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Japan’s magic extends far beyond the hubs of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the three cities that make up the beloved "Golden Route" popular with first time visitors. But with convenient domestic train connections (and now free domestic flights when flying to Japan with Japan Airways!) it’s easier than ever to explore culture, nature, and authentic local encounters off the well-trod path. Do you want to go beyond the standard tourist route on your visit? Here are three inspiring regions away from the crowds to consider for your next journey to this magical nation. Hokkaido & Sapporo – Japan’s Wild North Cooler summer breezes, alpine scenery, and wide-open landscapes make Hokkaido a refreshing escape from the bigger cities in summer. Wander lavender fields in Furano, admire Biei’s Blue Pond, hike Daisetsuzan’s rugged trails, or embrace winter’s powdery calm. In Sapporo, markets brim with ultra-fresh seafood and regional dairy specialties—and a local guide helps you experience it all at your own pace. Explore private tours in Sapporo | See Hokkaido tour options Okinawa & Naha – Where Karate and Longevity Meet Far to the south, Okinawa blends Ryukyuan heritage with a relaxed, wellness-oriented way of life. Visit castles and craft studios, learn about the island’s Blue Zone longevity, and unwind on pristine beaches between bowls of fresh, healthy cuisine. With a private guide, you can tailor a day around culture, nature, and meaningful local encounters. Discover private tours in Naha & Okinawa | Featured: Southern Okinawa Heritage & Hidden Coast Hiroshima, Miyajima & the Art Islands of the Seto Inland Sea Western Japan offers a moving blend of history, spirituality, and contemporary creativity. Reflect at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, ferry to Miyajima to see Itsukushima’s iconic “floating” torii, wander Okayama’s celebrated Korakuen Garden, or head to Naoshima for world-class museums and architecture. Browse private tours in Hiroshima | See Miyajima tour options | Connect with guides on Naoshima Ready to See More of Japan? From Hokkaido’s wild landscapes to Okinawa’s wellness traditions and the artistic shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan really rewards travellers who go beyond the familiar. Book your private guide and discover a side of Japan most visitors never see.

Imagine stones older than the pyramids, castles born from a king’s dreams, and pirate-fueled cities sunk into legend—these are just a few of UNESCO’s freshly crowned World Heritage Sites for 2025, beckoning travellers in 2026 with stories written in stone, myth, and water. UNESCO’s World Heritage List recognizes places of “outstanding universal value,” spanning human history, cultural identity, and natural beauty. At its 47th session in Paris in July 2025, UNESCO added 26 new sites, expanding the global treasure chest past the 1,200-site mark. Here are five of the most compelling new destinations for history-rich journeys in 2026. 1) Megaliths of Carnac and the Shores of Morbihan, France Thousands of standing stones dot Brittany’s windswept landscape in alignments so vast they make Stonehenge seem modest. Dating back more than 6,000 years, the Carnac stones showcase Neolithic ingenuity and spirituality, set amid coastal villages and Atlantic light. Best time to visit: May–June and September for mild weather, long days, and lighter crowds. Find a guide in Brittany, France 2) Palaces of King Ludwig II, Germany Neuschwanstein and its sister palaces (including Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) finally achieved UNESCO recognition in 2025. Their inscription took time due to the rigorous nomination process and the need to demonstrate outstanding universal value. Expect theatrical interiors, romantic silhouettes, and Bavarian mountain backdrops. Best time to visit: September–October for autumn colours, clearer light, and calmer crowds after the summer rush. Find a guide in Bavaria 3) Minoan Palatial Centres, Crete (Greece) There’s far more to Crete than Knossos. The newly inscribed palatial network—Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia—reveals Europe’s earliest advanced civilization through innovative architecture, frescoes, and urban planning. Best time to visit: April–early June or late September–October for warm (not scorching) days and fewer crowds at the archaeological sites. Find a guide in Crete 4) 17th-Century Port Royal, Jamaica Once the Caribbean’s most notorious pirate port—infamously called “the wickedest city on earth”—Port Royal was partially swallowed by the sea after the 1692 earthquake. Today, surviving forts and maritime archaeology offer a vivid window into colonial trade, corsair lore, and dramatic natural history. Best time to visit: December–April (dry season) for sunny skies, cooler breezes, and comfortable exploring. Find a guide in Jamaica 5) Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex, Vietnam This sacred northern-Vietnamese complex interlaces temples, pagodas, and ancient pilgrimage routes through forested hills. It’s a serene blend of Buddhist architecture, cultural memory, and nature, ideal for travellers seeking reflective journeys. Best time to visit: February–April for spring festivals and blooming landscapes, or October–November for cooler, clear conditions. Find a guide in northern Vietnam Final Thoughts These sites aren’t just pins on a map—they’re doorways to eras, emblematic of creativity, struggle, faith, and human transformation. For 2026 travellers, they promise encounters with history that still breathes in stones, palaces, ruins, and sacred landscapes.

