Northern Ireland, The Titanic Experience
& Derry

Day 1

We meet at our designated pick up point and transfer by private coach to Birmingham Airport for our direct scheduled Aer Lingus flight to Belfast City Airport. On arrival at Belfast we are met by our guide and private coach, and continue to Seamus Heaney Home Place. Our visit takes us on an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers. Situated between Heaney’s two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place, Home Place is at the heart of the area that inspired so much of the poet’s work. We continue to the 4* Dunadry Hotel and Country Club at Templepatrick for a four night stay on a half board basis.

Day 2

With our guide this morning we enjoy a guided tour of Belfast, taking in sights such as St Anne’s Cathedral, Stormont Castle and the Belfast Murals. This afternoon we visit National Trust’s Mount Stewart House and Gardens. Offering magnificent views over Strangford Lough, the famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920s by Edith, Lady Londonderry.

Day 3

Our guide meets us at our hotel this morning and accompanies us throughout the day. We travel to the North Antrim coastline and visit the National Trust’s Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage Site, internationally acclaimed for its outstanding natural beauty. Formed from lava eruptions over 60 million years ago, there are many rich traditions to explain its strange rock formations. This afternoon we visit the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery, dating back to 1608, for a guided tour and tasting.

Day 4

This morning our guided tour of Derry, UK City of Culture in 2013, takes in the Bogside and the City Walls, completed in 1618 and amongst the best preserved city fortifications in the Western world. We then visit the Tower Museum, depicting the story of Derry’s history, from its geological formation millions of years ago, right up to the present day. Covering everything from the Plantation through to the Siege of Derry and the city’s troubled political past, the museum also houses the Armada Shipwreck exhibition that explores the recovery of La Trinidad Valencera, shipwrecked off the coast of Donegal in 1588. We spend some time at leisure in Derry this afternoon.

Day 5

We visit the Titanic Experience this morning, housed in a new £90m, six floor building as high as the world-famous ship’s hull and located beside the historic site of its construction. This state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the story of the Titanic, from its conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through its construction and launch, to its famous maiden voyage and tragic end. We continue to Belfast City Airport for our direct scheduled Aer Lingus flight to Birmingham, and onwards coach travel back to our original pick up point.

We stay four nights on a half board basis at the 4* Dunadry Hotel and Country Club (www.dunadry.com) at Templepatrick. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, solarium and steam room. All rooms are ensuite and feature hairdryer, television, telephone, and tea & coffee making facilities

Single room supplement £139

Insurance (including Covid cover) £36

Entrance fees to National Trust properties (free to NT members)

Gratuities

Lunches

All excursion travel & guided tours included