Belfast, Giant’s Causeway and Mount Stewart

TITANIC EXPERIENCE

After an Irish breakfast, we start the day by heading to the Titanic Experience. Belfast really came into its own in the Industrial Revolution, wealthier from ship building, lining making and tobacco exports. Today, memories of this affluent time are found in the likes of the iconic Samson and Goliath twin gantry cranes, an imposing sight along the portside. You can see this influence throughout the city hall, banks and other historical buildings, as your mind wander to what life would have looked like some 200 years ago.

With the maritime heritage running through the veins of Belfast, no visit would be complete without a visit to the award winning Titanic Experience. We explore the history and legacy of the Titanic, what it meant to the people of Belfast and the story of those who were on the fateful ship itself.  As well as a series of 9 interactive galleries, you can even walk the deck of the last remaining vessel of the White Star line. The afternoon is free to explore – so what’s it to be? Perhaps head to the Ulster Museum, where exhibits range from the prehistoric to modern masterpieces, wander St. George's Market for a bargain, head to the Botanic Gardens with its Palm House and the Tropical Ravine, or simply amble along the Lagan river for a spot of people watching.

ANTRIM COAST, GLENARM CASTLE & GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

This morning, prepare yourself for one of the most famous coastal trips in the world, as we embark on the Antrim coast road. We head out by the side of the Belfast Lough, the key to the prosperous ship building industry, passing though Carrickfergus with its arresting Medieval castle. Varied scenery turns from verdant green farmland, rugged coastlines and curved bays as we follow the coastline north. Be on the look out for the glens of Antrim, of which there are 9 in total, as the scenery changes before your eyes from neat, fertile valleys and charming villages to wildly beautiful, rugged vistas.

It’s amazing what we can see today now the A2 road has been established, as the isolated glens would have previously been harder to access. A happy consequence, this helped to preserve the beautiful Gaelic language, as one of the last places in Northern Ireland is spoken. Across the countryside, evidence of tough lives of farmers and rural inhabitants are found in many abandoned cottages – seemingly in the middle of nowhere – it’s truly a wonder how people managed to eke out a living on the rugged landscape.

We continue our fascinating Irish voyage through breathtaking Ballycastle, a port and also at the mouth of 2 of the Glens of Antrim. Look out for Rathlin island, Northern Ireland’s last inhabited island.

This afternoon we will visit Historic Glenarm Castle and Gardens instead. Known as one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful estates, the castle is the ancestral home of the Earls of Antrim, and now the private family home of the Viscount and Viscountess Dunluce and family. We will have a guided tour of the castle where history will be brought to life as we see rooms such as the drawing room, “blue room” and the castle’s striking Great hall.

Afterwards there will be time to explore the castle’s gardens including the famous 18^th century walled gardens which have been carefully restored, as well as sculptures, the cascades and fountains, the glasshouse, herb gardens and hot Border. The Castle also has a tearoom

The next highlight to come into view is the magical Giants Causeway. As you take in the surrounding area of outstanding national beauty, it’ll come as no surprise this geographical wonder is acknowledged as a UNESCO heritage site. Its basalt hexagonal columns have spawned many legends, notably Finn McCool, fabled hunter-warrior in Irish mythology. We go on to discover more about this fascinating spot, as we pay a visit the state-of-the-art visitors centre, illuminating the science behind the site as well as the fairytales that have been weaved along the way.

We return to Belfast in the late afternoon.

MOUNT STEWART

After another breakfast at the hotel, we head south this morning to the shores of delightful Lough Strangford. Wildlife lovers might want to bring their binoculars or favourite camera, as this is truly a haven for wildlife. The largest inlet in the British Isles, there are seventy islands dotted along its many picturesque islets, bays and coves.
Our destination has been voted one of the top gen gardens in the world: Mount Stewart. Deserving of its UNESCO listed status, these stunning gardens have been home to the famous Stewart family for over 250 years.

The house itself is a real treasure trove of history, and you can get a true sense of the family’s place in history as you wander its many handsome rooms. The gardens in fact are arranged in rooms too: from the exquisite Italian garden, The Shamrock, the “Sunk” garden, the Dodo terrace and the Spanish Garden to name just a few. You’ll have plenty of time to lose yourself in this spectacle of fine horticulture before returning to Belfast in the mid afternoon.

RETURN HOME

After breakfast, return home with wonderful memories of Northern Ireland.