Savvy Travelers

Belfast

NEWSFLASH: Belfast itself is an insider's secret!!! Over the last 25 years, the city has risen from an industrial backwater to a travel destination offering a number of great sites with plenty of hotel, dining and nightlife options. The good news for you is that Belfast receives about 20% the number of tourists as Dublin, which is two hours south by train or motor coach. So anyone looking for a great Irish experience without the crowds and inflated prices should head to Belfast.

Giant's Causeway (shown above), comprised of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, just north of Belfast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should not be missed.

Just to be clear, Belfast had an unfortunate history of sectarian violence, locally known as "the troubles". However, the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, established a power-sharing government and provided a framework for a lasting peace which brought an end to the 30 years of conflict.

Even though "the troubles" are a thing of the past, the Falls Road area of Belfast which was the scene of some of the worst violence now features a number of murals (shown above) depicting fallen neighbors from all sides of the conflict.

Just outside of Belfast you will find the Old Bushmills distillery with a welcoming tasting room and the fully intact and operational Norman castle at Carrickfergus (both shown above), which is visible from the Belfast waterfront.

Imagine tropical plants, giant bird feeders, a rose garden, an alpine garden, flower beds and sculptures in downtown Belfast. Botanic Gardens (shown above) has it all and makes for a pleasant day rain or shine.

Did you know the Titanic was built and launched in Belfast? An excellent museum next to the Harland & Wolff Shipyard chronicles the building of the Titanic and her sister ships and features a number of relics from the Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio, who knows a thing or two about the Titanic, visited Titanic Belfast (shown above) in 2005 and gave the museum high praise.

The Crown Liquor Saloon (shown above) is certainly one of the oldest and most famous public houses or pubs in Belfast, making it worth a visit. But with over 200 pubs in close proximity, you might want to check out some other recommendations on Yelp

Do you need a place to stay in Belfast?

When we choose hotels we look at many factors, such as:

• Proximity to Train Station/Airport
• Access to Tourist Sites
• Hotel Amenities
• Cleanliness
• Safety (Surrounding Area, Room Locks)

Our host is happy to present some of his favorite hotels in Belfast.