Game of Thrones Season 7 Spain Tour: Fire & Blood

The sunlight returns to Barcelona, washing over the azure waters of the Mediterranean and shining above the Temple of Augustus. The scent of honey and cheese drifts out of the lively cafes from a Catalan dessert known as mel i mató. Your guide greets you at the hotel, eager to introduce you to the fascinating history of Girona and its undeniable connection to Game of Thrones. Medieval walls continue to protect the narrow winding streets. The scent of black coffee drifts out of the cafes and over the quiet waters of the Onyar River. Colorful homes shimmer along the historical banks that lead to the original walls established by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago.

Your guide leads you to the Medieval Quarter, where you discover the city of the wealthiest and most powerful of the Free Cities, Braavos. Romanesque and gothic architecture decorate the former Jewish Quarter. You recall Arya peddling in the streets alongside the marketplace while blind, after having lost her sight to the House of Black and White, while serving The Many-Faced God. Upon reaching the cathedral, you find the familiar sight of the grand stairs leading to the doorway beneath a billowing baroque façade. The cathedral was used as the Great Sept of Baelor, the religious center of the Seven Kingdoms, which Cersei Lannister destroys in an explosion of wildfire at the end of Season Six.

The cathedral foundations were laid in the 5th century, with the Gothic features overtaking the former Romanesque church. The cloister contains double columns. The nave carries the faint spiced aromas of frankincense and myrrh. The sunlight pours through the magnificent rose window, spreading across the silver altarpiece studded with glistening gemstones. The streets of Girona are as much as part of Spain as a part of Westeros. You continue to the Castle of Saint Florentina, known as Horn Hill in Westeros, and home of House Tarly. The 11th-century fortification strikes an imposing image of golden stone and gabled clay-tile rooftops rising above the surrounding emerald trees.

The morning swells with life around La Rambla, as the market of La Boqueria opens its doors. Fruit vendors fill their stalls with radiant oranges, delicious peaches, and succulent melons. The fishmongers display freshly caught seafood, from sea urchins to octopus. The stunning display of an active marketplace is reminiscent of the wealthy streets of Braavos and the bustling stalls of King’s Landing. The soaring spires of Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia Basilica, rise above the city at more than 550 feet tall.

You board the train at Barcelona Sants Railway Station for your scenic journey to San Sebastian. The landscape changes during the ride, undulating with lush hills and rugged mountains, rushing rivers, and sporadic medieval churches. You feel as though you are traveling through Westeros, following in the paths of Brienne of Tarth or The Hound. You reach San Sebastian and are greeted by your private transfer, who escorts you to your luxurious hotel offering a relaxing view to the turquoise hues of the Bay of Biscay. Old Town spreads across the lowlands of Monte Urgull along the eastern headland.

The scent of fresh eel sautéed in garlic accompanied by mushrooms roasted with cheese emanates from the pintxos bars, restaurants known for serving small, delectable dishes and snacks. The 19th-century Belle Époque edifices frame gorgeous boutique shops from Playa de la Concha to Rio Urumea. Your guide leads you through the mixture of Spanish flair and French sophistication, where European aristocracy has vacationed for centuries. You venture to the summit of Monte Igueldo for breathtaking views. For a moment, you search for the massive statue of the Titan of Braavos before remembering you are in San Sebastian.

Surfers venture to Playa de Gros in the morning light to ride the breaking swells near the golden beach. The briny scent of saltwater drifts over the cobbled streets and gently blends with the aroma of fresh-baked Pantxineta, a sweet bun made of pastry, almonds, and cream. It was created to please the palate of the Spanish royalty, aristocrats, and bourgeoisie that spent their summers in the city.

The streets of Old Town return to their bustling best amidst the warm Cantabrian Sea atmosphere. Follow your guide through the maze of narrow streets winding through the antique city where the aromas drifting from the pintxos bars offer an enticing array of traditional Basque cuisine. Your exciting excursion into the culinary world of San Sebastian leads you first to Bar Zeruko, a gastronomical institution.

Your server brings cod to your table while it smokes over hot coals. You sip a refreshing cold cider made from local apples. The aroma of garlic, butter, lemon, and prawns fills the bar, adding layers of mouthwatering fragrance to your first stop on an enticing food tour. At Ganbara, a selection of delectable pintxos decorates the bar, featuring an array of squid dressed in its ink and poached egg yolks topping roasted guindilla peppers.

