Small screen eye šŸ­

Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! With only five days left in January, we’re in the thick of winter and it’s the perfect season for watching engaging shows on our small screens in front of the fire. I like to think of winter as ā€˜cozy season’ and the perfect time to catch up on viewing binge-worthy series and great movies.

Read on for the scoop on small-screen shows that give the viewer a hefty dose of travel inspiration…

The White Lotus

This edgy HBO series is getting a ton of buzz in the media. The characters are on a luxury vacation where they face compelling, complex, and sometimes disturbing situations while in paradise.

The White Lotus season one takes place in idyllic Maui, Hawaii and was filmed during the pandemic; the characters never left the resort, the incredible Four Seasons Resort Maui. Clients who vacation in Maui have a plethora of outdoor activities to keep them active – plus gorgeous pools and beaches for relaxing and recharging.

Season two brings the characters to charming Sicily, Italy. Shooting locations went beyond the resort making Sicily a very hot destination for 2023. Again, a luxury resort is the central location (another Four Season property) named San Domenico Palace in the charming town of Taormina. If you hope to venture to Sicily, know that it’s a large island with some very cool experiences like wine tasting in the shadow of Mt. Etna.

Whether you dream of Hawaii or Sicily, both places offer incredible hotels and tours that allow you to experience these amazing destinations fully and authentically.

šŸ’ŽHidden Gem Tip: Hidden Gem clients receive VIP perks at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

Glass Onion

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was released in 2022 and transports you to stunning Greece. The estate which serves as the billionaire’s enclave is in reality 5-star Amanzoe resort on the Peloponnesian peninsula. In real life, Amanzoe attracts high-profile, ultra-luxury clientele.

The charming island of Spetses serves as the place where the guests arrive and wait for the yacht that will take them to the estate. Spetses is part of the Saronic island group of Greece and can be reached by ferry or car from Athens. However, you can’t drive your car on the island. Bicycles, walking, water taxis, or even horse-drawn carriage are preferred modes of transportation.

Most Americans vacation in the Cycladic islands of Greece (ex. Santorini), so I appreciated the movie highlighting a less common island and area.

Throwback Series

If you didn’t catch The Night Manager in 2016, put it in your queue for a first-time viewing or a rewatch of all six episodes. This intriguing drama, based on a bestselling novel by John le Carre, was filmed in Monaco, London, Devon (standing in for Cornwall, England), Mallorca (Spain), Marrakech (standing in for Egypt), and Zermatt, Switzerland. Tom Hiddleston plays a hotel night manager who is recruited to investigate illegal arms sales. It’s a good watch with plenty of travel inspiration!

šŸ’ŽHidden Gem Tip: Season one of Outlander (Starz) will whisk you away to Scotland, and you will fall in love with the highlands. Similarly, Poldark (Netflix) will have you dreaming of Cornwall in coastal England.

Inspired? Reach out to me now to get started planning!

Susan

Follow my Facebook and Instagram pages this week for more travel inspiration!

Make your own Wanderlist for 2023! As a reminder, Wanderlist is an online portal where you can research, explore, and create shareable lists of destinations and experiences. Share your list with me so I can make it happen for you.

Share This Post

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Susan Wilson

I’m the founder of Hidden Gem Travel Consulting. As your personal travel advisor, I craft custom worldwide itineraries that astound and inspire you.

BLOG CATEGORIES

Get the Guide!

10 Hidden Gems to Inspire Your Family’s Wanderlist

TRAVEL SERVICES

My signature consultative process uncovers exactly what your family is craving for your next journey—so I can design a tailored, layered experience that speaks to what wowsĀ you.

Looking for something?

Enjoy a Wealth of Travel Resources, Guides, & Services​

All in One Place