Daytrips from Belfast
 

I am arriving at a conference in Belfast 1 1/2 days early in June. I will not have a car. Any suggestions for a day trip when I have just that one day? thanks

I have a listing of tour companies in Belfast that do one-day tours at home, so I'll try to post something in the next couple of days. Newgrange is always good, or you could go up the Antrim Coast road for the day.<BR><BR>Although I would be inclined to spend the day exploring Belfast. Start at the tourist centre, which has lots of good info on things to see around town.

Ann, I would be very happy to receive your recommendations for websites/tour companies. I have the rest of the week during the conference with open times to explore Belfast and there are a number of things arranged in the conference--i.e., dinners held at historic places. So I thought I could squeeze one pre-conference day trip in. Sandy

Argh! Forgot to bring the list with me. I will post on Monday, or at least by June!

Bellarose,<BR><BR>You needn't be a history or transport buff to enjoy the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. It's located a mere several miles from Belfast (I believe public transport is available), and it's a most remarkable place.<BR><BR>You could spend two full days at the UFTM, and then still not see everything on display. From an ambitious folk park that evokes an Ulster of long ago to the evolution of British trains, planes, and motorcars, along with a solid exhibit on the Ulster-produced Titanic, this attraction is truly a must-see.<BR><BR>Before I close, if you can somehow get your hands on some wheels, consider an ambitious - and most memorable - daytrip around Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. <BR><BR>Head south from Bangor to Newtownards down the western side of Strangford, making sure to make stops at Grey Abbey and Castle Ward (the latter is a National Trust site). <BR><BR>At the town of Strangford, take the short ferry ride across the lough to Portaferry. Have lunch at the Portaferry-based Narrows. (Here you'll have an opportunity to to sample a truly great combo: Guinness and Portaferry mussels. It's an unforgettable lunch) <BR><BR>Leaving Portaferry, head north along the lough until you reach Mount Stewart House, another must-see National Trust site. From Mount Stewart, you'll have an easy drive back to Bangor and then on to Belfast. <BR><BR>Best of luck.

I just like saying Portaferry Ferry.<BR><BR>My top recommendation for a one-day trip from Belfast would be a trip up the Antrim Coast road. At least one of the tour companies listed below does such a trip. There's spectacular scenery (all the better because you're not driving and trying to avoid all of the cyclists on the road), and you can do the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle, the Giant's Causeway and Bushmill's Distillery all in one day.<BR><BR>One note: I have no personal experience with these companies. They were listed in my pocketguide to Belfast from the Belfast Visitor &amp; Convention bureau:<BR><BR>TourUlster<BR>www.tourulster.com. I checked out their website and they have a daily Giant's Causeway tour that's only 20 pounds. That's really reasonable as it's pretty much an all-day thing.<BR><BR>Ulsterbus Tours<BR>028-9033-3000 (from the US, dial 01144-28-9033-3000). Ulsterbus is the bus service for NI, and they have some regular tours.<BR><BR>For the companies listed below, I'm not sure if they do regularly scheduled tours or if they only do groups.<BR><BR>Dial-a-Bus<BR>www.dialabus.co.uk<BR>028-9031-4151<BR><BR>Ireland North Tourism<BR>www.irelandnorth.com<BR>028-7082-5678<BR><BR>I've been to the Ulster Folk &amp; Transport Museum and wasn't overwhelmed. Of course, I went in with high expectations, but was somewhat dissapointed. Maybe we went the wrong time of the year, as there weren't very many people there.<BR><BR>Hope you enjoy your visit. Belfast is a wonderful little city.