Duration: 8 nights
Best months: May–September · November–March
Country: Ireland & Northern Ireland · Iceland
Region: Belfast · Strangford Lough · County Antrim · Murlough Bay · Fair Head · Ballintoy Harbor · Ballycastle · Cushendun Caves · Dark Hedges Road · County Donegal · Lough Eske · Dunluce Castle · Glencolmcille · Slieve League · Rossnowlagh Beach · Dublin · Reykjavik · Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon · Skaftafell National Park · Vatnajökull glacier · Þingvellir National Park · Geysir · Hvítá river · Lake Mývatn · Dettifoss waterfall · Blue Lagoon
A Journey from Winterfell to Beyond the Wall
This itinerary is built for travelers who want the real world behind the story—without sacrificing comfort, privacy, or pacing. You’ll begin in Belfast and trace the series’ most atmospheric Irish landscapes, then fly onward to Iceland for glaciers, black sand beaches, and geothermal drama that feels truly “North of the Wall.”
At EscapeXperts®, your planning/design fee is translated into tangible deliverables: a discovery session, curated options (stays + experiences), iteration rounds to refine the flow, and a final trip plan with checklists—plus support for changes before and during travel.
Belfast & Strangford Lough: A Winterfell-Style Opening
Your adventure starts in Belfast, perfectly placed to step straight into the landscapes that defined the North. From here, you’ll head to Strangford Lough—better known to fans as Winterfell—for a cycling route through quiet shoreline scenery.
To keep it hands-on, you’ll also visit the Stark ancestral home setting and try your hand at archery with an expert guide. It’s a strong first chapter: active, immersive, and easy to tailor for families with teens or adult fan groups.
County Antrim Coast: Iron Islands Energy and the King’s Road Mood
Next, you’ll wind north through County Antrim, where rugged cliffs and sea winds set a dramatic tone. Along the coastal road, stop at Murlough Bay and Fair Head—two iconic viewpoints tied to Ser Davos’ shipwreck storyline.
From Ballintoy Harbor, you’ll lean into the coastline properly: horse riding and sailing along the same shorelines that portrayed the Iron Islands. Add time in Ballycastle, then continue to Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre’s shadow-birth scene left a lasting mark.
Before you leave the Causeway Coast, take the drive down Dark Hedges Road—its natural archway of intertwined trees creating the unmistakable atmosphere of the King’s Road.
Where the road feels haunted—in the best way
County Donegal: Castles, Cliffs, and a Cinematic Coastline
Your final stop South of the Wall is County Donegal, where the coastline takes on a wilder, more remote feel—recognizable as the Sea of Dorne on screen. You’ll check into Lough Eske, a refined base that lets the day feel expansive while the evenings land softly.
From here, explore the atmospheric ruins of Dunluce Castle, reached by its famously narrow bridge, then continue to the folk village of Glencolmcille. The drama rises again at the towering cliffs of Slieve League, before finishing with the wave-lashed sands of Rossnowlagh Beach.
Iceland: Glaciers, Geothermal Power, and the True “Beyond the Wall”
From Dublin, you’ll fly north to Reykjavik and enter Iceland’s otherworldly terrain—volcanoes, glaciers, and wide-open horizons that made the “North” feel believable. With an expert guide, you’ll explore the south coast and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, then head to Skaftafell National Park for a trek up Vatnajökull glacier.
Next comes the iconic geothermal intensity of Þingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle, paired with the bubbling hot springs of Geysir and the region’s thunderous waterfalls. For a final thrill, you’ll take to the Hvítá river for whitewater rafting through spectacular natural surroundings.
Then you’ll “go over the wall” to Lake Mývatn, the filming location for The Wall itself. Expect surreal lava craters and cave formations, followed by a soak in the natural baths—an ideal reset before heading back south to visit Dettifoss waterfall.
To close, return to Reykjavik for a night at Sandhotel, and finish with the steaming calm of the Blue Lagoon—the perfect contrast to a trip defined by cliffs, ice, and scale.
Signature Experiences
- Cycling through Strangford Lough (Winterfell) and archery at the Stark ancestral home setting
- Coastal stops at Murlough Bay and Fair Head tied to Ser Davos’ storyline
- Horse riding and sailing from Ballintoy Harbor, plus time in Ballycastle
- Exploring Cushendun Caves and driving Dark Hedges Road (the King’s Road)
- County Donegal with Lough Eske, Dunluce Castle, Glencolmcille, Slieve League, and Rossnowlagh Beach
- South Iceland exploration: Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Skaftafell National Park, and a trek on Vatnajökull glacier
- Golden Circle highlights: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and rafting on the Hvítá river
- “Beyond the Wall” landscapes at Lake Mývatn, plus Dettifoss waterfall, Sandhotel, and the Blue Lagoon
Ready for Something Extraordinary?
EscapeXperts® designs set-jetting journeys with tranquility, access, and impeccable logistics—private transfers, expert local guides, and pacing that keeps the trip immersive without feeling rushed. You’ll receive curated options, refined iterations, and a final plan with practical checklists and responsive support for changes, so the story stays effortless from start to finish.
Why Travel to Ireland & Iceland with Escape Xperts
Ireland & Northern Ireland plus Iceland is a powerful combination—but only when sequencing and logistics are engineered properly. EscapeXperts® curates the route, aligns transfers and flights, and builds a rhythm that balances active days with genuine downtime. We prioritize privacy-forward guiding, smart timing at key locations, and stays chosen for comfort and recovery—like Lough Eske, Torfhús Retreat, and Sandhotel—so you can focus on the landscapes, not the moving parts. The result is a bespoke, premium journey that feels cinematic, seamless, and completely tailored to your travelers.
