Northern Ireland Roadtrip 1,000
Northern Ireland is all too often completely overlooked in favour of people rushing to its southern neighbour and rival. Truth be told, the North offers Ireland in a nutshell, a dramatic coast, a bustling capital city full of culture and plenty of characters. So, should you take the time to visit the North, you will be enormously rewarded. The warm welcome and local craic stands up to that of the South and there is an incredible food scene which competes. The true joy of Northern Ireland is that it is a pocket sized destination where it is easy to tick off most of the highlights over the course of a long weekend.
There is a dark side to Northern Irish tourism, locals will often remark that for many, the pull to the country is to see the disasters which have happened here. Ironically, it is easy to visit the city and miss the remnants of the ‘Troubles’ entirely. It is a period of time that defined capital city Belfast for over thirty years and as the Irish move away from the turbulent time they are keen to keep the past within the present and educate those visiting on their history and how it has come to effect them in the present. Today, the city is almost unrecognisable thanks to large parts of the city being entirely redeveloped and areas full of quirky bars, old fashioned bars and award winning restaurants.
Getting to Northern Ireland is very straightforward. Regular international and domestic flights serve capital Belfast International / Belfast City Airports and you are a 20 minute drive from the thick of it!
x3 nights, Bullitt Hotel
from £90 a night bed and breakfast
The hotel's location in the newly-regenerated Cathedral Quarter means that you're right in the thick of some of Belfast's coolest bars, cobbled streets and festoon lantern-filled courtyards.
Skip breakfast at the hotel one morning and visit St George’s Market for some of Ireland’s best local produce all on sale under one roof
The history of Belfast is no secret and a Black Cab History Tour is a must do for a better understanding of the cities past. Your driver will paint a brighter picture whilst visiting some of the most significant sights and areas from the period
Day trip to the majestic Mountains of Mourne was a walking trip with Men of the Mournes. The scenery and views are spectacular and you can work up an appetite for lunch at Mourne Sea Food Bar
The Titanic Museum is well worth a visit but so too is the often overlooked Crumlin Gaol (jail to you or me)
The drive between city and coast should take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
x2 nights Fullerton Arms
from £100 a night bed and breakfast
The glorious Causeway Coastal Route hugs the dramatic eastern and northern coastline of Northern Ireland. This hotel is perfectly placed to experience the highlights of it. With a warm and cosy pub just down the stairs from your room and a long list of ways to have their speciality - mussels, you will feel what it is to experience a warm Irish welcome.
The Giants Causeway, seems a shame to come all this way and miss it, is extraordinary. Read up on the scientific and folk tale reasons this World Wonder exists and spend an afternoon hopping between the hexagonal rocks
The Northern Irish sets of HBO's hit series Game of Thrones on your doorstep - Ballintoy Harbour literally and The Dark Hedges a short drive
Surrounded by the ocean it is well worth getting out on it. The Causeway Lass offers mackerel fishing trips every evening and it is a wonderful way to get out onto the sea. Cross your fingers for dolphin!
A day trip to Rathlin Island is a must, bring your hiking shoes and hope for a sighting of the resident puffin colony. On a clear day, wave at any friends you have on the west coast of Scotland
Total Costs:
Accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast Basis: £570
Car Hire for five nights: £100
Black Cab Tour: £35
Men of the Mournes Walking Tour: £45 per person
Causeway Lass Fishing Trip: £30 per person
Total: £870