Port
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$109.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Belfast is a city of industry and elegance and boasts a rich and varied past. Its origins go back to an ancient fort controlling the ford across the River Lagan, which flows through the city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past.
A panoramic drive through the city will introduce you to the many and varied features of Northern Ireland's largest city. View the Grand Opera House and the Albert Memorial Clock before passing Queen's University and the Botanic Gardens. Located in these gardens is the Palm House -- a superb structure of cast iron and curved glass panels built even before Kew Gardens opened in London in 1839.
Belfast's City Hall is an impressive building with a 300-foot-long façade of Portland stone, which dominates Donegall Square. The Renaissance-style building has a whispering gallery and on the main landing is a mural by John Luke. This anachronistically depicts a romanticized portrayal of the great old industries of Belfast -- rope making, linen and shipbuilding. Also located here is the most noteworthy of statues in the grounds -- the marble figure of Thane on a granite pedestal. Sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock it commemorates the sinking in 1912 of the RMS Titanic -- the ill-fated Belfast-built ocean liner. Your guide will point out the statue as you drive by.
Next up is the Titanic Experience, developed to commemorate the loss of the ship. Titanic Belfast is located in the heart of Belfast, right beside the historic site of the world-famous ship's construction. Housed in an iconic, six-story building, this state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the true story of the Titanic, from her inception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four hull-shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. Learn about Belfast at the turn of the century as a thriving boomtown, and experience a short ride through a dramatic presentation of the shipyards and the Titanic under construction. Watch the launch from the slipways, and explore the sumptuous luxury and superb craftsmanship of Titanic's interiors. Delve deep into the stories of the passengers, the crew and the heroes of the day; relive the drama of the tragic end to Titanic's maiden and final voyage, and 'visit' the wreck at her resting place on the floor of the North Atlantic. Voyage to the bottom of the sea in the Ocean Exploration Centre, with links to contemporary undersea exploration.
A short amount of free time gives you a chance to enjoy breathtaking views to the slipways where the Titanic was launched, or relax in one of the restaurants. And if you would like a souvenir to remind you of your trip to the home of the Titanic, there is plenty to choose from in the Titanic Store before rejoining your motor coach for the return to Belfast.
Notes:
Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience. Wear warm comfortable clothing; bring a waterproof outer layer and wear non-skid shoes. Please bring local currency if you wish to make purchases. To see the entire museum requires being on your feet for up to two hours at Titanic Belfast.