Fan recreates Game of Thrones shots at filming locations, and other ways to spend your vacation

The Game of Thrones tourism industry is pretty robust — if you want to see where the magic happens, there are a network of tours offered in places like Northern Ireland and Spain, where the show does a lot of its filming. But fans are always welcome to cut to the chase and visit the locations sans guide. Take the example of one fan who visited Dubrovnik, Croatia — a city most commonly used by the show as a stand-in for King’s Landing — and mashed up stills from the show with photos she took in the filming locations.

"Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Croatia (Side-by-Sides)"

That is a day extremely well spent.

You don’t have to actually visit the Game of Thrones filming locations to get a taste of the World of Ice and Fire, either. Vacation rental site Vacasa has put together a list of rental properties “inspired by” various locales from the show. Take a look and see if you spark to anything.

Stay At: San Rocco (Venice, Italy). Inspired by: Braavos.

“Take in Arya’s canal views when you stay at this classic Venetian rental with an ideal location directly on the canal.”

Stay At: Casa el Rinconcito (Canary Islands, Spain). Inspired by: Castle Black.

“You won’t feel like a banished outlaw, but you will have an unforgettable experience when you stay at this cave-like rental carved from a 200-year-old reservoir.” Yes, I will vacation in a cave.

Stay At: Red Canyon Creek Ranch (Vail Valley, Colorado). Inspired by: Yunkai.

“If the pueblo aesthetic is your thing, you and your trusted advisors will love this remote estate, located on 35 acres of private land. Plus, you’ll be able to see your enemies approaching from miles away.”

Stay At: Sierra View Estate (Truckee, CA). Inspired by: King’s Landing.

“You’ll have plenty of room to hold your own small council meeting at this impressive California estate. The ornate fixtures, amenities and artwork are simply fit for a royal family.”

Stay At: The Luxury Tower (Senigallia, Italy). Inspired by: Winterfell.

“This picturesque Italian tower makes a one-of-a-kind getaway. But, take it from Bran Stark, scaling the outer wall is not recommended.”

And finally, the Villa Bara in Marbella, Spain, inspired by the Water Gardens of Dorne.

“Take a relaxing stroll through the lush, sprawling gardens of this Spanish villa with your family. Hopefully, unlike the members of House Martell, you won’t be plotting against them.”

Look, even if it’s not actually the Water Gardens, we could do worse than staying at a sprawling Spanish villa for the summer.

And lest we forget, Ireland Luxury Travel is giving away a luxury Game of Thrones-themed vacation package to one lucky fan (plus guest) who enters its contest. Basically, predict the first scene of season 7. If you entertain the Ireland Luxury Travel people, you win. That contest runs through May 24.

Vacation forever.