Let Northern Ireland steal your heart

So why Northern Ireland, and why now? If you’re not so familiar with the region, there are many things that may come as something of a surprise.

Take the food scene, for example. Over the past few years, producers in Northern Ireland have time and again proven themselves as some of the best in the world, with coveted produce coming from the farms, the cities and even the shoreline. It’s never been easier to find a world-class meal, whether you’re tucking into crispy fried haddock in a beachside shack, or a Michelin-starred wonder in Belfast.

A visit to Northern Ireland is like a pilgrimage for fans of Game of Thrones. With the show shot in Titanic Studios in Belfast, as well as at locations all around the region, Northern Ireland is the motherland for all things Westeros.

Wherever you go, you’ll find someone happy to chat away, whether you’re looking for a restaurant recommendation or just some local gossip. It’s easy to tick off a few destinations in one swoop, too — you can be in the heart of Belfast city in the morning, grabbing brunch in a chic café, then standing atop a mountain in glorious solitude just a couple of hours later. It’s a cinch to get to, with numerous flights each day into Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport and the City of Derry Airport on the Causeway Coast.

If you want to get out into the countryside, there are a multitude of places to blow you away (some more literally than others). Head along the Causeway Coast (hailed along with Belfast as the number one region to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet) and you’ll find an ever-changing backdrop of incredible scenery.

The Giant’s Causeway is a good place to start. The first Unesco Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, this is one of those landmarks that needs to be seen to be believed. Its 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns line the shore, jutting out like honeycomb. Though technically the result of volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, the myths around the area are far more captivating.

Legend has it that the giant Finn McCool is responsible for the landmark, after he flung chunks of the Antrim coast into the sea to reach the Scottish giant Benandonner. Make your way along the coast and you’ll be met with dramatic cliffs and views, stunning little beaches and coves..

There are some incredible walks along the Causeway Coastal Route, including one that will fill you with either adrenaline or terror, depending on your constitution. The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge swings 100ft high over crashing waves, linking cliffs and the island of Carrick-a-Rede. You’ll need nerves of steel to make your way across, but if you can summon the courage you’ll be met with stunning views, as birds fly beneath your feet.

While the coastal scenery is gorgeous, there are a number of pretty little towns and villages along the way, which are well worth exploring, such as Ballintoy and Cushendun. Portstewart has a warm and charming vibe, as well as one of the best seafood joints. Harry’s Shack is in a tiny wooden hut right on the beach, and keeps hordes of visitors happy with simple, delicious seafood, fresh off the boat, while the wood-burning stove keeps everyone toasty

Northern Ireland isn’t short of places where you can warm the cockles, with turf fires burning in plenty of snug country pubs and inns. Just a short distance from the Giant’s Causeway is the pretty town of Bushmills, home to one of the cosiest hotels in the world. Bushmills Inn is a charming spot with endless nooks and crannies in which you can hide away, where fireplaces are always lit and the bar is oh so welcoming. There’s even a tiny cinema, where festive movies are shown in the run-up to Christmas.

But the real cornerstone of the area is The Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest working distillery in Ireland and home of one of the world’s favourite whiskeys.

A tour will lead you through the journey of its creation, but it’s the tasting at the end that most people come for — you can try rare blends in the cosy, firelit tasting room. Consider those cockles well and truly warmed.

From Belfast’s historic pubs, secret courtyards, cobbled streets and the dramatic story of the doomed liner, to Derry-Londonderry’s hip cultural scene... there’s plenty to enjoy in these buzzing cities

Belfast has emerged as a hugely popular city break destination over the past few years, with a series of interesting new attractions and world-class restaurant openings. When it comes to eating out, you’ll need to book in advance (particularly at weekends), but there are a number of great places to check out.

The Muddlers Club is an effortlessly cool restaurant doling out exceptional food. The Michelin-starred Ox is still one of the hottest tickets, but if you can’t get a table, pop into Ox Cave next door for a glass of wine and a nibble.

It’s not a challenge to burn off those calories, either: Belfast is a relatively compact city, and perfect for exploring on foot. The Cathedral Quarter in particular is just begging to be rambled around, with cobbled streets weaving between historic pubs and secret courtyards. If you want a bit of guidance, book a street art walking tour and see the ever-changing artwork that pops up all over the neighbourhood.

Titanic Belfast is a short walk from the city, and one of the most popular attractions in Northern Ireland (it was voted World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at last year’s World Travel Awards). Inside the striking building you’ll walk through the story of that fateful night in 1912.

With several new hotels to open in 2018, Belfast isn’t short of places to stay. For old-school luxury, try The Merchant Hotel, set in a former bank with an elegant cocktail lounge. Revellers will love Bullitt Hotel, a lively property with a rooftop bar.

From tiny village cafés to internationally renowned restaurants, Northern Ireland is home to an incredible amount of top-notch food.

It’s no coincidence that much of this success is down to the ingredients grown all over the region, from the tastiest pork raised in the lakelands to the seaweed foraged from the shores.

The best way to introduce yourself to the foodie scene is on a guided food tour in Belfast, with Taste and Tour. Its four-hour Belfast Food Tour takes in all the best spots in the city, starting things off in the historic St George’s Market, where you’ll meet local food producers and sample their produce, from hand-blended teas to Broughgammon goat. You’re then taken on a tour of the city’s culinary highlights, from a guide who knows exactly where the hottest tables in town can be found (the handmade chocolates in Co Couture are a particular highlight).

There’s more to Northern Ireland than Belfast alone – explore these other cities and you’ll discover gorgeous cathedrals, museums and gardens.

Just a short hop from Belfast is Lisburn, a gorgeous little city with a rich heritage. Take an amble around and be sure to pop into the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, set in the late 17th-century Market House. Afterwards, stroll to the Castle Gardens, where you’ll find a monument to local man Sir Richard Wallace, whose collection of art makes up the bulk of The Wallace Collection in Marylebone.

In nearby Armagh, the Robinson Library is an elegant Georgian building filled with rare books, such as Jonathan Swift’s own copy of Gulliver’s Travels, complete with his annotations. The city has two cathedrals, both of which are named St Patrick’s, and the ceiling of the Roman Catholic church is shrouded with beautiful mosaics.

To the north, Derry-Londonderry is the second biggest city in Northern Ireland, with a vibrant cultural scene. Get a sense of its history in The Museum of Free Derry, before seeing the 12 murals of the People’s Gallery. For a great perspective, walk the city’s walls — a 1.5km trail dating back to 1619.

For more information on all Northern Ireland has to offer, visit ireland.com/NorthernIreland