I spent seven years living in New York and in that time I would often fly down to the southern states for a weekend break. It was during one of these trips to Charlotte in North Carolina that I heard the coastal town of Wilmington referred to as Hollywood East, and was surprised to learn that this was thanks to the amount of filming that took place here. A little more digging and I found that 90s TV classics including Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill were shot in town, while across the state of North Carolina cameras have rolled for blockbusters including Forrest Gump, Dirty Dancing and The Green Mile (to name just a few).
Visiting the destination where a favourite film or TV series has been filmed has become something of a trend – earning the name “set-jetting”. In fact, on the Travel Desk we often write about filming destinations, whether it’s the places James Bond movies were shot, a round-up of all the White Lotus hotels, or the Cotswolds towns you may recognise on the latest seasons of Rivals. Below Natalie has shared some of our writers’ favourite spots that you might recognise from the big and small screens.
Read my full article on North Carolina filming locations
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It’s not surprising that the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum in Jordan has been used as a filming location - the desert has a long list of film credits, including Star Wars, Dune, The Martin and Lawrence of Arabia. It’s a truly remarkable place, dotted with desert camps where you can explore by camel or 4x4, sandboard down the dunes and spend nights gazing at a sky full or stars.
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Scene-stealing destinations
I have never intentionally “set-jetted” – the art of travelling to visit the real-life backdrops behind the films and TV shows we see on screen. And yet, I have consistently been sidetracked by former film sets on my travels.
What remains of the Pirates of the Caribbean set in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Wallilabou Bay was a trip highlight, as was standing on the inspiration for the Lion King’s “Pride Rock” in Kenya’s Borana Conservancy. I’m sure fellow tourists will also agree that my rendition of the Lizzie McGuire Movie “What Dreams Are Made Of” elevated historic sites such as the Trevi Fountain on a recent trip to Rome.
In 2025, Expedia revealed that 81 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers now plan their holiday based on locations featured in film and television as part of their 2026 “Set-Jetting Forecast”.
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'The White Lotus’ was filmed at several hotels across Koh Samui and Phuket
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Sites such as Hobbiton in New Zealand have long welcomed throngs of The Lord of the Rings fans, while the “White Lotus effect” redirected tourist trends to Hawaii and Sicily with tourism surges of up to 300 per cent year-on-year after season one and two of the dark HBO comedy.
Last year, global travel editor Annabel Grossman travelled to Thailand for a taste of the latest season “fuelled by a desire to see this part of Southeast Asia before the White Lotus crowds descend and make the islands even busier”.
A trip to Charleston similarly found Annabel on the set of one of Hollywood’s greatest love stories – The Notebook. She wrote: “Two decades ago, film producers came to South Carolina to scout locations for a new film based on the novel The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. With its historic mansions, beautifully preserved architecture and horse-drawn carriages slowly clopping through the city streets, they fell for Charleston.”
Would I have battled the seagulls of Barry Island if not for the influence of Gavin & Stacey? Or crossed Malta’s bastions by boat without the promise to see the stones of Gladiator? Maybe not.
Clearly the urge to step into our favourite stories can dictate where we travel, consciously or not. I’d brace for crowds at the next Bond backdrop, wherever that may be.
Read more about our set-jetting adventures here
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Adventure from Peaks to Sea
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Hike Blue Ridge trails, raft wild rivers, bike scenic routes and spot wild horses. In North Carolina, unforgettable outdoor adventures stretch from mountains to coast. Plan your trip.
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Craving adventure? Discover the contrasts of Chile with this discounted tour from Exoticca. Explore vibrant cities and otherworldly lunar landscapes before uncovering the magic of Easter Island and its iconic Moai statues. An unforgettable journey!
Includes flights, hotels, breakfast, transfers, guided tours and activities. Learn more.
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Dreaming of escape? Swap the winter chill for sun, sea and savings with these great-value holiday packages.
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A little planning goes a long way. Save up to 25% on hotel stays worldwide with discount code: "PREPAID".
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As visitor numbers drop across the Middle East, Tamara Davison meets the people who are keeping Oman’s tourism industry afloat
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Hayley Spencer has your guide to the Isle of Wight town with a mild microclimate, an exciting locavore food scene and a distinct Mediterranean look
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From sprawling estates to polo clubs, here are the lavish locations behind Jilly Cooper's countryside “bonkbuster”
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After the Shift day retreat, Niki Cottrell leaves feeling lighter and more connected to herself than she has in years
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Back in my backpacking days in my twenties, I was always a little envious of the more organised travellers. You know the ones: sporting waterproof backpacks, all the right gear and everything neatly packed away. Meanwhile, I'd be clambering onto a packed coach with my rather holey bag, silently praying my increasingly battered backpack would survive the journey in the luggage compartment!
Thankfully, I've become a little more seasoned when it comes to travelling – and much better prepared. Whether it's DEET for mosquitoes, SPF at the ready or quality luggage that can withstand the demands of an adventure, I've learnt that a little preparation goes a long way.
And when it comes to luggage, the right case can make all the difference. Whether you're planning a stylish weekend in Paris, exploring the streets of Rome or escaping to the Mediterranean sunshine, a chic, compact cabin case, like our expert's favourite from Antler, is perfect for shorter trips. It's also worth having a smaller, more affordable option, like this £20 wheeled suitcase, which is designed to fit on most budget airlines.
Dreaming of a longer escape? If the chilly UK temperatures have you longing for two weeks in the Caribbean or somewhere further afield, a spacious, stylish hold suitcase is a must. Look for lightweight designs, smooth-gliding wheels, sturdy handles and clever compartments to make travelling that little bit easier. Our expert picks include this sleek suitcase from July and M&S's hard-shell wheeled suitcase. Add a few packing cubes and a handy overnight bag, and you'll be ready for anything.
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