7 Amazing Fancations Perfect For This Summer
From Westeros to The Shire, where's your next adventure?
In this golden age of television, film and Netflix addictions, it is becoming increasingly more common for people to take pride in sagas previously named geeky. The uncovering of "the fandom" has sent people's obsessions to the next level by allowing them to show their love through t-shirts, tattoos and now holidays that support their favourite stories.
Many of the classic films that are known and loved today weren’t as reliant on the CGI magic of modern cinema. These films were shot on location - locations which you can now visit. In fact, even as time has moved on, there are still TV shows like Game of Thrones that recreate the authentic fantasy feel by shooting in actual places rather than in some tiny backlot studio in Hollywood.
Television and film can provide a much-needed escape, but if you ever actually decide to leave the couch, you have a chance to travel closer to the action and truly immerse yourself as a fan. Although these pilgrimage-like trips may be a money-intense fling, they offer the once in a lifetime chance to break down the glass barrier between the fan and the world on-screen.
These are all films and shows most cinephiles have probably seen, but here are the locations that are sure to take your obsessions to the next level.
7. Lord Of The Rings: New Zealand
New Zealand offers two must-see locations for Lord of The Rings and Hobbit fans.
The first is Hobbiton and The Shire in the small Matamata region. Fans can visit the exterior sets of Hobbiton and the interior of The Green Dragon Inn, which is actually open for business. There is also the option to stay on a small farm in the town and truly live like a Hobbit.
The second set is the Tongariro National Park, which is less commercial and more of a free walk. This was the location of Mordor in the original trilogy.
What else to do there: New Zealand is really great if you're the outdoorsy type. Although there are beaches, the temperature means isn't always the best location for sunbathing. However New Zealand offers a range of National Parks as well as rafting, sky-diving and other thrill activities at sensible costs in amazing locations.