Great Days Out for Groups - Discover Northern Ireland

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HOW TO... book a day out withthe National TrustThe National Trust offers amazing places to visit forgreat group days out.These range from industrial heritage sitessuch as the fascinating Patterson’s SpadeMill in County Antrim to world famoushistoric houses and gardens like FlorenceCourt in County Fermanagh and MountStewart in County Down.When making group bookings, theNational Trust advises group organisersto contact the visitor services team atthe venue of their choice. In this way,the specific group interests and needscan be discussed using just one point ofcontact right the way through, from initialenquiry to the actual group visit.The National Trust also recommendsthat, where possible, group organisersshould arrange a preliminary site visit.This provides an important opportunityto see the location and setting of thevenue, discuss the various tour optionsavailable that will best suit their grouprequirements, check availabilityand discuss refreshment andretail opportunities.Group organisers should also be awarethat group tours around historic venuesand gardens can be adapted to suit specificgroup needs. For example, National Trustproperties can provide a group rate toinclude a tour with tea and coffee or a tourwith lunch and half day or full day visits.A number of National Trust venues can alsoopen outside normal public opening timesif requested. It should be noted, however,that an additional charge may be appliedin these circumstances.To help group organisers plan group tours,the National Trust has developed a GroupsGuide. This publication highlights aselection of the group tours available atNational Trust venues from garden toursto historic house tours, conservation toursto industrial heritage tours. Whatever yourgroup interests, the National Trust has agroup tour for you.For a copy of the National TrustGroups Guide please contact:(028) 9751 0721 or visitwww.nationaltrust.org.ukNational Trust Northern IrelandHOW TO... book a Tour GuideBlue Badge GuidesToday the Blue Badge is recognised as thesymbol of excellence within the tourismindustry. We at Northern Ireland TourGuide Association (NITGA), believe that aBlue Badge Guide is the third key elementin making a great day out (the other twobeing a comfortable coach and good food).Our association has grown since the firstBlue Badge guides qualified in 1992 toa body of over 60 independent guidestoday. Each of our guides is unique intheir own right. They come from a varietyof backgrounds and bring a wealth ofknowledge and skills with them. For afull list of specialities and geographicalareas covered, refer to our web site atwww.bluebadgeireland.com, which alsocontains information about driver guides,language guides and current rates.Where do I start?Having been involved in group travel forsome 30 years, and guiding for the pastfour years, I believe I am in the uniqueposition of being able to address thesubject from both a consumer andservice provider perspective.The good news is that the task of planninga great day out has just become a wholelot easier thanks to this publication, whichis a one-stop shop for all the necessaryingredients. Gone are the days whenyour day out was planned around theexperiences of a neighbouring group or ona friend’s recommendation. However, likeall successful events it’s all about planningand preparation. Hopefully, the next fewparagraphs will assist in making your dayout a great one!What you need to consider?When do you want to go?There has been a significant changeover the past two years. Events, oncecrammed into June and July, now takeplace throughout the year. That’s due to anumber of reasons, including the greateravailability of venues, such as museums,more eating establishments and betteropening hours.How far should you go?Know your limitations and set reasonableand achievable targets based on theabilities and interests of your group. There’sno point in planning a day trip from Tyroneto Belfast, including a trip to the Glens ofAntrim and afternoon tea in Coleraine.262 263
