How our Broker Team Would Embrace Set Jetting

Set jetting is a growing travel trend. Have you heard of it? It’s when we’re inspired to visit a location we’ve seen in a top film or TV show. If you watched the Oscars or the BAFTAs, you would have noticed that many nominations were set within desirable destinations.

Did any of the filming locations catch your attention as a possible holiday destination? We asked our broker team which filming locations (from their favourite films and TV shows) they’d most like to visit.

Eastern Europe

Cheryl is a fan of Top Gear’s ‘The Grand Tour’. The programs are entertaining because the presenters motor around countries in ancient automobiles. As they do, hidden insights are shared into each country’s character and environment. Often, these are things about each country that we wouldn’t normally encounter.

Cheryl recently watched  The Central Europe Special (TGT). In this episode, the presenters motored across Eastern Europe. They covered Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. Cheryl was most drawn to Hungary and Slovenia because of their lush landscapes and architecture.

Slovenia is a beautiful country where you can reconnect with nature. For instance, Slovenia’s Green Capitals Route includes the Kočevsko Region. In Kočevsko, you can immerse yourself in a collection of primaeval forests such as the beech forest that is on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. Go forest bathing here for a natural uplift in energy. The beech forest can be reached after arriving at Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana.

Ljubljana is full of green spaces and beautiful architecture. Despite falling to its knees after an earthquake in 1895, architect Jože Plečnik brought it back to life. From taking inspiration from ancient Athens, Baroque, and Renaissance art, the city became full of exclusive architecture. You can explore much of this at a relaxed pace – the city centre is completely car-free.

Five hours east of Ljubljana, you’ll discover that Budapest is adorned with Baroque architecture too. Check out Buda’s Church of St Anne and the Óbuda Parish Church. Its blend of Neoclassical, Eclectic, and Art Nouveau buildings makes it quite unique.

New York

The Devil Wears Prada is one of Rob’s favourite films. It’s set in Paris and New York. Although Rob wouldn’t describe himself as a fashionista the film does showcase some of the Big Apple’s most stunning high-rise buildings, which caught his attention.

Throughout the film, there is plenty of amazing architecture to admire. So, New York would be a top set-jetting adventure.

For instance, the McGraw-Hill Building (330 West 42nd Street) is a powerful-looking, modernist masterpiece. It’s covered in detailed Art Deco terra-cotta panels, which display the name of the building. It may look intimidating to some as it towers 33 stories above street level. However, after recent renovations, the McGraw-Hill Building received a reward.

Union Square, Manhattan, also appears in the film. Here, the characters from the film meet in a quaint coffee shop at 29 Union Square West at East 16th Street. Find it for yourself or book an architecture, history, or food tour to learn about this fascinating neighbourhood. Union Square is a perfect place to sit and people-watch watch too, while tucking into a classic New York sub roll!

In lower Manhattan, north of Canal Street near Broadway, sits 56 Crosby Street. This is the location of a fashion designer, James Holt’s, studio. First a department store and today home to nine residential properties, it remains one of 500 decorative buildings in the area. Admire its cast-iron facades within the cleverly named SoHo Cast Iron Historic District

Built in 1882, the district was constructed to last and is home to artists, shopaholics, and foodies.

New Zealand

After watching The Lord of the Rings, Matt would love to explore the filming locations that appear throughout the trilogy, filmed across 150 locations in New Zealand. Known for its mysterious mountains, wild lands, and green open spaces, Matt would be in his element within ‘Middle-earth’.  The closest he can currently get to this setting is Wales.

However, it is possible to step onto the set of Hobbiton. Venture to the upper north island within the wild Waikato region. Then, on the edge of the farming town of Matamata, you’ll discover the home of the Hobbits – Hobbiton – which is southwest of Matamata.

While Hobbiton would be an experience of a lifetime for Matt, there is plenty more to see in the surrounding area. With the extensive native and exotic forests to explore and New Zealand’s largest Lake and river (the Waikato River), Matamata has always been an awe-inspiring place to visit.

After exploring the Waikato region and Hobbiton, go for a walk to admire Wairere Falls and the blissful Blue Spring to escape the crowds. Then, like the characters in The Lord of the Rings, embark on an adventure from Matamata to the other locations that appeared in the film! For instance, Ruapehu: The Forbidden Pool (Tawhai Falls) can be found within Tongariro National Park, where Frodo and Faramir captured Gollum.

On the South Island, explore the grassy fields beneath the mountains within Mackenzie Country by booking a tour in Twizel. Here, you can visit where the Battle of Pelennor Fields was filmed. This is the scene in the final film where the orcs battled with the men of Gondor and Rohan.

P J Hayman provides travel insurance for set-jetting

Have we given you an insight into the set-jetting trend?

After reading which set-jetting destinations our broker team wishes to visit, which set will you visit on holiday? Ask your friends and colleagues where they’d go or inspire your clients!

However, don’t forget to source a suitable travel insurance policy from P J Hayman to travel, with confidence