DRIFT Travel Summer 2017

After a two-hour drive (longer if you
make the many scenic stops along the
way) you arrive in a city that is on a
smaller scale in comparison to Dublin,
but don’t discount its size. Belfast is a
fascinating and historic place with a big
personality and welcoming to travelers.
I was lucky to have stayed in a quaint
little house in central Belfast with
friends; however, there are lots of
different hotels available to tourists. The
famous Europa Hotel is a four-star hotel
in Great Victoria Street, Belfast that has
hosted numerous Presidents, Prime
Ministers and celebrities. Its historic
significance is what makes the hotel
known across the world as the most
bombed hotel in Europe after suffering
thirty-six bomb attacks during the
Troubles. It has since been renovated
and is a wonderful and notable hotel
to stay when visiting the city of Belfast.
Our first day in Belfast was a truly
eye opening experience. I never quite
fully grasped the history between the
Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland. After taking a Black Cab
Tour, I began to understand it a little
more. The tour, which lasts roughly
an hour and a half, is an escorted tour
of Greater Belfast’s historical sites.
An experienced driver takes you on a
journey back in time to explore many
places of interest. Our driver brought
us on a ‘Political Murals and The Peace
Line’ tour, where we learned about
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