Northern Ireland: Belfast
Belfast is technically part of Northern Ireland and the UK. Once, it was a troubled city but today, it is a destination that has totally reclaimed itself. It is situated in the estuary of the River Lagan and is surrounded by mountains. The architectural style of Belfast's buildings ranges from Edwardian, like the City Hall, to modern, like Waterfront Hall. Some of the main attractive buildings include the City Hall completed in 1906 and whose grounds contain a memorial to the victims of the Titanic and a statue of Queen Victoria, two former banks (the Ulster Bank built in 1860 and the Northern Bank, built-in 1769), the Royal Courts of Justice and Stormont where the Northern Irish parliament sits. The latter is huge with a neo-classical façade. The grounds are interesting in themselves. It is a 1 kilometre/1/2 mile walk from the entrance to the parliament buildings. Many of Belfast’s oldest buildings are to be found in the Cathedral Quarter area, the city’s main cultural and tourist area which also contains many cafés, bars and interesting buildings that recall the city's commercial and industrial heritage.
Other points of interest, on an Ireland vacation, are the imposing Saint Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast Central Library which contains the archives of all Northern Irish newspapers, the Cornmarket, the centre of Belfast's retail shopping area, Queen's University, a fine Victorian building with extensive grounds and the Ulster Museum which includes a section devoted to the history of the Irish conflict, artifacts retrieved from the 1588 wreck of the Spanish galleon Girona and the Egyptian Room with Princess Takabuti, a 2500-year-old Egyptian mummy unwrapped in Belfast in 1835.
The Belfast Zoo houses more than 1200 animals and Belfast Castle which dates from two other places of interest. The castle is located on Cave Hill where you can enjoy good views of the city and the coastline. One other very special place is the ornately decorated Crown Liquor Saloon, designed in 1876. It is one of only two pubs in the UK that are owned by the National Trust. It was made internationally famous as the setting for the film, The Odd Man Out, starring James Mason.
Belfast is known for its parks and gardens. There are more than 40 public parks in the city, popular places for picnics walks and running. The most popular are the Botanical Gardens with a tropical ravine, rose gardens and a vast area of meadows and woodland.
Titanic Belfast houses the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. It features over six floors, and nine interpretive and interactive galleries which bring to life the history and story of this iconic ship launched in Belfast in the early 1900s. The story is brought up to the present with the discovery of the wreck. You can now take a boat tour around the area where the ship was built.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
10 Trips Available
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Highlights of Dublin and Belfast
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: The two capital cities of the Emerald Isle are brought to life on this weeklong, tailor-made caper. Starting in Dublin, experience key highlights including EPIC Ireland, the Guinness Storehouse, and Jameson Distillery. Later, connect to Belfast to learn about the Troubles with the help of a local guide, and visit attractions including the Titanic Experience and Gobbin's Path.- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,693
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous, Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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Ireland Explorer Small Group Tour: Dublin, Galway, Killarney & More
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: This exhilarating tour of Ireland is the perfect way to explore the Emerald Isle's countryside, including glorious Galway, colourful Connemara and beautiful Burren before returning to the timeless capital, Dublin.- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,605
- Trip Type:
- Small Group Touring
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Complete Ireland Small Group Adventure: Dublin, Belfast, Galway & More
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: A complete tour of Ireland, this small group adventure takes you to the most famous sights and towns of the Emerald Isle, from the staggering Giant’s Causeway to the delicate crystal of Waterford.- Duration:
- 13 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,303
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous, Family Vacations, Small Group Touring
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Northern Ireland & the Atlantic Coast: Dublin, Donegal, Westport & More
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: From Dublin, combine the gentle beauty of the Antrim coast and glens with the wild and rugged west coast of Ireland. Add visits to Belfast, Londonderry and the Giant’s Causeway and you have a well rounded insight into some of Ireland’s most outstanding regions.- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,253
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous, Family Vacations, Small Group Touring
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A Glimpse of the North Self-Drive: Dublin & Belfast
MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: Starting and finishing in Dublin, on this self drive tour of the north of the Emerald Isle, you will have time to discover, at your leisure, historic sites, battlefields, Belfast itself, the Giant’s Causeway and above all, the beauty of the Irish countryside.- Duration:
- 5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 989
- Trip Type:
- Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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Highlights of Belfast
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: On this tailor-made visit to Belfast, trace the history and construction of the Titanic, take in jazz over dinner at the city’s only jazz bar, and discover the tumultuous history of Northern Ireland’s capital city with the help of a local Black Cab driver.- Duration:
- 4 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 933
- Trip Type:
- Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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Dublin and Surrounds
MODERATE | TAILOR-MADE: Ireland’s historic capital beckons on this short Dublin city break, designed to let you see the best of the city in limited time. Familiar, yet steeped firmly in its own unique culture, let this be your first stop in discovering the Emerald Isle.- Duration:
- 5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,011
- Trip Type:
- Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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The Emerald Isle Small Group Tour
DELUXE | SMALL GROUP: An in-depth circular Back Roads tour itinerary of Ireland’s lush green landscapes and coastal magnificence combined with the country’s colourful history and culture make this a must for anyone wishing to enjoy the very essence of the Emerald Isle.- Duration:
- 14 Days
- Prices:
- On request
- Trip Type:
- Small Group Touring
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The Scenes and Scenery of Ireland's Movies Self-Drive
MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: Game of Thrones fans will find this Ireland tour especially thrilling as it takes in locations and sights featured in the show. For others, it’s a tour of Ireland at its most photogenic.- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,629
- Trip Type:
- Ideas for 18 to 30 Somethings, Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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Flavours of the North: Dublin, Derry, Belfast & More
MODERATE | ESCORTED COACH: Join this escorted program to experience the warmth and marvels of Dublin, Derry, Belfast and the Giants Causeway. Along the way, you’ll see wonders old and new, visit the Titanic Belfast Experience, walk on city walls, and learn tales of Irish lore.- Duration:
- 5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 922
- Trip Type:
- Escorted Coach Touring
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