Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.1 Summer 2018 | Page 18

• E N R O U T E / / I R E L A N D © BLICKFANG/ADOBESTOCK PLANNER Q TRAVEL TOP ATTRACTIONS: Dublin Above: Dingle Peninsula. Bottom: Cliffs of Moher. of Londonderry, and marvelled at wild salmon running the rivers of Bushmills. We shared tea and scones with friendly dairy farmers beyond Ballycastle and learned the story of Antarctic hero Tom Crean at the South Pole Inn on the Dingle Peninsula. Over three weeks our biggest hurdle was simply choosing which roads to leave behind; which adventures would have to wait for next time, for our next visit. Because there will certainly be a next time. Aside from the corners we missed and the roads not yet driven, I’ve been working on my singing, and I reckon I’m just about ready to join the band up at Bofey Quinn’s. 18 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE comes top of the list for most travellers, and rightly so. Don’t miss a visit to the historic Trinity College for a peek at the 9th-century Book of Kells. The Guinness Storehouse will school you in the art of pouring the perfect pint, while Grafton Street is the best boulevard for retail therapy. In Belfast the Cathedral Quarter offers wonderful shopping, dining and nightlife, while the excellent Titanic Museum tells the story of the doomed liner using both historical displays and interactive exhibits. Beyond the big cities the Cliffs of Moher aren’t to be missed, while the scenic Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are a must for self-drive adventures. Off the beaten track you’ll love the wide-open landscapes and quaint coves of Connemara. In Northern Ireland there’s living history written in the walls and monuments of Londonderry, while the Causeway Coastal Route will take you past the famous Mussenden Temple, Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. WHEN TO GO: The summer months offer the best weather (although it rains here year-round), but popular sights will be busy and accommodation more expensive. Autumn (September-October) and Spring (April-May) are best. Irish countryside crowds. INSIDER TIP: The tiny coastal village of Kinsale, on the south coast, is heaven for foodies. Fishy Fishy is famed for local seafood, while Bastion and The Black Pig offer a globetrotting gourmet adventure. BOOK IT: Sure Travel’s partners Thompsons Holidays and Trafalgar Tours are experts in Ireland. Ask your Sure Travel consultant about the seven-night self-drive packages on offer – there’s even a Game of Thrones-themed option, in which you follow the three-eyed raven across Northern Ireland. Ask your Sure Travel consultant for details, or visit www.suretravel.co.za / call 0861 47 48 49. © UTPB/ADOBESTOCK