Avanti Destinations: Silver Screen on Emerald Green
Day 1 Dublin
Arrive in lively Dublin to experience the energy of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, home to Guinness and the Book of Kells. Ireland’s capital brims with the banter of Irish culture, further energized by its many talented buskers and street performers. Add to this a compelling history and rich heritage, and Dublin provides you with an abundance of opportunities to experience and explore. Today you’ll visit the Guinness Storehouse, the main visitors’ center for the brewery, complete with a history museum, souvenir shop, and tasting room.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin,
Day 2 Dublin, Belfast
This morning pick up your rental car and head northwards to visit Trim Castle, used to film several scenes from “Braveheart.” Continue on to Bru no Bóinne and Newgrange—two large Neolithic tombs, built some 5,000 years ago. Traveling north, head for Downpatrick, the burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint. Then visit Castle Ward, used for filming “Game of Thrones” Series One. Continue on to Belfast for the night.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 3 Belfast
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast City. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University. Visit The Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation of the real story of the Titanic. This state-of-the-art exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. In the afternoon travel from Belfast to the northeast shores of Lough Neagh and Shane’s Castle. Built in 1345 by a member of the royal house of O’Neill, the castle ruins and its 2600-acre estate near Randalstown was the scene of extensive filming for the Game of Thrones series. Outside the village of Ballygally lies Cairncastle, the location for many other scenes from Game of Thrones. Return to Belfast.
Centrally Located Hotel In Belfast, (B)
Day 4 Belfast, Ballycastle
This morning leave Belfast and travel towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline, the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV series. Continue on along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Next visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. One of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks, the bridge is suspended across a 66 foot chasm between the mainland and the tiny Carrick Island, with a 75 foot drop to the water below.
Centrally Located Hotel In Ballycastle, (B)
Day 5 Ballycastle, Derry
Today you’ll visit the Giants Causeway—a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of a network of 40,000 basalt columns projecting into the ocean. The Causeway forms several miles of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal route. Later, visit Bushmills Distillery, one of the world’s oldest whisky distilleries.
Centrally Located Hotel In Derry, (B, D)
Day 6 Derry, Donegal
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. Leaving Derry you will travel to Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Situated in the Northwest of County Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 40,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Drive by the nearby Glenties, where Brian Friel’s play “Dancing at Lughnasa” was filmed.
Centrally Located Hotel In Donegal, (B)
Day 7 Donegal, Dublin
This morning you begin your return journey to Dublin. Drive south through the Fermanagh Lake District to visit Castle Coole, a magnificent 18-th century mansion and landscape park. The castle is one of Ireland’s finest Neo-classical houses. Nearby visit Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe’s finest show caves with a natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Continue on to Dublin for the last night of your tour.
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
Day 8 Dublin
Bid Ireland goodbye and set out for home…or continue on to your next Avanti adventure!
Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)
Belfast
Belfast is popular with travelers who come to discover the city’s physical beauty and renewed tranquility. Enjoy performances at the Grand Opera House, shopping along trendy Donegall Place and visiting numerous pubs along The Golden Mile. St. Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is the principal church of the Anglican Church of Ireland and contains stones from every county in Ireland. Located next to Europa Hotel, the Grand Opera House boasts an impressive mix of large productions of opera, ballet, musicals and drama. Known as the Big Ben of Belfast, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower was built in 1869 to commemorate the Prince Consort. Built in 1849 as one of Queen Victoria’s colleges, Queens University is one of the foremost universities in the British Isles. The classical-style building of Stormont, erected in 1928-32 to house the Parliament of Northern Ireland, stands 3.5 miles outside the city. The Prince of Wales Avenue is exactly one mile long and is bordered by rose beds containing 600 of the famous Korona roses noted for their scarlet blooms.
Excursions
Belfast: Cultural Belfast - 8 hours
Belfast: Cultural Belfast - 8 hours
Belfast may be a small city, but it has a wealth of culture and excitement on offer for you to discover! Firstly, visit the purpose-built iconic ‘Titanic Belfast’. With over nine galleries, the Titanic story is brought to life for you with exhibitions, rides, full-scale reconstructions and lots
of interactive fun.
After a hearty Irish lunch (payable locally) head into Belfast city where your guide unravels stories related to “the troubles” of Northern Ireland. You cannot miss the murals across Belfast that offer a fascinating history in pictures. Although huge strides have been made in the fight to combat sectarianism in the city, the marks of the past can still be witnessed across the city, adorning the sides of buildings and walls. A tour of Belfast wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a pint of Guinness at the famous Crown Bar in the city centre. This 19th-century bar is an experience that is unique to Northern Ireland. You are privately transferred back to board your cruise after your tour.
Highlights:
- Explore the 'Titanic Belfast' and learn about the ship's fascinating history
- Learn about Belfast's turbulent past and visit the famous Crown Bar in the city centre
Tour Duration: 8 Hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Belfast: Highlights of Belfast - 6 hours
Belfast: Highlights of Belfast - 6 hours
Today you are met by your expert local guide for a sightseeing in Belfast and the surrounding area. Spend the morning on a panoramic tour of the city centre, where you see the impressive City Hall in Donegall Square, St. Anne’s Cathedral and the buildings of Queen’s University. During this tour, your guide talks to you about the sectarian divisions that have been so prominent in Belfast in recent years. You also visit the Titanic Quarter, so-called as it was here that the ill-fated liner was being constructed a century ago. Your guide shows you where the ship was constructed and the Thomson Dock where it had its final fit-out.
Highlights:
- Take a panoramic tour of Belfast’s city centre to see the impressive City Hall and the buildings of Queen’s University
- Visit the Titanic Quarter where the ill-fated liner was constructed a century ago
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 6 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Belfast - Tour of Antrim Coast - Full Day Tour
Belfast - Tour of Antrim Coast - Full Day Tour
Depart Port by luxury vehicle accompanied by local professional guide. Leaving Belfast behind, head north on a scenic, northbound journey. Travel to the port of Larne and then join the spectacular Antrim Coast road. Onwards through the villages of Ballygalley and Glenarm to Cushendall, know as the "Capital of the Glens" and Ballycastle, host of the annual 'Oul Lammas Fair'.
Arrive at The Giants Causeway Centre.
Next, travel to the famouse village of Bushmills, which is home to the legendary Bushmills Whiskey Distillery.
Enjoy a 2 Course lunch with tea/coffee in the wonderful Distillers Arms restaurant.
Following lunch you will travel along the Coast up to the fantastic Dunluce Castle. It is thought by some to be the most picturesque of all Irish castles. Situated in the most north-easterly tip of Ireland and first built by Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster in the 13th century, the ruins of the castle are a huge tourist attraction.
The castle is surrounded by terrifyingly steep drops at either side; these would have been essential features to the Vikings and early Christians, who were drawn to this magnificent place where an early Irish ring-fort once stood. It is situated on a 100 foot high basalt stack with a sea cave underneath. The earliest features of the castle, the two large drum towers, about nine metres in diameter, can still be seen on the eastern side.
Return to Belfast Port on the motorway which runs close to some scenic inland countryside.
Inclusions:
- Private Driver Guide
- Giants Causeway visitor Centre
- Entrance to Dunluce Castle
- Lunch Including Tea and Coffee
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