A new chapter in travel is here! Welcome to the world of chapter chasing, where bookworms trade bookmarks for boarding passes and let fiction guide their next getaway. Much like “set-jetting” but with a literary twist, this trend is all about following your favorite characters off the page and into the real world, where you can wander the wild moors with Sherlock Holmes, see the streets of Lila and Lenu’s Naples, or bask in Anne Shirley’s Prince Edward Island sunshine. Ready to plot your own storybook escape? Here are 15 destinations where contemporary and classic novels come to life, each with a tour made for literary lovers. Here are 15 destinations where you can follow in the footsteps of your most beloved characters, complete with local tours designed for literary lovers. 1. Forks & Beyond: Twilight and the Pacific Northwest The misty forests and brooding skies of Washington State provided the perfect backdrop for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. From Forks to La Push, fans can soak in the same atmosphere that brought Bella and Edward’s story to life. Read more about the tour... 2. PEI Coastal Romance: This Summer Will Be Different by Carly Fortune Carly Fortune’s latest summer romance unfolds on the breezy, pastel-tinged shores of Prince Edward Island. Let the island’s lighthouses, dunes, and charming fishing villages pull you into the same intoxicating setting that inspired this second-chance love story. And of course we can’t mention PEI and chapter-chasing without including Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Stroll the red dirt roads, explore Green Gables Heritage Place, and feel the same awe that Anne felt when discovering “kindred spirits.” Read more about the tour... 3. Naples, Italy: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels chronicle a lifelong friendship between two women amid the shifting social and political landscape of postwar Naples. Wander the working-class neighbourhoods, bustling piazzas, and coastal paths where Lila and Elena’s complex bond evolved. Read more about the tour... 4. St. Malo, France: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel brings WWII-era St. Malo to vivid life through the eyes of a blind French girl and a German soldier. The town’s walled ramparts and cobbled lanes remain a hauntingly beautiful stage for this story of resilience and humanity. Read more about the tour... 5. Nagasaki, Japan: A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro In his haunting debut novel, Kazuo Ishiguro paints a dreamlike portrait of post-war Nagasaki, where memory and emotion blur into one another. This reflective tour in the birthplace of the Nobel-Prize winning author brings the novel’s shifting moods to life, offering glimpses of the city's quiet resilience and the echoes of its complicated past. Read more about the tour... 6. Barcelona, Spain: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón Few books capture the allure of a city like The Shadow of the Wind captures Barcelona. Gothic architecture, hidden libraries, and mist-shrouded alleys lend themselves to an atmospheric journey that mirrors Zafón’s literary labyrinth. Read more about the tour... 7. Torquay & Greenway: Agatha Christie’s Devon Explore the seaside hometown and beloved holiday estate of the Queen of Crime herself. This tour through Devon is perfect for fans of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, with stops at locations that inspired Christie’s mysteries and mirrored her own life. Read more about the tour... 8. Mumbai, India: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts Gregory David Roberts' epic novel plunges readers into the chaos, colour, and contradictions of Mumbai (Bombay) through the eyes of an escaped convict seeking redemption. This immersive tour with local guide Priya follows in the footsteps of Lin—from the slums and street markets to the city’s hidden corners—bringing the grit and grandeur of Shantaram vividly to life. Read more about the tour... 9. Bath, England: Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary Tour Step into the world of Jane Austen as you explore Bath’s Georgian