“When you play the game of thrones, you win or die. There is no middle ground.“
What better way to start this post than with a quote from Cersei? On our day in Dubrovnik, the FamTrav husband and I booked a private guided city tour with an emphasis on the MAX blockbuster Game of Thrones which filmed many scenes here. As mega fans of the show, we had quite literally had the best day ever!
{Cue Game of Thrones score here.}
Having never seen the show or read the books, the teens decided to stay on the ship and ended up having a fun day of their own together. They took the Freestyle Daily from the cabin, and went from activity to activity onboard. They have such different interests at this age, we were happy they had a day of one-on-one bonding.
Back to the tour! We were early to the meeting point, so we walked through Pile Gate, to get our first look into the ancient city. In the early morning there were just a handful of tourists wondering about. We saw a few resident children playing in the street, a monk feeding the birds, and a sample of the Dalmatian Coast. It was breathtaking!
We eventually headed back to Pile Gate where we met our guide Tonka. Fun Fact: Tonka is an actress and was an extra in multiple scenes in the show. She was able to draw from personal experience and share fantastic stores, like which actors seemed genuinely nice, details about the costumes, how production took 150 extras and made them look like a crowd of thousands, etc.
BTW, check out the difference between our private tour vs. a shared tour!
Our tour blended the history of Dubrovnik with highlights from the show. We learned how devasting the Croatian War of Independence was on the city and its people. Though the old city has been restored, a few wounds remain, including shrapnel marks in the stone walls. Today, thanks to the immense popularity of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a thriving tourist destination.
On to the show! Tonka carried a portfolio with her of scenes from the show that were filed in the city. As we looked at the sites, she used the pictures to show how they were used in the scenes. Here are some of our favorites.
Sansa and Littlefinger overlooking Blackwater Bay {Dubrovnik West Pier}
The Red Keep {Fort Lovrijenac}
Doors marking the site where Robert Baratheon’s illegitimate sons were brutally murdered {base of Fort Lovrijenac}
The Rector’s Palace
Cersei’s Walk of Shame {Jesuit Stairs}
Littlefinger’s Brothel {Dubrovnik Ethnographic Museum}
Tonka explained that the city, which is home to over 1500 residents, would shut down entirely for filming. Homeowners and business owners were compensated for the inconvenience, of course. I would have been brimming with excitement the entire time! And constantly peeking out my window.
She also explained how CGI was used to edit out non-period pieces like air conditioning units, electric lamp posts, etc. CGI was also used to enhance scenes. Look back at the picture of the Jesuit Stairs. There’s no Great Sept at the top in real life. Oh, and The Red Keep sometimes moved locations depending on where production needed it.
Here are a few more photos around old town.
To top off an already extraordinary tour, we got to sit on the Iron Throne.
After our tour, we enjoyed a late lunch at a local cafe. Just like in Greece, the fresh seafood is a major highlight.
We wandered around the city a little more, then headed back to the ship for a nap. We met up with the kids and heard all about their day. They came in with a handful of goodies including t-shirts and jewelry they’d made. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner and games. Another wonderful day!
If you’re interested in booking the same tour, you can see all the details here.
Mykonos: Delos in 3D and an afternoon in Mykonos
Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach & Blue Caves
Kotor : Blue Cave, Mamula Island, Submarine Tunnel, Lady of the Rocks
Venice: The Port That Almost Didn’t Make It
As a full-service travel agent, I would love to be of assistance to you. I am passionate about what I do and pour that energy into crafting perfectly planned itineraries for you. Email ebony@familytraveladventuresllc.com to learn more.
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