Why choose a holiday home in County Antrim (Belfast)?
A tub of traditional stew with friends sharing a brew in a "snug" carved from oak at the Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street is a fine way to salute the day. It is a Belfast treasure built in 1826 opposite the Opera house and popular with locals in this capitol city.
W5 lies on the River Lagan with incredible views of the water and Belfast. Try the "tug of war" challenge, fly a plane, move magnets, be a space explorer, take the wheel of a K'nex car, and make your heart pound at W5. Almost 200 awesome interactive demonstrations wait all ages. You can bring your picnic sandwiches, scones, traybakes and coffees to the area set aside for people to self dine.
Multi-level, covered lanes link to the colossal glass dome that completely contains the public square. Victoria Square contains the flamboyant Jaffe Fountain, built in 1872, where it shares the enormous space with House of Fraser and scores of stores.
Shopping can work up a hearty appetite. Belfast buzzes with delicious alternatives. Steaks, ribs, beef burgers, are perfect at Spur Steak Ranches. You can even purchase their branded sauces. Duck into Nando's to try chicken dishes with medium to hot lemon or herb spicing. The Gourmet Burger Kitchen "kiwiburger" has pineapple, beetroot, and fried eggs or you can try burgers from buffalo or organic wild boar.
The cosmopolitan and sophisticated are drawn to the pubs and clubs of the historic Cathedral Quarter. Culture comes alive on these cobbled avenues. Music and nightlife are spliced together when locals and travelers share toasts at the Northern Whig, live readings at Nick's Warehouse, or a dance break at the Ba Soba Noodle Bar.
Check out St. Anne's Cathedral, trace the historic arts heritage, attend a festival, tour the city zoo, or spend a day exploring the titanic quarter. Staying in a holiday home for an extended visit means you won't have to make an embarrassing choice between Belfast Castle and Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory. Sorry "Uncle History" but "Aunt Sandy" is really the sweet choice!
Contribution post: 05 February 2011
