The Dunluce Castle / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alex Ranaldi

When sunny days make its appearance in Northern Ireland, you can expect temperatures to rise to around 25 degrees Celsius, while the winter temperatures are normally mild and just above freezing, reported to be around 4 degrees Celsius.

While anytime is a good time to visit Ireland, the best time is still during the summer months, when the days are longer and more attractions are open. September and October are normally the best time to visit Ireland as the sun does not go down until 9pm. Prices are said to be less and it does not rain as much. October offers more arts festivals.

The Main Attractions In Northern Ireland

Any visitor to Ireland must come to see the best of what Ireland has to offer in the Northern parts. Let us take a closer look at some of the well known attractions that are worth while seeing.

The Dunluce Castle

If you fancy something medieval, then Dunluce Castle is the place to see. One of the most extensive ruins in Northern Ireland, located in County Antrim, and said to be a 100 feet above the ocean on panicle of basalt rock. Some of its remains date back as far as 1200 AD, although much of it was built afterwards.

The Giant’s Causeway

One of the best tourist attractions in Ireland is the Giant’s Causeway which is owned by the National Trust. This magnificent piece of work was formed some 60 million years ago due to volcanic eruptions. Visitors can expect to see about 40,000 columns of basalt rock at the site today.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, UK / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by rebekah.grmela

Kildare and Wicklow

During the Irish Bank holidays, Kildare and Wicklow are good places to view. Tourists and visitors will discover the rich heritage of the East Coast of Ireland over here. There are so much to do and see like the Kippure Estate that includes guided scenic walks through the Wicklow mountains and fun nature activities.

Other attractions visitors will get to enjoy features the Japanese Gardens, full day tours in a 4 x 4 of Wicklow which also includes sightseeing and hill walking. Then there is the exciting Blessington Lakes that feature Picnic Cruises where you can hire boats at ?10 per adult, ?5 per child or special family packages at ?25 for 2 adults and 2 children.

The Cliffs of Moher as Irish Bank Holiday Destination

This marvelous place has been voted to be in the final 28 of the new 7 wonders of Nature. With almost one million visitors every year, the Cliffs of Moher is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with over 30,000 bird species including razorbills, guillemots, puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars and other birds.

It is indeed a pleasure to revel in the beautiful scenery of Ireland during Irish bank holidays in 2012.

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Cottage in Longparish Road, Wherwell / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Anguskirk

Location

Cottage holidays can be enjoyed in very different parts of the country. Many holidaymakers opt for Devon, Cornwall and the Cotswolds for their flat scenery and wide range of cottages and homes, while others prefer the more mountainous Lake District. Decisions can often be made in terms of how isolated a trip you want to enjoy, or whether you prefer to be close to a major town or village. Cottages in Sussex are recommended for the latter, as they offer quick access to London. By contrast, the rural Scottish Highlands can give you great peace and quiet in the Northernmost part of the country.

Timing

When you choose to book a holiday cottage will make a big difference to the overall experience. Christmas bookings tend to go very fast, and need to be booked far in advance to avoid both high costs and places selling out. This approach is particularly important to take if booking on behalf of a large family or a group of friend. Many holiday cottages also tend to sell out around school holidays and bank holidays, so check your calendar beforehand. You might also find that some holiday cottages can be booked during off peak season at a reduced cost.

Manor House at Great Dixter / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by antonychammond

Local Activities and Features

It is always important to look into whether a holiday cottage can offer any specific features and activities. A cottage might be self catering or catered, or might include special bathroom and living room facilities like a hot tub or video games. At the same time, the cost of a holiday cottage may or may not include charges for Internet use. When viewing a holiday cottage, try to think about whether you can access any specific local activities like horse riding or sailing. It is also worth exploring the potential of a day trip to a neighbouring village or town.

Family and Pets

Many holiday cottages will have specific rules about the number of children and pets that can be brought to a location. Problems might arise in terms of having the facilities to cope with a lot of small children, and visitors may have to bring their own equipment. However, by checking ahead and doing your research, it is possible to see unique parts of Britain, while enjoying the best facilities and activities of an area.

Habs is a traveling enthusiast working with Cottages Direct. I love taking breaks in the UK and abroad. But most of all, I love to share my vacation experiences.

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You can see thousands of small people, Scouts on the streets. weddings or people on strike. Within minutes you walk through Finland, Hamburg, Germany, The Alps and Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia or America. All Miniature Wonderland is divided into six sections (southern Germany, Hamburg, America, Switzerland, Scandinavia and the airport). In addition, France and Italy sections are in preparation and you can watch the modelers and technicians at work. Day and night is changing there in 20 minute intervals.

The whole world of Miniature Wonderland does not include only trains, but there are also computer-controlled running cars or a sailing ship. But the Miniature Wonderland is not just about transport but also about people. You can find here humans in almost every real situation, from work to entertainment. Furthermore, the world contains domestic and wild animals.

You can also see flying planes and even UFOs. As in the real world there are days and nights and sometimes the wind blows. From time to time you can see some accident or fire.

Opening Times at Miniatur Wunderland
Open 365 days a year;
Daily – 09.30 to 18.00
Tuesdays – 09.30 to 21.00
Saturdays – 08.00 to 21.00
Sundays and Bank Holidays – 08.30 to 20.00

Basic adult admission is €10 and children pay €5. It is recommended to book the tickets before your visit.

View Miniatur Wunderland – the world’s largest model railway in Hamburg, Germany in a larger map

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