Film tourism has become one of the fastest-growing trends in international travel, inspiring visitors to discover destinations through the stories they have seen on screen. From New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes to the castles and coastal villages of Southern Europe, cinematic locations increasingly influence holiday decisions and cultural itineraries. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travellers are placing greater value on experiences that combine cultural discovery with authentic local landscapes, while destinations featured in major productions often experience renewed international interest. As cinema continues to shape travel choices, the line between storytelling and exploration grows ever closer.
“Cinema is a matter of what’s in the frame and what’s out,” said filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Although his observation refers to filmmaking, it also captures the appeal of visiting the places behind iconic scenes. Landscapes that appear on screen often become characters in their own right, inviting audiences to experience them beyond the limits of the camera. Travelling to these locations offers an opportunity to connect fiction with history, mythology, and the cultural identity that originally inspired the stories themselves.
With the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, interest in the growing “set-jetting” phenomenon has gained new momentum. Responding to this renewed fascination, Silversea introduces two Mediterranean voyages that visit several of the film’s remarkable shooting locations, allowing guests to experience the dramatic coastal landscapes that shaped Nolan’s interpretation of Homer’s ancient epic. What better way to revisit a legendary story than by travelling through the places where mythology, history, and contemporary cinema meet?
The first itinerary is a ten-day Mediterranean voyage aboard Silver Muse, sailing from Civitavecchia to Barcelona. The journey crosses four countries, beginning in Italy before continuing through Malta and Tunisia and concluding in Spain. Along the route, guests visit Trapani on Sicily’s western coast, the gateway to one of the film’s most recognisable locations.
From Trapani, travellers can join the “Favignana Island” shore excursion to explore the island that played a central role in Nolan’s production. Often referred to as Goat Island, Favignana has long been associated with the ancient journey of Odysseus, where legend suggests he and his companions paused before encountering the Cyclops. Its dramatic coastline, secluded coves, historic harbour, and the hilltop Castello di Santa Caterina provided several of the film’s principal settings.
The excursion introduces visitors to many of these remarkable locations, combining the island’s natural scenery with its historical significance. Rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, quiet bays carved into limestone, and the traditional fishing harbour allow travellers to experience landscapes that appear both in classical mythology and contemporary cinema.
A second Mediterranean itinerary aboard Silver Shadow follows another route inspired by the film. Sailing from Athens to Nice, the voyage includes stops in Greece, Malta, Italy, and France before reaching the French Riviera. One of its highlights is Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily.
Lipari, together with neighbouring Vulcano and Basiluzzo, served as another important filming location for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation. In the film, Vulcano represents Aeolia, the mythical home of Aeolus, the god of the winds. The island’s volcanic landscape, black sand beaches, sulphur-rich thermal springs, and dramatic coastline provided natural settings whose appearance required little cinematic enhancement.
Guests can discover these locations during the “Vulcano Island & Boat Trip” excursion. The experience begins in the island’s small village before continuing to its famous thermal springs, where naturally heated mineral waters have attracted visitors for centuries. Time is also available for swimming before the journey continues by boat along the island’s striking volcanic coastline and back towards Lipari.
Beyond their cinematic appeal, the Aeolian Islands remain among the Mediterranean’s most distinctive natural environments. Their volcanic origins have shaped not only the dramatic scenery but also local traditions, architecture, and daily life, creating landscapes that continue to inspire filmmakers, photographers, and travellers alike.
Both itineraries reflect a broader evolution in luxury travel, where destinations are increasingly chosen for the stories they tell as much as for their scenery. By combining exceptional cruising with locations connected to one of cinema’s most anticipated literary adaptations, Silversea offers guests the opportunity to experience Homer’s legendary world through the landscapes that brought Christopher Nolan’s vision to life. Rather than simply watching the journey unfold on screen, travellers become part of the scenery that has inspired audiences for generations.
