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Belfast included in the List of "Must-go-places" for 2012

Belfast Included in List of 'Must-go Places' for 2012
Belfast has been included in a list of the top places to visit in 2012 by the leading English newspaper in Singapore.

On 3 January The Straights Times' Travel section a published a guide to 12 'must go places' for the year ahead. Other entries included Olympics host city London, European Championships host countries Poland and Ukraine, the emerging Asian destinations of Bhutan and Myanmar, and the US as it gears up for its presidential campaign trail.

Belfast was chosen because of the upcoming celebrations and commemorations surrounding the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage and sinking of SS Titanic, which was designed and built in the city.

Central to the festivities will be the opening of the landmark new Titanic Belfast attraction on 31 March. Housed in an iconic, six-floor building beside the site of the luxury liner's construction, there will be nine interactive galleries telling the story of Titanic, from its conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through its construction and launch, to its famous maiden voyage and tragic end. The story is brought up to the present with the discovery of the wreck, and into the future with live links to contemporary undersea exploration.

The guide also highlighted Befast's other attractions, including the magnificent Belfast Castle Estate, as well as the Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site on the north Antrim Coast.

Peak Discovery, one of Northern Ireland’s top events companies, will tailor an outdoor or indoor activities for an exhilarating and entertaining day out for couples and bigger groups.

Keen golfers will relish the opportunity to play on the greens of Ireland’s oldest golf course. Royal Belfast, established in 1881, boasts meticulously maintained greens with stunning views across Belfast Lough, as well as an impressive Victorian clubhouse serving dinner and drinks.

With so much on offer in Northern Ireland, your only difficulty will be deciding which experience to choose!

So come and stay with us @ Whitethorn Cottages, ten minutes from Belfast city and the new
Titanic exhibition and it is only about 1 hour's drive to the Giant's Causeway, North West and Royal Portrush.

Prices

2012	Per Week	Weekend & Midweek (3-Nights)	Weekend ( 2-Nights)
July & Aug, Golf Weeks, North West 200	£ 890	N/A	N/A
Christmas, New Year, Easter & Bank Holidays	£ 890	£ 545	N/A
April, May, June, Sept & Oct	£ 795	£ 515	£ 450
Jan, Feb, March, Nov & Dec (excluding Christmas holidays)	£ 745	£ 485	£ 430

• Prices are valid up to and including December 2012 and are quoted in Sterling.
• Short breaks are also available by arrangement.

·      Please note:

·         All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. A booking deposit of £100 is required and balance due 28 days before arrival.

New Year, one with lots of excitment.

The city of Belfast is constantly abuzz with happenings, there is never a shortage of things to do. As a people, the residents of N Ireland are also renowned for being one of the most hospitable in the world.
For any of you who are worried about staying in Belfast City centre, Whitethorn Cottages are just 10 minutes away in the most beautiful rural setting.

We have a constant stream of exciting concerts, plays and exhibitions in venues such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena that are world class and attractions that will inspire even the most jaded explorer, from the historical to the cultural to the scientific and literary; after all this is the city that inspired Narnia!

Local museums and places of interest including The Titanic’s Dock and Pumphouse and the Ulster Folk Transport Museum offer an insight into the history, industrial heritage and times gone by; while award winning attractions including Belfast Zoo and W5 Interactive Science Centre provide great family days out.

Titanic Belfast, opening on 31st March 2012, will be a "must see" visit in any tour of Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is located in the heart of Belfast, right beside the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction. Housed in an iconic, 6-floor building, this state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four ‘ship’s hull’ shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. As you journey through the nine large galleries of this state-of-the-art interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. The Irish Open golf championship will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club this summer, it has been confirmed. Senior officials of the European Golf Tour made the announcement at Royal Portrush on Friday afternoon.The tournament will start in the last week of June and finish on 1 July. The last time the north coast course staged a major competition was the Open in 1951, while the last time the Irish Open was played there was in 1947. Lots to do and see, come and stay with us @ Whitethorn Cottages,we are only minutes away from it all.

Christmas at the Cottages

It is christmas and the Cottages are decorated and ready for the festive season.

To give the cottages a Christmas feel and to make you feel at home we make sure Santa Claus knows you are staying at Whitethorn Cottages.

I cut down some twigs from the garden and twisted them in the shape of a Christmas wreath.

Got some bubbles and beads and this is the end result.

Belfast is 15 mins from the cottages. Take a trip up and see the lights and have a look round the shops. The Christmas lights were switched on  saturday the 19th November. At the very top of the Victoria Centre you can see view out over, Samson and Galiath ( the cranes),Belfast Castle, Stormont Buildings and across to Scrabo Tower.

Christmas at the cottages!!

Christmas at Whitethorn Cottages

There is nowhere nicer to be at Christmas when there is a bit of snow on the ground. This is a reminder of what Christmas at Whitethorn was like last year.

