The North of Ireland for me has that sort of appeal that is both inexplicable and magical.
I recently went on an amazing trip to this part of the U.K. with my husband during the 4th of July holiday to witness first hand the exciting Tall Ships Festival in Belfast. We spent a week on this part of the world, going out of our comfort zones and exploring all of the enigmatic secrets that the North of Ireland has to offer which is unlike any coast I’ve ever seen. The idea of encountering castles by the sea was something that I thought only existed in movies and fairy tales, but here, it endures and is all so real. No wonder it is considered one of the best vacation experiences of a lifetime.
Out first stop was none other than the beautiful Causeway Coast & Glens, famous for the Giant’s Causeway Geological Heritage Site, Game of Thrones filming locations, and its overall untouched beaches and great natural beauty. I’ve always thought that England was so green, but now I’ve realized that the further north you go, the greener it gets.
Style Details
Jumpsuit | ZARA
Bag | JIMMY CHOO
Heels | VALENTINO
Hat & Flats | TOPSHOP
By some sheer luck, I came during an Irish heat wave. And by heat wave, they actually mean an L.A. spring. Thus, my breezy outfit sufficed. Ahh, I used to think the weather was my sole contender in dressing fashionably. But now, I’ve learned to see the daylight even in the grayest of days.
Styleat30 Travel Tip
From the Belfast Bus Station, we took the Goldline Express 221 to arrive at the Giant’s Causeway direct. To get amazing views of the Glens of Antrim, an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), we used the Rambler Service 252. And for even more spectacular scenery, we took Rambler Service 402 allowing us to take in the fabulous coastal scenery of sites such as the legendary cliff-top Dunluce Castle and the mystifying Dunseverick Castle.
“Ireland is genuinely hard to beat as a vacation destination.”
In the North of Ireland is where I encountered one of my favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites to date. When I first laid eyes on the Giant’s Causeway, I immediately thought this place was classic as it is iconic. The interlocking hexagonal basalt columns where I am sitting are actually the result of an ancient volcanic eruption when the ground cracked open and lava made contact with the ocean. It was intriguing for me to see the solid evidence that land here was so different many years ago. The Giant’s Causeway is said to be 60 million years old and was exposed at the end of the Ice Age.
Leap Year was one of my favorite travel movies of all time, which inspired me to travel to Ireland this year. I’m always down for a good “chick flick” and this one is a charmer. Through this movie, I saw that the Irish countryside was gorgeous and in real life it is even more idyllic and picturesque. As a city girl, I totally related to the character of Amy Adams. There’s a playful silliness in her that I can totally associate with. If there’s one thing I learned, in the same manner with the movie, do expect some real sheep-based adventure while exploring Ireland as I definitely had my share.
The movie’s official poster was my inspiration for my outfit that day. When in the emerald isle, you can never really go wrong with emerald-green. Through its endlessly green hills, dramatic cliffs, fairytale castles, and ancient heritage sites, the secrets of Northern Ireland have been revealed. Ireland is genuinely hard to beat as a vacation destination. If you are a nature lover, and most especially if you love hikes and dazzling views, this place is definitely for you.
Giant’s Causeway & Causeway Coast | 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU | 028 2073 1855