streets and elegant ballrooms. Celebrating her 250th anniversary, this literary pilgrimage connects fans with the settings and social worlds that inspired Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Read more about the tour... 10. Dartmoor, England: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle The eerie moorlands of Dartmoor set the perfect stage for Sherlock Holmes’ most famous supernatural case. Channel your inner detective as you trace the legend of the Baskerville curse across foggy trails and lonely tors. Read more about the tour... 11. Edinburgh, Scotland: Booklovers’ Literary Walk Explore the UNESCO City of Literature with a tour led by a fellow bibliophile. From Sir Walter Scott to J.K. Rowling, this walking experience threads through the city’s layered literary past, iconic landmarks, and bohemian cafes. Read more about the tour... 12. Dublin, Ireland: A James Joyce Literary Adventure Embark on a deep dive into the Dublin of Ulysses, where every pub, bridge, and market pulses with literary significance. This immersive tour traces Leopold Bloom’s steps and celebrates Ireland’s enduring literary heart. Read more about the tour... 13. New Orleans: The French Quarter for Literature Lovers The sultry, gothic spirit of New Orleans has long captivated American novelists. This tour through the French Quarter celebrates the legendary works of Faulkner, Capote, Tennessee Williams and more, with stories that still echo through wrought-iron balconies and voodoo lore. Read more about the tour... 14. Concord, Massachusetts: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Visit Orchard House and the leafy streets of Concord, the real-life setting behind the March sisters’ adventures. Little Women comes alive through a lens of feminist history, 19th-century New England life, and Alcott’s enduring legacy. Read more about the tour... 15. Canterbury, England: The Canterbury Tales and Beyond Follow in the footsteps of Chaucer’s pilgrims with a journey to Canterbury steeped in medieval charm. Along the way, explore sites connected to literary giants from Shakespeare to Dickens, all woven into England’s rich storytelling tradition. Read more about the tour... So, where will your next chapter take you? Whether you’re chasing ghosts through Gothic alleys, daydreaming on a windswept moor, or reliving a romance by the sea, the stories we love can lead us to the places we never knew we needed. Pack a book, book a tour, and let your favourite fiction write your next real-world adventure.

Ever watched a show so immersive you wished you could step right into the screen? You're not alone. “Set jetting”—travelling to destinations made famous by film and TV—is booming. Whether it's charming British pubs, misty Scottish highlands, or bustling American kitchens, fans are flocking to the places their favourite characters live, work, and fall in love. Here are some must-visit destinations and how to explore them like a local—with a little help from some expert guides. ⚽ Ted Lasso – Richmond & London, England With its heartfelt optimism and quirky humour, Ted Lasso turned London’s Richmond neighbourhood into a fan-favorite destination. Stroll the same cobblestone streets Coach Lasso and Keeley do, stop by The Prince’s Head pub (aka The Crown & Anchor), and wander Richmond Green. Richmond is a perfect day trip from central London or a peaceful base for your stay, an easy tube ride from the heart of the city. It’s also a lovely riverside walk or cycle to Henry VIII’s Hampton Court palace. The local London guides on ToursByLocals can combine Ted Lasso stops with broader cultural and historical highlights for a well-rounded experience. Explore London tours inspired by Ted Lasso 🏔 Virgin River – Vancouver & British Columbia, Canada While the fictional town of Virgin River is set in California, the lush, pine-draped landscapes are pure British Columbia. Filmed in and around North Vancouver and Squamish, the show has inspired viewers to explore Canada’s wild beauty. Drive up the gorgeous Sea to Sky highway to get from Vancouver to Squamish. You’ll see waterfalls and breathtaking views of Howe Sound, plus