Best of Northern Ireland

Published on Tuesday 9 September 2008 20:07

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY AND CARRICK-A-REDE: The beauty speaks for itself and starts from the stunning drive as soon as you get off the ferry at Larne. It's dramatic coastal scenery all the way until you reach the Causeway itself. I found it mesmerising. A little further on is the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, spanning a chasm of 80ft – not for the faint-hearted.

BELFAST: One of my favourite cities in Europe and just an hour and 45 minutes on the Stranraer ferry. Enjoy the many bars, cafs and fantastic restaurants, including Nick's Warehouse, owned by chef Nick Price and boasting one of the finest wine lists in Ireland. If you happen to be in town on a Friday or Saturday don't miss the eclectic St George's Market.

FERMANAGH: This county offers more than 700km of rivers, lakes and canals to choose from for your boating holiday. The only commercial traffic you are likely to encounter is the occasional open lake boat with a couple of professional fishermen long-lining for eels or a farmer transporting sheep to an island pasture. Those wanting something a bit more fast-paced should try the Lough Erne Canoe Trail, stretching for over 50km and linking Upper and Lower Lough Erne with the Shannon Waterway. The trail passes the spectacular Cuilcagh Mountains.

FOOD: Northern Ireland has become a major gourmet player, offering a huge range of eateries from fine dining restaurants to gastro pubs serving an array of different cuisines. No 27 is one of Belfast's newest additions in the trendy Cathedral Quarter, joining Ten Square, The Apartment, Zen and Paul Rankin's Roscoff Brasserie and Cayenne Restaurant.

DERRY: This is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples in Europe. The inner city still preserves its Renaissance-style street plan. The mighty city walls may never have been breached, but many ancient buildings were destroyed by the many sieges on the city. One building that survived is the magnificent St Columb's Cathedral.

www.discoverireland.com/northernireland.