For Mediterranean Drama: Sicily, Italy
HBO’s *The White Lotus* turned Sicily into the world’s most coveted and chaotic vacation spot. While you can’t book a room with Jennifer Coolidge, you can immerse yourself in the same sun-drenched drama and breathtaking beauty. The show’s second season
was filmed primarily in Taormina, a stunning hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. The real-life hotel, the San Domenico Palace, A Four Seasons Hotel, is the star, but the entire town feels like a cinematic backdrop. Wander through the ancient Teatro Antico di Taormina, an Greco-Roman theater with jaw-dropping views of the sea and Mount Etna. Stroll down the Corso Umberto, the town’s main thoroughfare, and find a cafe for a granita, just as the characters did. The allure isn’t just the luxury; it’s the intoxicating blend of history, volcanic landscapes, and coastal Italian life that the series captured so perfectly.
For Epic Fantasy: Dubrovnik, Croatia
For years, *Game of Thrones* fans have flocked to Dubrovnik to walk the streets of King's Landing. The city’s magnificent medieval walls, terracotta roofs, and seaside cliffs were the perfect stand-in for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. You can trace Cersei's 'walk of shame' down the Jesuit Staircase or gaze out from Fort Lovrijenac, the real-life Red Keep, which offers panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. Local tour operators offer specialized *GoT* walking tours that point out every nook and cranny used for filming, from the Pile Gate to the fictional brothels of Petyr Baelish. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, the UNESCO World Heritage site is a marvel of preservation, a living museum of maritime history that feels like stepping into another, more epic, era.
For Grand Adventure: New Zealand
Peter Jackson’s adaptation of *The Lord of the Rings* was as much a love letter to J.R.R. Tolkien’s work as it was to his native New Zealand. The country’s otherworldly landscapes became Middle-earth, and you can still explore them today. The most famous destination is the Hobbiton Movie Set, a permanent attraction near Matamata where you can tour the meticulously reconstructed hobbit holes and have a pint at the Green Dragon Inn. For a more rugged experience, head to Tongariro National Park, whose volcanic terrain served as the menacing land of Mordor—you can even hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, often cited as one of the best one-day hikes in the world, to see Mount Ngauruhoe, the stand-in for Mount Doom. From the sweeping plains of Rohan to the mystical forests of Lothlórien, New Zealand offers a chance to build your own fellowship and embark on an unexpected journey.
For Gritty Americana: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Not all screen-inspired travel requires a passport. The desert landscapes and unassuming suburban streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico, became characters in their own right in the acclaimed series *Breaking Bad* and *Better Call Saul*. Fans can take a self-guided tour of the city’s most iconic, and often mundane, locations. You can see Walter White’s modest family home (please be respectful of the real-life owners), grab a bite at Twisters, which served as the Los Pollos Hermanos fast-food joint, or get your car cleaned at the Octopus Car Wash (A1A Car Wash in the show). The stark beauty of the high desert, the wide-open skies, and the unique adobe architecture provide a backdrop that is instantly recognizable. It’s a different kind of pilgrimage—one that finds the mythic in the mundane and celebrates the unique sense of place that made the shows feel so real.
For Historical Elegance: Highclere Castle, England
If your tastes run more toward period dramas and aristocratic poise, then Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, is your destination. Known to millions as the titular home in *Downton Abbey*, this Victorian-era country house is a real place with a rich history, and it opens its doors to the public on select days throughout the year. You can tour the grand state rooms, including the library and dining room, where so many of the Crawley family’s dramas unfolded. The experience feels like stepping directly onto the set, as the rooms are almost exactly as they appear on screen. Afterward, you can explore the magnificent grounds designed by the famed landscape architect Capability Brown. It’s a chance to not only connect with a beloved show but also to experience a piece of authentic English heritage that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
