Number 1 – Romantic Spots in Northern Ireland

Romantic trips generally involve a trip to a nice hotel or cosy B&B, good food, wine and quiet time, all shared with your loved one. Of course, some people may prefer something a little more active, like a a city-break with evenings spent in buzzy bars and afternoons browsing shops and visiting galleries or a healthy weekend of trekking or cycling. Whatever floats your boat, you won’t have to look to distant shores to find it.

Leading up to Valentine’s Day, I’ll be throwing out a few of my favourite romantic trips around Ireland. Hopefully it will provide some inspiration for those of you seeking to impress your loved one!

Head north to the vibrant city of Belfast. Quite the city of the moment, with the MTV awards promising its return and Rihanna singing about finding love there, Belfast is alive and well. Browse the shops around Victoria Square, enjoy tea and a read in the lovely Linen Hall Library, stroll through the Botanic Gardens and get some culture at the uber slick Ulster Museum before heading back to the centre via Queens College.

In the evening, take in a show at the stunning Grand Opera House, treat yourself to a cocktail in The Merchant Hotel and for a quirky place to eat, try Made in Belfast or dine in the wonderful Deane’s. Rickety wooden tables, candles in bottles and funky music will welcome you at The Spaniard for post-dinner drinks, or head to the Crown Bar with its ornate ceilings and mosaic-tiled floors. Late night drinks in Cafe Vaudeville will keep you out till the wee hours.

The following day, jump in the car and head north along the magnificent Antrim Coast and prepare to see some of the most breathtaking scenery.

Pit-stops along the way include a walk through the magical Glenariff Forest Park, a drink in Mary McBrides in the charming village of Cushendun, a drive around the scenic Torr Head and a hair-raising walk across Carrick-a-Rede Bridge.

That night, tuck yourself up in the wonderfully cosy Bushmills Inn, replete with snugs, open fires and a fine restaurant serving delicious grub! The next day you can hit the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle before nipping back to wherever it was you came from.

Bon Voyage 🙂