Hey, we’re not ones to boast (that much), but we’ve got to say - our city locations are pretty darn cool! 😎
If you’re struggling for ideas for summer vacays, leave it to us for some incredible city getaway inspo. We’re all about making life easier... so take a scroll down below to view our top tips that we’re sure will hit the mark for seriously cool summer escapes.
BELFAST
Belfast is an historic city with grand buildings, cobbled streets and interesting focal points at every turn, so it’s no surprise the Northern Irish capital has lots of great landmarks to visit. The birthplace of the Titanic and standing on the banks of the River Lagan, Belfast has so much to offer for a long weekend or a place to start your exploration of Northern Ireland.
TITANIC BELFAST
The old Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast’s docks is where the world’s most famous ocean liner was assembled. Now a cutting edge museum, with a bold design that resembles four ship bows. Elements from the Titanic’s interiors have been meticulously reproduced, and you’ll read contemporary accounts from the ship’s sinking, too.
BELFAST CASTLE
Situated in Cave Hill Country Park in north Belfast, it contains both parkland and mixed woodland with superb views of the city from a variety of vantage points. The estate is home to many different species of wildlife, including long-eared owls and sparrowhawks. Keep walking up and you’ll reach Cave Hill mountain walk with its five mysterious caves.
BOTANIC GARDENS
If you are a fan of The Fall then this will top of your Belfast bucket list. The Palm House, built at the turn of the 1840s is one of the first curvilinear glasshouses anywhere in the world. Look out for the globe spear lily, 11 metres in height or the Tropical Ravine, which has an indoor sunken garden with tropical fauna and birds of paradise between two raised viewing galleries.
GIANTS CAUSEWAY
(1 hour drive)
Stand on the hills that gently arc this precious place and you’ll look down on thousands of basalt columns tumbling down into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an epic sight, with a whopping 40,000 or so of these hexagonal-shaped stepping stones, which date back almost 60 million years.
BRIGHTON
Situated on the waterfront, our Brighton hotel boasts 73 boutique bedrooms with big and comfy beds. With an elegant grill restaurant with sea-view conservatory and a glittering bar worth sailing the ocean for, we’ve got everything covered for a relaxing seaside break. A visit to the seafront and a ride on a classic carousel on the pier is a must, as well as lunch and Champagne on the Malmaison terrace bar, while checking out the marina's impressive line up of yachts.
THE ROYAL PAVILION
Richly eccentric, this one-time pleasure palace blends Mughal and Islamic architectural traditions with stunning results. It can be appreciated from the outside, but also permits visitors to explore inside and learn more about the history.
NORTH LAINE & THE LANES
Browse over 400 unique shops and cafés in this colourful quarter. Some of the best watering holes the city has to offer are situated here – as are some of the best venues for an evening of entertainment.
i360 VIEWING TOWER
If you're ok with heights, enjoy a 20-minute pod ride in the skies on the British Airways i360. On a sunny day the views over the city’s rooftops and back gardens towards the Downs and Seven Sisters cliffs are Instagram gold.
YORK
Few cities can rival York for history, personality and, believe it or not, ghost hunters. The city’s crumbling medieval walls encircle a pretty riverside spot with over a thousand years of heritage, but there’s always something new to discover down one of the city’s cobbled side streets. It is a literal walk through time, with ancient city walls, Roman baths, a Viking settlement, medieval churches, and beautiful Georgian architecture mixed with more modern additions.
YORK MINSTER
The towering medieval cathedral is the largest of its kind in Europe. Spend a quiet few moments exploring the ancient stones of the crypt, then splash an extra £5 to pant your way up the central tower’s 275 steps for unrivalled views of the whole city.
THE SHAMBLES
With a mention in the Domesday Book and – rumour has it – the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, the Shambles wouldn’t be out of place in a fairy tale. The shopping haven is also photographer’s dream with its Tudor-style beamed houses jutting out over a zig-zag of stony streets.
JORVIK VIKING CENTRE
The Jorvik Centre was established to vividly recreate life in the 10th century using (almost) all five senses. It’s a must-visit for anyone with even the faintest interest in Vikings – and its gruesome details and ride attraction make it a fun-packed day out for younger archaeologists, too.
THE GHOST BUS
York is well known as being the most haunted city in Europe. Jump aboard the Ghost Bus and your creepy conductor will show you the sights while onboard a classic 1960s Routemaster bus. Be guided along dark streets to investigate tales of scandal and death - of phantoms, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural stories of the strange.
CHOCOLATE STORY OF YORK
This is an entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York's most famous chocolate-making families and their finest creations. You'll discover chocolate's origins, how to make it, how to taste it like an expert and even the sustainable future of chocolate. Get hands on and master the secrets of the chocolatier and create your very own chocolate bar to take home.
