Welcome to the 2026 Emmy season, which means it’s time to do what any reasonable person would do: ignore the actual awards and figure out how these shows can inspire your next vacation. Some are obvious. Others require a little digging. And one involves travel to an entirely different continent.
The Traitors – Inverness, Scotland
If The Traitors has taught us anything, it’s that Scotland has an abundance of castles, fog, and people who look suspicious standing around fireplaces. The show is filmed at Ardross Castle, located just outside Inverness, and offers the kinds of forests that may have you quietly thinking, “I could totally get murdered here.”
Base yourself in the Capital of the Highlands for easy access to whisky distilleries, Loch Ness, and the Isle of Skye. Inverness is filled with historical landmarks, stunning landscapes, and plenty of opportunities to wear your favorite sweater.
Pluribus – New Mexico
Pluribus gives us another excuse to visit New Mexico, with Albuquerque and its surrounding area standing in for the show’s strange and increasingly unsettling world.
Build a trip around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Jemez Springs, venture towards White Sands National Park for otherworldly scenery, or lean into the sci-fi side of things at the Very Large Array.
Widow’s Bay – Cape Ann, Massachusetts
The fictional Widow’s Bay may not exist, but you can get surprisingly close.
The series was filmed around Massachusetts, including Rockport and Gloucester, making Cape Ann the perfect destination for exploring rocky coastlines, harbor towns, and experiencing the sensation of small-town mystery.
Wander Rockport’s picturesque streets and Bearskin Neck peninsula before heading to Gloucester (rhymes with ‘foster’) for grittier, commercial fishing village vibes.
All Her Fault – Melbourne + Mornington Peninsula, Australia
While the original book is set in Dublin, and the series is set in Chicago, All Her Fault actually filmed in and around Melbourne, Australia. Which is convenient because Melbourne is an easy destination to spend several days eating, wandering, and pretending you understand Australian footy.
Tack on a few days in the Mornington Peninsula relaxing in coastal, beach towns, soaking up natural hot springs, and visiting world-class wineries, and you’ve created the perfect vacation recipe.
Death By Lightning – Budapest, Hungary
Because why wouldn’t an American historical drama be filmed in Budapest? Death by Lightning filmed extensively in Hungary, with the capital city standing in for 19th-century America.
James Garfield never wandered around Hungary, but you can. Visit Budapest’s grand boulevards, museums, thermal baths, and ruin bars knowing you’re standing somewhere that convincingly pretended to be Ohio.
The Gilded Age – Newport, Rhode Island
Looking to vacation like The Gilded Age characters? Newport, Rhode Island is the answer.
Between 1870-1910, lavish mansions began popping up across Newport as America’s wealthiest families competed to outdo one another. Several of them, including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff, have appeared in the show.
Bad Bunny – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
As if we need another reason to visit Puerto Rico.
Make San Juan your home base for colorful streets, excellent food, nightlife, beaches, and a thriving music scene, then venture beyond the capital if you have more time.
This one isn’t about tracking down a specific location. It’s about following the cultural footprint of one of the biggest artists in the world back to where it all started.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – British Columbia, Canada
The fictional town of Sowell Bay is set in Washington state, but Deep Cove, British Columbia does an exceptionally convincing backdrop with mountains, forest, water, and the sort of scenery that makes you want to dramatically stare into the distance while contemplating your life choices.
Add Vancouver to the trip and you’ve got an easy combination of urban city, mountains, and waterfront without having to cross an international border twice.
South Park – South America
As Matt Stone and Trey Parker continue having fun with the current political climate, South Park will now be known as South America.
Cartman doesn’t have a favorite empanada shop in Buenos Aires. And Stan has never been to Santiago. Consider this your sign to finally book that trip to South America.
