Irish Craic & Culture, Dublin & Belfast - Liverpool

Ireland has it all; from postcard-perfect coastlines, ruffled hillsides, bucket-list-worthy landscapes and small cities with big personalities. Must-sees include historic Belfast, where we discover the story of the Titanic in all its grandeur, to the toe-tappingly vibrant Dublin; alive with traditional music and its famously friendly culture. We also have the chance to visit the famous Giant's Causeway on this bustling break that promises to be great craic.What's included?
- 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 with a local guide- Scenic train journey from Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry- Self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse Brewery Tour- Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

Itinerary
Day 1We fly to Dublin airport and are transferred to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.Day 2 - Guided city tour of DublinWe 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.Day 3 - Guided city tour of Belfast & Titanic Belfast 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 with fingers in all sorts of pies; from tobacco, 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.Day 4 - Giant's Causeway & Coleraine-Derry~Londonderry Train Today we head to the incredible Giant's Causeway; the grand rock formation on everyone's bucket 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 Bridgearching over the River Foyle is well worth a photo-stop.Day 5 - Dublin & Guinness Storehouse Brewery 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.Day 6We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

Dublin
The fair city of Dublin is a beautiful medieval city, with a long and colourful past - its museums, art galleries and wonderful architecture, all chronicling its fascinating history.
Tracing its origins back to a small Viking settlement, it has much history to offer its visitors. See the Book of Kells, written around 800AD, one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world or visit the many castles in the area.
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Belfast
Vibrant Belfast is a cosmopolitan city rich in art, culture and history. Once the home of the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope making and shipbuilding, these days the Queens Quarter is alive with shops, cafés, bars, live venues and the Botanical Gardens. We'll find out all about the city's fascinating history and brilliant transformation during our guided city tour.We couldn't visit Belfast without exploring the recently redeveloped Titanic quarter; home to the spectacular Titanic Belfast exhibition. Find all about the ship's construction and tragic loss, as we soak up the haunting atmosphere of a bygone era with original vintage photos, recordings, newsreels, music and more.

Giant’s Causeway
The bucket list-worthy Giant's Causeway is incredible and should be seen by everyone at least once. Formed 60 million years ago by volcanic activity, the formation of 38,000 hexagonal basalt columns stretch far into the sea, some standing as tall as 12m high! Standing watchfully between the craggy cliffs and dramatic ocean waves, a trip to Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to be a brilliantly atmospheric excursion.Hotel Hotel
Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast (JG3 rating)\n\nThe 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.\n\nSelected hotel, Dublin (JG3 rating)\n\nWe also spend the first and last night of our stay at a conveniently located in the Dublin area.