On Geek Tourism, by Patricia López

Dear followers,

here you are, another great entry, from student Patricia López, on one special way of travelling...read it and let us know what you think!

‘Summer is coming’ so, if you are doubtful about your next vacation, I would like to show you the options I discovered if you are looking for an alternative trip. Get your imagination ready and the crazy inspiration that some hobbies can rekindle.

These days, everyone seems to be taking a bite out of geek culture and the tourism industry has moved to accommodating a growing interest in science and science fiction. Cities around the world have attractions sure to appeal to technophiles, sci-fi and fan enthusiasts. Consider these locales for your next geek adventure:

Middle-Earth (New Zealand); fans of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings novels know how immersive the books can be, so many of the sets from the movies have been preserved and are open for visitors. Hobbiton Movie Set is an experience to bring back the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of The Shire, at the home of the Hobbits, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. A guide escorts you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie was made. There is even an evening banquet tour available for those hungry travelers. A must see while voyagers are in NZ.

Akihabara Electric Town (Tokyo), the home of the largest electronics store in the world. Tokyo is a wonderful frenetic city of lights, high rises and madness. Just a short walk from the subway station and you’ll find the main street covered in colorful ads at the tall buildings’ facades. They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, tvs, mobile phones and home-appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk. Akihabara condenses a whole lot of something into a small place. In more recent years, it has gained recognition as the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.

San Diego Comic-Con (USA); the founders of the show set out to include not only the comic books they loved, but also other aspects of the popular arts, including films and fantasy literature. Over the years (its first convention was in 1970), Comic-Con has become the focal point for the world of comics conventions. The offer of activities includes hands-on workshops, educational and academic conferences, anime and film screenings, games, the ‘Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards’ (the Oscars of the comic industry) or a masquerade costume competition with prizes and trophies, among others.

The central part of Tunisia, the beginning of the Sahara (a land of desert and rocks) was the perfect location to fulfil the vision of a faraway planet that inspired Star Wars saga; or the Adult Space Academy, where the NASA offers 4-day programs to taste zero gravity and bunk down in windowless pods, are some alternatives if you are considering going beyond the conventional. 

Comic Con (c) Gabin Bond