Known for her integral roles in HBO’s Game of Thrones*, The Tudors and the upcoming Hunger Games: Mockingjay film, Natalie Dormer is quickly becoming a household name amongst Contiki’s 18-35 demographic. As the face of the #ContikiLegends campaign, Natalie got behind the camera once again to retell an incredible story of a young blind woman who leads her fellow travellers through the cobblestoned streets of Rome, finding their way back to the hotel simply by using her other senses.

1/What sort of traveller are you?

I love all sorts. I love walking holidays, and to ski with friends, but in recent years I’ve been so busy with work so only able to go on holiday once a year and so that’s tended to be somewhere hot to unwind on a beach and scuba dive.

Because of my job I get a lot of opportunity to grab a few days here and there in many cool cities for press commitments, magazine shoots and premieres- like Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Stockholm, New York, Berlin. I always try to get to a gallery or museum if there’s time.

 2/ Have you ever been to New Zealand /Asia/Canada & is it on your bucket list? If yes, why?

I have been to Canada several times. It was autumn when I visited Vancouver and I will always remember the colour of those trees in British Colombia were stunning. I have shot in Toronto and find it a very trendy, friendly city. I look forward to having opportunity to go back for the film festival (co-incidentally on right now as I type this).

I would love to go to New Zealand; Try some of the adventurous stuff to be found in Queenstown. Both my cousin and my brother loved the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. As a family we were all brought up hiking so I’d like to do that.

I need to return to Asia. I got to Bali and Lombok last year. The Gili Islands gave me some of my best scuba diving experiences including tons of turtles.

3/ Memorable life experience:

Travelling down the western coast of India. We travelled down from Mumbai down into Goa and them much further down into Kerala. I loved Kerala- Fresh coconut juice every day. The train system in India is chaotic and fun. It’s the best way to see the landscape and being in with all the families and the odd animal is a colourful experience you never forget. I would love to go to the Himalayas and cross over into Nepal. Do the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

4/Contiki:

Tell us about your partnership with Contiki – what attracted you to this project & why did you want to work with a youth travel brand? Now that you’re here are you enjoying playing the role of a Contiki legend and giving it the Hollywood treatment?

Travel is so important in its capacity to expand the mind. Exciting to start young as possible. You get to see how other cultures live, challenge your senses and try different cuisines. Travel shows you the diverse wildlife we share this planet with too and gives you perspective on just how huge the Earth is.

It was great to meet the Contiki Group- all enjoying themselves SO much. My first time to Rome was when I was pack-packing with my best friend around Europe for a month at 18 years old so I remember that excitement at being away from home properly for the first time. I could have done with a Contiki Trip Manager though! it was just us and a ‘Lonely planet’ .

5/ You’re from the UK – can you please recommend your favourite places in London for our Contiki travellers: ie. restaurants, bars, shops, galleries…hotspots and highlights in your opinion: 

I love the South Bank. There is always something going on down by the river there. It’s home to some of our greatest cultural institutions- the National Theatre, the Hayward Gallery, the British Film Institute, the Royal Festival Hall all next to each other with their great events. There is the famous outside book stall and the skaters park with its funky graffiti and groups of skaters. There is a food market down there, great bars and restaurants and a Christmas market in December not to mention the incredible view of The Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster, Big Ben and central London. So you can just stroll along and take in the view.

6/ What is one thing you cannot leave home without and why when you travel? 

2 things. My yoga mat comes everywhere. Keeps you stretched out after sitting still on all those planes, trains and road journeys.

You need a great hat too. If it’s hot it’ll keep the sun off your face, if it’s cold it will keep the heat in, if you need to sleep you pull it down over your eyes and if your hair is starting to get a bit greasy from all the travelling it hides it when you’re in desperate need of a shower!