EMBRACE A GIANT SPIRIT
EMBRACE
A GIANT SPIRIT
Giveaway winner announced - Sara Coulter on Instagram!
In partnership with Discover NI.
I don’t know about you…
but just a few weeks ago when travel restrictions were fully in place, the hunger to travel never felt greater.
Lockdown wanderlust had us flicking through pics of past adventures, making a new bucket list of Northern Ireland locations and activities we wanted to experience ASAP…a mixture of old favourites and those we’ve never got round to.
And when we got chatting to the nice folk at Discover NI about our post-lockdown staycation plans, an idea popped up that we reckon you’ll l̶i̶k̶e̶ love.
But first…
HAVE YOU EMBRACED YOUR GIANT SPIRIT?
For a country just 14,000km² in size (about 100miles long and wide), Northern Ireland is PACKED with things to see and do.
Maybe you knew that already?
Or maybe this trending ‘staycation’ word has you looking again at all that’s a stone’s throw from your door.
To help you on your way, we’ve picked out a few of our personal highlights that we recommend (re)discovering for yourself…
THERE FOR THE EXPLORING
(Note: all activities and accommodation listed in bold here are linked at the bottom of this page, if you want more info.)
Think you know Belfast already? Been to the Titanic Belfast visitor experience yet? A few hours here will pass in no time (open again from 1 Aug). Head into the city centre, you’ll be surprised at the ever-changing street art in the city – take a tour with Seedhead Arts.
With so many great cafés and restaurants gradually reopening too - try Established for coffee or Mourne Seafood for dinner - you’ll get that city break feel without having to travel too far.
Or why not hit the northwest, to explore Derry~Londonderry?
Take a Martin McCrossan Walking Tour – there’s more to Derry than the famous Peace Bridge and walls. These tours are brilliant and there’s now a Derry Girls one (on our list).
When the hunger hits, head straight to the Walled City Brewery. As well as a selection of brilliantly named craft beers, the food menu is superb. Ask about the burger with the black bap 🤤.
If you fancy something a bit more calorie-burning than calorie-gaining, see the north coast from a unique angle with Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours.
Or why not surprise yourself when you stand up on a board with Long Line Surf School?
Heading on along the Causeway Coast, did you know you can trek up a mountain with Sheans Horse Farm for a tasty afternoon tea?
Another unique one to try is on the shores of beautiful Strangford Lough. Whether you’re a fan of Game of Thrones or you just about know it was filmed here, try archery and other activities on the Winterfell Experience.
In the distance, you’ll spot NI’s highest peaks. Trust us on this – in just an hour you’ll feel like you’re in an epic movie scene. Mourne Walking Tours has walks suitable for all.
Last, although it’s nicknamed NI’s ‘Lakeland County’, there’s more to Fermanagh than water-based activities. Have you ticked off the ‘Stairway To Heaven’ yet?
*Tip: Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and with all outdoor recreational activies, prepare before you go - read this after.
If the Cuilcagh Boardwalk has you panting just looking at it, then try an easier experience, as you sample some of the best local food, drink and live music at the beautiful Blakes of the Hollow traditional Irish pub. Look out for one of the famous Doors of Thrones while you’re there (open again from 10th Aug).
Finally, for a proper country estate getaway that doesn’t break the budget, Blessingbourne Estate has a number of cosy and dog-friendly self-catering cottages to rent. And if the Lowry family’s dogs give you the paws-up, you might even get a peek inside the big house. Wow.
As always, if you’re travelling anywhere, booking any actvities or overnight stays, do a quick bit of research before you go. Look out for the new “We’re Good To Go” mark too, for that reassurance of a quality offering.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Thanks to Discover NI, we’re giving away an overnight stay for two people, plus two fun activities!
Check out the full ‘adventure menu’ below. Choose where you’d love to stay overnight and the two activities in the same area.
To enter the giveaway, comment on our Facebook or Instagram giveaway posts with where you’ve chosen and mention the person you’d take with you.
You must be over 18 and a resident of Northern Ireland to enter. Giveaway closes 2nd August 2020.
And here it is…
YOUR ADVENTURE MENU!
(Includes some free activities you can do in the area too.)
BELFAST
Stay: La Mon Hotel, Malone Lodge or The Grand Central Hotel
Play: Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol, St Georges Market, Black Taxi Tours, Vertigo Titanic Park, Glass of Thrones, Belfast Trad Trail, Gin Jaunt with Taste & Tour, Belfast Oyster Experience, Belfast Street Art Tour, Established Coffee, Mourne Seafood
ARMAGH & DOWN
Stay: The Whilstledown, Killeavy Castle or Newforge House
Play: Armagh Cider Tours, Clear Sky Adventure, Hillsborough Castle, Lough Neagh Wilderness Adventure
FERMANAGH & TYRONE
Stay: Killyhevlin or Corick House Hotel
Play: Finn Lough, Cuilcagh Legnabrockey Trail, Boatyard Gin, Dark Skies, Blessingbourne Estate, Baronscourt, Blakes of the Hollow
CAUSEWAY COASTAL ROUTE
Stay: The Marine Hotel or The Salthouse Hotel
Play: Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours, The Gobbins, Blo-karting, A way a wee walk, Catch & Sea, Coasteering NI, Carrick-a-Rede, Game of Thrones Filming Locations, Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Alive Surf School, Longline Surf School, Sheans Horse Farm, Elementary Escape Room
MOURNES & STRANGFORD
Stay: The Burrendale Hotel or The Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
Play: Game of Thrones Castle Ward, Mourne Cycle Food Tours, Men of the Mournes, Glide with the Tide, Shortcross Gin, Echlinville Distillery, Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen, Balloo House, Trails & Ales Tour
So where would you choose?
GOOD LUCK!
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS
(OF WHICH INSTRUCTIONS ARE PART OF)
1. Promotion is run by NI EXPLORER in partnership with Discover NI.
2. Giveaway open to Northern Ireland residents aged 18 years and over, except employees, families, agents or anyone professionally connected with the parties involved.
3. By entering, you agree to be contacted by the parties involved about the giveaway and for the parties to use the information submitted for any purpose in connection with the promotion.
4. Giveaway start date: Thursday 23rd July 2020. Giveaway end date Sunday 2nd August 2020 at 11.59pm.
5. There will be one winner. The prize will be chosen by the winner, comprising of those options set out above on this page:
- 1x overnight stay B&B for two people, with dinner, at the chosen accommodation option (up to value of £250), plus
- 2 x activities chosen from that area, for two people (up to value of £200)
6. Entry is by commenting on any of the giveaway posts as described on NI EXPLORER Facebook and Instagram channels.
7. Entrants can enter as many times as they like – winner will be selected at random across all entries on Facebook and Instagram
8. The winner will be announced within 48 hours of the giveaway ending, on this page. Winner will be contacted via private message on the channel they entered.
9. The winner may be asked to provide proof of ID before prize can be released. Winner’s details will be passed onto Discover NI, who will contact them solely for the purpose of organising the prize trip. Please note that all activities and acommodation are subject to availability. Prize must be claimed by November 1st 2020 and short break must take place before 1st December 2020.
10. Prize is not transferable and no cash alternatives in whole or in part are available.
11. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. By entering this promotion you understand that you are providing your information to the parties involved and not to Facebook or Instagram. Your information will not be used for any other purpose than to be contacted if you have been chose as the winner.
12. NI EXPLORER reserve the right to vary, alter or terminate this promotion due to unforeseen circumstances. The decision of NI EXPLORER is final and binding and no correspondence shall be entered into.
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