Movies and TV shows have been inspiring many travelers to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. According to a recent survey, 96% of people have visited places related to their favorite movies or shows.
In 2023, probably more Americans will be curious about Romania, where Netflix’s TV show Wednesday was filmed, and now Sicily, after the great success of the second season of HBO’s show The White Lotus, which recently aired the final episode.
The series’ last season takes place in the beautiful Mediterranean Sicily and showcases a spectacular luxury resort, as well as impressive landscapes, activities, and attractions. Making it all more glamorous and appealing for travelers with its impressive cast.
The White Lotus In Italy
This black comedy-drama TV show has been recently considered the best show of 2022 by Variety. The first season took place in Hawaii and despite the murder story, many travelers rushed to Hawaii after watching the series.
The White Lotus, created by Mike White, is about a fictional White Lotus resort chain where wealthy guests —and employees— experience dark, exciting, and personal situations during their stay.
The second season, charged with local mythology, takes place on the Italian Island of Sicily, and guests stay at the White Lotus, which is actually the spectacular San Domenico Palace, a Four Season resort, in real life. And the main characters —impersonated by famous actors like Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Will Sharpe, Michael Imperioli, and Meghann Fahy— make Sicily more appealing than ever.
6 Amazing Places To Visit In Sicily Inspired By The White Lotus
Most of the locations used to film the White Lotus are in East Sicily. The entire island measures 25,711 km2 —nearly 10,000 square miles— and has fascinating towns and cities, as well as gorgeous beaches. Truly exploring it all might take a few weeks.
There are many beautiful places to visit in Sicily, but here’s a list of the top places to visit inspired by the HBO TV show’s new season.
Taormina
The main characters arrive in Taormina, a hilltop town on the east coast of the island, near Mount Etna —which The White Lotus guests can see from their rooms—, that has beautifully preserved medieval streets. This is one of the most popular towns in Italy for its fascinating architecture and history.
The Greek Theater
One of Taormina’s main attractions, visited by the series characters, is the ancient Greek Theater, the second largest amphitheater in Sicily —the largest one is in Syracuse—, built by Greeks—experts still debate this, considering that Romans also took part in its development— in the third century B.C. to fit 10,000 people.
Isola Bella
This small island right next to Taormina became a natural museum and travelers can visit it for a small fee —around $4— and admire its beauty, vegetation, unique scenery, and beaches. It’s also popular to rent jet skis, just like Cameron and Ethan did in The White Lotus.
Mount Etna
Also known as just Etna, this natural area offers travelers great hikes near the active volcano and also wine-tasting experiences in Passopisciaro just like a few of the characters did in the series.
Cefalu
For those wanting to relax more at the beach, Cefalu offers visitors some of the best beaches in Sicily as well as interesting monuments like the Monreale Cathedral. Travelers’ favorite beaches are Spiaggia Caldura, Spiaggia Sete Frati, and Lungomare di Cefalù.
Noto
The characters Olivia and Harper take a quick trip from Taormina to Noto, a fascinating town with impressive Sicilian Baroque architecture. The wives stay on their own at the luxurious Villa Elena, about an hour’s drive from Noto, but also explore the city. At Noto, travelers can visit the Cathedral, the house museum Nicolaci Palace and then hit the road for 20 minutes to visit Calamosche Beach.