Take my word, it can’t be done.In situations like this why not include anovernight stop; itineraries can be tailoredto meet your needs.What does the group want?Get this right and you will become anovernight celebrity. Well, perhaps not,but you will get the job again next year.Canvas the group; do they want somesightseeing, a visit to a historical buildingor a guided walking tour? Don’t forgetfree time for shopping!What are the benefits of havinga Blue Badge Guide?• They assist in the planning process,making recommendations regardingroutes, timings and itineraries• Provide an interesting andentertaining commentary.• Use their knowledge and skillsthroughout the day for the benefitof the driver and group, thus ensuringthat your day out is ‘a great day out’.What will it cost?In today’s financial climate you may wellask this question, why book a guide andincur that additional expense? Today’sluxury coaches carry up to 50 pluspassengers. At current guiding rates thecost to each passenger could be as littleas £1.50 per half day or just under £3 perperson for a full day. We are here to assistregarding itineraries, lunch venues and sitevisits and work closely with the local TouristInformation Centres and the NorthernIreland Tourist Board.To learn more visit:www.bluebadgeireland.comDavid McAnirn.Chairperson, Northern IrelandTour Guide Association (NITGA)What others say“I have been employed in the travelindustry for the past 40 years and havebeen coming to Ireland for the last 20 yearsas it always has been a popular destinationwith our clients.My first experience of working with aBlue Badge Guide was in London in 1989.Since then it has been our company policyto always employ the services of a BlueBadge Guide. Why? Well, there are severalgood reasons. They know the best touringlocations, best eating establishments,where to park our coaches whilst on tour,route planning and timings, but top ofthe list is the superb commentaries,supplemented with the usual craic.The presence of a guide is now somethingthat our clients have come to expect,and has become an integral part of ourgroup holidays.”Richard Green.Director, North Dorset Travelof Bournemouth.Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Associationwww.bluebadgeguideireland.orgAnderson IsabelBelfast, Co. Down, St Anne’s CathedralT: (028) 9066 7083 M: 07855102813E: isabelanderson643@btinternet.comAnderson PhyllisBelfast, Hillsborough, Giant’s CausewayT: (028) 9269 9659 M: 07768885443E: phylltours@aol.comBarrett BibiBelfast, Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Pub Tours,Ards PeninsulaM: 07779427056 E: bibo@live.co.ukBeggs AndrewScots-Irish history, N.Ireland, BelfastT: (028) 9077 6367 M: 07749902313E: andrewbeggs@btinternet.comBlackburn MarjoryGenealogy, Rural life, Co. TyroneT: (028) 8772 5129 M: 07887638847E: marjory.blackburn@tesco.netBrown ColinBelfast, Derry, Antrim Coast, Ards Peninsula,Pub ToursM: 07565096868E: colinbrown4215@yahoo.comCarson HelenNat Trust, Down, Giant’s Causeway, MournesT: (028) 9145 7271Caughey RichardBelfast, Down, Sports, History, FishingT: (028) 9042 4731 M: 07714439137E: richard.caughey@foldgroup.co.ukClarke AlanBelfast, Lisburn City Historic QuarterT: (028) 9268 9626 M: 07808718765E: poundhill@btinternet.comClarke LouiseBelfast, Co. Down, Coach & WalkingT: (028) 4277 2093 M: 07801226438E: clarke_louise@hotmail.co.ukClenaghan-McGrane MaireadCo. ArmaghT: (028) 3884 9788 M: 07762110575E: mairea.mcgrane@btinternet.comCollins TommyN.Ireland, Rural life, Ulster-ScotsT: (028) 2954 0645 M: 07989397942E: collinskilrea@dsl.pipex.comConway TimHistory, Ireland & U.K, Golf, GenealogyT: (028) 7082 5678 M: 07802957567E: timconway@btinternet.comCooper MichaelDerry, Donegal, Giant’s Causeway, MusicT: (028) 7136 1311 M: 07743175709E: derrybluebadgeguide@hotmail.comCornett BarbaraAntiques, Gardens, Pubs, Belfast, N. IrelandT: (028) 9020 1786 M: 07884372800E: barbara.cornett@btinternet.comCourtney LowellSport, Genealogy, Derry, North CoastT: (028) 7082 3232 M: 07974663136E: info@lynchpintours.comCoyle LorettoBelfast, Mournes, Causeway CoastT: (028) 4372 5191 M: 07973408056E: loretto@outdoorirelandnorth.co.ukCrawford JudyBelfast, Hillsborough Village, PubsT: (028) 9268 3665 M: 07720948064E: judy@belfastpubtours.comCross GlenBelfast, Industrial & Christian HeritageT: (028) 9064 2271 M: 07704433685E: see_with_me@hotmail.co.ukCunningham John B.N.Ireland, History, Genealogy, FolkloreT: (028) 6865 8327 M: 07855325693E: adam4eves@aol.com264265
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Great Days Out for Groups - Discover Northern Ireland

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