From screen to suitcase: TV shows to inspire your next vacation
From screen to suitcase: TV shows to inspire your next vacation
We're in our binge-watching era, and many of today's popular TV shows are set in some seriously dreamy locales that inspire "set-jetting," where fans book trips to places they see on TV shows. As you plan your next vacation, consider seeing some of the small screen's most famous sights. Read on for some of our top "set-jetting" picks.
Castles, challenges, and couture: The Traitors' Scottish adventure
On The Traitors, two things stick out: the contestants' backstabbing behavior and the stunning Scottish scenery. With its setting in a 19th century castle and challenges taking place in the green countryside, The Traitors is pretty much an infomercial for Scottish tourism featuring a bunch of former reality stars.
The Traitors is filmed in Ardross Castle near the town of Alness, which is about a 40-minute drive from Inverness, the largest city in the Scottish Highlands. The Highlands are a breathtaking region in Northern Scotland known for their rugged landscapes, mountains, lochs, and ancient castles.
Surprisingly, Ardross Castle is not a hotel - its famous breakfast is only put on for The Traitors. The contestants leave every night to sleep at a hotel. Even host Alan Cumming doesn't stay at the castle, as he revealed to The Daily Beast. Ardross Castle is privately owned and doesn't offer tours. But if you're in the market to host a wedding or other event in the Scottish Highlands, check them out here.
While seeing The Traitors castle might be out of the cards for most travelers, you can still don your finest tartan and tromp through the picturesque Scottish Highlands. And there’s much to enjoy - National Geographic named the Highlands one of its 25 "Best of the World" destinations in 2023.
CIE Tours offers several all-inclusive vacations to Scotland, from quick 6-day trips to longer tours that also visit Ireland and England. If you're dying to make the trek to Scotland, talk to a AAA Travel Advisor today. And look for the latest season of The Traitors US on Peacock beginning Jan. 9, 2025.
From Maui to Sicily: Luxurious escapes inspired by HBO's The White Lotus
HBO's The White Lotus is a fascinating look at the people who work and vacation at luxury hotels. While some of the situations the characters find themselves in are not exactly enviable, their locations certainly are.
The show's first season took place in Hawaii and was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. It's a AAA Five Diamond property fit for those who can afford the very best, just like the guests of The White Lotus. On the show, Shane's mother books the coveted "Pineapple Suite" for her son's honeymoon, but in real life, it's called the Lokelani Presidential Suite. The luxurious suite is over 4,500 square feet with three bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two living rooms, and runs for $29,000/night. No wonder Shane was so angry when he didn't get the right room!
Even if you're not as wealthy as some of these characters, you can still take a White Lotus-inspired escape to Maui. The show was filmed in Wailea, an upscale resort community with a serene and exclusive vibe. It's a popular destination for travelers who seek a more relaxed vacation. Wailea offers a variety of resort options, from ultra-luxury like the Four Seasons, to more affordable properties like Marriott's Wailea Beach Resort. And you can always save up and splurge on a spa treatment or dinner at one of the luxury resorts!
AAA Travel works with Pleasant Holidays, an expert in Hawaiian vacations. Our Travel Advisors can help you plan the perfect Hawaiian trip for you and your budget.
The second season of The White Lotus took place in jaw-droppingly gorgeous Sicily, with the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace playing the role of The White Lotus. The characters make the most of their Italian location and visit several parts of Sicily, including Taormina, Palermo, Cefalù, and Noto.
Originally constructed in the 15th century as a monastery, the San Domenico Palace is situated on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea and offers views of Mount Etna and the Greek theater. The five-star luxury hotel features the clifftop infinity pool featured on The White Lotus, magnificent gardens, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Principe Cerami. The hotel is closed for the season and reopens March 1, 2025. Rates can vary by room type, ranging from around $1,100 to over $4,000 per night.
