beautiful sites, but it connects viewers with their stories of choice. When watching a show, places in it become part of the experience. These locations provide mood, setting and enhance plot depth. Consequently, these places become tangible things that fans have personal relationships with, hence visiting them makes its viewers feel like they are the characters themselves.
Plus, social media plays a huge role. These days, it’s not enough to just watch a show or movie — you want to share the experience with friends or followers. Snapping a selfie at an iconic location from a popular show instantly gives you something fun to post about. This combination of fandom, curiosity, and the desire to share experiences has pushed set-jetting into the mainstream.
However, let us not overlook the thrill of going to new areas in general. Even if you’re not into a specific program, visiting filming sites located in beautiful locations spices things up for your journey because it’ll make you feel like you’ve discovered hidden treasures that were left out during your travels according to conventional maps. It’s like finding hidden gems! In this manner, you’re able to see destinations from different perspectives — that of a filmmakers’ lenses.
Where Are People Going? Top Set-Jetting Spots
There are some TV shows and movies that have become famous not just for their stories, but for the locations where they were shot. These are a few of the hottest spots right now:
1. Bucharest, Romania – Wednesday
Following its debut on Netflix, Wednesday has become an inevitable source of tourist destination that is Bucharest, Romania. Especially for fans with fondness for dark and gothic styles. The show, featuring the iconic Addams Family daughter, filmed some of its most memorable scenes in Bucharest, earning the city the nickname “Little Paris of the East.” In Romania, you will traverse spooky sites like Casa Monteoru or the Bucharest Botanical Garden that has thoroughly incorporated Wednesday Addam’s aesthetics.
2. Bath & Greenwich, UK – Bridgerton
Fans seem to be falling for Bridgerton’s glamourous life in Regency-era Britain. Lots of filming took place in Bath and Greenwich which was its main medium in transpiring the romantic atmosphere of the show over to the screens of its viewers. The Royal Crescent and Holburne Museum in Bath is where they filmed Lady Danbury’s mansion scenes while Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich has become pilgrimage site for Bridgerton lovers.
3. Thailand – The White Lotus
The plotline may end up sounding dull, but there are stunning visuals at every turn with The White Lotus luxury not limited only to points of contentions raised its plotlines but also its lush locations. Amidst its breathtaking locations in Italy; the new season will be set in Thailand — fans are already hoping for even more amazing landscapes on their screens this time round. After all, tourism increased remarkably after the display of Italian-held episodes so tourists need not look anywhere else before heading to Thailand so as to enjoy similar luxurious holidays jejune characters had while on vacation there.
4. New Zealand – The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
Without New Zealand’s reference in set-jetting lists, this article would be considered null and void. Fans and visitors alike have long flocked to this Middle-earth location that is home to the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. This area consists of the rolling hills of Matamata (the Shire) and majestic sceneries found in Fiordland National Park that keeps attracting Tolkien followers across different parts around the globe. In fact, New Zealand’s tourism industry has oriented itself towards this relationship with motion pictures whose tours are specifically tailored to set-jetters.
5. Paris & Italy – Emily in Paris
Emily in Paris has inspired travellers to visit some of Paris’s most charming spots, like the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Palais Garnier. But the show also took viewers on a trip to Italy, showcasing breathtaking locations like the coast of Amalfi in its recent season. Paris has since seen an influx of fans eager to live their best Emily in Paris fantasy. Not that Paris has ever had a shortage of visitors!
How to Plan Your Own Set-Jetting Adventure
So, you’ve been inspired by the idea of set-jetting, and now you’re wondering how to plan your own trip. Luckily, it’s not that hard to get started, and the best part is you can tailor it to whatever show or movie you love. Here’s how to do it:
1. Pick Your Show or Movie
The first thing to consider when planning your tour is the specific show or movie that you would like to center your travel around. Are you an ever-loyal follower of the Harry Potter saga? Or maybe it’s the filming spots of Outlander that piques your interest? Figuring out a fandom is a critical part of knowing where to travel.
2. Research Locations
After selecting your preferred show, research online and start looking for its filming locations. Several fan sites and travel blogs provide specific locations breakdowns. For instance, in Game of Thrones fanatic websites, you’ll find that a complete set of maps have been created for people who wish to travel together in its filming countries such as Northern Ireland, Spain, and Croatia. I may have been guilty of doing this one!
3. Book Tours or Go Solo
Some destinations have organised tours specifically for set-jetters. In New Zealand, you can take guided tours of Hobbiton, while in Dubrovnik, Croatia, you’ll find Game of Thrones tours that take you through King’s Landing. But if you prefer to explore on your own, many locations are easy to visit independently. Just be sure to map out your stops ahead of time.
4. Immerse Yourself
As soon as you arrive, don’t think that snapping pictures and taking selfies is enough; there are many more activities to fully engage in the particular filming site. While some people prefer dressing up as their favourite characters, others prefer reenacting iconic scenes (I have tips on how to maximise your iPhone camera settings!) It’s all about making the trip your own and having fun with it.
5. Respect the Location
It should be noted that many filming locations are real homes, villages, and communities as opposed to just movie sets. At all times, always remember to respect its local community and its environment. You should clean up after yourself and observe any rules or regulations, as well as always seek permission if going to a private property.
Why Set-Jetting Is Here to Stay
The wonderful thing about set-jetting is that it brings together the excitement of travelling with the comfort of knowing what to expect. It’s like you have been to a particular city or country without ever setting foot there simply because you have seen it on screen before! In other words, it’s a chance to traverse through different parts of the globe while at the same time remaining attached to something that has always had special significance in your heart.
And so as long as there are captivating landscapes in movies and TV shows, the trend of set-jetting will never die. This movement signifies our love for stories while we desire immersing ourselves into what we see in characters we adore. Moreover, due to increased number of streaming services producing global series’, we are constantly exposed to latest destinations which means new places keep sprouting up hence they never run out.
Set-Jetting Tips for Your Next Trip
- Look Beyond the Blockbusters: Sure, Harry Potter and Star Wars locations are popular, but don’t overlook indie films or smaller shows that feature beautiful settings. Sometimes the less-visited spots offer an even more authentic experience.
- Combine Set-Jetting with Traditional Travel: There’s no rule that says you can’t mix your set-jetting adventure with regular sightseeing. If you’re visiting Paris because of Emily in Paris, take time to explore some of the city’s other amazing attractions while you’re there.
- Join Online Communities: Set-jetters love sharing their experiences. Join fan groups or online forums where people post about their trips, share tips, and even plan meetups.
Set-jetting has modified our method of understanding what it means to travel. It is no trivial thing; it is immersing ourselves into the beloved worlds and coming nearer to the stories and characters that have captured us. Next time you binge-watch your favourite series, mind the next setting you might want to travel to next!
Rachel is an intrepid world traveller, lifestyle connoisseuse, and Girls Who Travel’s resident beauty advisor. She is a lover of the ocean, flowers, movies, journalism, and has a penchant for medium-sized tattoos. When she is not busy with life, she writes stories of her globetrots as well as tips & tricks on how to make the best out of travelling.
