text: HBO's hit series, Game of Thrones, is set to return with its much-anticipated fifth series, and that means the stunning settings where it was filmed are bracing for another influx of tourists. While the programme has already filmed in some of the most picturesque places around the world - including Croatia, Iceland and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland - series five has opted for slightly warmer fare. With most of the upcoming series shot in southern Spain, which stands in for the world of Dorne on the imaginary continent of Westeros, travel referral service Zicasso is looking to attract all die-hard fans with a luxury tour of some of the country's most historical, and most beautiful, cities. To celebrate the fifth series of Game of Thrones travel service Zicasso is offering a luxury themed tour of southern Spain . Seville, Spain . With much of the series set in a desert ruled by House Martell, the cities of Andalusia offer the perfect filming location for the ancient towns depicted in Game of Thrones. Though the tour begins in Madrid, guests are quickly herded south to explore the history and architecture of past Moorish rulers. In the Andalusian capital, Seville, travellers will spend three nights adhering to a full itinerary which includes a stop at the world's largest Gothic cathedral, registered by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. From there, fans will head toward Alcazar, a former Muslim fort that is celebrated for its Mudejar architecture. From Malta to Morocco, these are the various filming locations that are just as beautiful in real life as on screen . The seven-night Game of Thrones tour kicks off in Madrid, Spain (pictured) with who days of sightseeing before heading further south . From there, the tour heads to the Andalusian capital, Seville, including a stop at the world's largest Gothic cathedral . The former Muslim fort of Alcazar is the next stop, where the palace, celebrated for its Mudejar architecture, is one of the oldest in service . The Alcazar, a Unesco World Heritage Site, also provides the setting for the Water Palace of Sunspear in the series . The upper levels of the Alcazar are still used by the Spanish royal family as their official Seville residence, making it the oldest palace still in service. Registered by Unesco as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the Alcazar's stunning courtyards and lavish gardens also offer the perfect setting for the Water Palace of Sunspear, a retreat for the Princes of Dorne. Here, Prince Doran Martell, portrayed by actor Alexander Siddig, will meet with Jaime Lannister, played by actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, in order to try to save the land and his people. It's not the first time that the Alcazar has been used as a filming location. It was also the set for the court of the King of Jerusalem in 2005's Kingdom of Heaven and was also used while filming Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. From Seville, Game of Thrones enthusiasts will head to the town of Osuna, specifically to take in the city's impressive bullring . Although the HBO series filmed all around Osuna, it's the bullring that is of particular interest, as it will appear as Daznak's Pit . Osuna and Granada, Spain . A day trip to Osuna is also on the docket, specifically to take in the city's impressive bullring, which will appear as Daznak's Pit in the upcoming season. On the sixth day, guests will travel to nearby Granada to experience the rolling hills and timeless buildings, and, of course, an authentic flamenco show. It is here that fans will find one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in Europe, the remains of the Alhambra palace, with its stunning arabesques, high ceilings and tiled walls. While crews reportedly visited the stunning Alhambra while scouting locations, fans will have to tune in to see whether or not it makes an appearance. The Lake Myvatin region of Northern Iceland is recognisable as the Beyond the Wall area in the hit show Game of Thrones . For the icy scenes, programme makers favoured the Hverfjall volcano in the Lake Myvatin region of Northern Iceland . Iceland . Throughout the series, Iceland has represented the northern-most tip of Westeros, with show runners preferring the real-life landscape to scenes created through computer generated green screens. In fact, the crew liked the country's majestic vistas so much that they returned to the areas of Thingvellir and Hvalfjordur in summer 2014 to film again. While the icy crater of the Hverfjall volcano has made several appearances, fans will also likely recognise Thingvellir National Park from Arya's storyline and as the setting for the battle of the Hound and Brienne. The Stangford Castle Ward Estate and the Castle Ward tower stands proudly in County Down, Northern Ireland . In Game of Thrones the castle towers are transformed into Winterfell, where the head of House Stark rules over his people . The breathtaking beech tree lined road is known as the Dark Hedges to locals near Stanocum in County Antrim, Northern Ireland . Northern Ireland . Although the bulk of the show's filming in Northern Ireland takes place in a studio in Belfast, there are