Have you got plans yet for the long weekend, May 25-27th? I just realised I didn’t, and all the flights just went up. However I have some good news, Northern Ireland still have some cheap flights return for around £100! If you’re a Game of Thrones fan or a history buff, you’ll appreciate there are some amazing places along the coast we are keen to explore. We will hike the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and doing some of the famous coastline hikes.
We have found some glamping pods - with 4 single beds in each, electric sockets and linen provided - as well as an open campfire to sit around and enjoy some beers and wood fired pizza (my specialty - Rich’s) by the open fire each night.
What to expect:
In the spirit of TravelSoul we look after each other so you may be helping with preparing meals for the group, giving good vibes, sharing your skills and talents and helping one another. There is no requirement to, but we love it when people get involved!
After being on many trips the thing that I love the most is not just the places I get to see, but it’s the new friends I make along the way. This is one of the reasons we focus on the 25-39 year olds to give you an opportunity to travel with likeminded people.
We will be staying 20 minutes out of Belfast at a newly made glamping site where we are renting out 3 or 4 glamping pods. It’s basically camping but with the luxury of beds, linen and showers.
Each day we will wake to a healthy breakfast before heading out for the day for a hike, swim or sunbake (weather permitting) - at the end of the day we will come back and share stories and games around the campfire with a few beers (provided). Hikes will be around 10 miles.
Itinerary:
Friday: Fly to Belfast; we will carpool people based on flight arrival times and then drive to the accommodation. We will have a few beers and get to know each other around the fire.
Saturday: Breakfast around 9, then we will head off- driving up around Ballycastle and hiking the ancient coastline. After a day of hiking, swimming and some games on the beach, we will head back for dinner and a few beers by the fire. We will teach you how to make wood fired pizza on an open fire.
Sunday: Start your day with another healthy breakfast and get ready for another day of exploring. We will visit Giant’s Causeway and will find some secluded beaches to explore - for those of you who like to push it a bit more, we can also hike the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.
Monday: Depending on flights and people's choices, we will do activities chosen by the group - there is an option to paddle-board where we are staying. We will then head off to the airport for people’s flights.
Price: (£220) includes everything: (£200 before 16th March)
- 3 nights accommodation
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- TravelSoul guide
- Some beers and drinks around the campsite
- Wood fired pizza making lesson around campfire
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, additional alcohol (some drinks will be provided) and car hire to drive to/from hikes. However we will car pool and share to make this as cheap as possible and split the cost.
Flights from London are good value for a bank holiday! £100 flights can be found leaving after work Friday and returning on Monday. Book on a tuesday as they are usually cheaper on that day.
What to bring: we will provide a detailed packing list, but a day bag for hiking will be helpful as well as normal hiking clothes. We will be returning each day to the glamp site.
Food: we will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner and can cater for vegetarians and vegans easily. We love healthy food!
FAQ
1. Can I come by myself?
Absolutely yes, we love solo travellers, the majority of people come by themselves and by the end of the trip you won’t feel like you came by yourself.
2. Do I need to be fitter/stronger?
This trip is suitable for all levels, but you should be comfortable hiking for a few hours.
3. What should I wear?
We recommend bringing a good waterproof jacket, something warm to wear in the evening and a camera. A packing list will be provided.
4. How big will the group be?
We’re looking to gather a small like-minded group of people to create an awesome social atmosphere, so will limit the group to 12- 16 people.
5. Do I need insurance?
Yes - please make sure you have travel insurance. We don’t provide insurance and can’t take any responsibilities for the activities.
6. How old do I need to be?
Most people are in their twenties and thirties.
7. How do we get there?
Please see flights section above, you are also welcome to join and do your own thing before or after.
8. What if I have to cancel?
As we have to hire cars and pay upfront for accommodation, we ask for a deposit. The deposit is non-refundable. If you have to cancel and give us some notice, we may be able to find a replacement for your spot, although we can’t guarantee this. The more notice you can give the more likely we are to find a replacement.