Calling all TV and film buffs: screen tourism is having a moment. Travellers are following in the footsteps of their favourite characters, from the lush vistas of Thailand spotlighted in The White Lotus to the snowy French alps featured in the Netflix smash Emily in Paris. It’s safe to say that set-jetting is here to stay.
For clients looking for that A-list glow on holiday, here are eight destinations to recommend that featured as the backdrop in popular films and TV shows.
1. The White Lotus, Thailand
‘The White Lotus Effect’ is gaining traction, with travellers captivated by the idyllic locations featured in the series.
Focusing on the lives of wealthy guests and hotel staff, The White Lotus and its filming locations, have become synonymous with high-end luxury. Thailand is the backdrop for the show’s third season, which is currently streaming and has already featured a multitude of five-star properties.
In addition to The Four Seasons Koh Samui, Anantara resorts feature heavily, including the Bophut Koh Samui Resort‘s lobby, tropical entrance, and the jewellery store. The Lawana Koh Samui Resort‘s Singing Bird Lounge treehouse bar- up in the branches of a 120-year-old tree-features in the show, and scenes in the wellness sanctuary were shot at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.
The Siri Sala Villa in Koh Samui (pictured) hosted members of the cast and crew during production and appeared in the show’s official trailer. A villa in Samujana Resort was also used for filming.
2. Emily in Paris, France
Fans of Emily in Paris will recognise the snow-capped alpine peaks of Megève in France, featured in season four. The upmarket ski resort village is famous for its artistic heritage and cross-country trails. Clients can take in scenic mountains as they embark on a snowshoeing trip, enjoy wine and cheese tasting or go canyoning.
Couples can enjoy a romantic escape with Four Seasons Hotel Megève‘s ‘A Night Above the Clouds’. Inspired by the series, the experience allows guests to recreate scenes from the show. Highlights include savouring drinks at the Idéal 1850 restaurant, which overlooks Mount Blanc, and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the village’s cobbled streets.
Other locations from the most recent season that clients may want to visit include Giverney in Normandy. A must for art lovers, clients can visit Monet’s gardens, water lily pond, Japanese bridge, Grande Allee and country home. The gardens at the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny are worth seeing too, for a glimpse into the inspiration behind the art movement.
3. Bridgerton, various UK locations
The Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich (pictured), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took centre stage in the most recent series of romantic period drama Bridgerton. Set in Regency England, the show’s third season saw Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington tie the knot at Royal Navy’s chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Many of the show’s scenes were filmed in Bath, with spots such as Holburn Museum of Art used as Lady Danbury’s Estate and the Sharma’s base in season two. Clients can embark on dedicated Bridgerton tours offered by Bath Walking Tours to channel their inner Daphne Bridgerton.
Painshill Park in Surrey has also been a prominent feature since season one, in which characters from ‘The Ton’ can be seen picnicking, gossiping, promenading and boating.
For the prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire was used to depict Queen Charlotte and King George’s home.
4. Squid Game, South Korea
Netflix sensation Squid Game was filmed across several spots in South Korea. Dajeon Expo Science Park was the backdrop for key sets such as the maze-like corridors and X and O zones of the complex where the sinister competition at the centre of the story takes place. Traditional Korean children’s games such as tug-of-war, Dalgona candy-making and marbles were filmed at the Dajeon Studio Cube.
Clients can walk in the footsteps of Seong Gi-hun, the main protagonist in the deadly survival game. Tour operator Adventure Korea offers a Squid Game Experience set in a Korean Folk Village with inspiration from the Joseon era. Highlights include the Ddakji Challenge, in which clients can try their hand at flipping paper tiles like the recruiting game in the series, or tug-of-war with a modern twist.
Squid Game The Experience in the Seongsu-dong district of Seoul also offers an immersive day out in which fans can play the games in real life.
5. Barbie, California, U.S.
The smash hit 2023 Barbie film, based on the eponymous childhood doll, features a host of iconic spots in California which clients can visit as part of a wider trip or tour. Barbie and Ken get arrested at Santa Monica City Hall, while Barbie meets namesake Barbara Handler at a bus stop near Tongva Park. SPOILER ALERT: Barbie begins her transition into the ‘Real World’ at the 100 Wilshire office building.
The Venice Beach boardwalk set the scene for Barbie and Ken’s rollerskating session and a car chase sequence was filmed in Downtown Long Beach. Clients can visit the Venice Skate Park, take a bike ride along The Strand or enjoy rollercoasters at Santa Monica Pier (pictured).
6. Northern Territory, Australia
Visit spots featured in contemporary Western Netflix show Territory including the dual UNESCO World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and Berry Springs. Marianne Station, known in the show as the ‘world’s largest cattle station’, was captured on location in the real-life Tipperary Station in the Northern Territory.
Visitors may recognise Wangi Falls in Litchfield Park as the place where Lachie and Susie fell for each other. Scenes in Uncle Bryce’s house were also filmed in Taperoo, which is famous for its coastal views and the historic defence site Fort Largs.
There are plenty of adventures to be had in the outback with Tourism Northern Territory, including hot air ballooning, wetland cruises and horse riding.
7. Lord of the Rings, New Zealand
If there’s one franchise that New Zealand has become synonymous with it is most certainly Lord of the Rings. With mountainous topography, wild rivers and grassy fields, it’s not a stretch to see why director Peter Jackson’s homeland was chosen as the backdrop for the trilogy as well as The Hobbit prequels.
Real-life volcanic peak Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park set the scene for Mount Doom in Mordor, villain Sauron’s kingdom. Clients should head for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing to marvel at striking crater lakes and glacial valleys. Not for the faint hearted, the one way trip is a steep 12 mile trek. Tawhai Falls was the location of the forbidden pool, where hero Frodo Baggins and Faramir capture Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers.
Pellenor Fields was the setting of an epic battle in which thousands of orcs bred by Sauron fought the men of Gondor and Rohan. Although the location is on private land, tours can be arranged in the town of Twizel.
The Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata (pictured) was used for the Shire and has become a popular tourist destination. Fans can embark on tours and imagine what it feels like to live as a hobbit in Middle-Earth.
8. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Peru
This box office favourite was the first movie to film on top of Machu Picchu in 2023. The experience was described by director Steven Caple Jr. as “magical” and “spiritual”. Before filming commenced, the crew performed a sacred ritual with a shaman.
Visitors can explore the ancient citadel, embark on the famous Inca Trail or head to the religious Temple of the Sun.
Ahuashiyacu Waterfall in the San Martin region was also featured in the film. Travellers can go swimming, explore its lush rainforests or take a half-day tour.
Inti Raymi, a traditional Incan festival held annually on June 24 in Cusco, was recreated on screen with 800 extras. Nicknamed ‘The Festival of the Sun’, the celebration involves music, dancing, processions and ritualistic ceremonies. International visitors can join in the fun by reserving seats for the ceremony, with a panoramic view of the parade, or stand in the crowds with locals.
