The saying life imitates art - can't get any more true than now, with how the recent trend of 'set jetting' is becoming so popular among travelers in 2023. Entertainment-focused tourism is on the rise, with many people seeking out locations featured in their most recent binge-watch.
If you're planning your reel-life-inspired trip, here's a list of the hottest set-jetting destinations of 2023 for you.
Paris: Emily in Paris
Although countless films and television episodes have been shot in Paris, one of the most current favorites is Emily in Paris. This blockbuster Netflix comedy about an American girl who moves to Paris has encouraged numerous young visitors to visit the City of Light. Emily in Paris epitomizes the French ideal and luxurious lifestyle. The audience gets to see the French appeal of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as various museums, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants.
Venice Beach, California: Barbie
With previews showing Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken and wearing some really famous costumes, everyone has been on the edge of their seats for the Barbie movie. So, it is not surprising that Venice Beach is predicted to be the most popular set-jetting location in 2023. Make sure you first go to the Venice Beach Skatepark and Boardwalk, two locations where Robbie and Gosling were seen filming sequences.
Sicily, Italy: The White Lotus
The places in Hawaii and Italy where the two seasons of the Emmy-winning HBO dramedy "The White Lotus" were shot are now among the most popular set-jet destinations. Few hotels have had their stars climb quicker in the last two years than the two Four Seasons resorts. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and Sicily's San Domenico Palace, Taormina, which served as the primary sets for a series, have reached almost "cult-like status." Both locations offer stunning backdrops and luxurious accommodations that attract fans and travelers alike. The breathtaking coastal views of Maui and the charming historical charm of Sicily add an extra layer of allure to these already highly sought-after destinations.
Romania: Wednesday
It's hardly unexpected that filmmaker Tim Burton picked Romania as the setting for his new Netflix series, Wednesday, given the country's gothic and neoclassical architecture. The little mountain village of Buşteni in the Carpathian Mountains served as the backdrop for a significant portion of the movie's filming. The façade of the series' central setting, the Nevermore Academy, is portrayed by Cantacuzino Castle in Bucharest, and Villa Monteoru in Bucharest served as the site for the school's interior scenes. Scenes in Nevermore's greenhouses are also set in Bucharest's lush botanical gardens. The stunning 18-hectare gardens, which opened in 1891, are home to over 10,000 plant varieties.
England: Bridgerton
Anybody who has seen Bridgerton would want to tour magnificent houses, stroll through exquisitely designed gardens, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and have high tea. The lovely wisteria-covered Bridgerton family estate in Greenwich, southeast London, is really an art museum called Ranger's House. Visitors are welcome to the English Heritage-managed site to take in the magnificent collection of antique sculptures, jewels, and tapestries. Although having its setting in London, Bridgerton was filmed in Bath, a city in Somerset, UK, west of London, that is renowned for its stunning Georgian architecture. Bridgerton excursions are available for tourists to view the mansions depicted in the series.
Croatia: Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones was one of the most-watched television shows of the 2010s, and even though it finished in 2019, it drew throngs of tourists to Dubrovnik, where most of the program was shot. Yet this location is still fairly popular with tourists. But can we blame them? The setting is absolutely stunning. Several sequences were shot at Dubrovnik's famous walled Old Town, as well as neighboring Lovrijenac Fort and the island of Lokrum. The stunning architecture and picturesque landscapes showcased in the series truly bring the fictional world of Game of Thrones to life. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and towering walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town, imagining themselves as characters in the show.
Sardinia, Italy: The Little Mermaid
With its gorgeous, crystal clear seas and cerulean blue lagoons, it's no surprise that the Italian island of Sardinia wooed site scouts for the live-action version of The Little Mermaid. Santa Teresa di Gallura, a small beach town on Sardinia's northern coast, served as the location for several scenes from the new movie. Here, amid rocky headlands, are beaches that are distinctly Sardinian, with white sand blending with dazzling blue seas. For those who enjoy the underwater world, Sardinia is a beautiful vacation destination with calm waters ideal for snorkeling.
New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings
Fans of the Lord of the Rings will already be aware that the Hobbiton town set from the blockbuster movie trilogy from the 2000s is situated in Matamata, New Zealand. It is a full-fledged tourist destination and, unsurprisingly, one of the most well-liked in New Zealand. It has been providing tours to the general public in some capacity since 2002. Once there, you'll understand why New Zealand's rural landscapes with their lush greenery were selected to portray the Shire in Middle Earth.
Cáceres: House of the Dragon
The prequel to HBO's hit television show Game of Thrones transports viewers to Westeros and tells the story of the Targaryens. Cáceres' Old Town serves as the mythical King's Landing, where the Iron Throne resides. The city, which is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is noted for its mesmerizing streets, which have witnessed actual conflicts between Christians and Moors. Its architecture is a heady fusion of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance styles.
Wadi Rum, Jordan: Dune (Part 2)
Because of its orange-red sand and obviously strange scenery, this 720 square mile desert in Jordan has appeared in a variety of films about Mars, including Lawrence of Arabia, Dune, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Martian, and many more. Wadi Rum's unique landscape, characterized by towering sandstone cliffs and rock formations, creates an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of an alien planet. The desert's surreal beauty and cinematic appeal have made it a popular destination for filmmakers seeking to depict extraterrestrial landscapes.