Day 1: Travel to Holyhead for the 08.55 ferry crossing to Dublin before embarking on the journey to Belfast.
Upon arrival in Belfast we will be met by a local guide for a panoramic coach tour of the city where you will see the original narrow streets of 17th century Belfast and landmarks such as the the City Hall, the Albert Clock and the Ulster Hall. The tour will also include photostops at the Stormont parliament buildings, the iconic Queens University, the famous International Wall political murals on the Falls Road and the peacewall which divides the Republican and Unionist populations of west Belfast where you will have the unique opportunity to write a message of hope to the people of Belfast!
Evening meal at the hotel and the remainder of the evening is free to do as you wish.
Day 2: After breakfast you have a full day at leisure to explore Belfast. Over one hundred years from the launch of the world’s most famous ship, why not experience the amazing Titanic story in the city of her birth? Experience a thrilling ride through Titanic’s construction in the shipyards, re-live the drama of her sinking and visit her wreck on the ocean floor, all during your time at the Titanic Belfast Centre.
Lovers of all things Titanic can expand their knowledge even further with a visit to the nearby Nomadic (the tender ship for Titanic) or the Thompson Dry Dock where Titanic was fitted out.
Nearby is HMS Caroline, a unique survivor from the WWI Battle of Jutland where you can enjoy a guided tour of its restored interior.
Another option is the famous Crumlin Road Gaol. Built to house common criminals in 1845 it famously held thousands of Republican and Loyalist political prisoners during the modern political conflict until it closed its doors as a prison in 1996. These days visitors are paying to get into the gaol to hear its story!
Of course you can instead have some retail therapy in the city's main shopping district which boasts lots of independent stores and the Victoria Square.
Day 3: Today we travel north along the world famous Antrim Coast Road (regularly voted one of the top ten road journeys in the world). Following photostops in scenic villages such as Carnlough and Ballycastle we arrive at the Carrick-a-rede ropebridge where you can dare yourself to cross the bridge (suspended 30 metres above the sea) to Carrick a rede island for breathtaking views of the coast (and Scotland on a clear day!)
We then continue along the coast to visit the Giants Causeway UNESCO World Heritage site where you can marvel at the 40,000 interlocking hexagonal columns, standing up to 12 metres above the ocean. Your guide will also relate the exploits of the legendary Irish giant Finn McCool and the sites links to the Spanish Armada.
Our day concludes with photostops at the scenic Whitepark Bay, Bushmills Whiskey distillery and the historic ruins of Dunluce castle before we make our way back to Belfast for some well earned evening relaxation!
Day 4: Today we depart for Dublin with a scenic drive along Strangford Lough to visit filming locations for HBO's Game of Thrones including Inch Abbey (the Twins), Audleystown castle (hiding place for Robb Starks armies) and Castleward (the original filming location for Winterfell Castle) where you can imagine yourself as Jon Snow in the court of the Starks!
We also enjoy a coffee stop in Downpatrick which gives us a chance to visit the grave of Irelands Patron saint Patrick before continuing to Dublin to catch the ferry back to Wales!