several noteworthy off-site filming locations that offer the Northern Irish economy a much-appreciated tourism boost thanks to hardcore fans. Among them, The Stangford Castle Ward Estate and the Castle Ward Tower, both of which stand proudly in County Down. The Castle was the principle filming location for the pilot and season one, standing in for Winterfell's courtyard. However, to fans of Game of Thrones, the beautiful pathway will be more recognisable as the Kings Road and the Dark Hedges of Armoy . The Iron Islands, where the character Theon comes from, are actually based on Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland . Here, fans welcomed the House of Stark to rule over their people. Also noteworthy is the Ballintoy Harbour in Country Antrim, which fans will recognise from Theon's homecoming, and the beech tree lined road known as the Dark Hedges, in nearby Stanocum. Though the tranquil pathway is beloved by locals, it's probably best recognised as the Kings Road and the Dark Hedges of Armoy in the series. The sun sets on the beautiful town of Essaouira, in Morroco, which Game of Thrones fans may recognise as Astapor . The fortified city of Ait-Benhaddou provided the setting for the fictional city of Yunkai, which featured in the show's third season . Clearly, the ancient city's red citadel and the nearby Ounila River impressed the Game of Thrones producers . Morocco . For the third series, film crews headed to Morocco to film sequences in the fictional cities of Yunkai and Astapor. Two locations were used in the North African country, Essaouira and Ait-Benhaddou, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. Ait-Benhaddou, a fortified mud-brick fortress city, is better known by Game of Thrones fans as Yunkai, while the stunning walled town of Essaouira transformed into Astapor, which played a vital role in the series three finale episode. It's hard to look at the coastal city of Dubrovnik, Croatia and not see the backdrop of King's Landings . The Minceta Tower and fortification is a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Dalmatian Coast in Dubrovnik . Dubrovnik, Croatia . It's hard to look at Croatia's stunning Dalmatian coast city and not see King's Landing. The site of endless drama, incestuous affairs, a shocking beheading and the Battle of Blackwater, this tourist-loved town along the Adriatic Sea was not actually the first choice for the pivotal backdrop. In the first series, the historic city of Mdina, Malta, was used as the filming location, before switching to Croatia at the start of series two, a move which allowed creators to film near the sea. When the show runners switched to filming in Croatia at the start of series two, they were able to film near the Adriatic Sea . The Minceta Tower is possibly most recognised as the House of the Undying from the series two finale episode . The Minceta Tower, part of the Walls of Dubrovnik, also played a pivotal role in the series two finale. Also the highest point of the city, the Tower is notable for being the spot where Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen walked around and around before entering the House of the Undying. And the Unesco Heritage Site is now just one of several stops on the newly-created themed walking tours that have popped up around the city to cater to globe-trotting Game of Thrones fans. The natural limestone arch of the Azure Window, in Gozo, Malta, was used during filming in the show's first series . The stunning natural wonder is perhaps best recognised as the backdrop for the Daenerys and Khal Drogo wedding in series one . Malta . And finally, no Game of Thrones themed trip around the world would be complete without a visit to this Mediterranean archipelago. Comprised of just three inhabited islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino - the historical republic is home to an impressive nine Unesco World Heritage Sites. Among them, the historic stone city of Mdina, which provided the backdrop for King's Landing during much of the pilot and series one episodes. During the first season, the city of Mdina, Malta, was the location of King's Landing (pictured: the historical city gate monument) Unfortunately, Maltese officials were said to have complained that protected habitats were being damaged during filming, in particular on the island of Gozo, meaning that from series two onwards, these exterior scenes were shot in Croatia. Home to the Azure Window, Malta's smaller sister island of Gozo, is a breathtaking sight, recognised by Game of Thrones fans as where Daenerys Targaryen wed Khal Drogo. Island officials took issue with the crew over potential damage inflicted on the natural wonder and thus, producers were forced to change filming locations at the start of series three. The fifth series of Game of Thrones debuts in the US on April 12 and in the UK and Australia on April 13.
target: HBO's hit series, Game of Thrones, set to return with its fifth season, which was filmed all over Europe .
  To celebrate, travel referral service, Zicasso, is offering fans a luxury themed trip to visit all filming locations .
  Must-visit locations for Game of Thrones fans include Spain, Northern Ireland, Morocco, Croatia and Iceland .