Set-Jetting Abroad: Trips Inspired by White Lotus, K-Dramas & More

Travel inspiration doesn’t always start with a guidebook. Sometimes it begins with a binge-watch, a dramatic beach scene, or a palace shot so beautiful it makes you pause and whisper, “Okay, where is that exactly?” That is the magic of screen-inspired travel: seeing a place on TV or in a film and deciding it deserves a spot on your passport.

Today, more travelers are building itineraries around iconic filming locations, but the best trips go beyond taking one photo and leaving. The real goal is to visit destinations that are cinematic on screen and even richer in real life, with local food, culture, neighborhoods, landscapes, and stories that stand perfectly well without a soundtrack in the background.

What set-jetting really means

Set-jetting means traveling to places seen in movies, TV series, or streaming hits. It can involve exact filming sites, destinations that inspired a story, or regions that became famous thanks to a show. The strongest trip ideas work because the place itself is genuinely worth discovering, not just because it had a close-up.

In other words, it is not only about reenacting a scene with suspiciously committed facial expressions. It is about using pop culture as a spark for a deeper trip. A resort from The White Lotus, a neighborhood from a K-drama, or a dramatic coastline from a blockbuster can open the door to a destination you may never have considered before.

The top destinations inspired by series and films

Some places are leading the trend because they combine recognisable screen appeal with a strong travel identity. They offer famous visuals, but also easy-to-build itineraries, memorable food, and experiences that make sense even if someone in your group has never watched the show. That balance is what turns a screen-inspired stop into a real holiday.

Thailand for The White Lotus glow-up

Thailand is one of the most talked-about screen-inspired destinations right now thanks to The White Lotus. Its appeal lies in the mix of tropical luxury, island scenery, and urban contrast, making it easy to pair beach time with culture, nightlife, and food-focused travel.

Fans are drawn to places such as Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok, where glamorous hotels and polished backdrops helped shape the show’s mood. But away from the camera angles, Thailand gives you much more: longtail boat trips, night markets, Buddhist temples, spicy street food, and the kind of sunsets that look edited even when they are very much real.

• Koh Samui for beach resorts and laid-back island days
• Phuket for luxury stays, boat excursions, and easy island hopping
• Bangkok for rooftop bars, historic temples, and sharp city energy

South Korea for K-dramas and cinema lovers

South Korea has become essential for travelers inspired by K-dramas and Korean cinema. The country offers a mix of contemporary city life, café culture, mountain landscapes, royal history, and trend-setting neighborhoods. It is an ideal choice for anyone who wants a trip with both emotional scenery and real urban substance.

In Seoul, you can move from palace courtyards to neon-lit streets in the same afternoon. That contrast is exactly why the city works so well on screen. Fans of K-dramas often seek out riverside walks, film-famous neighborhoods, street-food markets, and elegant cafés that feel like the setting for a life-changing conversation over iced coffee. Main-character energy? Extremely available.

Beyond Seoul, destinations like Incheon, Busan, and the Korean countryside offer very different moods, from coastal romance to slower landscapes that regularly appear in emotional plot twists and healing arcs.

England for Bridgerton and period-drama charm

England remains one of the strongest choices for travelers who love costume dramas and literary adaptations. It combines preserved architecture, stately homes, walkable historic cities, and countryside landscapes that feel naturally cinematic. The result is a destination where screen nostalgia and cultural travel fit together seamlessly.

Bath is an obvious highlight for anyone obsessed with Bridgerton, but it is worth visiting even without the fandom factor. Georgian streets, elegant crescents, tearooms, and Roman history make it an easy weekend break or a stop on a wider UK itinerary. You arrive for the drama, then stay because the city is genuinely gorgeous.

Croatia for fantasy worlds and medieval backdrops

Croatia stands out for travelers who want fortified cities, coastal views, and old towns that already look like a set. Its strongest appeal comes from the way historic urban scenery and seaside travel blend together, especially along the Dalmatian Coast.

Dubrovnik is the best-known example thanks to its role in major fantasy television, but it also delivers as a destination in its own right. City walls, limestone streets, sea views, and island excursions make it a strong option for both short breaks and longer multi-stop trips. Bonus: your camera roll will work overtime here.

New Zealand for epic fantasy landscapes

New Zealand is one of the world’s most famous filming-inspired destinations because its landscapes are so visually distinctive. Volcanic plateaus, green hills, alpine regions, and dramatic coasts make it ideal for travelers drawn to epic scenery and road-trip freedom.

The country is forever linked with The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, especially sites like Hobbiton and the volcanic terrain of the North Island. Yet the real travel value goes far beyond the film connection. Hiking, Māori culture, wine regions, adventure sports, and wide-open nature make New Zealand a dream trip even for people who cannot tell Frodo from Bilbo. Risky sentence, we know.

Famous film set locations worth adding to your list

Some destinations stand out not because of one title, but because they have appeared in multiple productions over time. These places attract travelers looking for recognisable scenery, but they also offer strong cultural or natural value. Visiting them makes sense whether your watchlist is long, short, or gloriously chaotic.

The most filmed locations in the world and why they matter

The most filmed places tend to share a few traits: visual identity, flexible settings, and strong infrastructure. Cities like New York, London, and Los Angeles appear constantly on screen, while destinations such as Morocco, Malta, and Croatia are often used for historical, fantasy, or desert scenes.

For travelers, this matters because these locations usually offer more than one screen reference. A single trip can include several cinematic touchpoints, making the experience broader and more rewarding. You may arrive with one title in mind and leave with ten accidental “wait, this was filmed here too?” moments.

How to plan a screen-inspired trip well

The best approach is to treat filming locations as part of a wider itinerary. That means checking whether sites are public, grouping nearby stops together, and leaving time for local experiences unrelated to the show. A good screen-inspired trip should still feel complete even if one location is inaccessible.

1. Choose a destination first, not only a scene. Make sure the place offers enough to fill several days.
2. Verify access. Some hotels, estates, or private sites can only be visited with a booking or guided tour.
3. Travel beyond the set. Add markets, museums, hikes, beaches, or food experiences.
4. Consider timing. Off-season travel often means fewer crowds and better rates.
5. Respect local life. Many famous spots are real neighborhoods, not theme parks.

Where to start if you want the best of set-jetting abroad

The easiest starting point is to match your favorite on-screen mood with the kind of trip you actually want. Tropical drama points to Thailand, urban romance to South Korea or Japan, medieval intrigue to Croatia, and grand historical style to England. The right choice depends on whether you want beaches, cities, culture, or nature to lead the itinerary.

That is the sweet spot of the best set-jetting destinations: they are not fun only because you saw them on screen. They work because they give you something real to experience once the fantasy wears off and the trip begins. And honestly, if a place still feels magical without background music, that is a very good sign.

If you are ready to turn your watchlist into a passport stamp, explore the WeRoad group trips for destinations like Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Croatia, and beyond.