Escape, explore, and relax on your ultimate NI stay

Whether you are taking a nice break to relax and unwind, create special memories in a beautiful setting or are ready to soak up the vast spirit of Northern Ireland, you don’t have to look far.

Northern Ireland Tourism has compiled a list of unique experiences to add to your ultimate itinerary.

Register to our daily newsletter

The i-newsletter cut through the noise

Cutting Edge Helicopters Ltd. Londonderry

Follow the seas with Sailing in the Wake of Giants, an unforgettable adventure around spectacular Belfast Lough. Feel the wind in your hair as you step aboard the Pristine, a sturdy Pacific Seacraft 37 from 1990, and cruise the blue seas. You’ll admire the colossal sights like the hulking Samson and Goliath at Harland & Wolff and take an epic tour on the high seas. Don’t miss the opportunity to travel like your ancestors did with no prior sailing experience.

After all that excitement, Galgorm Resort and Spa is the perfect place to relax. Set in 163 acres of lush parkland with the spectacular Maine River flowing through the property, Galgorm offers a truly unique setting. The unique Thermal Spa Village, the first of its kind in Ireland, allows guests to relax in the tranquility of nature with an extensive selection of riverside hot tubs, heated indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms and saunas. The resort also offers a selection of first class restaurants and bars.

Or if you’re looking for breathtaking ocean views, the Salthouse Hotel offers a luxurious, eco-friendly experience on the famous Causeway Coast. Set in its own private grounds, surrounded by the natural beauty of the landscape, the Salthouse features a soothing spa, as well as a relaxed bar and restaurant that are the perfect place to recharge your batteries and unwind.

There are few places in the world that can compete with the impressive landscape of the Causeway Coast. So put on your walking shoes and explore the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

Sailing in the wake of the giants

Bishop’s Gate is a stunning historic landmark that has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel. It is located in the heart of the walled city of Derry. This intimate urban oasis offers 31 luxurious guest rooms, a fitness area, The Wig and Gown Champagne Bar and Restaurant and the Hervey Library.

The hotel is an ideal base from which to explore all that the Northwest has to offer. And why not see the beautiful landscape from a dizzying new perspective! Cutting Edge Helicopter, located at the City of Derry Airport, offers the experience of a lifetime with a variety of custom charter flights to choose from. The breathtaking views from the top give you unparalleled access to some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular travel destinations. If you’re a Game of Thrones® fan, try the exhilarating Games of Thrones® Air Tour adventure and enjoy fabulous aerial photography and scenic scenery of the Causeway Coastal Route, used as filming locations by HBO in the award-winning series .

Enjoy the Enniskillen taste experience

Get a unique perspective of Ireland’s only island city on the Enniskillen Taste Experience. Experience the tastes, sounds, and sights of Enniskillen on this 3-hour gourmet tasting tour. Your local guide introduces you to award-winning producers and family-run businesses who are passionate about what they do during this gentle and first of its kind food and drink in Enniskillen. You can sample over 20 fantastic food and drink specialties that are unique to County Fermanagh. Including Joe the Baker’s sourdough, Pat O’Doherty’s famous black bacon, Tickety Moo Ice Cream, Boatyard Gin, Sharon’s delicious scones, Innishmacsaint beer and much more! Along the way, you’ll also meet local legends that can tell stories about Enniskillen like no other.

Then escape to the countryside at the luxurious 5-star Lough Erne Resort, just minutes from Enniskillen. Located on a 600 acre peninsula, the venue offers spectacular views of the Fermanagh Lakelands and the Faldo Course – one of Ireland’s top golf resorts. Guests can enjoy a unique Thai-inspired experience from the luxurious spa treatment menu, and the thermal suite and infinity pool are free for all hotel guests. Take in the breathtaking scenery of the resort at The Catalina Restaurant, Northern Ireland’s 3 AA Rosette Hotel Restaurant. Enjoy premium cocktails and drinks while sampling the eclectic grazing menu served in the Blaney Bar. or for more casual dining, choose The Loughside Bar & Grill, which specializes in premium grilled Irish meat and seafood.

