Look no further for history, culture and hospitality than Northern Ireland
So you've decided to head out to Northern Ireland. And what a great choice of destination that is. This area is full of history, culture and great Irish hospitality. Here's how to spend five days in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland - Wikipedia) and get the most out of them.
Day 1
One of the best cities to fly in to, in order to explore the area, is Belfast. A great hotel to check out is the Europa hotel (www.hastingshotels.com/euro-belfast) before you head off and enjoy some lunch at the Mourne Seafood Hotel, which boasts some of the best food in the city (www.mourenesafood.com).
And when it comes to the best, you can't go wrong with a tour of the city given by the Blue Badge Guides (Blue Badge Guides - Bing). Ken McElroy is one of the best in the business and he will meet you in your hotel (44 (0) 7801 541600). Ken will answer any questions you might have and give you an insightful tour of one of Europe's most fascinating cities.
Heading out from Belfast, it's a good idea to drive to the Saint Patrick Center. The much-loved patron saint of Ireland is commemorated here. The exhibition at Ego Patricius looks at the legacy of St. Patrick, both ancient and modern and it recalls the saint's story in his own words using state-of-the-art multi-media displays (www.saintpatrickcentre.com).
Be sure to check out St. Patrick's grave stone in the yard at nearby Down Cathedral (www.downcathedral.org). Every year for St. Patrick's day a procession marches to his gravesite, but unlike in America, any beer that is drunk in the area afterward is not colored green!
If all that sightseeing leaves you in need of a rest, then check out the Soak Seaweed Baths (Soak Seaweed Baths - Bing - Shopping). Even if you have never had one before, now is the time to indulge. You will step inside a steam cabinet before luxuriating in the amber goodness of the mineral-rich seaweed and hot seawater that makes up a seaweed bath. Let the seaweed bath detoxify your body and leave you with a natural glow. Ahhh, so good.
For a place to stay, look into the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa.(Booking.com : Hotels in Newcastle . Book your hotel now!)
Day 2
On this day it's time to leave Newcastle and head to Co. Fermanagh.
Worth visiting here are the Priory Cottages to see some pottery throwing and basket-weaving. Set amongst the stunning grounds of Benburb Priory are the quaint Priory Cottages, homes to Stephen Farnan Pottery, Greenwood Basket, Tank Gallery and Priory House West. Established in 2002, Stephen Farnan Pottery offer an extensive range of pottery from the quirky to the ultra functional. Check out Alison's baskets, known throughout Ireland the UK for their uniqueness and unbelievable strength.
If all that shopping makes you hungry, then pop in to the Priory House Restaurant (tel +44) 0 28 3754 7767
Then head off to the Lough Erne Resort. Here you can spend the afternoon playing golf in the Nick Faldo Golf Academy. Whether you are a beginner or experienced golfer there is always something to learn.
Have dinner here at the Catalina Restaurant.
Day 3
One of the things people love Northern Ireland for is the history. In fact many Americans say their ancestors came from Ireland and many like to come here to check out their roots.
You won't fail to be fascinated by a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park. (Ulster American Folk Park We're Ready For You (nmni.com). This park tells the story of emigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Old and New World layout of the Park illustrate the various aspects of emigrant life on both sides of the Atlantic.
Think traveling by boat was somehow romantic in those days? Alas, it was not. The captain of the boat in the exhibit will tell you tales of how passengers were really an inconvenience to the ship's captain and how he was often more concerned with the cargo he had to transport.
In stormy weather, the passengers had to stay below deck and they had few facilities like bathrooms. Instead, a simple bucket was used and modesty was not a consideration. If storms got bad and passengers had to stay below deck for many days, those buckets would become full and less than sanitary. Not a good thing.
People often had to sleep 6 to a bed, even if they didn't know each other. Travel to the new world was less than glamorous.
Don't let the reality of life back then put you off enjoying a good lunch however at the Halo Pantry & Grill +44 (0) 28 7127 1567
After lunch be sure to visit the 17th century Derry City Walls (Derry City Walls - Bing) and St. Columb's Cathedral. Built between 1614 and 1619, these original walls are almost perfectly preserved today, making Derry one of the best examples of a walled city in Europe.
From the walls of the city to the four walls of a wonderful restful bedroom for the night, check in to the Everglades Hotel +44 (0) 28 7132 1066, website: www.hastingshotels.com/everglades-hotel.
For dinner be sure to try the Brown's Restaurant +44 (0) 28 7134 5180
Day 4
Almost everyone has heard of the Giant's Causeway but did you also know that the Causeway Coastal Route (The 5 Best Causeway Coastal Route Tours & Tickets 2020 - Belfast | Viator) is awash with astonishing natural landscapes?
You will find everything along this road from patchwork hills, mountain streams and waterfalls to a lovely coastal road with majestic cliffs, golden sands and the unique glory that is the Giant's Causeway itself.
This is where 40,000 mostly six-sided basalt columns create an eerie landscape jutting into the ocean.
On the way you will pass Dunluce Castle (Dunluce Castle - Wikipedia), built in the 16 century and perched dramatically on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This castle is well worth a stop (www.ehsni.gov.uk)
Then it's on to the world-famous Giant's Causeway itself. The Giant's Causeway is actually one of the natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of those impressive hexagonally-shaped basalt columns stand as high as 160 meter. They were formed 60 million years ago from volcanic lava. When you hear the legend of a fight between a Scottish and an Irish giant taking place, you can almost believe it is true.
One thing that definitely is true is just how good the lunch tastes at the Distillers Armed in Bushmills (www.distillersarms.com), so check it out.And don't forget to look at the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge afterward.
This bridge sways precariously 24 meters above the churning ocean and it consists of planks of wood laid between long parallel ropes. Not for the faint of heart but a great adventure anyway!It was originally put there by lobster fishermen who wanted to set and then check their traps.
If you need some Dutch courage after the fact, check out the Old Bushmills Distillery (you definitely don't want to do it before your rope-bridge adventure!)
And for a good night's sleep, that would have any giant or Lilliputian sleeping, there's the Bushmills Inn (www.bushmillsinn.com)
Day 5
Any trip to Northern Ireland can't forget the Titanic (Titanic - Wikipedia) which was built here.
Look into the Titanic Foundation Ltd which is working on a $150m project to bring Titanic home to Belfast in the centenary year of its departure from Belfast and its fateful voyage.
The iconic building that is the museum is shaped like a ship's hull and will comprise of 9 galleries over 4 floors.
Here the visitor will travel through time and listen to stories of those who built this great ocean liner and those who were on board.The visitor will then be told about present day events. There will be video footage to view. There's something about all things Titanic that is a continuing fascination for people and this museum is no different. Don't miss it!
Another museum worth checking out is the Ulster Museum (www.nmni.com) which boasts a 23m high atrium with glass and steel walkways which lead to history, art and science galleries at different levels.
A great place to stay in this area is the Merchant Hotel (www.themerchanthotel.com). And for eating there is Molly's Yard (www.mollysyard.co.uk)
Now it's time to enjoy the fresh air and you can do that at the Botanic Gardens. Right now the gardens are adorned with lights and magic for Leon (part of the Belfast Festival at Queens).
Laid out in 1827, the gardens are a restful haven of lawns, trees and flowers, along with curving walks. There's also a magnificent Palm House completed in 1852.
All too soon your visit to Northern Ireland will come to a close and you'll be wishing you could hurry back to this beautiful Emerald Isle (Emerald Isle - definition of Emerald Isle by The Free Dictionary).
Useful links
Discover Northern Ireland | Visit Northern Ireland | Tourism NI