Remember that feeling when you finished The White Lotus Season 2 and immediately started Googling flights to Sicily? Or when Yellowstone's sweeping Montana vistas made you question why you've been settling for another beach vacation? Welcome to set-jetting—the travel trend that's turning our streaming queues into actual travel itineraries.
If you're planning trips based on what's trending on your feed rather than what's trending in traditional travel guides, you're not alone. Set-jetting has evolved from a niche interest into a full-blown movement, with shows and films essentially becoming 90-minute (or 9-hour) destination marketing campaigns. And honestly? It's one of the best things to happen to travel planning.
Why Set-Jetting Just Hits Different
Traditional travel inspiration is fine, but there's something about experiencing a place through a compelling narrative that creates an emotional connection before you even book the flight. You're not just visiting a location—you're stepping into a world you've already inhabited from your couch. The aesthetics, the vibe, the specific cafe where that pivotal scene happened—it all becomes part of your own story.
Plus, let's be real: a perfectly curated Instagram story of you recreating that iconic White Lotus opening sequence hits way harder than another generic "wish you were here" post.
The White Lotus Effect: Sicily and Beyond
The White Lotus Season 2 didn't just break HBO viewership records—it practically caused a tourism boom in Sicily. The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, where the show filmed, saw booking inquiries skyrocket. But here's the thing: you don't need to drop thousands on the exact resort to capture that Mediterranean magic.
Your Set-Jetting Strategy:
- Explore Taormina's ancient Greek theater with Mount Etna as your backdrop (yes, that view from the show)
- Wander through Noto's baroque streets where Daphne and Harper had their chaotic girl's day
- Hit up Cefalù's beaches for that perfect golden-hour swim scene recreation
The goal isn't just to photograph the same spots—it's to understand why the location directors chose these places. The light, the architecture, the energy. Once you get that, you can find your own hidden gems that capture the same essence.
For 2026: Keep your eyes on Season 3's Thailand locations. Koh Samui and Phuket are about to have their moment, and getting there before the full tourist surge means better prices and fewer crowds doing the exact same photo op.
Yellowstone Country: Big Sky, Bigger Drama
Yellowstone has turned Montana and surrounding areas into pilgrimage sites for anyone who's ever fantasized about trading their studio apartment for ranch life (even if just for a week). The Dutton Ranch aesthetic—rugged landscapes, cowboy culture, that specific golden-hour glow—has created an entire travel vertical.
Your Set-Jetting Strategy:
- Base yourself in Bozeman or Livingston for access to the actual filming locations
- Visit Chief Joseph Ranch (the real Dutton Ranch) during their limited tour seasons
- Explore Paradise Valley, where those sweeping horseback riding scenes were filmed
- Don't skip Glacier National Park—it's not technically Yellowstone filming territory, but it delivers the same epic western landscapes
Pro tip: Book a dude ranch experience. Yes, they're touristy, but they're touristy for a reason. There's something about actually sitting on a horse at sunset that makes you understand why this show resonates so deeply.
Bridgerton's Britain: More Than Just Regency Cosplay
Bridgerton turned British estates and Bath's Georgian architecture into aspirational travel goals. For 2026, Yorkshire is emerging as a major set-jetting destination, thanks to various period dramas and the region's stunning natural beauty that's finally getting its moment.
Yorkshire Set-Jetting:
- Castle Howard (yes, that Bridgerton estate) offers tours that let you walk through actual filming locations
- The Yorkshire Dales provide those moody, romantic landscapes perfect for your main character moment
- York itself offers the historic architecture without London's overwhelming crowds
- Hit up the coastal areas like Whitby for dramatic cliffside scenes that rival any prestige drama
Tuscany's Timeless Appeal: Beyond Under the Tuscan Sun nostalgia, Tuscany keeps popping up in everything from House of Gucci to various Netflix romance films. Val d'Orcia's rolling hills and cypress-lined roads are basically a cheat code for stunning content.
- Base yourself in smaller towns like Pienza or Montepulciano instead of Florence
- Rent a Vespa or car to recreate those winding road scenes
- Time your visit for early morning or golden hour—that's when the light matches what you've seen on screen
2026 Set-Jetting Forecast: Where to Go Before Everyone Else Does
Based on upcoming releases and production announcements, here's what's about to blow up:
New Zealand (Again): Various fantasy and sci-fi productions filming there mean a resurgence beyond LOTR tourism. The landscapes never get old.
Scotland: Multiple period dramas and thrillers in production mean the Highlands are about to have another moment. Get there before peak season.
Portugal: Increasingly used as a filming location for its diverse landscapes and architecture. Lisbon and Porto are obvious, but watch for the Algarve region.
Japan: Always popular, but with several high-profile productions using locations beyond Tokyo, expect places like Takayama and the Japanese Alps to trend.
Croatia: Post-Game of Thrones, it's maintained popularity, but 2026 should see new shows highlighting different regions beyond Dubrovnik.
How to Actually Plan Your Set-Jetting Trip
Start with the feeling, not just the location. What is it about that show that made you want to visit? The adventure? The aesthetics? The slower pace? Build your itinerary around recreating that vibe.
Do your research on filming locations vs. setting. Sometimes shows are "set" in one place but filmed somewhere completely different (looking at you, Emily in Paris occasionally using non-Paris locations).
Balance the touristy with the authentic. Yes, visit the famous spots, but also give yourself time to wander. Some of the best travel moments happen when you stumble into a cafe or viewpoint that captures the show's essence better than the actual filming location.
Consider shoulder season. Everyone wants to visit Sicily in peak summer like the show, but spring or fall might give you better weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices while maintaining that Mediterranean magic.
Engage with local culture beyond the set. The show got you there, but the real experience is connecting with actual people and places, not just checking off filming locations.
The Real Reason Set-Jetting Works
At its core, set-jetting works because stories give us an emotional entry point into a place. Instead of just seeing pretty pictures, we've experienced narrative arcs, character development, and human drama against these backdrops. We're not just tourists—we're continuing a story we've already started.
So whether you're plotting a Sicilian summer, a Montana ranch adventure, or a Yorkshire countryside escape, remember: the show got you there, but the experience you create is entirely your own. The cinematographers already proved these places look incredible on camera. Now it's your turn to see what they look like through your own eyes.
Start building that 2026 travel list. Your watch history has already done half the planning for you.
Where are you set-jetting to next? Drop your must-visit filming locations in the comments—bonus points if you're ahead of the curve on the next big thing.
