One of the most affordable trips across the pond this spring is to an adventurous destination often overlooked -- Northern Ireland.
Following three decades of political violence, the land of Ulster-Irish and Ulster-British communities have become a travelers paradise for unspoiled landscapes, stellar scenery and deep history.
Get to Belfast on Continental Airlines at a budget rate of $709.80 when departing through April 1. Round-trip rates are slightly higher at $754.80 on April 2-May 17 departures. Weekend travel is just $15 more each way during winter; $20 higher each way during spring.
Trips must be booked one-week or more in advance. Plan to stay one week to 90 days.
Continental serves Belfast daily with one easy flight connection in Newark, N.J. on Wednesdays-Sundays (no Monday, Tuesday service from or to ATL).
Buy tickets through March 8.
Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate. Since only a limited supply of seats is available, act quickly to make your purchase.
I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel web sites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc.
After exploring Belfast, venture out for a day trip to the North Coast and the rolling farmlands of county Antrim and to the Giants Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (50 miles from Belfast). Plan enough time to visit historic Derry (Londonderry to Ulster's loyalist community) and its standing city walls built during 1613-1619. The walls were the last to be built around a European city and today remain one of the finest on the continent.
Get inspired at www.discovernorthernireland.com, the official tourist board for Northern Ireland and at www.causewaycoastalroute.com, County Antrim.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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