The morning waves brush against the golden sands along Playa de la Concha, one of the most famous urban beaches in Spain. The aromas of chocolate brioche and sizzling sausages emanate from La Madame café on San Bartolome Kalea. Your private transfer greets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you away from the serene city overlooking the Bay of Biscay. You take a step back into Westeros when stopping at Zumaia, seeing a premonition of Khaleesi taking her first steps along Itzurun Beach. Colorful fishing boats return to the harbor after a morning on the sea. They take their fish to the market, eager to sell the fresh squid, eels, and albacore.

The Itzurun coastline provides tangibility to the dramatic shores of Westeros as the waves break onto the flysch cliffs. Surfers glide along the waves the way the Mother of Dragons soars through the sky. The beach represents where the queen and her fleet mark their arrival and triumphant returns to Westeros. The sediment rises out of the sand and along the coastline like tiny ridges, leading to the textured walls of the cliffs shaped by the surf, wind, and rain. You continue along the coast to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a 9th-century hermitage erected on a small outcropping isthmus.

A stone bridge reminiscent of a forgotten edifice built for Game of Thrones dates back to the 9th century and leads to a narrow staircase consisting of 230 steps. The indigo and turquoise waters splash against the rocks below, casting mist onto your cheeks. The dark stone and orange-tiled roof of the church stands out against the watery horizon. A bell adorns the top of the crag. As per tradition, when you ascend the summit, ring the bell three times and make a wish.

The cozy streets of Bilbao’s atmospheric Old Town feature the original seven lanes erected in the 14th century. The gothic cathedral retains a renaissance portico, and the 19th-century Plaza Nueva fills the air with delectable pintxos ready to entice passersby. Your private transfer escorts you to Bilbao Airport for your short flight to Seville. The enchanting city features prominently in Game of Thrones as the city of Dorne, crowned in Season Six by the remarkable Alcazar, the capital of Dorne, and a celebrated landmark of Seville.

Narrow lanes with whitewashed homes decorate the former Jewish Quarter. Flower boxes grow geraniums, and cafes offer outdoor seating, shaded beneath large umbrellas. The maze leads to the back walls of the remarkable cathedral. The scent of oranges lingers beneath the soaring figure of Giralda Tower; a former minaret turned bell tower that stands over 300 feet tall. Your guide leads you on an in-depth and extravagant tour of Seville, reaching the remarkable grounds of the 14th-century Alcazar. The Mediterranean ambiance carries you to Dorne and the celebrated Water Gardens, the seat of House Martell and fan-favorite Oberyn Martell.

The intricate architecture of the fortress began in the 9th century and culminated into a captivating marvel under the reign of Christian Fernando III after conquering the city. Palm trees cast shade over the manicured hedges and Moorish embellishments of the exotic garden fountains decorated with elaborate lion heads trickle in the serene ambiance. Arches and stunning plasterwork surround the Patio of the Maidens, located in the heart of the palace. Archaeologists discovered the secret garden after removing a 16th-century marble covering.

Next, venture to the Royal Shipyards of Seville. They date back to the 13th-century and feature gothic architecture. In Season Seven, the docks resemble catacombs more than a medieval shipyard, hinting as a fitting setting for a crucial setting for a major unveiling in Season Seven, alongside the Ruins of Italica.

The scent of orange trees grows stronger in the morning and emanates from sporadic orchards decorating the hidden plazas across Seville. At breakfast, you sip a refreshing café cortado before traveling by train for a full day in enchanting Cordoba. The historical borders once guarded the most populated city in the world and blended Muslim, Christian, and Jewish cultures seamlessly. While crossing into the city, you notice the opulent golden hues of the Roman Bridge and its 16 arches.

The waters of the Rio Guadalquivir rush below. The Moorish structure was erected over the Roman foundations after Caesar defeated Pompey the Great. You remember the structure as the Long Bridge of Volantis, the shops of which Tyrion and Varys explore in Season Five. The Old Jewish Quarter glints with whitewashed walls and flowerpots blossoming with geraniums. The antique homes frame the narrow lanes, leading to a preserved 15th-century synagogue decorated in the Mudéjar style, a medieval Iberian architectural style. The Great Mosque is magnificent enough to seemingly exist inside the world of Westeros.

