Belfast is Buzzing

Belfast will host a 2 month long celebration to commemorate the Titanic. From theatrical spectacles and a visionary Titanic Light Show to an MTV Music event, it is no wonder why Fodors voted Belfast in the Top 21 Places to Visit in 2012!

If all this isn’t enough, a NEW Titanic Visitor Experience will be opening in March 2012. The Titanic Belfast will be a “must see” for any travelers to Belfast and Northern Ireland. Special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interaction extend throughout the nine galleries, giving visitors to the Titanic Belfast a first class ticket into the world, the catastrophe and the undersea exploration of the Titanic story.

Visit Belfast on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.



Enter to win a Belfast City Stay with tickets to the NEW Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience. Like us on facebook, take a fun quiz to test your knowledge of Belfast and the Titanic (don't worry, we give you hints) and be entered to win a 2 night city stay package for two! Contest ends June 29, 2012.

Embarking on Belfast

Explore Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin with this new self-drive vacation to Ireland. Belfast, voted in the top 21 places to travel in 2012 by Fodors, is buzzing with excitement this year because of the Centennial anniversary of the Titanic's maiden voyage. This new self-drive vacation to Ireland boasts a 2 night stay in Belfast with tickets to the new Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience (opening March 31, 2012), 2 nights open B&B vouchers to explore Northern Ireland and 2 nights at the Clontarf Castle Hotel right outside of Dublin.
Your Embarking on Belfast Self-Drive Tour Includes:

• 2-nights accommodations in Belfast
• 2-nights open B&B vouchers
• 2-nights accommodations in at the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin
• Ticket to the Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience
• Breakfast daily (except morning of arrival)
• Automatic Car Rental (Economy) - including CDW - Upgrade to larger cars available (Note: Three people traveling together must avail of upgrade to larger car to accommodate) . Car rental is based on pick up and drop off in Dublin.
• Hotel and car taxes included
• Portfolio of travel documents
  
  Embark on Belfast with our new self-drive tour of Ireland.
  
  
  Enter to win a Belfast City Stay with tickets to the NEW Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience. Like us on facebook, take a fun quiz to test your knowledge of Belfast and the Titanic (don't worry, we give you hints) and be entered to win a 2 night city stay package for two! Contest ends June 29, 2012.

NEW! Belfast Titanic Visitor Experience

Opening in March 2012, Titanic Belfast® will be a "must see" visit in any tour of Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is located in the heart of Belfast, on the slipways where RMS Titanic was built. Titanic Belfast® extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition, drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features to explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way; from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre.

Experience the NEW Titanic Experience on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

Enter to win a Belfast City Stay with tickets to the NEW Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience. Like us on facebook, take a fun quiz to test your knowledge of Belfast and the Titanic (don't worry, we give you hints) and be entered to win a 2 night city stay package for two! Contest ends June 29, 2012.

Featured Luxury Castle Accommodations in Scotland

Vacation like royalty when you stay in a castle hotel. With so many castles to choose from, it can be hard to choose. Here are a couple of featured luxury castle accommodations in Scotland.

Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH19 3JB
A fascinating 13th century fortress set within acres of wooded parkland on the picturesque banks of the river Esk. From the moment you arrive at Dalhousie Castle, one of the finest luxury hotels in Scotland, a warm Scottish welcome awaits. Whether relaxing in the The Spa, enjoying one of the library’s extensive collection of books and a drink from the ‘secret bar’ next to the open fire, dining in the ancient barrel vaulted dungeon on our exceptional cuisine or relaxing in your unique castle bedroom, you will always feel as welcome as the ‘Laird’. 

 Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN
Inverlochy is Scotland's finest luxury hotel and restaurant uniquely located amongst the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands of Scotland.At Inverlochy you will experience one of the most relaxing and exciting vacations of a lifetime, where every detail for your comfort and enjoyment has been carefully considered.

Glenapp Castle Hotel, Ballantrae, Ayrshire, Scotland KA26 0NZ
Imagine a fairytale castle, hidden in 36 acres of glorious garden and woodland on the rugged and beautiful Ayrshire coast in Ballantrae, Scotland. Spectacular views across the Irish Sea to the island of Arran and the massive granite rock of Ailsa Craig. Imagine exquisite rooms, outstanding cuisine, fine wines and exceptional service ~ a world apart. Glenapp Castle Hotel is a magnificently restored Scottish Baronial Castle, now a five star Relais & Châteaux Hotel.

Plan your royal vacation to Scotland with Celtic Tours World Vacations, add a castle stay at one of these luxury castle hotels to your self-drive tour of Scotland.

Castle Fraser - A Grand Scottish Baronial House with a Royal Ghost

Visit Castle Fraser on your next self-drive vacation to Scotland. Castle Fraser is one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses, reminiscent of a French chateau, filled with family treasures, furniture, interesting family portraits and, according to legend, a royal ghost.

Located in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland, Castle Fraser dates back to the 16th century when it was originally built for the Fraser family. Castle Fraser is a contemporary to other nearby castles such as Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle and Midmar Castle. What really stands out about the castle is the interesting z-plan design. This was in response to the need for more comfortable living space. Castle Fraser sticks to the basic tower house castle shape, however extends to the current z-plan castle. The result is one of the most superbly evolved and impressive tower houses in Scotland.

Like every good castle, Castle Fraser is said to have a ghost roaming the halls at night. Legend has it that a young princess was brutally murdered and dragged down the stone stairs, leaving a trail of blood stains. As hard as they scrubbed, the stains remained and they were forced to cover the steps with wood paneling, which remains today. It is said that she stalks the halls of the castle at night.

Castle Fraser has changed hands several times and was renovated in the 1800’s and modernized in the classical style. Today, the castle is owned by the National Trust of Scotland and visitors will enjoy the atmosphere of a family home, still containing the original contents including Fraser family portraits, furniture and collections. The evocative interiors represent all periods of the castle’s history, from the Medieval stone vaulted Great Hall to the Regency Dining Room. Round off the visit to Castle Fraser with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. The estate also contains a flight pond, mixed woodland and open farmland, with two waymarked walks giving magnificent views of the local hills.

Visit Castle Fraser on your next self-drive vacation to Scotland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

Scottish Castle Experience - Vacation like royalty

A truly unique experience, taking in the breathtaking beauty and charm of Scotland's Castles. Five special departures have been arranged with guaranteed departures and the small group experience, with no more than 16 passengers. This is truly the way to experience Scotland and Scottish Castles.

Your Scottish Castle Experience Tour Highlights:
• GUARANTEED DEPARTURES • Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes mini coaches
• Accomodations in Ardoe House (2 Nights) and Mansfield Castle (1 Night)• Breakfast daily, except on day of arrival 
• Private 3-course farewell group dinner at Mansfield Castle• Services of professional driver/guide
• Entrances at Falkland Palace, House of Dun, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Leith Hall, Brodie Castle, Culodden, Dalwhinnie Distillery and Loch Leven Castle
• Touring per your itinerary
• Tips to your driver are not included, as they are considered personal

Take this once in a lifetime vacation to Scotland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.