Travelers can also stay at the villa Daphne and Harper travel to in Noto, although in real life, it's located in Palermo. Villa Tasca is available to book on Airbnb, and you'd be in good company - guests like Jacqueline Kennedy and Otto, Prince of Bismarck have stayed at the home. The palazzo is on a 20-acre estate and includes four bedrooms and a swimming pool. And it's (slightly) more affordable than the Pineapple Suite at around $6,000 per night.
Ready to turn your White Lotus Sicily dreams into reality? Our AAA Travel Advisors can craft the perfect Sicilian getaway to match your wanderlust and wallet. And get ready for The White Lotus season three, which was filmed in Thailand and will air on HBO in 2025. We can't wait to see the breathtaking scenery and buzz-worthy story.
Parisian dreams: Living out your Emily in Paris fantasy
French tourism is so haute right now, with Netflix's Emily in Paris inspiring even more travelers to head to the City of Light. In Emily in Paris, the title character lives a rom-com dream when she accepts a job in Paris. Travelers can visit the sights from the show by taking one of many Emily in Paris-inspired walking tours.
Emily's Paris apartment is in the Latin Quarter, next to the Panthéon, a monument and mausoleum of great French citizens including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie. Gabriel's restaurant really is just down the street from her apartment, although in real life, it's an Italian restaurant called Terra Nerra.
Another filming location is next to the restaurant - La Boulangerie Moderne, where Emily enjoys pain au chocolat. To see the exterior of Emily's office, head to the center of Paris, just a stone's throw from the Louvre at 6 Place de Valois. Take your lunch break at the nearby Jardin du Palais Royal, where Emily meets her friend Mindy. You can find the exact bench they sat on near the fountain. It has a plaque inscribed with the phrase, "Aujourd'hui, c'est demain et hier qui s'épousent," which translates to, "The present is a marriage of the past and the future." To see even more of Emily's Paris, check out this blog written by a Parisian.
Embark on a quintessentially French adventure that rivals the romantic charm of Emily in Paris. Viking's river cruises invite you to discover the heart of France, from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the sun-drenched vineyards of Bordeaux and the historic shores of Normandy. Plus, take advantage of holiday savings through Dec. 31, 2024!
Exploring the real locations of Schitt's Creek
For a final TV-inspired trip that's a little closer to home, check out the Greater Toronto Area. Fans of the Emmy-winning sitcom Schitt's Creek can say "Ew, David," on a road trip to some of the show's iconic locations.
Don your finest couture and head about an hour and a half northeast of Toronto to Goodwood, Ontario. You'll see many of the exteriors featured on the show, including Bob's Garage, Café Tropical, Rose Apothecary, and the Schitt's Creek Town Hall. Rose Apothecary is a real store named Romni Wools Goodwood, which sells a variety of wool, clothing, accessories, and gifts.
On the show, the Rosebud Motel seems like it's a short walk away from the town, but in real life, it's about an hour and 15-minute drive! The building used as the motel, in Orangeville, Ontario, is still standing, but is not currently a working motel. Stevie must have quit her job.
A bit closer to Toronto is Unionville, where you can see The Blouse Barn, where David worked in Season 2. In real life, it's a paint-your-own pottery store called Crock A Doodle, which we can also see David hating, but secretly enjoying. Main Street Unionville, with its charming cobblestone streets, is a popular filming location for many TV shows, including Gilmore Girls and Suits.
Check out this helpful blog post from Ultimate Ontario for a Schitt's Creek road trip that hits all the memorable locations. And don't forget to use your AAA discount on a hotel (or motel) room!
From backstabbing reality stars to rom-com heroines, from luxury resorts to small-town motels, television has transformed the way we dream about travel. These shows aren't just binge-worthy drama - they're passports to incredible destinations. Grab your remote, pick your favorite series, and start planning your next adventure.
Inspired to discover your favorite TV location on vacation? Let AAA's travel experts help you plan a blockbuster trip!