A Moorish king erected the elaborate edifice between the 8th and 10th centuries atop a former Roman temple dedicated to Janus. Giant archways create a forest made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite, with more than 850 of the original 1,300 remaining. Gilded prayer niches glimmer in the natural light pouring through the windows. A dome featuring Byzantine-style mosaics adorns the anteroom where the caliph once held court. The familiar aroma of oranges emanates from the blooming trees in the Patio de Los Naranjos.

The aroma of rich melted chocolate drifts through the cafes of Seville in the morning, accompanied by crunchy churros rolled in cinnamon-sugar. After breakfast, you travel by private transfer to the town of Jerez de la Frontera, which represents tradition and contemporary life in Andalusia. As the capital of regional horse culture and the center of the sherry triangle, Jerez celebrates its past, while also presenting fashionable shops in antique palaces and stylish restaurants emerging from vintage buildings. You begin your immersion into the culture of Jerez at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.

The proud institution continues the tradition of Spanish elite horsemanship, preparing horses and their charges for international dressage competitions, a highly-skilled exhibition of riding. The elegant grounds and opulent façade of the Duque de Abrantes Palace represent a rich history of which locals of Jerez are proud. You take your seat in the stadium to enjoy the unique exhibition. The grounds remain quiet until the horses enter the arena. Their hooves clop and tap on the dirt floor. The rider looks effortless as the horses courbette, gallops, and foxtrots.

The dramatic display of focus and elegance brings history to life and offers insight into the pastimes of former aristocracy. On the lively streets of Jerez, the sherry bodegas in the city open their doors to locals and visitors alike. You make your way to a private winery, known for encompassing more than 1,937,500 square feet. You observe the traditional way in which brandies and sherries are crafted before entering the tasting room to sample some of the delicious wines produced on the property, allowing you to toast like Tyrion Lannister and sample a drink like royalty.

Delicious toast topped with orange marmalade accompanies the refreshing scent of cafe con leche at breakfast. Couples take boats onto the waters trickling along the tiled and cobblestone grounds of Plaza de España, a landmark known for its opulence in scale and design. You travel north with your private transfer to Cáceres, a city of Roman foundations dating back to the 1st century. On the way there, visit the Ruins of Italica, which will be the setting for a major scene in Season Seven that will feature a majority of the prominent characters.

Old Town crowns the hilltop with medieval walls, five gates, and 12 preserved towers watching over the valley below. Historical mansions line the pathways leading to the 15th-century gothic facade of Golfines Abajo Palace. The scent of chorizo and Iberian ham drifts out of the hidden restaurants. The narrow cobbled lanes twist and turn along the hillsides between the palaces, mansions, walls, and churches. Turrets and spires decorate the skyline adorned with protective gargoyles. You could be walking through King’s Landing or Meereen due to the combination of Roman, Moorish, northern gothic, and Italian renaissance architectural styles.

Next, venture to Castillo de Almodóvar del Río, which is the setting for Highgarden, the stronghold of House Tyrell. In Season Seven, the Lannisters seek to oppress their former allies, who are in a weakened state of power following the losses of many of their prominent house members. Reenact the shifting of powers between the Tyrells, Lannisters, and the Targaryens.

Afterward, you reach the Palace of the Golfines de Abajo, once home to the prominent Golfin family. The renovated 14th-century palace creates a tapestry of the city’s history with 17th-century murals, 19th-century decorative busts, and rich ornaments adorning the lounges and extravagant chapels. The guarding archway of Plaza Mayor was made wide to allow carriages access into the heart of the city. Passing underneath the arch brings visitors into Plaza de Santa Maria and in view of a striking image of the Virgen de la Estrella, for whom the arch was named.

Optional Add-On: If you would like, you could optionally stop at Las Breñas on the way to Cáceres, a natural park that will be the setting for a major battle that features Daenerys’ army in Season Seven.

