Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant's Causeway - Manchester

Our exploration of Northern Ireland offers the perfect combination of cosmopolitan city life, unrivalled coastal and mountain scenery plus dramatic natural wonders, including the ancient stone edifices of the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Titanic Belfast provides a fascinating insight into the famous liner in the city where it all began, and we also head south to lively Dublin to complete our getaway.Mourne Mountains, Giant’s Causeway & Titanic
- Return flights to Dublin- Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- Airport transfers in Ireland- 4 nights at a selected hotel Dundalk or Castlereagh (JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Overnight stay at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to the Mountains of Mourne, Giant's Causeway, Derry~Londonderry, Belfast, Titanic Belfast & Dublin- Guided walking tour of Derry~Londonderry with a local guide- Guided city tour of Belfast with a local guide- Escorted by a tour manager in IrelandOptional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£16pp)\n

Itinerary
Day 1We fly to Dublin airport and are transferred to our hotel in Dundalk or Castlereagh, our base for the next four nights.Day 2 - Mountains of MourneWe enjoy a drive through the spectacular Mountains of Mourne, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stopping to explore some of the region's towns along the way. Hillsborough is a delightful town that is home to a beautiful castle and scenic wooded parkland and lakes. The popular seaside resort of Newcastle is the picturesque gateway to the Kingdom of Mourne where Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain, sweeps down to the sea, while Downpatrick's cathedral is said to be the burial place of St Patrick.Day 3 - Giant's Causeway & Derry~LondonderryOur day begins at the Giant's Causeway, named for the enormous volcanic columns that make this National Trust-owned site such an incredible place to visit. From here we head to Derry~Londonderry - the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland. We enjoy a walking tour with a local guide, where highlights include the gleaming Peace Bridgeacross the River Foyle, St Columb's cathedral and the beautiful Guildhall.Day 4 - Guided city tour of Belfast & Titanic BelfastWe take a guided tour of the vibrant city of Belfast with a local guide. Belfast is now a thriving, modern metropolis with a colourful history - as a key player in the Industrial Revolution; it was the centre for the Irish linen and tobacco industries. We also pay a visit to Titanic Belfast, a fantastic exhibition located on the site of the original shipyard in which the famous liner was built, that brings the maiden voyage of the Titanic to life.Day 5 - Dublin (with optional guided tour £16pp)Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.Day 6We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

Ireland
Ireland really is the land of discovery with its rugged coastline and beautiful countryside. What better way to see some of the best scenery in Europe, than onboard a coach tour to the Emerald Isle.It's easy to see why Killarney is often referred to as the 'Jewel of Ireland' with its delightful blend of mountains, shimmering lakes and waterfalls while the lush pastures of the Wicklow Mountains are a true sight to behold.See more

Mountains of Mourne
Peeking through the clouds, the mighty Mountains of Mourne are a photographer's dream, not to mention a haven for smugglers in the 18th century! This is the perfect excursion to take in some truly breathtaking landscapes and a trio of pretty towns.
We discover the ancient town of Hillsborough, complete with a beautiful castle and lovely lakes, as well as Downpatrick with its rich history; rumour has it that this was the burial place of St Patrick himself.
Nestled at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne lies Newcastle; a quaint Victorian seaside resort with golden sands and magnificent views of Northern Ireland's highest mountain, Slieve Donard, tumbling down to the ocean.

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.

Derry~Londonderry
Packed with culture, we discover everything Derry~Londonderry has to offer. From the awe-inspiring St Columb's cathedral, to a stroll across the glittering Peace Bridge arching over the River Foyle, the city basks in its redeveloped glow!
Find out all about Derry~Londonderry's fascinating history including the famous Battle of the Bogside and the Siege of Derry, or grab a pint of the black stuff in this lovely riverside setting.

Belfast Guided City Tour and Titanic 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.Selected Hotel Selected Hotel
We'll stay at one of the following hotels in Ireland:The Ballymascanlon House Hotel (JG4 rating) is set in beautiful parkland approximately two miles north of Dundalk, complete with fantastic leisure facilities. The en-suite rooms offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea and coffee-making facilities.OrThe La Mon Hotel & Country Club in Castlereagh (JG4 rating) is set in beautiful, peaceful countryside, close to Belfast. This award-winning hotel features a bar & restaurant, an indoor swimming pool, wellness & fitness centre and free Wi-Fi.We also spend our last night in a conveniently located hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating).