Take a study tour of Northern Ireland! Visit the capital Belfast and the other important cities and their sights, but also the national parks, monuments and the beautiful natural landscapes of Northern Ireland! The main attractions are the Queen University from Belfast, the City Hall, the castle on Cave Hill or the Ulster Museum in Belfast; the Anglican Cathedral of St. Columban as well as the medieval old town of Derry and other attractions that Northern Ireland has to offer. Get to know Northern Ireland on a tour!
Morne Mountains
The Morne Mountains are a mountain range in Northern Ireland south of Belfast. The visitor will find a fascinating mountain panorama there.
The Morne Mountains are a mountain range made up of granite. They are also called the Mountains of Morne and are located about 50 kilometers south of Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast, more precisely in County Down between Newcastle and Newry.
The mountains on Morne are always worth a trip. They offer visitors fascinating mountain landscapes in which gentle slopes alternate with peaks that are difficult to climb. The Morne Mountains are also a suitable destination for a study trip.
Attractions
There are a total of 28 peaks in the Morne Mountains, all of which are worth seeing. They accommodate, among other things, the Slieve Donard. This mountain reaches a height of 849 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in Northern Ireland. Climbing Slieve Donard is not easy, but the visitor is compensated with a wonderful view of Murlough Bay. In addition, the view extends to the city of Newcastle.
The Morne Mountains are also an excellent area for long walks. The Slieve Corragh, the Slieve Binnian, the Butter Mountain and the Slieve Lamagan are particularly suitable for exploring. The best way to appreciate the size of the Morne Mountains is to take a look at the Ben Crom Reservoir and the Silent Valley.
Morne Mountains Recreation Area
The Morne Mountains are a popular Northern Irish recreation area and invite tourists to various leisure activities. These include, above all, hiking, mountaineering and cycling on a mountain bike.
Another attraction worth seeing is the Morne Wall. This is a 35-kilometer dry stone wall that surrounds the headwaters and reservoirs in the region. The wall, built between 1904 and 1922, is also used by hikers to mark the way. The Morne Wall leads over most of the peaks of the Mountains of Morne. Experienced hikers can walk through the dry stone wall within a day.
Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is one of Northern Ireland’s most visited attractions. The fascinating basalt columns, many of which have the shape of a hexagon, impress visitors from all over the world.
Origin of the natural monument
Around 60 million years ago, these pillars were formed as a result of volcanic activity on the earth’s crust. Lava was thrown to the surface in liquid form. This natural wonder can be proven not only at the Giant’s Causeway on the coast of the Northern Irish Counties Antrim, but also as far as the Inner Hebrides. Formations similar to those found on the Giant’s Causeway can be found on the Hebridean island of Staffa. The cooling lava developed into the extraordinary basalt columns in both places.
Unique stone formations
On a trip to this unique place you can marvel at the approximately 40,000 basalt columns. These are hexagonal and have an average width of 30 cm. The pillars rise several meters high. Some of the copies have 4, 5, 7 or even 8 pages. Some of these pillars have special names such as Horse Shoe or Giant’s Organ. The most impressive collection of columns is the so-called amphitheater, where the columns rise up to 25 meters in height and look like seats.
The legends
The Giant’s Causeway, which by the way means something like “The Giant’s Dam”, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are numerous legends surrounding this natural monument. A giant named Finn McCool is portrayed as the builder of the Giant’s Causeway. He is said to have created the natural monument so that he could reach the Scottish island of Staffa. According to legend, this is where his lady of the heart lived.
The visitor center
For study trips, it is advisable to visit the visitor center directly on the Giant’s Causeway. In this modern building with a grass roof, interesting facts about the Giant’s Causeway and the region are presented in several exhibition rooms. The many legends of the giant Finn McCool are also brought to life.
Dark Hedges
Dark Hedges Northern Ireland
The most beautiful avenue in Ireland
Anyone who has ever traveled through Ireland knows that the island has a lot to offer, both culturally and scenically. A particularly fascinating sight can be found in Northern Ireland. Near the small town of Ballymoney, in County Antrim, travelers will find a unique sight. An avenue, lined with ancient beeches, the gnarled branches of the trees are intertwined at a lofty height above the street. These are the Dark Hedges, one of Northern Ireland’s most popular attractions.
Made by human hands
This fairytale avenue was created by human hands. The road that lines it leads to an old mansion, the Gracehill Estate. Its owners planted numerous beeches along the driveway in the 18th century. In doing so, they laid the foundation for the avenue’s beauty and fame today.
A masterpiece of nature
Dark hedges; in German this is called “dark hedges”. And with their intertwined branches, the ancient beech trees actually look like gigantic dark hedges. It is precisely this imposing sight that attracts large numbers of tourists and study trip participants year after year. The Dark Hedges are not just an avenue. Although it was created by humans, it is ultimately a masterpiece of nature. With their imposing and at the same time mysterious nature, the Dark Hedges fit all too well into the rough but picturesque landscape of Ireland, which is shaped by wind and weather. During a walk through the avenue you can not only enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the majestic trees. It also seems as if you can listen to the stories of the ancient beech trees as soon as the wind blows through them. The attraction has become very well known in recent years thanks to the film and television industry. Again and again, the Dark Hedges with their mysterious charm are used as a filming location. The successful series Game of Thrones brought the avenue to worldwide fame.
Macedonia – study trips and round trips
Macedonia – the land of Alexander the Great! This country has something to offer for everyone. The landscapes range from mountain chains and floodplains to tectonic lakes such as Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. Lake Ohrid is very deep and rich in fossils. Both lakes and the surrounding national park have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Skopje, the city on the Vardar River and the capital at the same time, has many attractions to offer: the University of Sv. Kiril i Metodij, the East Manian stone bridge to the old town, the statue of Mother Theresa, the Mustapha-Pasha Mosque, the Great Bazaar, Kale Castle, various theaters, museums and other cultural institutions. But don’t forget the cities of Kumanovo; Bitola with the landmark Saat Kula (clock tower), the central shopping street of Sirok Sokak or Korzo; the city of Tetovo with the remains of the East Manian rule in the form of the Colorful Mosque or the Macedonian ski resort Sar Planina, and last but not least one of the largest cities in Macedonia from the Polog region, Gostivar. A round trip through Macedonia is guaranteed to be worth it!
