In the footsteps of the Starks: Game of Thrones super fan visits ALL the series' film locations (and manages to keep her head!)




She has watched all the series and loved the exotic sets, so there was just one more thing for this Game of Thrones superfan to do - visit the locations where the fantasy series is filmed.



Travel writer Yvonne Gordon's journey took her from Croatia and Iceland to Malta and Northern Ireland and photographer her journeys.



She came up with the idea before visiting Dubrovnik, Croatia, last summer.



While researching the trip Yvonne discovered parts of the show - such as the famous Battle of Blackwater Bay - were shot there.

Film inspiration: The unusual scenery in Game of Thrones is based on actual locations, such as the House of the Undying that Daenerys visits

Reality check: Yvonne visited Minceta Tower, which is actually in Dubrovnik, Croatia, following in the footsteps of Daenerys

Yvonne, from Dublin, Ireland, snapped the areas of the city she recognised before planning trips to other Game of Thrones locations.



Northern Ireland is used for many scenes such as Storm's End and the Iron Islands.

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland, was used in the fourth series for scenes 'Beyond The Wall' with Jon Snow.



Yvonne, whose favourite characters are Tyrion Lannister, Brienne of Tarth and Daenerys Targaryen, couldn't believe how stunning the locations she visited were.



Fighting chance: The Battle of Blackwater Bay was actually filmed in Dubrovnik, as Yvonne discovered on a holiday to Croatia - prompting her to begin her Game of Throne odyssey

Look familiar? Dubrovnik is much more peaceful than it appears in the series, where it features as King's Landing

Dark times: The Iron Islands, where the character Theon (R) comes from are actually based on Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland

Mists of time: Yvonne visits Ballintoy Harbour, which is the setting for the Iron Islands, on an atmospheric grey day

She said: 'I love Game of Thrones - I like all the different storylines and that there are characters everyone can relate to or identify with, no matter what age or gender. The sets and costumes are also amazing.



'I've been to Croatia a few times and was planning a trip to Dubrovnik last summer to research another story, when I heard that Game of Thrones was being filmed there, so I decided to visit the locations and do a tour.



'It's difficult to say which of the locations that I have since been to is my favourite.



Dangerous route: The Kings Road is one of the important passes shown in the first series of Game of Thrones

Natural beauty: It's real-life equivalent is The Dark Hedges, which is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland

Mediterranean charm: The Mdina Gate in Malta is used to represent the royal entrance to King's Landing, from where the kingdom is controlled

Rocky road: The dock at King's Landing has seen a few attack attempts and escapes throughout the four series Looking out to sea: Yvonne takes in the views from a jetty in Dubrovnik which was used to represent the dock at King's Landing

Beyond the Wall: The Wildlings, who in the series are trying to cross a giant ice wall that separates them from Winterfell, actually spent time filming in Iceland

Chilly reception: Ingvellir National Park, in Iceland, is used to represent the icy wastelands Beyond the Wall All tied up: Daenerys runs into trouble when she visits the House of the Undying, the headquarters of the Warlocks of Qarth Better memories: Yvonne had a rather more enjoyable visit to the House of the Undying than Daenerys Ancient streets: Real life in King's Landing is actually based on the beauty of Dubrovnik's narrow alleyways



'Dubrovnik is an old, walled city full of history and interesting stories; the scenery in Northern Ireland, both on the coast and inland on the glens, is incredible; and the landscape of Iceland, formed by volcanic lava, is so different from both of those.



'The real Blackwater Bay is probably a little smaller than you might think from watching the show, but the setting is incredible.

