Belfast is a charming city where visitors ask, “Why haven’t we come here before?”  Unlike the Titanic, the city where the legendary ship was built has resurfaced on the tourism sea as an appealing destination offering a surprising diversity of activities.  The city centre is easy to navigate, the culinary scene is terrific, and the people are as friendly as only the Irish can be.  The rejuvenated Titanic Quarter houses a spectacular museum with displays and presentations on the world’s most famous ill-fated vessel.  Although the Titanic Belfast presents visitors with a vast array of exhibitions and memorabilia related to the ship, not all of Belfast’s appeal rests on an ocean floor.

Like the culinary renaissances found in major cities across northern Europe, the Belfast dining scene has undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years that has brought the best of Northern Ireland’s farms to its tables, complemented by a creative infusion of international style.  OX Belfast on Oxford St is exemplary of this new era in eating; the understatedly elegant dining room is staffed by equally elegant servers who escort a sublime parade of tastes from a delightfully eclectic menu to the table.  The casual style of Waterman on Hill St is less formal but no less satisfying, whereas bistro-style meals are both filling and fulfilling.  Across the street from Waterman is the famous Friend At Hand whiskey shop and museum, a sight to be seen and believed.  Weekend gourmands will visit St George’s Market, where various stalls serve excellent local products in solid and liquid form. \

Discounting the fame of Titanic’s wealthiest passengers, most passengers were travelling in Second and Third Class.  Among them was Evelyn Marsden, a ship stewardess, the only Australian woman who survived the disaster.  Even back in Evelyn’s day, business was brisk at St George’s Market, where a Saturday visit allows for plenty of appreciation of Belfast’s most prominent food hall, with lots of stalls for loafing over the pieces of bread and buttering up the dairy vendors before setting sail for other destinations like the stunning Belfast City Hall, where The Bobbin Coffee Shop offers free exhibits with its lattes and scones.

Despite the melancholy reasons for their existence, the poignant political murals in the city’s Shankill district are not to be missed.  Works of art evincing emotional responses—one way or the other—from all who view them, the murals’ bright colours belie their sombre messages.  The most comfortable and convenient way to visit the Shankill murals is on a private tour with the legendary Billy Scott, whose extraordinary knowledge is superseded only by his Irish wit.  Billy’s Black Taxi tours provide incredibly insightful experiences.

For evenings out, there is no shortage of entertainment.  The Irish are ardent supporters of live theatre and other performing arts.  The impressive Ulster Hall is Belfast’s premier venue for small-scale recitals, concerts, and shows; it is home to the Ulster Orchestra, an assembly of gifted musicians whose concerts are a joy to attend in such beautiful surroundings.  Not that it is necessary to go out when a guest at The Harrison Chambers Of Distinction, whose intimate in-house bar is one of the city’s best-kept secrets among those in the know. The Harrison’s owner, Melanie, is the life of the party and sees to it that everyone in the room is having a good time to match the good food, abundant drinks, and friendly service.  Call it quirky and artsy, but do call it to make a reservation here in an exclusive townhouse hotel where rooms bring the gracious living of a bygone era into the 21st century.  The Harrison is a short walk to three of Belfast’s most impressive sights: Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens, and the Ulster Museum.

More details about Belfast’s attractions can be found on the websites of Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland’s treasure troves of information to assist travellers in planning their visits to this unique corner of Europe.

 

 

 

Written by: Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

 

 

 

 

 

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