TRAVEL HAUS EXCLUSIVE
OPTIONAL TOURS
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Full Day Giants Causeway with Bushmills Distillery & Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Thursday, November 9, 2023
$149.00 per person
A minimum of 15 passengers is needed for this tour to operate.
Notes:
Today, set off along the coast to experience one of Ireland's popular scenic routes. Here, you'll see the "Nine Glens of Antrim" which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Continue on to visit the Giant's Causeway, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava, which has given rise to many legends.
Step into the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre and you can discover a story that's close to the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The star of the show is Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) – an Irish giant who picked a fight with Scottish big man Benandonner. Legend has it that the giants loathed each other. And so one day after enduring insults from Benandonner, Fionn built a path to use as stepping-stones to reach Scotland, which was then ripped up by Benandonner. The result was the Giant's Causeway.
What a truly special place it is. An enjoyable walk of just under a kilometre will bring you down to the Causeway itself, where you can hop over the stones, explore the surrounding hills, or just sit and contemplate the puzzling geology that has led to one of the most remarkable natural sites in Europe. Here, the light changes through the day, with remarkable beauty from sharp greens and greys to warm tobacco brown. It's what dreams are made of. A shuttle bus is available to take you down the path from the Visitor Center to the rock formation if you are unable to walk or would rather be driven. The bus costs approximately £2 per person in each direction
Then, journey into Bushmills to visit Bushmills Distillery, which is Ireland's oldest whiskey distillery. See how whiskey is distilled and then try a sample at the end of your tour. Join one of their whiskey educators to see first-hand how the craft of whiskey- making is carried out at Old Bushmills Distillery. Walk with them through the living history of their grain-to-glass processes, experiencing the impressive sights and rich scents of each stage from mash tun to pot still to barrel. Then complete your tour in the 1608 bar to taste for yourself the culmination of more than 400 years of expertise and innovation. The tour lasts from around 1hr, has more than 150 steps and covers 1km in distance. For safety reasons it may not be suitable for people with restricted mobility
On the return to Belfast stop at the Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge, which spans a chasm of some eighty feet deep. This swinging rope bridge is not for the faint-hearted, but the coastal views are wonderful, even without crossing the bridge. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755. The name, from the Gaelic 'Carraig-a-Rade', means 'The Rock in the Road', an obstacle for the migrating salmon as they search for the river in which they were born. Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is an exhilarating experience, high above the water and open to the elements. Thousands of people come every year to blow out the cobwebs, see beautiful coastal scenery, and spot rare wildlife. The walk from the entrance to the Bridge is about a kilometre and with a lot of steps to climb on your return walk. First 0.5km of coastal path accessible, with accessible telescope. Steep paths, steps and uneven ground on remaining coastal paths.
Return to our hotel in Belfast.
Thursday, November 9, 2023
$149.00 per person
A minimum of 15 passengers is needed for this tour to operate.
Notes:
Today, set off along the coast to experience one of Ireland's popular scenic routes. Here, you'll see the "Nine Glens of Antrim" which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Continue on to visit the Giant's Causeway, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava, which has given rise to many legends.
Step into the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre and you can discover a story that's close to the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The star of the show is Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) – an Irish giant who picked a fight with Scottish big man Benandonner. Legend has it that the giants loathed each other. And so one day after enduring insults from Benandonner, Fionn built a path to use as stepping-stones to reach Scotland, which was then ripped up by Benandonner. The result was the Giant's Causeway.
What a truly special place it is. An enjoyable walk of just under a kilometre will bring you down to the Causeway itself, where you can hop over the stones, explore the surrounding hills, or just sit and contemplate the puzzling geology that has led to one of the most remarkable natural sites in Europe. Here, the light changes through the day, with remarkable beauty from sharp greens and greys to warm tobacco brown. It's what dreams are made of. A shuttle bus is available to take you down the path from the Visitor Center to the rock formation if you are unable to walk or would rather be driven. The bus costs approximately £2 per person in each direction
Then, journey into Bushmills to visit Bushmills Distillery, which is Ireland's oldest whiskey distillery. See how whiskey is distilled and then try a sample at the end of your tour. Join one of their whiskey educators to see first-hand how the craft of whiskey- making is carried out at Old Bushmills Distillery. Walk with them through the living history of their grain-to-glass processes, experiencing the impressive sights and rich scents of each stage from mash tun to pot still to barrel. Then complete your tour in the 1608 bar to taste for yourself the culmination of more than 400 years of expertise and innovation. The tour lasts from around 1hr, has more than 150 steps and covers 1km in distance. For safety reasons it may not be suitable for people with restricted mobility
On the return to Belfast stop at the Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge, which spans a chasm of some eighty feet deep. This swinging rope bridge is not for the faint-hearted, but the coastal views are wonderful, even without crossing the bridge. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755. The name, from the Gaelic 'Carraig-a-Rade', means 'The Rock in the Road', an obstacle for the migrating salmon as they search for the river in which they were born. Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is an exhilarating experience, high above the water and open to the elements. Thousands of people come every year to blow out the cobwebs, see beautiful coastal scenery, and spot rare wildlife. The walk from the entrance to the Bridge is about a kilometre and with a lot of steps to climb on your return walk. First 0.5km of coastal path accessible, with accessible telescope. Steep paths, steps and uneven ground on remaining coastal paths.
Return to our hotel in Belfast.
