We'll begin our journey with a direct flight from Edinburgh to Belfast.*

Upon arrival, our excellent Irish guide, Liam, will greet and take us to the luxurious Merchant Hotel Belfast, our home for the next three nights. We'll enjoy a dinner together this evening.

Overnight at the Merchant Hotel.
(B, L, D)

This morning, we'll have a relaxed start before embarking on a tour of Belfast. We'll admire the city's impressive architecture and engineering achievements, including Queen's University, the iconic H&W cranes, the birthplace of the Titanic, the Cathedral Quarter, and the Queen's Quarter. Our tour will also include visiting the thought-provoking Crumlin Road Gaol and the significant Belfast murals on the Falls and Shankill Roads.

We'll delve into C.S. Lewis's Belfast roots, exploring how his early life in Northern Ireland shaped his beloved literary works, as detailed in his autobiography, Surprised by Joy.

We'll have lunch at a historic Belfast restaurant before proceeding to the renowned Titanic Experience. This fascinating exhibition spans nine galleries and uses special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions, and interactive elements to tell the complete story of the Titanic—from its conception and construction in Belfast to its ill-fated maiden voyage and the wreck's discovery.

Dinner tonight is yours to enjoy at your leisure, allowing you to explore Belfast's vibrant culinary scene.

Overnight at the Merchant Hotel.
(B, L)

Today, we'll explore the stunning Antrim Coast. Our first stop is Dunluce Castle, dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the Irish Sea. Its rugged beauty is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis's creation of Cair Paravel.

Next, we'll visit the extraordinary Giant's Causeway, a remarkable landscape of interlocking hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. Local legend attributes these formations to the mythical hero Finn MacCumhaill, a tale that evokes a sense of magic and perhaps brings to mind the giant's territory of Harfang from The Silver Chair.

A special highlight of the day will be a private tea at Glenarm Castle, the ancestral home of the McDonnell family, the Earls of Antrim. We will be welcomed by the family butler and house staff in the castle's drawing room, dining room, the ‘Blue Room,’ and the striking hall for our tea. Our visit will conclude with a stroll through the beautiful historic Walled Garden, which dates back to the 17th century.

We will then return to Belfast, where dinner is at your own.

Overnight at the Merchant Hotel.
(B, L)

Today, we will travel to Dublin for an afternoon at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens tour.

This significant site serves as the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland and the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. This Georgian mansion, built in the mid-18th century by Wills Hill (after whom Hillsborough is named), has a rich history, hosting Benjamin Franklin in 1770. It later became the home of the governors of Northern Ireland and a royal residence after being sold to the British government in 1925. Hillsborough Castle has also been the location for many political negotiations related to the Northern Ireland peace process, and in 2005, it hosted the historic meeting between Queen Elizabeth II and President Mary McAleese.

You are free to enjoy Dublin's offerings for dinner this evening.

We will stay at the luxurious and conveniently located Westbury Hotel for the next two nights.

Overnight at the Westbury Hotel.
(B, L)

This morning, we'll discover the elegant South Georgian Core of Dublin with a guided tour showcasing its impressive 18th and 19th-century architecture, including notable clubhouses and mansions along Dawson, Kildare, and Molesworth Streets, as well as the refined St Stephen’s Green. Highlights will include visits to the National Museum and Library, the intriguing Masonic Hall, the stately Lord Mayor's House, a grand Georgian Ballroom, a remarkable Art Deco government building from the 1930s, and a stunning 19th-century Neo-Byzantine church. Throughout our exploration, we'll immerse ourselves in the rich social, political, and literary history of the area, perhaps even visiting a charming 19th-century chemist shop with ties to James Joyce.

After lunch at the fabulous House Restaurant, we'll continue to the historic Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin’s Viking Centre. Christ Church Cathedral, located on the site of the original Viking settlement, is considered a remarkable "Thin Place" and houses an original copy of the Irish version of the Magna Carta within its significant crypt.

This evening, we will come together for a farewell dinner.

Overnight at the Westbury Hotel.
(B, L, D)