To join the Giant's Causeway Tour from Belfast you should make your way to the meeting point in the tour office inside Belfast International Youth Hostel. Please ensure that you arrive by 0920h (09:20am) to allow plenty of time for check in.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will set off in a deluxe coach. The first stop of the day is at the magnificent Norman fortress of Carrickfergus Castle, which you can admire from the outside and photograph. Beside the Castle is a picturesque harbour.
You then travel on to the main highlight of the tour – the Giant's Causeway. This incredible feature consists of about 40,000 interlocking polygonal basalt columns. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Geologists say the structure is a result of ancient volcanic eruptions but local legends about battles between giants provide more entertaining and colourful explanations! Giant's Causeway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and is owned and managed by the National Trust.
Spend some time climbing over the stones and enjoying the glorious scenery before making a retreat to one of the tempting cafes or restaurants at the Causeway for lunch (payable direct).
After you re-fuel at the Causeway, you will re-board the luxury coach to visit the ancient ruins of Dunluce Castle for a quick photo, before moving on to the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery at Bushmills. Here you can browse in the extensive gift shop, or make a visit to the bar to have a swift taste or two of the famous tipple (payable direct). After this you will be dropped to the hotel.
You will stay the night at the Causeway Hotel. Established in 1836, the Causeway Hotel occupies one of the most scenic locations in Northern Ireland, just a few hundred yards from the world-famous Giant's Causeway.
The two-star hotel, a Grade B listed building, has been tastefully renovated and restored to provide modern facilities while retaining its old grandeur and charm. The 28 centrally heated bedrooms have TV, telephone, tea/coffee making facilities and bathrooms en suite.
Dinner will be available at the hotel restaurant or the Fullerton Arms nearby (payable direct).
Breakfast at the hotel is included in your package and afterwards you can spend the morning at leisure, walking along the coast, or admiring the views.
Next afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the world-famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Twenty metres long and 30 metres above the rocks and sea, this wire rope suspension bridge links the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island. A good head for heights is required to walk across it! Can you do it? There is a small admission charge (not included in your tour price).
If the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge does not appeal and you prefer to keep your feet firmly on land, take one of the delightful walks, and enjoy the stunning views.
All that then remains to be done is to sit back and relax on the comfortable journey back to Belfast. You will arrive back in the city around 1900h (07:00pm). At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at the starting point.