Flavours of the North: Dublin, Derry, Belfast & More

Fáilte go hÉireann, and following arrival at Dublin Airport, transfer to your Dublin hotel under own arrangements. You are free to explore the city at your leisure this afternoon, and your hotel will be within walking distance of the city center. If you are interested in arranging an arrival transfer or activities for the afternoon, please speak with your Destination Specialist.

After breakfast, meet with your English-speaking guide and driver and depart Ireland's capital, traveling to County Derry. En route, stop at the Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum of emigration which tells the story of millions of people who left Irish shores. Experience the adventure that takes you from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full-scale emigrant sailing ship, to the log cabins of the American frontier. Meet an array of costumed characters on your way with traditional crafts to show, tales to tell and food to share. Continue onward to Derry City and on arrival enjoy a walking tour on Derry City Walls with a local guide. Your tour will showcase the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. These famous walls, which date back to the early part of the seventeenth century, have survived several sieges. There are fine views from the top of the walls, which encircle the old city, a circuit of one mile. By walking on Derry City's Walls, you have splendid views of cathedrals and churches, you will learn about the historical events that shaped the city and explore attractions such as The Bogside, The People's Gallery murals, The Diamond, the Tower Museum and the Guildhall.

This morning depart Derry and travel along the Antrim coast to Belfast, visiting the Giant's Causeway en route. The Causeway was formed more than 60 million years ago when red-hot lava erupted onto the surface of the earth and was cooled by the sea to form the columns which make up the Giant's Causeway. Legend tells a different story however that Finn Mac Cumhaill (McCool) built the Causeway over the sea to Scotland in order to fight his arch enemy, Fingal, who had started his own path. The two had never met before and when Finn heard the heavy footsteps of Fingal he turned back. Helped by his wife, Finn dressed up as a baby and when Fingal arrived and saw Finn, Fingal assumed the baby's father would be much bigger. This scared him and he went running home, destroying the causeway behind him.

Continue to Belfast and enjoy a guided tour of Belfast City. This is an excellent way to discover Belfast and will take in the leaning Albert Memorial Clock Tower (Ireland's answer to the leaning Tower of Pisa), the Opera House, passing City Hall, the Crown Bar (dating from 1885), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens along the way. You will also visit the Harland & Wolff Shipyard, where the Titanic was built and launched in 1912. A visit to the Shankill & Falls Roads will be of interest as it will give the visitor an indication of how life was in Belfast during "The Troubles".

This morning, visit the Titanic Belfast Experience. Located in the heart of Belfast, Titanic Belfast recreates the story of the world's most famous liner in a new iconic, six-floor building right beside the historic site of the original ship's construction. Highlights include views of the slipways where the Titanic was launched, and the voyage to the bottom of the sea in the unique Ocean Exploration Centre.

Depart Belfast and travel back to Dublin. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin. You will first explore the north side of the city which offers striking monuments such as the G.P.O. (General Post Office) on O'Connell Street and Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The city's south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle and two Anglican Cathedrals.

After a final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin airport for your departure flight home under your own arrangements. If you would like to extend your stay or arrange a departure transfer, please speak with your Destination Specialist.