Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

After boarding a coach at the pier, you will first head north of Belfast along the lovely coastline of Northern Ireland’s County Antrim. As you make your way to the Glenariff Forest Park – located in the beautiful “Queen of the Glens” – the winding road dips and turns, affording arresting views of the Irish Sea, the upper moorland and then of small villages at sea level. After rounding Garron Point, the route takes you inland to the Forest Park itself, which is mainly given over to woodland, but also includes several small lakes, recreation areas and open spaces. Thanks to the lovely Rivers Inver and Glenariff that run through the park, you can also expect to see tumbling waterfalls, tranquil pools and white-water rapids gushing through rocky gorges. A chance to enjoy further splendid views of the Glen then follows as you have tea or coffee with scones, cream and jam at the Glenariff Tea House, after which a route through rolling countryside via Ballymena will return you to the ship.

Even though time machines have yet to be invented, this tour will still take you back in time to Northern Ireland’s Victorian era when you visit the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, which is situated just a short coach ride from the ship in Belfast. Set in generous parklands, the outdoor portion of the museum complex showcases numerous 19th- and early 20th-century buildings that were lifted from their original rural surroundings and rebuilt at the museum as a living illustration of a bygone age. As you make your way around the old cottages, farms, shops and schools, you can stop to watch costumed visitor guides demonstrating traditional crafts such as weaving, basket making, baking and printing. Add to the nostalgic vibe even further by buying some old-fashioned sweets at the Victorian corner shop or by checking out the museum’s farm animals before you re-board your coach for the return trip to Belfast.

Bergen was founded in the year 1070 and, until around 1830, the city was the largest town in the country and a centre for commerce and shipping. Our excursion starts with a walk through the historic Bryggen quarter with its typical gabled wooden buildings that overlook the harbour. The excursion includes a ride on the famous Fløibanen funicular which climbs Fløien Mount; enjoy a magnificent view over Bergen and the surrounding area from the top. Enjoy a scenic tour of the Bergen peninsula and of the central parts of the city.