GAme of Thrones

Game of Thrones Tour Captures Thrill of HBO Series

Whether it’s King’s Landing on the cliffs of Dubrovnik or a suburb of Zrnovnica, which will serve as the setting for a climactic battle in Season 4, travelers can recreate the story, the fantasy and much of the contributing history that is going into the Game of Thrones series through an immersive Croatian itinerary by Zicasso Tours.

Highlights Include:

  • Newly added filming locations for the 4th season of Games of Thrones in Croatia
  • Split’s Diocletian’s Palace and the rugged Klis Fortress, where Daenerys memorably plots her return
  • Dubrovnik, the real-life setting of King’s Landing
  • A lesson in falconry, which has long been regarded as the Sport of Kings
  • Visits to Krka National Park and Hvar island
  • Gastronomy delights in Ston – home to some of the world’s best (and most rare) oysters
  • Peljesac Peninsula known for some of the best wines in Croatia.

Fans will get to go deep into the world of Westeros with an exploration of King’s Landing. An expert guide will lead visitors through the streets of Dubrovnik, pointing out settings from the first three seasons: the city walls that served as the backdrop for the Battle of Blackwater and the Lovrijenac Fortress that witnessed the misdeeds of evil King Joffery. They will also visit Lokrum Island, the site of pivotal Lannister moments from season two, such as Littlefinger’s meeting with Queen Cersei, Tyrion’s inspection of the Alchemists’ Guild and the riot inspired by Joffery’s tyranny, as well as the model for the wealthy port city of Qarth. There is a tour of the serene and gorgeous arboretum at Trsteno, whose gardens served as the backdrop for the court intrigues of Lady Margaery Tyrell and her shrewd grandmother Olenna.

The seven-day land tour starts at $3,200 per person, double with accommodation at 4-star hotels, daily breakfast, airport transfer, land transportation, entrance fees, expert English-speaking tour guides, some additional meals and wine tastings. Travel dates and level of hotels are fully customizable. Travelers who book by June 15th will receive the Blue-Ray/DVD Combo sets of Seasons 1-3, PLUS the 5-Book Boxed Set of Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.

Contact:
(no phone number available, online only)
http://www.zicasso.com/luxury-vacation-croatia-tours/game-thrones-unique-tour-croatia

 

 

Bram Castle

In the Footsteps of Count Dracula

Dying to go to Transylvania? MIR Corp. leads the way with a culturally rich 16-day tour exploring the complex history and cultures of Bulgaria and Romania — two Balkan countries where rugged terrain and geographic isolation helped preserve a colorful heritage. Guests will see luminous frescoes of painted monasteries, breathe in the fragrance of the Valley of the Roses, and visit Bran Castle in Transylvania, which served as Bram Stoker’s model for Dracula’s ancestral home.

The tour is slated for September 2-17, 2014 and starts at $5,995 (single supplement $995).

Contact:
(800) 424-7289
http://www.mircorp.com/tour_buro.asp

 

 

Hotel in St Barts

Summer in St. Barts Caribbean Bliss Package

Hôtel Le Toiny invites guests to cool down with its new “St. Barth Summer Bliss” offer that lets guests stay six nights for the price of five. The package is for Junior Suite or Villa Suite accommodations and includes complimentary round-trip airport transfers, refreshing Caribbean welcome cocktails, a convertible SMART rental car for five days (excludes insurance and gas), and daily full American breakfast at Restaurant Le Gaiac. Free laundry service and Wi-Fi are also included.

Hotel Le Toiny is a secluded retreat with 15 private Villa Suites, each offering a full infinity pool and terrace, and Caribbean Sea views.

Package rates begin at $5,265 for the six-night stay in a Junior Suite, $6,923 in a Villa Suite. Rates run May 15 to Aug. 24, 2014.

Contact:
(800) 680-0832
[email protected]
HotelleToiny.com

 

 

Lodge in Northern Territories

Northern Lights in the NW Territories with Aurora Escape

The Northern Lights, one of the world’s great wonders, is elusive at best in the lower parallels, but in Yellowknife, in Canada’s Northwest Territories, it is a nearly assured sighting.

At Blachford Lake Lodge, a luxurious fly-in vacation getaway (quite literally) that lies north of the 60th parallel in Yellowknife, visitors can enjoy nature’s light show from the lodge’s dining room or in one of the lounges. They can soak outside in the bubbling hot tub or snuggle in bed while watching the lights.

The experience is made all the richer through “The Aurora Escape,” offered by The Great Canadian Travel Company, providing five and eight-day itineraries to Yellowknife and subarctic Canada.

Yellowknife, on the shores of Great Slave Lake, offers plenty of excellent diversions. These include exploring Old Town, packed with eateries and one-of-a-kind shops, and views from Bush Pilot’s Monument. Blachford Lake Lodge is a 20-minute charter flight away and offers a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Included in the package are two nights’ accommodation in Yellowknife, round-trip on float plane from Yellowknife to Blachford, and two or five nights’ all inclusive accommodation at Blachford Lodge. Also included at the lodge are gourmet meals and snacks, a two-hour interpretive tour, use of lodge facilities and gratuities.

Cost for the five-day program is $1,895, double occupancy (single supplement, $590).  The eight-day program runs $3,590.

Contact:
(800) 661-3830
www.greatcanadiantravel.com http://greatcanadiantravel.com/tours/canada/aurora-escape

 

 

Lodge Grand Traverse

Warm Up with Grand Traverse Resort’s “Family Fun” Package

Shake off that winter snow and step into spring at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Located in Northern Michigan near Traverse City, this 900-acre destination resort along East Traverse Bay offers an abundance of activities to enjoy the changing of the seasons.

The Family Fun Package includes:

  • Two nights accommodations
  • Welcome amenity
  • Four breakfast coupons for Sweetwater American Bistro
  • One pound of bulk candy from Dylan’s Candy Bar in the Gallery of Shops
  • 20 arcade tokens for classic video games
  • Two Dylan’s Candy Bar regular ice cream cones or lollipops

Midweek rates for the spring season (April 11 – May 22, 2014) start at $341 for the two-night stay, and weekend rates are from $369 for two nights. (Pricing does not include 11% tax and $14.95 nightly resort fee)

What’s to do in Grand Traverse? Start with lounging on the sugar-white sand beaches of East Traverse Bay or experiencing some adventure with one of the many watersport rentals (jet skis, jet boats, a water trampoline, paddle boats or a two-person kayak). The resort has two outdoor pools and four outdoor hot tubs. Then there’s tennis, wooded hiking trails, a10.5-mile biking trail, and even s’mores and bonfires at the Resort’s beach club.

Nearby is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a jewel among national parks in the U.S. At Dylan’s find a 15,000-square-foot indoor water playground with pools, hot tubs, a 70-foot long waterslide, a waterwalk, a zero-depth sprayground, and water basketball nets.

Contact:
(800) 236-1577
www.grandtraverseresort.com

 

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