100% customisable travel idea
Ireland - Belfast - Donegal
100% customisable for you
On arrival, collect your rental car and drive to the centre of Belfast. The main building of the place where you'll be staying overnight dates from 1862, and once served as a linen warehouse. There are a handful of the rooms tucked away in this historic part, while the others are located in the modern extension next door. After a quick look around, check out the bars you'll find on the premises, each of which has its own distinctive vibe. The rooftop bar high up on the 7th floor offers sweeping views out over the city, while the cosy ground floor pub will give you a chance to soak up the local atmosphere.
In your itinerary: private tour of Belfast by black cab. Scarred for many years by the violent conflict known as "The Troubles", the capital of Northern Ireland is experiencing a true renaissance, and here you'll find an unusual blend of English and Irish cultures. You'll explore the city on board a black cab - one of those iconic British taxis - with a local driver. The stories your driver will share will help you to understand the murals in both the Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods, and to piece together the city’s history.
Head towards Colmany, with a detour along the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the most spectacular roads in the country. Deserted beaches, limestone arches, sheer cliffs and ruined castles line the route.
Planned along the way - The Giant’s Causeway (you’ll already have your tickets). At the foot of the cliffs lining the Antrim plateau, 40,000 basalt columns plunge into the sea. According to the legend, this formation is owed to the giant Finn MacCool, who was determined to do battle with his Scottish counterpart, Benandonner, a myth that lives up to the majesty of the site itself.
Continue along the road to Clonmany, in the north-western part of the Inishowen Peninsula. Shortly after Londonderry, you cross the border into the Republic of Ireland. Stay for three nights at the foot of Coolcross Hill, nestled among the ash and sycamore trees. The accommodation itself is a white-stone building, with a partly thatched roof and adorned with small recessed windows - the very image of a traditional Irish cottage. The interiors (with original flooring!) have been expertly restored, while retaining the character of the building’s relatively long history. Outside, a terrace and a pleasant garden promise wonderful evenings against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Located in the north of Ireland in the northernmost part of County Donegal, the Inishowen Peninsula marks the end of the Antrim Coast Road that connects Belfast to Derry. Shaped by the pounding of the ocean, and with vast stretches of sand surrounded by steep cliffs where the waves break - this is a coast that's especially popular with surfers in summer. Inland, hills, lakes and peat bogs create a breathtaking palette of greens, dotted here and there with picturesque villages and welcoming pubs.
Not to be missed - Malin Head, the northernmost point of Ireland, and Mamore Gap, a road that winds through the magnificent scenery of the Urris Hills. In autumn and winter, visitors might even be lucky enough to see the northern lights dancing across the vast sky above the peninsula.
Drive to Dungloe, on the other side of Donegal, via Letterkenny. Along the way, make a detour through the Glenveagh National Park for your appointment of the day.
In your itinerary - Glenveagh by bike. Surrounded by sweeping mountains, the park is famous throughout the country for its stunning landscape of high peaks, forests and lakes. Riding a bicycle means that you'll be able to admire its greatest wonders, including the sparkling waters of Lough Veagh and its castle, built in Scottish baronial style.
Continue your journey towards Dungloe. After arriving at the peatlands around Dungloe, dotted with the distinctive hills of the region, you'll settle in for a two-night stay away from the centre and just a few steps from the shore. White walls, grey slate roofs: these cottage buildings date back to 1770. Everything from the cushions to the curtains is rustic and cosy. Printed fabrics set the tone, beautiful wool blankets cover the beds and the fireplaces throughout add a warm, inviting touch. Hiking in all its forms is the most popular outdoor activity.
Not to be missed - the Loughros and Dawros peninsulas. Santa Ana Drive is a coastal road on the Dawros Head peninsula that winds its way through several miles of varied and beautiful landscapes - beaches, a bay a bay dotted with pretty little boats, not to mention the lakes, the distant mountains of Slievetooey and the sea stacks of the Slieve League peninsula. This is where the Duguesa Santa Ana, (one of the ships that made up the Spanish Armada) is said to have sunk, lending its name to the panoramic route. Her tragic story deserves to be heard.
Optional - The art of tweed weaving (private experience).
This is where you begin your return journey to Belfast. It will take you through familiar towns such as Letterkenny and Londonderry. Less than an hour after entering the Sperrins region, you’ll be taking a break from your road trip for a specially selected activity:
Working with sheepdogs on a farm. Your guide for the day is a shepherd and sheep farmer. He will open up his farm nestled in the heart of the Northern Irish countryside to give you a private tour. You’ll experience your host’s day-to-day tasks such as herding the sheep with the dogs and watching sheep shearing.
In Belfast, you’ll return to the hotel where you stayed on arrival, just a stone’s throw from City Hall, for your final night in Northern Ireland.
Optional, on the morning of departure - Tickets for the Titanic Museum.
Drive to the airport, return your rental car, and fly home.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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