Travel Bucket List for 2025: Where to Set-Jet This Year

Have you ever thought about traveling to a location featured in one of your favorite movies or TV shows? You’re not alone. “Set-jetting” – traveling to entertainment-inspired destinations – is one of the hottest travel trends shaping up for 2025.

According to Expedia’s highly anticipated Unpack ’25, movies and TV shows continue to be a significant source of travel inspiration. First identified as a trend in 2023, set-jetting has only gained momentum, with more travelers packing their bags to experience on-screen destinations in real life.

Ready to discover where your favorite stories were brought to life? Here’s a roundup of some of the top entertainment-inspired destinations to add to your travel bucket list in 2025.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, the vibrant coastal gem of South Africa (and one of my favorite cities on the planet), served as the backdrop for Netflix’s live-action One Piece. From breathtaking landscapes, rich multicultural heritage, and world-class culinary options, Cape Town has something for everyone.

Best Time to Visit: October – February

Top Things to Do:

• Explore Kirstenbosch Gardens: Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, you’ll find more than 7,000 plant species in this botanical paradise. Don’t miss the free guided tours offered throughout the day – they’re actually great.
• Afternoon Tea at Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel: Indulge in a luxurious English tea service at Cape Town’s iconic “Pink Lady,” featuring a spread of delicious finger sandwiches, scones, and petit fours. 
• Hike Lion’s Head: A moderately challenging trek with some rock scrambling and ladder climbing required, it’s well worth the panoramic views from the top and easily one of Cape Town’s most Instagrammable spots.
• Visit the District Six Museum: The museum pays homage to the mixed-race District Six community in Cape Town who were forced from their homes in the 1970s. The guides at the museum are usually former residences of District 6, allowing for a firsthand account of its history.
• Stroll Through Bo Kaap: Famous for its colorful Cape Dutch homes and cobblestone streets, this historic Cape Malay area of Cape Town has a rich and complex history that dates back to the 1760s, when these houses were rented to enslaved people from various Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India.
• Take a Cape Peninsula Road Trip: Take the scenic coastal route to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse and the south western most point of Africa – the Cape of Good Hope. Don’t miss the African penguins at Boulders Beach and the charming seaside villages of St. James and Muizenberg.

Rome, Italy

Rome’s grandeur is the stuff of legends. With the recent release of Gladiator II, 2025 is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the Eternal City’s rich history and architecture (though I can’t promise you’ll run into Paul Mescal).

Best Time to Visit: April-June, September-November

Top Things to Do:

• Tour the Legendary Colosseum: Step back in time at this iconic amphitheater, once home to gladiator battles and grand spectacles. 
• Marvel at Michelangelo’s Frescoes in the Sistine Chapel: Located within Vatican City, this masterpiece is a must-see, and even more awe-inspiring in real life than it is in photos.
• Toss a Coin in the Trevi Fountain: Legend has it, a coin tossed here guarantees a return to Rome. Make sure to get there early (before 8 am) to avoid the massive crowds throughout the day.
• Admire the Ancient Beauty of the Pantheon: A stunning testament to Roman engineering, the former Roman temple and, since 609 A.D., a Catholic church, is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings still in existence.
• Embrace the Coffee Culture: Start your day like a local with a perfectly brewed espresso or cappuccino. Skip the tourist traps in favor of Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè or Tazza d’Oro for an authentic Roman experience.
• Indulge in Classic Roman Pastas: Rome is a food lover’s paradise. Treat your taste buds to local favorites like cacio e pepe, carbonara, and amatriciana at trattorias like Roscioli or Trattoria Pennestri.

Paris, France

Whether you’re a fan of Emily in Paris or simply enchanted by the city’s timeless charm, Paris remains the enduring favorite for set-jetters in 2025.

