The "set-jetting" trend is real. According to Expedia’s 2023 travel trends report, two-thirds of global travelers have considered booking travel to destinations after seeing them on streamed shows or movies, and 39% have actually booked those trips.
Why not cure your wanderlust from your sofa, and start planning a future “set-jetting” adventure? Here are six series released since Memorial Day to binge:
This beautifully bonkers series perfectly walks the tightrope between murder mystery and dark comedy, with its haunting Tasmania locations playing a breakout role. Key locations include Cygnet and the Huon Valley region, Kingston Beach, all within an hour from the Australian island state’s capital of Hobart. The show’s tongue-in-cheek skewering of a Tasmanian winter festival (or rather,”feast-ival”) is perfectly executed – I’m looking at you Dark Mofo!
Whether you love this series, hate this series, or love to hate this series, this continuation of the HBO’s hit Sex and the City, still has one element that can’t be disputed … the fabulousness of New York City! As with its predecessor, dining out is always a feature. Restaurants featured in season two include Daniel, Daniel Boulud’s fine-dining stalwart at 60 East 65th Street, Le Coucou at 138 Lafayette Street and Rosencrans Florist & Café at 7 Greenwich Avenue. This Eater article has the complete list. Bon Appetit!
After the success of season one in Scotland, the series returns with Outlander actor Graham McTavish taking Sam Heughan to his native New Zealand to explore its culture, history and tourist offerings. The four-episode season features an adrenalin junkies’ guide to the long white cloud, exploring indigenous Māori culture, an immersive tour of Kiwi food and drink and the legacy of the Lord of the Rings films.
And speaking of Outlander … it’s the gift that keeps on giving for Scottish Tourism. The series continues to enthrall, immersing viewers from around the world in the beauty and culture of Scotland. Season 7 features such stunning locations such as Midhope Castle, Duncarron Medieval Village and Criacham Dam. For a full list of all the locations used in the series, head to Visit Scotland’s website. There, fans can find tours from a half-day to eight days or longer. For the ultimate fan, check out this 12-day self-drive itinerary.
This endearing coming-of-age series became a global favorite in 2022. Heartstopper’s second season devotes three episodes to an eventful school trip to the French capital. You’ll see some of the City of Light’s most iconic locations, including Montmartre, Pont des Arts, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and of course, the Eiffel Tower, to name a few!
A TV adaption of the popular book trilogy by Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly, a teen who travels every summer to Cousins Beach near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. However, almost all filming took place in Wilmington, North Carolina, and nearby Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. The show’s iconic beach house is located at Porters Neck Plantation on a golf course. The University of North Carolina, Wilmington stood in for Brown University and many town exteriors were shot across the city, with local downtown bars and restaurants featured, such as The Fat Pelican, Rooster and The Crow, and Hell’s Kitchen.
Which shows have you watched this summer that have inspired future travel plans? Send me an email at Malcolm.griffiths@turnerpr.com.
Deadloch photo courtesy of Amazon Prime.
Tyler Wilcox: April 17, 2024
Malcolm Griffiths: April 11, 2024
