Belfast ©Andrew_D_Hurley/Flickr
If you fancy a city break this winter, either to ward off the January blues or unwind ahead of the hectic festive season, the UK has plenty of places to enjoy. Short trips offer plenty of advantages. They take up less of your hard-earned cash and precious leave time than a longer holiday, while leaving you feeling as refreshed and energized as a lengthier break would.
And if it feels like ages since you’ve had the opportunity to spend some time alone with your partner, now could be your chance! Explore Belfast together and enjoy some quality time in each other’s company.
Explore Northern Ireland
One place you may not necessarily have considered, but which has so much to enjoy, is Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast. After all, this place provided the inspiration for Narnia, and was once called the Athens of the North!
Whether you want to focus on a spot of seasonal shopping, enjoy cool nightlife and great, affordable restaurants, or just soak up the sights and attractions of this fantastic town, Belfast has much to offer. And, of course, there’s a fantastic range of accommodation, from grand hotels to smaller ones to cozy, convenient bed and breakfasts.
Culture vultures can catch a play, exhibition or concert at places like the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena, both world-class venues. You won’t be short of other things to see and do. There are parks, gardens and plenty of stunning surrounding countryside. If history is your thing, Belfast has this in spades. And you’ll find absorbing art galleries and fascinating museum collections here.
Because of Belfast’s compact size, you can explore on foot and take in everything in just a couple of days. Take an organised tour or just stroll around.
Belfast Sights
The Northern Irish capital boasts a rich legacy of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, including the City Hall, the Grand Opera House, Queen’s University and Belfast Castle, all of which are must-sees for your itinerary. Of course, Belfast is also steeped in maritime tradition. The legendary Titanic was built here and set sail on her fateful maiden voyage from Southampton 100 years ago next spring. Stroll around Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and immerse yourself in all things Titanic. Learn about the firm that built one of the world’s most famous ships, and visit the Dock and Pump House.
Alternatively, step back in time and get a glimpse of life as it was lived a century ago at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Both of Belfast’s great cathedrals, St. Anne’s and St. Peter’s, are well worth a visit. And you may also want to look in at Belfast Zoo and the W5 Interactive Science Centre if you are travelling as a family. Finally, if you make the trip out to Stormont, you’ll learn more about the history, architecture and daily running of Belfast’s stunning Northern Irish Parliament buildings.
Belfast is incredibly well-connected: you’ll find plenty of flights from London and other major UK and European cities daily, with stacks of cheap flights available online. Depending on when you travel, you may well find it better value to buy two single tickets, and purchase your return flight from Belfast to London or other destinations separately. So, what’s stopping you? Head for Northern Ireland this winter for a short battery charging break and discover this constantly buzzing gem of a city.
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Tags: Belfast, Northern Ireland, vacation