Belfast: City on the Rise

Belfast is a 'City on the Rise', says Lonely Planet

© Mike Gerrard

Mar 13, 2007

Belfast Bigfish Sculpture, Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau

Travel publishers Lonely Planet have included Belfast as a City on the Rise in their Blue List, and say Northern Ireland is a Must See Destination for 2007

Lonely Planet's latest Blue List includes Northern Ireland's capital Belfast as a 'City on the Rise'. It also adds Northern Ireland as a 'Must See Destination for 2007'. Why? Well, maybe some of the following influenced their opinion:

NEW BELFAST HOTELS

The Merchant Hotel is in the style of Paris's luxury George V Hotel, and occupies the former Ulster Bank HQ in the up-and-coming Cathedral Quarter. Actor Gabriel Byrne declared it the best hotel he's ever stayed in.

Further down the price scale, the 3-star Premier Travel Inn will open in spring 2007 and provide city centre rooms from £60 per night.

NEW BELFAST ATTRACTIONS

Belfast's great tradition as a maritime city is shown by two new attractions due to open soon. The luxury ferry SS Nomadic has been restored to show what it was like when it was built in 1911 to take first class passengers to board the Titanic, which was also built in Belfast. This opens later in 2007.

In 2008 an interactive heritage centre, museum and archive which celebrates Belfast's maritime history will be opening in the MV Confiance, a Dutch barge permanently moored at Lanyon Quay.

BEST OF BELFAST RESTAURANTS

There are now over 400 different restaurants and bars in Belfast, making it a popular city break for gourmets. There are top names like Cayenne, run by celebrity chefs Paul and Jeanne Rankin (click here to read Georgina Campbell's review) and of course the Michelin-starred Restaurant Michael Deane (click here to read more.)

BEYOND BELFAST

And if you want a break from the city, you've the rest of Northern Ireland easily accessible. It's a small province, and in less than two hours you could be enjoying the Giant's Causeway, the Fermanagh Lakelands, the Mountains of Mourne or even travel 'abroad' – Dublin is only two hours away on the train.

For more information on Belfast visit the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau. Click here.

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The copyright of the article Belfast: City on the Rise in Northern Ireland Travel is owned by Mike Gerrard. Permission to republish Belfast: City on the Rise must be granted by the author in writing.



Comments
Mar 18, 2007 4:05 AM
David Whitley :
Hi Mike, if I travel to BElfast from London, are there any attractions worth seeing just out of town?
Mar 21, 2007 4:35 AM
Mike Gerrard :
Hi there. Sorry for the delayed reply but your Discussion posting didn't appear on my home page, so I've only just seen it.

There's so much to do in Belfast itself, that it depends how long you'll be visiting. If just for a few days I'd focus on the city and its attractions - the pubs, the eating places, just the general great Irish vibe in the place.

Given a week, maybe rent a car or get on the bus, and I'd head up the east coast and on to the North Antrim coast. It's not that far from the city, and it's beautiful - stunning scenery. I've been there twice and would go back any time.

I hope that helps
Mike
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