Hey everyone! (This is a wordy post with lots of pictures FYI)

Last week I joined my sister and her college class on a trip to Northern Ireland for the Game of Thrones Location Tour. I have to admit I have only recently become a Game of Thrones fan. I found four seasons on Sky through their box sets (Game of Thrones is exclusively shown in Uk and Ireland through Sky), decided to take a chance and watch a few episodes. Two weeks later I was four seasons down and hooked! When Gemma told me that she was going on tour I jumped at the chance! Before I carry on just to let you know - Even though we were on a location tour it wasn't focused on Game of Thrones so you may enjoy looking at the scenic pictures! Almost all Game of Thrones filming is done across the Antrim coast and all interior scenes are shot in the purpose built Titanic Studios in Belfast. Further filming locations include Croatia, Malta, Morroco, Spain, Iceland and United States.

 We travelled from Dublin to Belfast at 7 am. The sun was splitting the stones as they say! We met our tour guide and fellow passengers on Glengall Street in Belfast City Centre at about 10 am, We travelled with Mc Combs Travel. The coach was new and was spotlessly clean. I was super happy about that as I am a clean freak and I wouldn't have been able to relax otherwise. The tour guide was also the driver and his name was Derek. Gas man so he was. As he drove he gave us the down low about the day ahead. I hadn't checked this before we left so nearly died when he told us we wouldn't be back to Belfast until around 7 pm. I was also pleasantly surprised when he told us about a stop at Giants Causeway, mainly because Gemma has always wanted to go and  I swore after the last time I wouldn't drive all that way again! I hate driving long distance; that was Stephen's job! 

First stop was at a Norman Castle in Carrickfergus. There is something about the beauty of Norman architecture that really gets me every time! King William of Orange spent time here before the Battle of the Boyne in the 1690. There is a life size figure of him over looking the castle wall. It is worth a look if you ever find yourself in the area. 

After a quick photo opportunity we moved on then towards the Glens of Antrim. One of the passengers who is GOT mad went on line before the trip and told us there is a Quarry on the way to the Glens that housed Castle Black! The driver wasn't able to stop due to strict rules with site owners but we got a sneaky picture in while he drove past. I am such a geek I am getting excited thinking of it again!!! I would have loved to see the set. I felt slightly deflated as we drove on! Imagine my nose stuck to the window like a kid!!! 

We moved on to Ballintoy Harbour for another photo opportunity. It is known as Pike Harbour in the show and was used during the scene where Theon Greyjoy returns to Pike in Season 2. It was also used by Arya at the end of Season 4 to get the ship to Bravos. 

The guide Derek pointed out things of interest and showed us clips of episodes that featured the site. He also spent some time talking about the economic effect Game of Thrones has had on NI economy and also the view people may have due to the troubles. It was nice to hear that as it gave our fellow passengers an idea of the real Northern Ireland and not the painted picture in the media. 

After Ballintoy we stopped for 2 hours at the Giants Causeway. Derek used the old Irish myth of Finn McCool to explain the reason for the stones as a joke after he spoke about the Geological reason. I forgot how much I loved the story of Finn and his Scottish rival Benandonner! We lunched at the Cause way Hotel. McCombs Travel provided us with Game of Thrones themed menus before arrival to pick meals at £10 each. I declined offer but when we reached hotel and seen the hotels menu was around £2 cheaper for similar meals. I would expect to see that sort of mark up but in my opinion, it is fairly cheeky all the same.

We left the causeway at about 4 pm and travelled to Larrybane. This is where Renly Baratheon had set up his camp and where he swore allegance to Catelyn Stark in Season 2. 

The last site of the day was at The Dark Hedges. I had never even heard of this place before the trip but it is famous world wide apparently. The beech trees are famous due to their unusual shape and  line an avenue that leads to an ancient stately home.It almost feels like something from a Brothers Grimm fairytale. It is also the road used in a scene where Arya escaped Kings Landing in Season 2. 

The tour ended and we travelled back to Belfast in peaceful silence. As promised by Derek we got back to Glengall Street before 7 pm and our onward journey to Dublin had us home by 9:30.

The highlights of the trip was definitely to see the amazing natural sites along the Antrim Coast. The tour guide Derek was a fantastic host and he made the day go a lot faster than imagined. The actual location sites blew me away. There was no denying the sites were instantly recognisable and I could imagine watching wildlings running through fields or a battle taking place. It made me respect and feel proud to be from a country that holds such beauty!

The low points of the trip was that we didn't see as much of the Game of Thrones sites as we would have liked. The tour was not all about Game of Thrones, just references to the show here and there when we reached sites. I understand it was made like this to suit all levels of show watchers. It did kind of feel like a dressed up Giants Causeway tour though. Also at the causeway seeing the price of the food made me feel a little robbed.

I was allowed a discount to go on the tour for group rates so I paid €30 but the standard charge for this tour is £35 per person and additional £10 for lunch optional so it was definitely value for money. Especially considering the distance travelled and the excellent service from Derek. That man knows his stuff. You could ask him any question and he would have an answer for you. I would recommend him as a tour guide any time.