Things to do, you can go up to belfast and visit  Belfast in Christmas mode. See the Christmas lights, do your christmas shopping and enjoy the festive atmosphere.Date: Saturday 19 November - Monday 19 December 2011 Venue: Belfast City Hall grounds

The Christmas Continental Market will be at Belfast City Hall from 12 noon on Saturday 19 November to 6pm on Monday 19 December, selling a range of food, drinks and crafts.

Kids can enjoy the merry-go-round and visit Santa in his grotto! They can also post their letters to Santa using Santa's postbox.

Opening times

• Monday - Wednesday: 10am - 8pm (except Monday 19 December when it will close at 6pm)
• Thursday - Saturday: 10am - 10pm
• Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Food and drink

Highlights include:

• Bratwurst sausages and German beers
• warming gluhwein
• liqueur coffees
• gourmet burgers
• Spanish paella
• toasted baguettes
• waffles, crêpes and Dutch pancakes
• cakes, fudge and sweets
• Continental and Irish cheeses
• exotic meats from around the world.

Gifts and other items

If you are looking for an unusual Christmas gift then you are bound to find something among the great selection of gifts and crafts, including:

• leather handbags, purses and wallets from France
• candles
• jewellery
• 'smellies' from Provence
• natural carved wooden furniture, statues, figurines from Kenya
• pashminas and scarves.

 Celebrate the countdown to Christmas with our annual Christmas lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 19 November.

Join Lord Mayor Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile and special guests as they light up the city.

The Christmas Continental Market will be open from 12 noon on Saturday 19 November.

Venue: Belfast City Hall

The Biggest showbiz event to come to belfast

Ready to Rock!! Stars hit town as Belfast prepares for the biggest showbiz event in its history. It has taken 10 years in the planning but it has finally arrived. On Sunday, Lady Gaga, Jessie J and Justin Bieber are set to stroll down a red carpet in Northern Ireland, on their way in to MTV's European Music Awards.
Stars such as Britney Spears and Rihanna have recently launched the European legs of their tours in Belfast, and purpose-built venues have sprung up to replace the playing fields and leisure centres that used to host gigs.
"The whole new capital infrastructure in Belfast means we're on the list for every art form now," says Carolyn Mathers, a culture and tourism officer for Belfast City Council.
Like a glitzy, musical version of the Olympics, MTV considers bids from a number of cities before settling on a venue for its annual awards show.
"It's crucial that the city embraces the European Music Awards in the right way," says Matt Cook, Director of Talent MTV UK and Ireland.
"Belfast's a great city. It's got a great heritage of music. And they've put on a music week in the run-up to our show, which not only gets everyone ready, but also highlights the breadth and wealth of local talent."
Despite reports that Lady Gaga will be staying at the Culloden Hotel sources claim that the Grammy winning artist has choosen a quiet location not too far from Belfast.
We have a good idea where that is!!!

Lady Gaga looks set to dominate the MTV Europe Music Awards later, with six prize nominations and a show-stopping performance in Belfast's Odyssey Arena.

 The US star goes up against the likes of Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber at the annual awards show.  Justin Bieber's teenage girl friend , Selena Gomez will be hosting the MTV EMAs.

Previously, it had been felt that Belfast's infrastructure could not cope with the demands of a show that requires to house personnel from production crews to celebrity entourages.

"It's a multi-million dollar event," MTV's Richard Godfrey said. "It's the most ambitious show we've done for a long time."

Belfast City Council believes  especially organised Belfast Music Festival in the run-up to the show, so it has been a great build up.

Katy Perry, who managed 12 costume changes at the 2008 show, is up for four awards

Tonight thousands will be watching as images of the star- studded event will be beamed from the heart of Belfast to all around the world. Excitement has reached fever pitch and we just hope belfast puts on the best show possible.
Thank you MTV for putting belfast on the world map for something good.

Whitethorn Cottages are luxury accommodation in the heart of the countryside however within easy traveling distacne to a plethora of events and activities to keep you well entertained during your stay.

Whether you are a keen golfer, a fan of retail therapy, a lover of arts,music and history or someone who enjoys the great outdoors, your Luxury Belfast package will provide your perfect distraction when you are visiting Northern Ireland.

Dedicated followers of fashion will love an appointment with a stylist and personal shopper from the Fashion Pharmacy. These experts on the local retail scene will make sure you get the most from your shopping trip and give your personal style a refreshing make over.

Music lovers will appreciate an evening spent in the company of the acclaimed Ulster Orchestra in one of Belfast’s premier music venues. With an ever-changing program of classical genres in the orchestra’s repertoire and guest appearances by world-class soloists, fans of classical music will enjoy a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

With a rich social, industrial and artistic heritage, Northern Ireland’s museums present lovers of the arts and culture a chance to explore local history in the company of an expert guide. History is brought to life in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, while the Ulster Museum is home to fine art, natural history, zoology and archaeology.

Northern Ireland’s compact nature means that in a just a few minutes’ drive Belfast city melts behind you and the landscape becomes lush green, rolling countryside or breath-taking coastal scenery, peppered with quaint, historic towns.