With Belfast and the Causeway Coast named ‘the world’s best region to visit in 2018’, Tourism NI is encouraging everyone to put Northern Ireland at the top of their short break ‘bucket list’ this year.
The Lonely Planet accolade has elevated Northern Ireland to the top of global travellers’ ‘must-visit’ list this year and Tourism NI is inviting everyone to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, not only the new major attractions and landmark hotels but also the outdoor adventures, fascinating tours, food experiences and bespoke B&Bs.
From sleeping under the stars in a bubble dome at Finn Lough and helicopter tours of Game of Thrones filming locations, to taking a moonlight paddleboarding trip on the River Roe or understanding the significance of some of Belfast’s street art on a tour led by local artists, it is no surprise that visitors are flocking in their millions every year as Orla Farren, Communications and PR Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland explains. “While we have known how special Northern Ireland is and how much it has grown over the past decade to compete on a global tourism scale, the rest of the world now appreciates it with two of our regions being top of the list for international travellers this year,” said Orla.
Orla continued: “This accolade is another game-changer for Northern Ireland, however we also know there is so much more to discover and explore. We’ve been working with the tourism industry over the past year to develop more authentic experiences for visitors, such as the Belfast Traditional Music Trail.
“We’re encouraging everyone to take a journey of rediscovery this year with a short break to experience the variety of emerging attractions and new cultural experiences on your doorstep, which have helped Northern Ireland become a top global destination,” Orla added.
With Belfast’s hotel room numbers growing at the fastest rate in the UK – five new hotels alone are due to open in the city by June – there are expected to be 3,400 more rooms by 2019.
And there are a number of exciting tourism projects planned for the years ahead including the transformation of Derry’s Ebrington Square and – a first for Northern Ireland – a Dark Sky Observatory, visitor centre and glamping pods in the heart of the Sperrins.
Lonely Planet writer and travel expert Fionn Davenport, who wrote the entry for Belfast and the Causeway Coast in this year’s Best in Travel 2018 book commented: “Belfast’s transformation over the past two decades has been remarkable, from its hip neighbourhoods that burst with bars, restaurants and venues to the vibrant Titanic Quarter, home to a sensational museum. Beyond lies the Causeway Coast, whose timeless beauty and high-grade distractions – golf, whiskey and some of the world’s most famous rocks – are more popular now than ever.
“With all of the new authentic tourism experiences and attractions, stunning hotels and boutique B&Bs, and with so many more exciting plans for this year, there’s no better time to explore Northern Ireland and discover why it’s top choice for more visitors than ever before,” Fionn added.
Tourism NI has provided a ‘Bucket List’ of authentic experiences in 2018:
- Long Line Surf School: Catch some waves whether you are a beginner or an advanced surfer under the guidance of the school’s fully trained coaches on the stunning Benone beach and Portstewart Strand. The school is open all year round and also offers stand-up paddleboarding and an outdoor coffee workshop.
- Catch & Sea Tour: For seafood lovers, the Catch and Sea experience will see you sail at sunrise from Portrush to catch your own breakfast. Learn to fish for the likes of mackerel and use these new skills to catch one and fillet it. Cook your catch alongside a range of local ingredients in Babushka Café to top off an extraordinary experience.
- Erne Water Taxi: Relax as you are chauffeur driven around Fermanagh’s stunning lakelands and tuck into a delicious hamper made up of local produce along the way. Leaving from any of the public jetties, the 8-seater boat takes you back in time with the driver giving you an insight into the tumultuous history of Lough Erne.
- Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Professional musicians are your guides through cobbled alleyways, past famous landmarks and on to bars in some of the city’s oldest buildings. Meet before the cosy fire in The Dirty Onion before heading on to the quaint and quirky Duke of York to learn about the instruments, language, customs and history of traditional music along the way. Finish up in one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, McHugh’s.
- Belfast Street Art Tour: Belfast is now being mentioned in the same artistic breath as Berlin and Bethlehem, also famous for their walls, as a place where street art has thrived and where artists from around the world come to paint and get inspiration. Explore the flourishing and ever changing street art scene during this gently paced tour devised and led by local artists.
- Away a wee walk: Take a tour with guiding and walking company Away a Wee Walk, which offers authentic and ‘soul-renewing’ experiences hiking in our landscape. Tours of the Causeway Coast, Mournes or Cavehill aim to give you the feeling of being ‘lost’ in the natural environment, while taking away all of the risk and hassle of navigating.
- Far & Wild: Get outdoors with leading eco-adventure company Far and Wild, which places importance on sustaining the environment. Activities include a moonlight kayaking trip paddling under the Peace Bridge down to the River Roe and under Binevenagh.
- GOT Air Tours: Take to the skies and enjoy stunning aerial views and the picturesque scenery of the Causeway Coast. Look down on filming locations used by HBO in the award-winning series Game of Thrones, plus the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
- Heaney HomePlace: Journey through the life and literature of the Northern Ireland legend with a tour in the heart of the place which inspired him. Visitors can fully immerse in the poet’s life through the video wall and touchscreens which showcase how he is remembered by his family and friends.
- Finn Lough Forest Domes: Located in the middle of an enchanting forest, Finn Lough provides everything needed to enjoy a beautiful night sky. The transparent walls and roof and the four-poster bed make it perfect for stargazing in comfort. In the morning, slip into comfy slippers, relax in a fluffy robe and tuck into a delicious breakfast.