locations that double as the show’s scenic backdrops. It’s less than an hour away from downtown. Pair your set-jetting with a guided hike or a day of nature photography—many of the guides in the region specialize in outdoor experiences. Discover Virgin River locations on this specialized day trip from Vancouver 🏴 Outlander – Scotland This historical-fantasy epic has brought 18th-century Scotland into the spotlight. From the standing stones of Craigh na Dun (a fictional location) to real-life Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), the Outlander trail is rich with mystery, romance, and stunning scenery. Go beyond the show and learn about the Jacobite history and clan culture that shapes the narrative. Local Scottish guides often weave in folklore, battlefields, and hidden highland gems for fans looking to step back in time. Take an Outlander-inspired tour through Scotland 🍟 Derry Girls – Derry/Londonderry & Belfast, Northern Ireland Set during the Troubles of the 1990s, Derry Girls uses humour and nostalgia to paint a portrait of teen life in a divided society. From school corridors to the city’s famous murals, fans can experience the world of Erin and her friends firsthand. A guided tour is especially valuable for understanding the political context and history portrayed in the show. Many of the Northern Ireland guides on ToursByLocals offer deeply personal perspectives on this era—creating a moving and memorable experience. Join a Derry Girls tour in Northern Ireland 🍽 The Bear – Chicago, USA The Bear’s gritty kitchen drama put Chicago’s food scene front and centre. From Italian beef joints to upscale culinary landmarks, the series made the city’s layered food culture a character in itself. Explore neighbourhoods like River North, West Loop, and Ukrainian Village for a true taste of the show’s spirit. Opt for a food-themed walking tour or culinary history experience with a Chicago guide, who loves sharing their passion for the Windy City. Savour Chicago on a food tour inspired by The Bear 👜 Emily in Paris – Paris, France Emily in Paris may be pure escapism, but its dreamy Parisian backdrops are very real. From the Place de l’Estrapade where Emily’s apartment sits in the fifth arrondissement, to luxe locations like Palais-Royal, this is your chance to step into a rom-com fantasy. Combine show locations with local secrets—like the best patisseries or vintage markets in the Marais. The Paris guides on ToursByLocals can tailor a walking itinerary to capture both the glamour of the show and the charm of real Parisian life. Stroll through Paris like Emily with a guide who loves to capture photos of the experience, just like Emily 🐉 Game of Thrones – Dubrovnik, Croatia Few shows have left as indelible a mark on tourism as Game of Thrones, and Dubrovnik is perhaps the ultimate set-jetting pilgrimage. As the stand-in for King’s Landing, this ancient walled city plays host to many of the show’s most pivotal scenes. Visit Fort Lovrijenac (the Red Keep) and walk the city walls where Cersei made her infamous walk of shame. Local guides (who often worked as extras!) can share filming anecdotes and medieval history in one immersive experience. Tour Dubrovnik as King’s Landing 🌋 The White Lotus – Taormina, Sicily, Italy Season two of The White Lotus brought the Sicilian coast into the global spotlight. Filmed in and around the stunning San Domenico Palace Hotel, the show captures Taormina’s cliffside vistas, ancient ruins, and old-world elegance. Take a guided stroll through the Greek Theatre, the Corso Umberto, and nearby beaches—each featured or echoed in the show. A Sicilian guide can blend food, architecture, and storytelling for the full White Lotus effect (minus the drama!) Live the White Lotus dream in Sicily Plan Your Own Set-Jetting Adventure From British pubs to Highland castles, Parisian cafés to cliffside hotels in Sicily, these destinations invite fans to go beyond the screen and into the story. And with local guides who know the backdrops and behind-the-scenes details, your set-jetting journey can be more than just a photo op—it can be an unforgettable cultural experience.