Netflix's newest romantic comedy, People We Meet on Vacation, promises viewers a whirlwind tour of the world, but the production's travel log was far more modest. The film, which adapts Emily Henry's bestselling novel, was primarily shot in just two locations: Barcelona, Spain, and New Orleans, USA.
The Global Illusion: Barcelona Doubles for the World
Director Brett Haley, known for adapting All the Bright Places and Looking for Alaska, has revealed the cinematic sleight of hand behind the movie. A substantial 65% of the film was shot in and around Barcelona. This Spanish hub was transformed into a surprising array of global backdrops.
"The biggest challenge of the film, by far, was how to pull off Canada, Tuscany, New Orleans, Ohio, and New York City in the Barcelona area," Haley admitted to Netflix ahead of the premiere. The task fell to production designer Bruce Curtis, who Haley praised for an "incredible job" finding locations that could convincingly mimic Canada—a feat he described as "very difficult."
Imitating the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, however, proved easier. Haley explained that certain Spanish countryside areas naturally possess a Tuscan vibe. The production relied heavily on practical locations, with Poppy's apartment being one of the few constructed sets. Key New York City scenes were also captured using real spots found in Spain.
Fans even spotted the crew and stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth filming in the coastal town of Lloret de Mar in October 2024, which appears to be the setting for the film's final beach scene.
New Orleans Steps In as Ohio and Boston
The remaining portion of the production, accounting for 40 to 50% of the film, was shot in New Orleans, Louisiana. This city served as the stand-in for the protagonists' small hometown in Ohio, as well as for Boston. "You can't pull off New Orleans in Spain," Haley noted, justifying the transatlantic split. The crew was also seen working in New Orleans in October 2024, though the specific scenes remain unclear.
The Magic of Movie 'Trickery'
Given the story's sprawling, continent-hopping narrative, Haley acknowledges that a significant amount of creative deception was required to make the film feel authentic. "So there’s a lot of invisible trickery going on to pull off the locations," he said. The director's ultimate goal was for the audience to feel the characters' global journey, believing the cast and crew travelled the world to capture it.
The film follows the decade-long summer travel tradition of unlikely best friends Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), whose platonic bond begins to blur into something more romantic. People We Meet on Vacation is available to stream on Netflix now.
