Detours Gay Travel Blog

Set‑Jetting for Gay Travelers: Step Into Iconic Screen Moments

• Detours
• Jun 26, 2025

Ever watch a film or TV series and think, “Where the heck is that”? That’s the appeal of set‑jetting... visiting real-world locations that you've oogled at on the big screen. Your next vacation can be more than sightseeing. Some places can feel like you're living your own cinematic journey, complete with stunning visuals, authentic local life, and a group of fun fellow travelers to experience it with.

Here are five Detours trips that offer genuine set‑jetting moments:

1. Greece: Live the Mamma Mia! Fantasy

Trip: 11‑day Greece – Athens, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos 

Cinematic Highlights:

• Athens (Days 1–2): Start under the Acropolis and Parthenon - classic backdrops for Greece’s cinematic identity. Then hit the lively Monastiraki and Gazi districts to soak up the city’s modern, exuberant energy 
• Milos & Santorini (Days 3–7): Think “postcard Greece” - cliffside villages, azure waters, sunset views. ATV across Milos’s wild terrain, and feel like you're in the finale of a romance‑comedy in Santorini.
• Mykonos (Days 8–11): Dance through this gay‑friendly island’s glamour, beach, and nightlife scenes, reminiscent of travel shows that spotlight Mediterranean luxury.

Why it works: This trip blends iconic film scenery with gay island culture - all set against that signature bright-white and cobalt-blue backdrop.

2. Croatia: Step Into Game of Thrones

Trip: 10‑day Croatia – Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik

Blockbuster Backdrops:

• Zagreb kicks things off with Eastern European charm (Day 1).
• Plitvice National Park (Day 2): Stunning waterfalls and emerald lakes feel straight out of an epic fantasy.
• Split (Days 3–4): Wander through Diocletian’s Palace and medieval lanes - the real Dubrovnik to King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.
• Hvar (Days 5–7): Enjoy high-season island vibes - seaside meals, historic forts, beautiful bays.
• Dubrovnik (Days 8–10): A full immersion into Westeros. Walk the massive city walls, cross Fort Lovrijenac, and feel like you're inside the royal court.

Why it works: It’s epic TV meets Adriatic culture - set‑jetting for fantasy lovers, grounded in real‑life charm.

3. New Zealand: Live the Epic Middle‑Earth Adventure

Trip: 11‑day New Zealand – Auckland, Rotorua (with Hobbiton!), Wellington, Queenstown

Fantasy & Nature on Set:

• Auckland (Days 1–3): City vibes and wine‑country serenity set the stage for the adventure ahead .
• Rotorua & Hobbiton (Days 4–6): Wander through the Shire on a guided Hobbiton tour - complete with hobbit‑holes and rolling green hills.
• Queenstown (Days 9–11): The ultimate adventure hub - jet‑boats, bungee jumps, and alpine vistas that feel cinematic even off-screen .

Why it works: It merges blockbuster fantasy with adrenaline-fueled reality, all while traveling with a fun new crew of fellow travelers.

4. Scandinavia: A Bridgerton‑Modern Take

Trip: 11‑day Scandinavia – Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm

Regency‑Style Yet Modern:

• Copenhagen (Days 1–3): Glide past canals on bike tours, explore artisan cafés, and breathe designer‑city luxury .
• Overnight Cruise to Oslo (Day 3‑4): Evokes a feeling of setting out on a grand European adventure.
• Oslo to Bergen via Bergen Railway (Days 4–6): Scenic fjords, mountain vistas—spannable backdrops for dramatic storylines .
• Stockholm (Days 6–11): Cobblestones and regal architecture give off quiet courtly elegance. 
• Optional Finland & Estonia Extension adds Helsinki and Tallinn—a Baltic twist to your modern‑Regency fairytale 

Why it works: It mixes classic elegance with modern flair, creating the perfect backdrop for soft‑drama aesthetics and queer-friendly cities.

5. Costa Rica: Feel Like You’re in a Jungle Adventure Film

Trip: 11‑day Costa Rica – San José, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal, Puerto Viejo

Documentary‑Style Drama:

• San José (Day 1): Urban queer nightlife and local cuisine energize the start.
• Manuel Antonio (Days 2–4): This is central America’s gay-friendly beach hotspot, dense wildlife trails, and outdoor adventure.
• Monteverde (Days 5–6): Mist-shrouded cloud forests, zip‑lining through treetops - delivering all the adventure of your favorite jungle series, like Jumangi.
• Arenal Volcano Region (Days 7–9): Hike to La Fortuna waterfall, walk hanging bridges, and soak in volcanic hot springs—movies won’t do it justice.

Why it works: Think nature doc meets adventure thriller, all through a gay‑friendly lens.

🎥 Tips to Film Your Own Travel Story

Pick Your Genre: Want fantasy epics?  Go for NZ or Croatia.  How about lighthearted romance?  That'd be Greece or Scandinavia.  And jungle adventure?  Definitely Costa Rica.  And we're just getting started!  We've got plenty of worthy destinations.

Pack Props Accordingly:  Want to look the part too?  Think flowing whites for Santorini sunsets, protective layers for fjord weather in Norway, and quick-dry gear and insect repellent for rainforest treks.

Plan Cinematic Excursions: Big screen worthy activities include ATV jaunts in Milos, walking through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and zip‑lining Monteverde cloud forests

✨ Why Detours Is the Perfect Storytelling Partner

• Small Group, Big Scenes: With up to 16 travelers on most trips, you find intimacy, flexibility, and real conversations with great people.
• Guaranteed Departures Across 50+ Trips: Every listed tour departs as scheduled with no minimum group numbers because nobody likes a cancelled trip.
• “Structured Spontaneity”: Travel days are planned, but activities offer wiggle room for extras like winery visits or detours to film 
• Queer‑Led With Local Insight: Trips are led by LGBTQ+ leaders who bring insider knowledge and safe spaces wherever you go.

🎬 Roll the Credits on Your Journey

Whether you crave hobbit‑hole enchantment in New Zealand, regal Nordic vibes in Scandinavia, sun‑kissed Greek drama, medieval fortress intrigue in Croatia, or Amazon-fashioning adventure in Peru (among many others), we're here to help you choose the perfect itinerary, and even help prepare your “scene-ready” packing. Let’s make your next adventure truly blockbuster in every sense.