100% customisable travel idea
Family trip from Belfast to Donegal To the north, the Irish countryside in a cottage
Ireland - Belfast - Donegal
Irish cottage
Your trip
Between looking after the children and managing the pile of luggage, family trips are as full of memories as they are of organisation. Don't worry, we take care of everything! When it comes to transport, there are direct flights to Northern Ireland and, once on site, a rental vehicle equipped with a GPS app to explore the neighbouring region. In the evenings, your suitcases are set down in accommodation that is full of character, namely traditional Irish cottages - three nights in the first and two nights in the second, giving you time to unpack and settle in properly (you can count on the kids to make themselves at home). Closing this Irish adventure with two nights in Belfast - one on arrival and one on the return - once again in historical accommodation. And if you wish to add another unusual touch to your trip, spending a few nights in a lighthouse keeper’s house is entirely possible. As for activities already on your itinerary, the common theme remains authenticity: touring Belfast in a black cab with a private guide-driver, quietly stepping onto the Giant’s Causeway, cycling down the trails of Glenveagh National Park, and enthusiastically watching a sheepdog demonstration. For this part of the trip, everything is also customisable, whether you wish to add tickets for the Titanic Museum or be introduced to the art of tweed. Finally, for any sudden requests or minor issues on site, you have the contact details of our Concierge at your destination, who is available at all times. The unexpected is the reason they are there. This includes making changes to your trip, in coordination with your travel specialists, even while you are there - the “Voyageurs” customisation taken to the highest level.
Itinerary
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.
À la carte
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.
The Titanic Museum
Located on the site of the Harland and Wolff shipyards, the museum offers insight into Belfast’s industrial history - which, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the birthplace of the world’s most famous shipwreck. The Royal Mail Ship Titanic is, of course, the star attraction, but the exhibition sets it within a broader context. It can be admired inside an angular structure covered with 3,000 aluminium panels, designed by architect Eric Kuhne.The art of tweed weaving
Tweed has its origins in Scotland, more specifically in the Outer Hebrides. However, over the centuries, it has become the symbol of all the British Isles. Thick and sturdy, it was originally intended for workwear before making its way into everyday life (and even onto the catwalks). With the help of a guide, you will discover the secrets of its production in this shop, which has specialised in the field since it opened in the 19th century.With a few extra days… play at being a lighthouse keeper
Before heading back to Belfast, why not treat yourself to the luxury of a night or two away from the world? At the tip of one of Ireland’s longest peninsulas, the lighthouse can be seen from very far away. Guests are welcomed in one of the two picturesque cottages, formerly the lighthouse keeper’s residence. Two bedrooms share a bathroom and a living room with English-style decoration: floral curtains, rugs on the floor, quilted bedspreads, vintage furniture and a fireplace. A thousand miles from any inhabited land, here you can breathe in the open air, solitude, and the fresh,salty sea air.
Why visit Ireland with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Ireland
- Globally unique concierge service
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- Like a local
- CO2 absorption
