BELFAST
Belfast Castle
On Cave Hill there has been a Belfast Castle off and on since about 1200 A.D. The current version is of sandstone, and has been only recently restored by the City of Belfast. It was built in 1870, in the Scottish Baronial style, within the deer park on the Hill. Both the Donegall and Shaftesbury families collaborated on its completion, and both coats-of-arms appear on the building.

Belfast City Hall
The Belfast City Hall is one of the most beautiful in the world. Designed in classical Renaissance style at the turn of the last century (1906), the building is of Portland Stone. Three differnt Italian marbles are showcased in the Grand Stairway, and the main dome, reminescent of Venice and Rome, contains a whispering gallery.

It is open to the public, with Free Tours most days except Sunday. Telephone 028 9027 0456 for exact times. There is also a Gift Shop.

Waterfront Hall
There is also a very new Conference Center and Concert Hall at Donegal Quay on the waterfront. It is appropriately name the Belfast Waterfront Hall, and is a source of great pride for the people of the city.

The Hall presents all brands of entertainment, from Billy Connolly to Willie Nelson to the Soweto String Quartet.

The Waterfront Brasserie opens onto the Riverside Terrace on the mezzanine level of the Hall. It is operated by Letheby & Christopher, and is open most days from pre-lunch tea, through lunch and dinner, until a midnight post-show supper. Quite popular, reservations are suggested, which you may make by phoning (028) 9024 4966.

Neighborhood Belfast
Now a glance at the neighborhoods of Belfast, where the people live.
Quite frankly, Belfast has not gotten very good press for the past few decades. Some of headlines are sensational, but others are probably pretty accurate. However, tourists have not generally even seen what has come to worldwide attention in the press. Should you visit Belfast... if it worries you to do so,
then you should not.

But it is kind of interesting to take a peek at what it looks like. Townhouses and little houses and streets like you find in any part of Ireland or the U.K.

I think it is an important perspective.

Belfast welcomes tourists, and has built a new tourist information center called the Belfast Welcome Centre at 47 Donegall Place. They are happy to tell you all about local events, attractions, entertainment and restaurants. There is an Internet Cafe on premises. You can get information about golf, find out about local heritage, and tips on bird watching. You can also change currency at their Bureau de Change. It is clear that they are serious about helping you enjoy your stay in Belfast, if you choose to visit.

If you are of Irish ancestery in any way (are we not all Irish in some way) it is really fun to see your Family Crest. Click Here and take a look.

And for inexpensive car rentals all over Europe, I think the best source is Carrentals.co.uk. They have over 4,000 Rental car hire locations worldwide.

Now you may want to join us on Our Visit to Ireland, or click on the link below and
Travel Europe the way Europeans do.

Rail Europe has been serving the American market since 1934. Informationeurope.com has found that they help more than 1 million American travelers a year spend 215,000,000.00 on their travel plans. I can not recommend them highly enough. They are the best.

Visit our Europe Travel webstore featuring Love To Travel gear for your European Vacation, and while you are on the net, check out these other fine Europe websites
Euro-Rail.org    VacationInEurope.com    Europe-Train.org    Eurostar-TGV.com    AirfaresToEurope.com    TravelEurope.biz   

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