5 show sets you can actually visit

There are travelers who book their holidays based on the starred restaurants they want to try, the Wonders of the World they want to see at least once in their lifetime, or simply on how free a place is from mass tourism: after all, the feeling of stepping onto an idyllic beach, devoid of people, in the month of August is priceless. Over the years, the phenomenon of “set-jetting” has been increasingly spreading, meaning holidays organized around the locations where famous TV series and movies were filmed. It's not about visiting Disneyland or the Marvel Studios, but rather about walking the same streets where some of the most popular shows of the moment were shot, breathing the same air, and following the same paths as your favorite protagonist. According to an Expedia specialist interviewed by WWD, more and more travelers are planning their vacations based on the locations they see on their screens. To understand which are the most popular destinations, you just need to look at the streaming TV rankings and the most scenic settings - even if some fly to Chicago just to try the delicacies featured in The Bear. Here are some of the most popular destinations for TV series tourists: 

United Kingdom - House of the Dragon 

Last June, HBO's House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones, returned with a second season, reigniting the fan craze surrounding the show. It depicts the reign of the Targaryens against enchanted cliffs and picturesque green expanses, real places that can be explored on foot, without the aid of a dragon. While the first season was filmed in Spain, in stunning locations like Caceres and Granada, in Portugal and England, the latest season finds its set in Wales, in Gwynedd and Anglesey, and in England, in Bourne Wood, Peak District, and Hampshire. From coastal landscapes to inland areas, every location in the latest episodes of House of the Dragon represents a dream destination for all the show's enthusiasts who want to experience the emotions of the Targaryens firsthand.

Chicago - The Bear 

As The Bear, an HBO series that tells the story of a starred chef trying to revive a family restaurant, teaches us, Chicago is not just about deep-dish pizza. Thanks to the show's success, the city's culinary tradition has undergone a rapid revival, especially motivated by the episodes in which Sydney, played by Ayo Edebiri, tours the best restaurants in search of inspiration. Now there are culinary tours that trace the exact flavors of the series (even though Carmy's place doesn't really exist yet), from Mr. Beef to Giant and Pizza Lobo, to experience for a moment the emotions of the characters - except for the adrenaline and stress that the restaurant world demands. 

Sicily - White Lotus 

While the first episodes of White Lotus were set against the backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, the second season sees the star-studded cast, the subject of countless memes, discover some of the most beautiful locations in Sicily. If staying in one of the fantastic hotels featured in the show might require too much financial effort, just venturing into the set locations is enough to generate excitement, with the beautiful Taormina (perfect for day trippers) and the relaxing beaches of Cefalù offering enchanting views at any time of day. In the series, Villa Elena (available for rent, if you're up for it) and Castello degli Schiavi (available for visits), respectively in Camastra and Fiumefreddo, become movie sets, while in Palermo, another stop for the stellar cast of White Lotus' second season, the backdrop is Villa Tasca, once also the residence of Jacqueline Kennedy. Here too, you can stay in the villa for the modest sum of 6,000 euros per night. 

Bath and Windsor - Bridgerton 

All fans of Bridgerton know well that the series is turning into a kind of universe of its own, like Marvel and Disney, so much so that it is now possible to experience events authenticated by the franchise itself. The Queen’s Ball, the themed event that offers the opportunity to participate in a full Regency-style ball, after being launched in Los Angeles, is now available in major U.S. capitals, in Canada, and in Australia, while in England, there are many immersive experiences dedicated to the series, along with guided tours through the main sets (which can also be done independently, with a bit of planning). The Ranger's House, for example, is located in Greenwich, Lady Danbury's in the beautiful Bath, as is Penelope Featherington's house (played by Nicola Coughlan). The most satisfying destinations for fans of the series are certainly Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, Wilton House in Wiltshire, and the park of Windsor Castle, for green walks that evoke the same romance of the latest season of Bridgerton. In addition to the ones mentioned, there are dozens of other destinations, an endless list of palaces, villas, and emotional views that lend themselves perfectly to a themed tour.  

Paris - Emily in Paris  

Although Parisians always seem hostile to tourists, they have not remained indifferent to the fanbase of Emily in Paris. Around the city, there are countless guided tours of the locations featured in the series, from the protagonist's apartment near Plâce de l'Estrapade to her office near Palais Royal. Some of the spots are the most touristy, like Pont Alexandre III or the Café de Flore, while others mainly tell the most romantic moments of Emily's life in the French capital, from Atelier des Lumières to Café de l’Homme. Indeed, there are so many places featured in the show that it's almost impossible to wander around the streets of central Paris without stumbling upon some of the series' sets. With the filming of the fifth season possibly starting any day now, it might even become likely to come across the filming itself in the coming months.