Small group tours are perfect for those seeking a semi- private experience on shore.
This small group shore excursion follows exactly the same route as our popular group coach shore excursion from Belfast.
Operated by our 5 star sister company Elegant Irish Tours, the small group vans seat no more than 16 passengers and allow for a particularly intimate day on shore.
Our tour begins at the Belfast Cruise Terminal. We drive to the north coast and visit the Giant's Causeway, a World Heritage site. The area consists of approximately 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, some believe to be formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago. However, many of us Irish people believe that it was built by our Celtic warrior giant Finn MacCool as a walkway to Scotland.
NB: Your (small group) ticket includes the £8 Giants Causeway Visitor Centre entrance fee (lunch may be had at the Visitor Centre or in a number of different towns depending on our departure time from the boat).
Afterwards we will return to Belfast City, where we will enjoy a panoramic tour of this fine city, seeing highlights such as the City Hall, Queens College, Titanic Quarter, and Belfast Cathedral. If time allows there will be time for shopping and sightseeing in the City Centre. We will adjust all the timings on the tour to suit your ships departure time, and will have you back in ample time for the ship's departure.
We will collect you in style in a luxury small group van (maximum 16 passengers). Your tour begins with a scenic drive up through the Glens of Antrim to the North Coast of Ireland.
We enjoy amazing sights as we take a panoramic drive along the North Coast of Antrim, - also known as the Causeway Coast. This area is recognized by the Government as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is truly breathtaking with rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and wonderful views of Scotland.
We allow ample time at the Giant's Causeway to make your way down to visit this famous World Heritage Site. It is a 20 minute walk from the Drop Off point to the amazing Causeway site, but there is a shuttle bus that operates for a small charge, ideal for those not comfortable walking up and down the steep gradient (hill) to the Causeway. The hexagonal basalt rocks really look like they were man made and this leads the people in Ireland to believe they were carved by Ireland's most famous Giant Warrior: the great Finn MacCoole. There is also a suggestion they may have been formed by Volcanic activity 60 million years ago.
We will stop for one of the most impressive photo opportunities in Ireland, the magnificent Dunluce Castle. Part of this impressive ruin crumbled into the sea in the 1600's. This castle is connected to the mainland by a bridge and was once the stronghold of the McDonnell clan. The backdrop of the ocean and North Coast make this a really dramatic photo stop!
In the afternoon we return to Belfast City for a panoramic sightseeing tour. We will show you the highlights of this vibrant City, including City Hall, the River Lagan, Queens University, St Anne's cathedral and Prince Albert memorial Clock. After the panoramic tour, we will allow free time for more sightseeing and shopping if your departure time allows. PLEASE NOTE: If your ship is leaving earlier than normal we will have to alter the itinerary as necessary.
We structure each tour to make sure you are back on board in ample time for departure. The service ends back at the dockside after approximately 8 hours on tour. If the boat is leaving earlier we will amend the itinerary as necessary.