Northern Ireland is a land of stunning landscapes and medieval architecture, which made it the perfect place for the makers of the "Game of Thrones" to film much of their footage. Here are just a few of the many fascinating places that were used as backdrops or props for the show, evoking a sense of the magical and timeless.

Our version of "Groundhog Day" involves having the same phone conversations repeatedly with prospective clients. We’ve created itineraries for dozens of clients, and with a few exceptions, they've all come to us with the same travel goals:
1. “I want to see real, authentic places; experience the real Italy without the tourist crowds; and do it affordably.”
2. “I want to visit Rome, Florence, Amalfi, and Venice. And I have 9 days.”
Spoiler alert: Those goals are in direct conflict with one another. Is it possible to visit those famous places and see them in an authentic way? 

Travelers to Europe always want to see the same things, checking off boxes on some “must-see” list.: The Roman Forum. Stonehenge. The Cliffs of Moher. It becomes a scavenger hunt, The trouble is,  everyone has the same ideas, so these places are often impossibly clogged with tourist crowds. The good news is, there are alternatives to the headline locations - easier to get to, nicer to see, and often cheaper to visit.