Back in our luxury car we look excitedly at our tour guide to where we are going next. On 1 July 1690, two kings fought on the banks of the River Boyne in County Meath. This battle is extremely important in connection with Northern Ireland that your driver guide will explain. Today on the battleground lies an 18th Century house which is in fact today the Battle of the Boyne Visitor centre. Take the tour, walk the battleground, check out the walled garden, visit the centre or top up on a coffee and we now head further north.

In no time we arrive at the capital city of Northern Ireland. Before checking out the city centre we must make our way to the docklands of Belfast to take in all the ‘Titanic Experience’ has to offer. This self-guided experience brings to you the story of the Titanic, from her birth in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her building and launch, to its maiden voyage in 1912. Step back in time in this award winning 5-star attraction.

If that is not enough for one day, we are now whisked into the city centre of Northern Irelands capital to meet a local taxi driver who will give us a rundown of the its troubled past, how they came out from this and how they have become a thriving diverse community today. This is something not to be missed as you will see the infamous Catholic and Protestant Murals that paint a image of Belfast’s interesting history, sign the well-known peace wall while your private guide gives you the insider knowledge.

After a full day of exiting events below and above the border we shall now be brought to our overnight accommodation which will be very centrally located allowing you to walk the streets and have a bite to eat and a well-deserved delicious creamy pint of Belfast Ale in the famous Crown bar only around the corner. At the bottom of this page please see our recommendations for our night in Belfast.

Two hundred years ago Mr. Stuart of Gracehill House planted one hundred and fifty beech trees to make an impressive entrance to his home. Known as Bregagh Road by locals it is notoriously known as the Dark Hedges by the rest of the world made famous by the HBO tv series “Game of Thrones”.

More than two hundred and fifty years ago the fishermen built a bridge stretching from mainland Ireland to and island called Carrick-a-rede to catch their Atlantic Salmon. Today it is an exhilarating visitor attraction bringing people from all over the world to cross the rope bridge – not for the faint of heart! After let us make our way into Ballintoy village for a quick refreshment stop, and Whitepark Bay on our way to the main attraction of the day.

At this point of the day there are tummies rumbling. Conveniently located only a short drive is a wonderful little pub called the Fullerton Arms. We shall set down here to recharge those batteries.

Our premium tour now brings us to the jewel and crown of our tour the Giant’s Causeway with ample time to really experience this 8th natural wonder of the world alongside Mount Everest and the Grand Canyon where legend meets science. Some say the Causeway consists of over 40,000 hexagonal columns formed through the rapid cooling of lava from an underwater volcano thousands of years ago or others devote the legend of the Giant’s Causeway under the claims that the Irish giant Finn McCumhaill constructed the causeway himself – You will have to make your own mind up for yourself as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included on your visit is the ‘Giants Causeway Visitor Centre displaying the history of the site, an audio guide to bring with you as you climb over the columns, a café and unique shopping facility which would enable you to buy many locally made gifts. As we make our way back to our private vehicle It is far from over yet there is much more to do following our Causeway visit.

We get back in our chauffeur driven vehicle and journey West for a short while for a well worthwhile photo stop. Dunluce is one of the most attractive and romantic of Irish Castles. For all the avid Game of thrones fans this will be a little treat for the unexpected.

Our next stop of the day is at Bushmills Whiskey Distillery which has been creating beautiful ‘uisce beatha ‘since they got their license to distil in 1608. This is this the oldest functioning distillery on the island, and it would be rude to drive by. So, if you are nice to your driver guide maybe we can pull over for a quick ‘dram’ or tasting as we say here in Ireland. This smooth whiskey is renowned all around the world but if you are looking for the Distillery Reserve 12-year-old single malt this will be only place in the globe you can buy it!

With our minds and bellies full it is time to make our way back to the Capital of the Republic of Ireland. When necessary on our way back to our preferred drop off location we can come the main stretch for a restroom break and refreshments. Northern Ireland will always stay close to our hearts, and as we drive further south we reminisce of these memoirs recently made as we make our way into a new chapter of our vacation.