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Full Day Derry Excursion with Derry Walking Tour Including Lunch
Friday, November 10, 2023
$125.00 per person
A minimum of 15 passengers is needed for this tour to operate.
Description:
After breakfast, travel into Derry and join a local guide for an epic walk around the heart of Northern Ireland's legendary walled city, and one of the longest continuously-inhabited places in all of Ireland: Derry! Also known as Londonderry, this city is filled to the brim with history, all packed into set up high on a hill overlooking the mighty River Foyle, and sprawling suburbs on all sides.
Sights you will see on this walking tour:
Next, head to the Walled City Brewery, which has offered locally flavored craft and artisan beers for over a decade. While here, enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your fellow travelers along with one drink per person. After, enjoy a quick tour of the Brewery followed by some free time to explore the city on your own and indulge in some shopping therapy.
Return to Belfast.
Friday, November 10, 2023
$125.00 per person
A minimum of 15 passengers is needed for this tour to operate.
Description:
After breakfast, travel into Derry and join a local guide for an epic walk around the heart of Northern Ireland's legendary walled city, and one of the longest continuously-inhabited places in all of Ireland: Derry! Also known as Londonderry, this city is filled to the brim with history, all packed into set up high on a hill overlooking the mighty River Foyle, and sprawling suburbs on all sides.
Sights you will see on this walking tour:
- Free Derry Corner: the iconic symbol of civil rights and resistance in the heart of the Bogside in Derry
- Bloody Sunday Memorial, Joseph's Place Bogside: memorial where your guide will also give you a detailed explanation of the events of Bloody Sunday and its implications for the conflict and peace process in the North of Ireland
- Bogside Murals: political murals composed to showcase the effect of British policies on Irish Catholics, as well as their lack of democratic rights and opportunities.
- City Walls: Walk along Derry's 400 year old walls
- Peace Bridge, Queens Quay: opened on 25 June 2011, connects Ebrington Square with the rest of the city centre. The 235 metres (771 ft) bridge has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure and is held in high regard by locals and visitors alike for its stunning physical beauty and in equal measures for the symbolic story it represents.
- Guildhall Shipquay Place: former bastion of political discrimination in the city which has now become a symbol of inclusivity for the entire population of Derry due to the peace process
- The Diamond: Diamond War Memorial is located on The Diamond in the centre of Derry dedicated to the citizens of the city who lost their lives while in military service during World War I.
- St. Columb’s Catherdral: Saint Columb’s Cathedral, was the first Cathedral built after the Reformation. It is the city’s most historic building containing displays of artefacts from the Siege.
Next, head to the Walled City Brewery, which has offered locally flavored craft and artisan beers for over a decade. While here, enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your fellow travelers along with one drink per person. After, enjoy a quick tour of the Brewery followed by some free time to explore the city on your own and indulge in some shopping therapy.
Return to Belfast.
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Full Day - St. George's Market and Glenshane Country Farm Sheepdog Experience with Irish Lunch
Saturday, November 11, 2023
$145.00 per person
A minimum of 10 passengers is needed for this tour to operate
Description:
We will begin our day for a quick stop at St. George's market. St George's Market is one of Belfast's oldest attractions and one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. St George’s Market was built between 1890 and 1896. The market has won local and national titles and awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere. It was named the UK's Best Large Indoor Market 2023 by the NABMA Great British Market Awards. The Saturday market has local, continental and specialty foods including meat and fish, cheese, coffee beans, tapas and organic products from around the world. There are also handmade crafts, flowers, plants, local photography, pottery, glass and metal work. Sample the delicious products or relax with a coffee and a newspaper.
After approximately 1 hour to explore the market, we will begin our drive to Glenshane Country Farm where you will stand among the sheep in the foothills of the Sperrin mountains and feel immediately welcome. Together we will marvel at the skill of the working dogs in this epic Irish landscape and feel a sense of belonging.
Let's step into a world that is both remote and immediately comforting as Jamese McCloy, a fourth generation shepherd and sheep farmer gives you first hand experience of centuries-old skill of herding in one of the most untouched natural environments in Ireland. Jamese isn’t a performer. He is a real shepherd and farmer who genuinely wants his guests to share his pride in the animals and his sense of belonging. His charisma combined with the energy of the sheepdogs Moss, Tess and Jess and the inquisitive nature of the sheep, is guaranteed to bring you the warmest welcome in Ireland.
First we will spend time out in the fields and fresh air helping Jamese to herd the flock by learning how to issue instructions to his talented working dogs. Next we will visit the Shearing Shed where you can see some rare breeds of sheep and watch Jamese as he expertly shears a sheep using traditional handshears as his grandfather taught him and then with modern clippers. You may get to hold and pet a lamb.
The final Fleece-to-Fashion stage of this tour takes place in the Country Barn. Walk through the doors into this recently constructed building with epic floor to ceiling windows that give you incredible views right across Ireland. Feel the warmth and smell the turf fire. Follow a fleece from washing, dyeing with natural colours and create yarn using a spinning wheel, then really embrace the giant spirit with some giant knitting. Understand the key properties of wool and it’s place in our sustainable future.
We will experience a Fireside Lunch (soup and sandwiches) as we sit by the turf fire and enjoy some hearty and delicious traditional Irish food and a cup of proper Irish tea.
We will then head back to Belfast.
