Make This The Year You Follow Your Favourite Show

The Set-Jetting Phenomenon

Have you ever watched a TV show or film and thought “I need to go there”? You’re not alone. Set-jetting, the trend of travelling to filming locations from your favourite screen productions, is transforming how we choose our holidays. In fact, it’s projected to become an £8 billion industry, with a staggering 81% of Gen Z and Millennials now planning trips based on what they’ve seen on screen.

From the sun-drenched beaches of The White Lotus to the rugged Scottish Highlands of Outlander, set-jetting offers something magical: the chance to step into the worlds that captivated you from your sofa.

Why Set-Jetting Is Taking Over Travel

There’s something special about walking the same streets as your favourite characters or standing where that iconic scene was filmed. It brings stories to life in a way that traditional sightseeing simply can’t match. These aren’t just pretty backdrops; they’re destinations that already have meaning to you before you even arrive.

Set-jetting also takes the guesswork out of choosing where to go. Instead of scrolling endlessly through destination websites, you already know you love the look of the place. You’ve seen it in glorious high-definition, experienced its atmosphere through the screen, and now you want the real thing.

Thailand: Living The White Lotus Dream

Since The White Lotus captivated audiences with its tropical paradise setting, Thailand has seen a surge in interest. The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, where season three was filmed, offers that same mix of luxury and natural beauty that made the show so visually stunning.

Beyond the resort, Thailand gives you pristine beaches, ancient temples, vibrant street food, and some of the warmest hospitality in the world. Whether you’re exploring the cultural richness of Chiang Mai, island-hopping through Krabi, or experiencing the buzz of Bangkok, you’ll understand why film crews keep returning here.

Our travel experts have explored Thailand extensively and can craft an itinerary that balances those picture-perfect beach moments with authentic cultural experiences that go deeper than what you see on screen.

Italian Lakes: Timeless Romance On Screen and Off

The Italian Lakes have long been a favourite for filmmakers, and it’s easy to see why. Lake Como, featured in countless films from James Bond to Star Wars, offers a kind of elegance that feels almost otherworldly. Villa del Balbianello, that stunning lakeside villa you’ve seen in Casino Royale and Attack of the Clones, is even open for visits.

Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore offer equally gorgeous settings with perhaps fewer crowds. Picture yourself gliding across mirror-calm water with mountains rising on all sides, stopping in centuries-old villages where time seems to move more slowly. The combination of Italian culture, incredible food, and dramatic scenery makes this region irresistible whether you’re a film buff or not.

Greek Islands: From Mamma Mia to Your Photo Album

Skopelos stole hearts worldwide when it became the setting for Mamma Mia. The chapel perched dramatically on a rock, the winding streets of old town Skopelos, the olive groves and clear blue water all look exactly as magical in person as they did on screen.

But the Greek islands offer so much more than one famous film location. Each island has its own character, from the dramatic cliffs of Santorini to the quiet fishing villages of Naxos. The food is outstanding, the history runs deep, and the hospitality is genuine. Our team knows these islands inside out and can help you island-hop like a local, finding those hidden beaches and family-run tavernas that the tour buses miss.

Scotland: Outlander’s Wild Highlands

Outlander has put Scotland firmly on the set-jetting map, and the Highlands have never looked more appealing. The show’s filming locations span from Edinburgh’s historic streets to remote glens and ancient castles that feel untouched by time.

Doune Castle doubles as Castle Leoch, while the Culloden Battlefield lets you stand where history really unfolded. But Scotland offers rewards beyond the filming locations. The scenery is breathtaking, the whisky is world-class, and the locals have stories that could fill their own TV series. A tour of the Highlands combines dramatic landscapes, fascinating history, and that sense of stepping back in time that Outlander captures so perfectly.

Whether you want to follow Claire’s footsteps or simply explore one of Europe’s last truly wild places, Scotland rewards every visit.

New Zealand: Middle-earth Awaits

For many, the ultimate set-jetting pilgrimage is to New Zealand’s Middle-Earth. The Lord of the Rings trilogy showcased this country’s extraordinary landscapes so effectively that they’ve become inseparable from the films themselves. Hobbiton still stands as a permanent attraction, letting you wander through the Shire and perhaps enjoy a pint at the Green Dragon Inn.

Beyond Hobbiton, you can kayak on the same glittering lake where the Fellowship travelled, walk through forests that became Fangorn, or helicopter to mountain peaks that doubled as the Misty Mountains. The landscapes are genuinely spectacular, even without the Tolkien connection.

New Zealand also offers adventure activities, world-class wine regions, and a laid-back culture that makes every visitor feel welcome. It’s a long journey, but one that delivers something special.

Planning Your Set-Jetting Adventure

The beauty of set-jetting is that it works for any type of traveller. Couples might choose romantic Italian lakeside retreats, families could explore New Zealand’s diverse landscapes together, and friend groups might island-hop through Greece recreating their favourite scenes.

Our travel consultants understand that you’re looking for more than just ticking off filming locations. You want the full experience: the culture, the food, the unexpected moments that make travel memorable. We’ve been to these destinations ourselves, stayed in the hotels, explored beyond the tourist spots, and we know how to make your screen-to-real-life journey truly special.

With ABTA & ATOL protection and decades of experience, we’ll handle all the details while you focus on the excitement of planning which scenes you’ll recreate first.

Make It Happen

The places you’ve fallen in love with on screen are real, waiting for you to experience them first-hand. Whether it’s sipping cocktails with a Thai sunset view, cruising across an Italian lake, dancing in a Greek island church, exploring Scottish castles, or standing in the Shire, your set-jetting adventure is closer than you think.

Visit your nearest Spear Travels Group branch and tell us which shows have inspired your wanderlust. Our experts will turn your screen dreams into real-world memories.

Make this the year your favourite filming locations become your favourite travel memories.