Agent blog: Bloody Sunday, giants and the Titanic

Travel agent Anna Carter of Bath Travel in Dorset comes to the end of her whistle-stop tour of Ireland with Insight Vacations.

Day Five – Sligo to Belfast

Another early start after a nice early night in the Radisson Blu hotel in Sligo – comfortable rooms,  an excellent dinner and buffet breakfast. But lots of rain this morning as we left the hotel!

Had a 90-minute drive to the border where we the River Foyle in to Northern Ireland. The road signs here are in miles rather than km – 15 miles to Londonderry –  and we’re now using pounds sterling rather than Euro

The scenery struck me as very similar to Devon – rolling hills etc.

Arrived into Londonderry, I can’t explain how we all felt entering the Bogside, location of the original Bloody Sunday Massacre of 1972. Visiting here has been so emotional and I would stress for all visitors to Ireland to do a tour and make sure they come to the North.

We had a walking tour of the old city walls with the most amazing local guide Ronan!   Brilliant! 

(Anna & fam trip crew at Giant’s Causeway)

Even though it was raining we all had a great experience and then set off to the legendary Giant’s Causeway.

A National Trust natural experience – a must see experience. A new visitor centre meant costs went up, but it’s included on IV tours. We braved the 10-minute walk to the coast and the causeway – very windswept but beautiful.  The hexagonal shaped rocks are like nothing you’ve ever seen before! We then had a 90-minute drive to Belfast and a lovely dinner where John Boulding, Insight Vacations’ CEO joined us.

We stayed overnight at the Europa hotel – it has the best location and was very comfortable – huge beds and rooms. Like the other hotels on this trip, it had a great breakfast but it was busy as it’s the weekend and hotel was full.

Day Six – Belfast to Dublin

Woke up to a sunny and fresh morning in Belfast (lovely to have blue skies and sunshine!) and after a city tour with another excellent Insight local guide we headed to the new Titanic experience on the dockside. WOW. I and the rest of the team enjoyed this so much – it tells the whole story from the building of the ship in Belfast up to the sinking and the aftermath. Totally worth visiting – everyone should experience it for themselves and it’s included with the IV tours.

We then headed back to Dublin and our last evening. We had some free time in Dublin planned, but actually got caught up in a protest which was interesting! So we had only an hour to get ready – and back out quickly to a dinner and traditional music show.  It was really fun and entertaining – all the group had a sing and dance which was a really nice way to spend for our last night together.

What a totally brilliant trip.  I was particularly struck by the history, the stories, the people and the food in Ireland.  Travelling independently you just don’t get the same information, stories or insight on the destinations you visit than you do with a tour, plus everything’s taken care of from luggage to entrance into attractions and getting around.  Plus we had a great crowd, so there’s a really sociable element. Once back at work, I intend to highlight the benefits of touring to all clients.