Depart from Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn Hotel) taking the Causeway Coastal Route. Stop for coffee and restrooms in Carnlough. This is the harbour where Arya escapes a Braavos canal after she was stabbed by the Waif. Then we visit the Hidden village of Galboly, where Dunk and Ser Arlan stay overnight. Ser Arlan astonishes everyone first thing in the morning out the back door of a cottage.
Next stop is Ballintoy Harbor, the location where Theon came ashore on Pyke Island, where Theon later rededicated his faith to the ‘drowned god’, where Ser Davos seeks the help of Salladhor Saan for the Battle of Blackwater Bay and where Gendry escapes Dragonstone in a rowing boat. This is where your guide opens the trunk of the coach and takes out the Iron Islands costumes, swords, axes, and Greyjoy banners.
Next, we visit the Giant’s Causeway: a UNESCO World Heritage site and geological marvel of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed in the Paleogene Period, 50-60 million years ago (please note there is up to 2 kilometers of walking at this location).
The second last stop is a photostop at the spectacular ruins of Dunluce Castle, the ancient seat of power of Clan McDonnell perched on the edge of basalt sea cliffs. Dunluce appeared briefly in Game of Thrones® as the ruins of Harrenhal when Robb Stark and his entourage arrive.
Our final stop of the day is the Dark Hedges, the avenue of 200 year old serpentine beech trees through which Arya and Gendry escaped King’s Landing.