Best Time to Visit: April-May, September-October

Top Things to Do:

• Visit a Lesser-Known Museum: You shouldn’t skip the Louvre – especially if it’s your first time in Paris – but know that there are artistic treasures to be found at Musee d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, and Musee National Picasso.
• Enjoy the Parisian Parks: Carve out time to find an empty bench and just enjoy Paris’ green spaces. Some of my favorites include Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin du Palais Royal, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and Jardin des Tuileries.
• Sunrise at Sacre Coeur: One of the greatest sunrise spots in all of Paris, start your day with breathtaking views right in the heart of Montmartre. 
• Picnic by the Eiffel Tower: Experience the quintessential Parisian while lounging on the Champ de Mars, a large public greenspace near the Eiffel Tower. Grab a baguette, cheese, and wine and recharge.
• Get Lost in Marais: A trendy and vibrant arrondissement in Paris on the bank of the Seine, this neighborhood is a haven for art, fashion, and food lovers. You can easily spend an entire day here.
• Catacombs of Paris: Descend into Paris’ haunting underground tunnels, where millions of skeletons rest in a unique, eerie tribute to the city’s past.

Phuket, Thailand

Following in the footsteps of The White Lotus seasons one and two, season 3 is expected to have a massive impact on tourism. While there haven’t been any specific luxury resorts confirmed as filming locations yet, the season has been widely rumored to be taking place in Koh Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. With its golden beaches and lush greenery, Phuket is a destination primed for adventure and relaxation alike.

Best Time to Visit: November – March

Top Things to Do:

• Stroll Through Old Town: Small enough to explore on foot, Phuket’s picturesque historical quarter is home to gorgeous old buildings, museums, and boutique shops, and is steeped in cultural heritage. 
• Visit the Big Buddha: You can’t go to Phuket and miss the big Buddha. Literally, you can’t miss it – the statue is 148 feet tall and easily seen from most places in the south, offering incredible panoramic views of the island.
• Island Hop: Spend a day exploring the nearby Phi Phi Islands, famous for their crystal-clear waters and dramatic limestone cliffs.
• Wat Chalong: Wat Chalong is the largest and most important Buddhist template on Phuket, visited by both local worshippers and tourists alike. 
• Experience Bangla Road: A crowded but lively strip at the heart of Phuket nightlife, here you’ll find  a mix of bars, live music venues, nightclubs, and go-go bars.
• Savor Street Food at Naka Market: This bustling weekend market is packed with street food vendors whipping up all sorts of authentic Thai dishes at budget-friendly prices.

New York City, United States

Sex and the City and And Just Like That… have long kept a spotlight on the iconic background that is Manhattan, and 2025 shows no signs of that slowing down. Scenes in the newest season have been shot in Washington Square Park, the Lincoln Center, and Times Square. 

Best Time to Visit: April-June, September-November

Top Things to Do:

• See a Show on Broadway: Nothing compares to the magic of live theater in the world’s most famous theater district, whether it’s a classic or a new hit. 
• Eat Pizza Like a Local: There’s a never-ending debate on where to find the city’s best pizza but, luckily, you’re never more than a few blocks away from a really incredible slice — no visit is complete without it. Go for a famous, classic slice at Joe’s, a square slice at L&B Spumoni Gardens, or treat yourself to an elevated slice at L’Industrie Pizzeria. 
• Spend a Day in Central Park: Stretching from 59th to 110th Street, and from 5th to 8th Avenue, Central Park is a sprawling urban oasis that gives reprieve from the hustle and bustle.
• Visit World-Class Museums: There is no shortage of museums in New York City. While it’s impossible to visit them all, here are a few that are definitely worth a visit for a dose of cultlure and creativity: the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and the MET. 
• Swing By Times Square: As a local, I want to tell you not to visit Times Square. But if you’re visiting, it’s something you should see at least once. Snap a photo, soak up the neon lights, and move on to a less crowded neighborhood.
• World Trade Center Memorial: In the original footprints where the World Trade Center Towers stood, you’ll now find  a sobering yet beautiful tribute to lives lost. The sounds of two massive water features, surrounded by the names of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, momentarily drown out the sounds of the city.