Today you have an early transfer to Madrid, leaving behind the scent of oranges and fresh coffee winding through the streets of Cáceres. On the way, you make a brief stop in Trujillo, an old town that contains quite a few medieval and renaissance buildings. The Lannister flag has been spotted flying high over Trujillo Castle, suggesting that the medieval structure doubles as Casterly Rock, the ancestral home of the Lannisters. As the saying goes, “A Lannister always pays his debts,” and you too should pay homage before venturing to the capital.

The capital of Spain reflects a different, fast-paced daily life with people and cars zooming along the Gran Via, Madrid’s main street. Restaurants fill the air with the aroma of traditional Spanish omelets. Belle époque and art deco storefronts frame enchanting window displays featuring luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Carolina Herrera. The Metropolis building and its inspiring cupola crowns the street resembling the Manhattan skyline more than a European capital.

After taking the time to settle into the comforts of your lavish hotel, you follow your guide through the bustling city. Cafes set tables, chairs, and shading umbrellas along the edges of the 17th-century Plaza Mayor. The aroma of freshly prepared Bocadillos de Calamares, calamari sandwiches, fills the air between the surrounding archway framing Calle de Toledo, Calle Mayor, and Calle Postas. Puerto del Sol in the heart of Madrid recalls the former city gate that once crowned the plaza. Your guide points to the plaque connoting “Kilometer Zero,” the point from which all distances on the Spanish roads are measured.

The elegance of the Prado Museum emanates from the grand façade, rivaling Paris’s Louvre in both the size of its collection as well as its grandeur of the former palatial grounds. More than 100 rooms spanning three floors display 5,000 paintings. The Spanish works range from the 12th century to the early 19th century. You follow a particular route to find the stunning masterpieces decorating the galleries, leading you to Apollo and the Muses (Parnassus) by Nicolas Poussin, one of the most significant French artists of the 17th century. The 17th-century work depicts a celebration on the mythological mountain with the Roman god Apollo and the Muses carrying court with a poet. Then, your eyes move towards to The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, one of the most archetypal Dutch painters from the Northern European Renaissance. He painted this stunning triptych in the early 16th century, which with its imaginative creatures and hidden symbolism, continues to be the cause of debate amongst scholars today.

The history of Toledo resembles the zenith of culture in Westeros when a city flourished economically and culturally. Toledo became a beacon of European ingenuity in the 15th century with Muslims, Christians, and Jewish cultures creating a renaissance of thought. You reach the outer reaches of Toledo at the 13th-century Moorish Bridge. The structure crosses the Tagus River with a collection of large archways and an 18th-century baroque gateway. The Alcazar crowns the hilltop and was erected on the foundations of the former Roman fortress. Narrow cobbled lanes crisscross between the historic walls. The white pillars and golden embellishments of the 12th-century synagogue in the former Jewish Quarter flicker in the sunlight, representing the Mudéjar architectural design reminiscent of Andalusia and the style of Dorne.

The 28 horseshoe arches support the main gallery beneath pinecone capitals. The coffered wood ceiling presents an artistic texture to the pristine interior resembling honeycombs. You step into a blacksmith’s shop and meet an artisan known for crafting swords; a family tradition passed down through the generations. The heat from the furnace fills the room. A stunning mosaic of Toledo modeled after El Greco’s pastorals decorates the front of the forge. A mallet rests on the anvil before the blacksmith begins to shape the metal. The high-pitched ping echoes on the walls as the blacksmith begins to craft the handle of a brand new sword. It takes about three to four hours to craft a new sword, dependent upon the size and design.

The baroque grandeur of the Spanish Royal Palace rivals France’s Versailles, encompassing nearly 1.5 million square feet. The 18th-century pomp was erected over the old Alcazar with a grand staircase garnished with tremendous frescoes covering the ceiling and stucco embellishments. The Royal Armory features warrior costumes dating back to the early 13th century, including a shield and helmet forged by the famous armorer brothers Francesco and Filippo Negroli in the 16th century. At breakfast, you enjoy the rich texture and sweet flavor of Spanish hot chocolate paired with a fresh churro. The marvels of Spain have revealed a different world, one consistent with the imaginative landscapes of George R. R. Martin’s imagination. When you are ready, your private transfer greets you in the lobby, ready to escort you to Adolfo Suarez Madrid—Barajas Airport for your flight home.