Day Nine: Belfast City

Belfast City.

Once shunned by travellers unnerved by tales of the Troubles and sectarian violence, in recent years it has pulled off a remarkable transformation from bombs-and-bullets pariah to a hip-hotels-and-trendy-restaurants town. We'll start the day today with a guided tour of Belfast City's Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods in the famous black taxis. Our local guides will explain the history and daily life, highlights include the political murals of the Falls and the Shankill that graphically tell the story of Ireland's "Troubles". We'll see the Peace Line, a wall made of iron, brick, and/or steel, and up to 25 ft high. Some have gates in them (sometimes staffed by police) that allow passage during daylight but are closed at night. The wall keeps Nationalists and Loyalists apart and in the process, divides the communities.

Next we'll head to the Titanic Quarter, it's centerpiece is the stunning, star-shaped edifice housing the Titanic Belfast Experience, where you can explore the ill-fated ocean liner's construction shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the legend of Titanic where it all began. 

Learn more about: Belfast City, The Titanic Experience, The Ten Square Hotel.