Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Itinerary

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Ireland has it all; from postcard-perfect coastlines and verdant hillsides to small cities with big personalities. Must-sees include historic Belfast, where we discover the story of the Titanic in all its grandeur, the sweeping scenery of the train journey from Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry and vibrant Dublin; alive with traditional music and its famously friendly culture. We also have the chance to visit the renowned Giant’s Causeway on this bustling break that promises to be great craic.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 1

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 2

We start the morning with a city tour of Dublin led by a local guide. This pint-sized city is crammed full of character and personality, and we discover layers of history within the streets; a patchwork of medieval castles and cathedrals. Highlights of our tour include St Stephen's Green, Trinity College and many iconic landmarks in between. Cameras at the ready for the Molly Malone statue, before we enjoy some time at leisure – while humming cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh – as we explore the city at our own pace.

This afternoon we leave Dublin and make our way to the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in Belfast city centre, our base for the next three nights.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 3

This morning provides the chance to explore the lively city of Belfast during a tour led by a local guide. Northern Ireland’s best-known city has undergone a striking transformation, and we learn all about its fascinating history as an industrial dynamo, from tobacco to linen and, of course, ship building.

A day out in Belfast would not be complete without a visit to Titanic Belfast, this state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition is easily the city’s most visited attraction. Located at the original shipyard, we walk in the footsteps of the men who built RMS Titanic; the world’s most famous ship.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 4

Today we head to the incredible Giant’s Causeway; the grand rock formation on everyone’s must-see list. Like a huge game of Jenga that got out of hand, these hexagonal volcanic columns are guarded by the foaming ocean and dramatic cliffs.

From here we head to catch the Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry train, described by Michael Palin as ‘one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world’. We sit back, relax and soak up the stunning views of lush green countryside, golden sands, rolling waves and striking cliffs before we disembark in Derry~Londonderry. With some free time to explore the compact streets within the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland, the striking Peace Bridge arching over the River Foyle is well worth a photo-stop.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 5

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we enjoy a self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Brewery. Every great afternoon in Dublin starts with a pint of the ‘black stuff’ and today is no different as we explore seven fascinating floors all dedicated to the tale of Ireland's most iconic beer. We make our way through a series of audio-visual experiences exploring the history, brewing process and advertising successes of the beverage before we enjoy a picture-perfect pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.

After our tour, we enjoy some free time at leisure. Temple Bar, the cobbled district where merriment meets live music is a must-see before we head off to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 6

We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 1

We fly to Dublin airport and are transferred to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 2

We start the morning with a city tour of Dublin led by a local guide. This pint-sized city is crammed full of character and personality, and we discover layers of history within the streets; a patchwork of medieval castles and cathedrals. Highlights of our tour include St Stephen's Green, Trinity College and many iconic landmarks in between. Cameras at the ready for the Molly Malone statue, before we enjoy some time at leisure – while humming cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh – as we explore the city at our own pace.

This afternoon we leave Dublin and make our way to the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in Belfast city centre, our base for the next three nights.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 3

This morning provides the chance to explore the lively city of Belfast during a tour led by a local guide. Northern Ireland’s best-known city has undergone a striking transformation, and we learn all about its fascinating history as an industrial dynamo, from tobacco to linen and, of course, ship building.

A day out in Belfast would not be complete without a visit to Titanic Belfast, this state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition is easily the city’s most visited attraction. Located at the original shipyard, we walk in the footsteps of the men who built RMS Titanic; the world’s most famous ship.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 4

Today we head to the incredible Giant’s Causeway; the grand rock formation on everyone’s must-see list. Like a huge game of Jenga that got out of hand, these hexagonal volcanic columns are guarded by the foaming ocean and dramatic cliffs.

From here we head to catch the Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry train, described by Michael Palin as ‘one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world’. We sit back, relax and soak up the stunning views of lush green countryside, golden sands, rolling waves and striking cliffs before we disembark in Derry~Londonderry. With some free time to explore the compact streets within the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland, the striking Peace Bridge arching over the River Foyle is well worth a photo-stop.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 5

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we enjoy a self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Brewery. Every great afternoon in Dublin starts with a pint of the ‘black stuff’ and today is no different as we explore seven fascinating floors all dedicated to the tale of Ireland's most iconic beer. We make our way through a series of audio-visual experiences exploring the history, brewing process and advertising successes of the beverage before we enjoy a picture-perfect pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.

After our tour, we enjoy some free time at leisure. Temple Bar, the cobbled district where merriment meets live music is a must-see before we head off to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Day 6

We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

• Return coach travel & ferry crossings
• 2 nights at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• 3 nights at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• Breakfast on the return ferry home
• Excursions to Dublin, Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry~Londonderry & Guinness Storehouse Brewery
• Locally guided city tours of Dublin & Belfast
• Scenic train journey from Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry
• Self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Brewery
• Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

• Return flights to Dublin
• Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
• Airport transfers in Ireland
• 2 nights at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• 3 nights at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• Excursions to Dublin, Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry~Londonderry & Guinness Storehouse Brewery
• Locally guided city tours of Dublin & Belfast
• Scenic train journey from Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry
• Self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Brewery Tour
• Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

• Excursions to Dublin, Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry~Londonderry & Guinness Storehouse Brewery
• Locally guided city tours of Dublin & Belfast
• Scenic train journey from Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry

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Accommodation

Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland JG3

The Ramada by Wyndham Hotel is situated in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter and within two minutes' walk of the Titanic Quarter and many exciting shops. The hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms complete with power shower, tea and coffee-making facilities, and 40-inch flat-screen TV. There is also a bar and a restaurant.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

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