Titanic Belfast

It has been said that Ireland is a little country that raises all the great questions!  Ireland is where strange tales begin and happy endings are possible.

Hence, we went on a journey to explore the little country, through the eyes of its travel pioneers and got answers to many queries.

Attractive and Unexplored Destinations of Ireland

Ireland has a gamut of standout experiences including serene natural beauty; rich heritage and culture; breathtaking adventure; world class music; the famous Irish pub, sumptuous food and, warm and friendly people. The country has iconic experiences like the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Titanic Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route.

Ireland’s Ancient East is a very special place yet an unexplored destination. From the grand stately homes of Wicklow, travel down the coast and back through time to uncover Ireland’s Viking past and early Christian glories. The glens and crags of County Wicklow give way to the cliffs, beaches and coastline of Wexford and Cork. From the vast Palladian mansions of the 18th century elite, we voyage to ancient Christian sites, past ruined abbeys, desolate headlands and beautifully manicured gardens.

Encompassing 17 counties and 5,000 years of history, Ireland’s Ancient East features three unique areas. In the Land of 5,000 Dawns, you’ll find the whimsical woodland trails of Belvedere House and the exceptional passage tomb of Newgrange, built way back in 3200 BC. The Historic Heartlands is where saints converted kings at the Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle changed hands for a song and Iron Age victims were surrendered to Lough Boora Bog. Tales continue on the Celtic Coast, where Vikings looted holy treasures from the monastic city of Glendalough and the light of Europe’s oldest lighthouse sweeps across Ireland’s story-strewn maritime history.

Huzan Fraser – Representative India, Tourism Ireland

Travelers and beyond

The target segments for Tourism Ireland in India comprise Free Independent Travellers (FITs), honeymoon couples, families and double-income-no-kids (DINKS). These are high net worth individuals, many are self-employed or entrepreneurs and the nouveau riche segment.

In addition, MICE segment from India is an important focus area for Tourism Ireland. Indian corporates are looking for unexplored destinations for MICE travel, which is a growing segment. Tourism Ireland conduct roadshows, workshops, training seminars and destination presentations for the MICE tour operators as well as leading corporates to showcase Ireland as a MICE destination. Furthermore, we also conduct familiarisation trips for MICE travel agents to educate them on Ireland’s MICE products and offerings.

Check out how can get the best Ireland experience

Tourism Ireland is focused to increase awareness and demand for Ireland in 2018 and beyond. TI will continue to promote the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) wherein Indian travelers can now visit the UK and Ireland on a single visa.

TI works closely with Indian travel trade through sales calls, online and offline training program, joint promotions, workshops and seminars. Online training program, Ireland Specialists is constantly updated with new tourism products and offerings that help travel agents become an expert. Agents who successfully complete the program will get a certificate which is recognized by Tourism Ireland. Destinations are also promoted  through digital and social media engagements in India to reach target audience.

Women and Solo Travelers

Ireland is a safe destination for every traveler. Irish people are warm, friendly and very helpful. Ireland’s cosy size, excellent highways and amazing diversity of coastal and inland scenery make it the ideal self-drive destination. The self-drive touring routes are:

Wild Atlantic Way: Stretching 2,500 km from County Cork on the south coast, to Donegal in the northwest, the Wild Atlantic Way is a world-famous coastal route that spans seven of Ireland’s counties, taking in some breath-taking scenery along the way.

Causeway Coastal Route: The Causeway Coastal Route is one of the top scenic coastal drives in the world and stretches from Belfast to Derry-Londonderry. The route is a remarkable coastal road with majestic cliffs, golden sands and the Giant’s Causeway where six-sided basalt columns create an eerie landscape jutting into the ocean.

The women travelers can also experience the vibrant city of Dublin that offers a variety of surprising experiences and a destination where city living thrives side by side with the natural outdoors. In other words, Dublin is a city but more than just a city and, nestled alongside mountains and sea; it provides an experience not found in other cities.

Belfast is Europe’s coolest cities with a fascinating history and a vibrant nightlife. A place of confidence, creativity and contemporary cool, above all, Belfast has a warmth and hospitality quite unlike anywhere else. Natural beauty and a lively cultural scene with world-class museums, a vast array of authentic Ulster tastes, and some of the world’s most engaging visitor attractions, Belfast – and its amazing history and personality – will spring to life before your very eyes.

Traveling to Ireland is easy

Travelling to Ireland has now become easy. A valid passport is required to enter the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Indian national visitors to Republic of Ireland require an Irish visa. Indian national visitors to Northern Ireland require a UK visa. The new British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) allows a short stay applicant from India to travel to and around both the UK and Ireland with only one visa. Whether this visa is a UK visa or an Irish visa is dependent on the country you visit first.

Republic of Ireland Visa Procedures

An online visa application facility for Ireland is available to Indian visitors. You can apply online in the visa section of the INIS website. Applicants must then submit their passports and documents to the VFS Visa Application Centres in 13 cities across India.

Visas for Northern Ireland

Indian visitors to Northern Ireland require a UK visa. Applicants must submit their passports and documents to any VFS office in India to apply for their UK visa.

Tourism Ireland for Udaipur travelers

Belfast & the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland have been named the number one region in the world for travelers in 2018. The region has received the accolade in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018 – the highly anticipated collection of the world’s hottest trends, destinations and experiences for the coming year. According to Condé Nast Traveler survey, Dublin and Galway have been voted among the top six friendliest cities in the world in 2016.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Considered one of the natural wonders of the world, the Cliffs of Moher, the dramatic cliffs stretch for 5 miles and soar over the churning Atlantic below. Getting a photo here has become a rite of passage for those travelling in Ireland – just watch out for the 30,000 pairs of seabirds photobombing!

The pride of industrial Belfast, this tribute to the Ship of Dreams truly is the stuff of dreams. Recently named the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, it’s situated on the exact spot the Titanic was built over a century ago. Nine distinct galleries make up the exhibition, from setting the scene in industrial Belfast all the way through to where the Titanic lies today.

Once you make a trip to the Guinness Storehouse, you’ll see why it’s Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. Located in the original Guinness brewery, the tour charts the history of the iconic black stout through detailed exhibitions, demonstrations and tasting rooms. End by savouring a complimentary pint in the Gravity Bar, a 360-degree panoramic bar with views across Dublin City.

Food in Ireland is fresh, tasty and made with a contemporary twist. From farm to fork and from port to place, and from creamy butter to gourmet creations and finger-licking street food – Indian visitors can expect for a delicious trip to this island! Food festivals in Ireland celebrate Irish foods and the local producers, chefs and restaurateurs that champion them. Distilleries in Ireland are creating some of the world’s finest whiskies, whether blended, single malt or single pot still, and with atmospheric old whiskey bars and intriguing whiskey tours.

It’s best to start at the beginning with the Old Bushmills in County Antrim, the oldest whiskey distillery on the island of Ireland. The original distillery that is now the Jameson Experience Middleton dates back to the 1820s and the beautifully restored machinery will take you through a step-by-step breakdown of the ancient production process.