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| The Northern Exposure |
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| Route One Suggested Touring Itinerary |
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| Day 1 |
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Arrive into Dublin Airport where you will pick up your rental car at the Hertz desk. Travel northwest through the towns of Navan onto the beautiful lake district of the northern regions. You may wish to stop en route at Heritage Town of Kells, and visit the Heritage Centre. Housed in the beautifully restored courthouse are a multi-media exhibition, a gift shop and Kells Tourist Information Centre. The exhibition, entitled 'The Splendour of Ireland' gives |
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an insight into the crafts and culture of monastic Ireland and entices the visitor to explore the various sites of interest throughout the modern streetscape of Kells. |
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You move on from here through the rolling hills of Cavan onto the lovely town of Enniskillen. The town is beautifully situated overlooking the lakes and perhaps is best known for the excellent boating and fishing in the area. You may wish to visit the Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe's finest show caves that allows visitors to explore the natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. |
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Overnight in Enniskillen at the Killyhevlin Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. |
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Situated only 1km from the historic town of Enniskillen, the Killyhevlin Hotel combines a warm welcome with modern comfortable facilities. The beautiful lakes and rivers of Fermanagh provide a backdrop for the hotel, which is on the banks of Lough Erne. |
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| Day 2 |
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Today travel via Omagh to Derry, Northern Ireland's second city and the Cultural Capital of the Northwest. En route you can stop to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. Follow in the footsteps of the thousands of men and women who in the 18th and 19th centuries left Ulster to seek a new life in America. The authentically furnished thatched cottages of rural Ulster and the log cabins of frontier America costumed interpreters as they busy themselves at their everyday tasks. Here in contrasting Old World and New World settings you will see the types of dwellings, farm out-houses and craft workshops that the emigrants used on both sides of the Atlantic. |
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Continue onto Derry City via the town of Strabane in Co Tyrone. Stroll along its 17th century walls and see the ever-changing skyline of a city constant in the warmth of its welcome. Derry is the only completely walled city in Ireland. Monastic site, plantation city, and thriving cultural centre: many and varied are the roles that Derry has played in the rich pageant of Irish history. |
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| Overnight at The Beech Hill Country House in Derry on a bed and breakfast basis. |
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The Beech Hill is a privately owned hotel in a sylvan setting, surrounded by 32 acres of parkland and landscaped gardens, with ponds and waterfalls, affording occasional glimpses of an abundant wildlife. The surrounding grounds, planted with myriad trees, including Beech, complement the ambience of the hotel. The hotel also boasts a top restaurant creating superb cuisine using local produce and homemade specialities. |
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| Day 3 |
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Today you will travel along the northern Causeway Coast where you will have the chance to see Dunluce Castle - the ancient ruins provide a rewarding stop and fantastic views out over the sea. You can also explore the fabulous Giants Causeway - regarded as the "8th Wonder of the World". The Giant's Causeway is composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns, which jut out to sea between Port Ganny and Port Noffer. The waves have cut this low promontory into three distinct parts called respectively the Grand, Middle and Little Causeways. Taken in this sense the name 'Giant's Causeway' refers only to one spectacular coastal feature, but the whole stretch from Runkerry in the West to Dunseverick in the East goes by the name of 'the Causeway Headlands'. |
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| Overnight in Coleraine at the Brown Trout Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. |
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The Brown Trout Golf and Country Inn is nestled near the River Bann close to the picturesque Causeway coast. The warm hospitality as well as the Taste of Ulster restaurant will make your stay a warm one. |
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| Day 4 |
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Today you will travel further along the Coast of Antrim, designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An unrivalled seascape, towering cliffs, white sandy beaches, tranquil glens and lush forest parks all unfold as you make your way northwards. You may like to pay a visit to Old Bushmills Distillery, where you will have the opportunity to see this age old process of distilling at firsthand, and to try and taste the difference between the Single Malt and Black Bush after your tour. You can also see the fabulous Carrick a Rede Bridge. Located just outside the seaside town of Ballycastle - the Rope Bridge is not for the faint hearted. The bridge is a working bridge to enable the local fishermen to reach the salmon fishery, which is on the tiny island connected to the mainland, by the bridge. |
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From Ballycastle to Cairnlough, is one of the most scenic routes in Europe. You'll be constantly delighted as you travel around each bend in the road and pretty fishing villages or dramatic headlands come into view. From the magnificent vantage points at Fair Head and Murlough Bay you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, as well as the wild and mysterious island of Rathlin just seven miles off the coast of Ballycastle and accessible daily by boat. |
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| Overnight in Carnlough at the Londonderry Arms on a bed and breakfast basis. |
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The Londonderry Arms is known for its old world charm, good food, customer care and value for money. Located in the small fishing village of Carnlough at the foot of Glencloy, one of the nine glens of Antrim. The hotel was originally built as a coaching inn in 1848. The original architecture and rooms remain intact, and the hotel's award winning restaurant offers the best in local produce . |
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| Day 5 |
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You can enjoy your last day exploring the capital of Northern Ireland. Belfast City is nestled between the River Lagan and Belfast Lough and ringed by the Belfast Hills. With its large port, Belfast is a very industrialized city, often referred to as the engine room that drove the whirring wheels of the industrial revolution in Ulster. The core of downtown Belfast sits beside the West Bank of the River Lagan. The city revolves around a central point, Donegall Square, which holds the City Hall. Donegall Place, which extends northward from the square, leads to Royal Avenue, a prime-shopping district. Bedford Street, which extends southward from the square, becomes Dublin Road, which, in turn, leads to the Queen's University area. |
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Set in the delightful surroundings of the Botanic Gardens in south Belfast, next to University, the Ulster Museum is Northern Ireland's treasure house of the past and present. Its collections are comprehensive and fascinating, covering fine and applied art, archaeology and ethnography, local history and natural sciences. |
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Overnight in Belfast City at The Malone Lodge on a bed and breakfast basis. |
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Situated in the tranquil leafy suburbs of the historic university area, The Malone Lodge is one of the city's finest 4 star townhouse hotels. The centrepiece of a beautiful Victorian terrace, the Malone Lodge Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the delights of Belfast city. |
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| Day 6 |
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Depart Belfast early morning and drive to Dublin Airport where you will return your rental car and take your departure flight from Ireland. We wish you a safe and pleasant flight back to your homeland. |
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Slan Abhaile - Safe Home! |
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Price: From $599 to $947
Available: Year-round |
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| INCLUSIONS |
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- 5 Nights Accommodation in 1st class hotels.
- Full Irish breakfast daily
- 6-Day Car Hire of a manual economy car.
- Touring Map with Suggested touring Itinerary.
- Heritage Island Discount Card
- All Taxes
- This Tour is also available with automatic upgrade or a private chauffeur driver.
NOTES Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and are quoted in Euro. |
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For booking and information please call Toll Free: 800-664-7474 |
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