A Taste of Northern Ireland

Come and enjoy a taste of the beautiful landscape of Northern Ireland. There are some amazing sights and sounds to take in, from pretty fishing villages to the bustling and vibrant city of Belfast.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner and glass of wine each evening
• Main hotel provides porterage, welcome drink, tea/coffee after dinner and nightly 1 hour drinks promotion each evening *Terms apply
• Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Included excursion visiting The Glens of Antrim, the National Trust village of Cushendun, Derry & the Giants Causeway (with optional city tour)
• Included excursion to the Ards Peninsula and Stewart House
• Optional Belfast Explorer excursionDAY 1 Departure: A morning departure stopping for lunch and refreshments en route to our overnight hotel.

DAY 2 Travel to Belfast: We continue via Dumfries to Stranraer for the afternoon ferry service to Belfast and on to our chosen hotel.

DAYS 3-5 At leisure with one optional* and two included excursions. The Glens of Antrim, the National Trust village of Cushendun, Derry & the Giants Causeway (with optional* city tour): We journey along the Antrim Coast Road passing spectacular scenery centred around the 9 Glens of Antrim. The Glens of Antrim, is a region of County Antrim, comprising of 9 glens or valleys, that radiate inward from the coast towards Lough Neagh. The Glens are an area of outstanding natural beauty and are a major tourist attraction in north Antrim.We follow the coast road, through Carinlough, Cuchendall and the National Trust village of Cushendun, then on to the mighty Giant’s Causeway, created by volcanic activity. A regular shuttle bus escorts visitors from the visitor centre down to the shore (extra cost).We then travel to Londonderry with an opportunity to take an optional* panoramic city tour before we return to our hotel.

Mount Stewart House & Portaferry: Today we travel along the Ards Peninsula. Our first stop is Mount Stewart House (admission not included), this grand 19th Century house is surrounded by splendid and eccentric gardens.We continue south to Portaferry, a little fishing village at the tip of the Peninsula, and take the ferry across to Strangford and onto Downpatrick, to see the Mountains of Mourne (weather permitting). You will have the opportunity to visit the County Down Museum (admission not included), which is located in the old jail and reflects the life of St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. You can also visit the Cathedral where St Patrick’s grave is reputed to be located in the grounds.

Optional* excursion – Belfast Explorer: Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan, Belfast is a handsome city reflecting the wealth it enjoyed during the Industrial Revolution. Take a tour of the city’s sights including the Queen’s University and the Waterfront Hall, with the opportunity to visit the Falls or Shankhill Roads where politically inspired murals can be seen. During the second half of the day we make our way to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Dozens of old buildings throughout Ulster escaped destruction when they were moved here to create a living Folk Park with demonstrations of traditional crafts and industries. Also visit the transport museum, dominated by the Irish Railway Collection.

DAY 6 Travel to overnight hotel: We travel south to Dublin with an optional sightseeing tour of the city (time permitting) before travelling onto Dun Laoghaire for the ferry to Holyhead and to our final overnight hotel.

LAST DAY Travel home: We depart for home, arriving during the evening.Clarion Hotel Carrickfergus, Belfast

Providing an excellent location, the 4* hotel boasts 68 large en suite bedrooms which all include air conditioning, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities and TV. The hotel features a bar, restaurant and a lift. Porterage is included.