Located between meandering streams and winding country roads, the Corick House Hotel and Spa is Tyrone’s first 4-star hotel and transports guests back in time with historic style. From the impressive wrought-iron gates, the driveway is lined with 300-year-old beech trees that add spectacular color year-round, and has three acres of mixed terrain and manicured lawns to stroll through. With 43 luxurious en-suite bedrooms, this venue offers excellent dining and spa facilities as well as beautiful views of the rolling hills and the cathedral village of Clogher will take your breath away.

Montalto estate. Ballynahinch

Take time for an unparalleled experience as you view the constellations through a state-of-the-art telescope at the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. The Stars and Stones Experience invites you to travel back in time and learn more about these ancient stones, their first observatory. You’ll be accompanied by a local storyteller and guide who skillfully interweaves archeology and astronomy, telling you about the stones and how they were first discovered. Sperrin Glamping Village, next to the Beaghmore Stone Circles, also lets you sleep under the stars. Lay your head down comfortably and watch the night sky through the glass roof above your head. Just don’t forget to turn off the lights!

Try fine dining at Wine & Brine, an incredible sensory experience. The Michelin star trained chef Chris McGowan honed his skills in 20 years of training with renowned chefs. So it’s no surprise that this is the perfect place for an intimate dinner, family reunion, and more. With a growing list of specially selected fine wines and a menu that always alludes to current trends in gastronomy, the passion for stunning food and great service is evident. Wine & Brine’s cuisine is made from healthy local flocks and poultry that are allowed to graze in rich pastures, and vegetables and fruits plucked from leafy grounds are artfully transformed into sumptuous but simple dishes.

Continue your experience with a stay at the secluded Killeavy Castle Estate. At the heart of 350 acres of mixed farm and forest in the stunning Slieve Gullion, this is the ideal place to retreat and relax. The beautifully restored 19th century building has 45 rooms that are finely decorated in a modern style, walls in soft gray tones, burnt oranges and greens that reflect all the seasonal colors of the hinterland. The Gatelodge offers three guest rooms with distinctive style details that blend in with the surroundings. Two bathrooms with a fully equipped kitchen with all modern conveniences make the Gatelodge the perfect starting point for a longer retreat. The spa now has seven treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor thermal areas with over 40 treatments to choose from.

On the wooded slopes of the Holywood Hills overlooking Belfast Lough is the magnificent 5-star Culloden Estate and Spa, offering palatial surroundings, fine antiques and personalized service of the highest order. Each of the 98 guest rooms are exquisitely decorated and tastefully furnished, many of which have breathtaking views over the property and Belfast Lough. The award-winning Miter Restaurant serves modern Irish cuisine using the freshest local produce and The Cultra Inn is a cozy bar and restaurant with a log fire located on the property, perfect for a delicious lunch or a pint by the fireplace. The spa offers a wide variety of invigorating, rejuvenating, soothing and relaxing treatments.

Galgorm spa and golf resort

During your stay, take a stroll through the history of the Montalto Estate, nestled in the picturesque countryside of Co Down. This privately owned property dates back to the 17th century and is best known for being the site of the “Battle of Ballynahinch” which took place during the Irish Rebellion in 1798. It is also home to an exotic plant collection originally created by ‘The Father of Irish Gardening’, Sir Arthur Rawdon. For quiet and scenic walks, take in the breathtaking views of The Lake Walk and The Garden Walk. Take a look at some of the wonderful wildlife that call the Montalto Estate home or just enjoy the wonderful seasonal exhibits and reconnect with nature.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request for you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trustworthy local news on this free website, I ask that you also purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the strictest standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears has its price. We therefore need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers in this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a huge impact on many of our locally valued advertisers – and consequently the advertising we receive – we depend more than ever on you to help us provide you with the latest news and information by submitting a Buy a copy of our newspaper if you can for sure.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by signing up to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster loading times and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.