Northern Ireland!
Most people who travel to Ireland never venture to the north of Ireland, and yet its dynamic political history, the rugged beauty of the Causeway Coast (Game of Thrones, anyone?), and the creativity of the growing culinary scene make it one of the most exciting parts of the country.
In the time since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Northern Ireland has seen decades of peace and prosperity that has given rise to innovation and ingenuity on the part of chefs and food producers. Belfast now has three Michelin-starred restaurants, adding a distinctive culinary reputation to an area long known for its poets and writers.
Together with our co-hosts Kate McCabe and Max Sussman from Bog & Thunder, we’ll take the road less traveled and head to Northern Ireland, where we’ll visit with world-class cheesemakers, regenerative farmers, and craft distillers. We’ll learn about fishing culture by heading out onto the open ocean and catching and cooking our own breakfast right there on the boat - and we’ll learn about the north’s recent political history with guided tours led by people who lived through the conflict’s most intense years. We’ll share the story of why the North of Ireland is one of the most delicious and unique food destinations out there.
NOrthern Ireland 2023
Dates - Sept 21 - 30, 2023
Travelers : 12 people
4 seats remaining
Price - $9500 Per Person
Who?
This trip is designed for both novice and experienced travelers with a passion for great food and drink. We encourage those who are curious to learn about the rich culinary culture and history of Ireland--which goes well beyond the Guinness and potatoes image you might have! We will be eating lots of incredible local dairy, seafood, lamb, and produce. We encourage open minds, adventurous spirits, and a deep passion for traditional foods and their modern-day evolutions.
Our guests are adults of all ages who enjoy long walks and exploring. We keep the group small. A maximum of 12 guests will travel with one Zingerman’s host alongside our collaborative partners, Max and Kate from Bog & Thunder. We’ll also be joined by local experts at different stops in our journey.
Activity level & accommodations
This trip is designed for active, experienced travelers with a passion for great food made the traditional way. The activity level on this tour is medium/high. You can expect some long strolls of up to 3 hours, standing for periods up to an hour, kayaking, hiking and foraging in the woods and on the coast, and walking on uneven ground in the countryside.
We’ve carefully curated a selection of four- and five-star hotels around the island in an effort to balance our active days with comfort and relaxation. .
What’s Included?
Amazing food – all breakfasts, and most lunches & dinners. We will enjoy traditional regional specialties made with local, fresh ingredients.
Behind-the-scenes visits with artisanal producers, local farmers, and chefs; and hands-on baking, cooking, and foraging experiences.
Visits to some of Ireland’s most traditional and exciting food establishments–old and new.
One Zingerman’s tour host & our two Bog & Thunder guides will be at your disposal at all times.
Private transportation.
Hotel accommodations for 10 nights.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare.
Alcoholic beverages that are not specifically included in the itinerary.
A couple of lunches and dinners are stated in the itinerary where you will get to explore on your own (suggestions provided!).
Personal spending money.
Tips for guides.
Sample Itinerary*
Day 1 Belfast
September 21
We’ll begin our tour with a welcome and introductions in the afternoon at our hotel in Belfast. We’ll share a toast to our time together with an Irish-style aperitivo at one of the city’s oldest traditional pubs. After a pint of “the black stuff,” we’ll head to a celebratory dinner overlooking the River Lagan at one of the city’s best restaurants.
Day 2 Belfast
September 22
We’ll be covering a lot of ground today as we explore the largest city in the north. First, we’ll head over to West Belfast for a tour of their famous murals. We’ll have the opportunity to relax over tea and coffee at an Irish language community center before heading to St. George’s Market to eat lunch and check out the local produce, seafood, and crafts on sale. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a local cheese and beer tasting led by a cheesemonger who is spearheading a new tradition of artisanal cheesemaking in Northern Ireland. Tonight, we’ll enjoy some classic Irish food at a family-run restaurant in town.
We’ll say goodbye to Belfast this morning and head up the Causeway Coast, a landscape made more famous recently as the backdrop for Game of Thrones. For our first activity of the day, we’ll go on a coastal foraging walk led by our favorite Irish forager/chef and the owner of an incredible local bakery, taking in the stunning scenery as we sample tasty treats. Next, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Giant’s Causeway, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose creation story features in a famous Celtic myth. After settling into our hotel in Bushmills, we will visit a nearby family-run regenerative farm. After a tour where we learn about their sustainable practices, we’ll settle in for a super local farmers feast.
Day 3
The Causeway Coast
September 23
We’re up bright and early this morning for a trip out to sea, where we will enjoy the view of the coast from the water as we catch our breakfast and dine on a boat! Later, after a bit of rest and relaxation, we’ll compare the view from the land over lunch on the pier. Of course, a trip to Bushmills wouldn’t be worth it if we didn’t make time for a whiskey tasting at the village’s famous distillery! Dinner this evening will be a bespoke pop-up experience prepared by an incredible local chef.
Day 4
Bushmills
September 24
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head to the walled city of Derry, where we will have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the city on a short walking tour which concludes at the Museum of Free Derry. We’ll have some time to enjoy lunch and peruse the museum before departing for our next activity on nearby Inch Island. This afternoon we’ll have an exclusive tour of a native wild oyster restoration project and enjoy a shoreline tasting. Later in the evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxed farm to table dinner at our hotel on the Fanad peninsula.
Day 5
Derry & Donegal
September 25
Day 6
Derry & Donegal
September 26
After a good night’s sleep, we’ll go on a slow adventure kayaking down the River Foyle, as we explore the hidden beauty of the river system and listen to stories of its connection to ancient Irish salmon. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch as part of our scenic tour. In the afternoon, we’ll have some free time to rest after a few days of outdoor activities. Dinner this evening will be at a Michelin-recommended restaurant which showcases Donegal’s finest ingredients.
Our day will begin with a short tour of a nonprofit farm and sustainability hub in the Donegal Gaeltacht, after which we’ll enjoy an onsite workshop on beekeeping or creel making. Dinner this evening will be at a 250-year-old pub in the countryside.
Day 7
Northwest Donegal
September 27
We begin our return journey to Belfast after breakfast, stopping at Open Ground in Bellaghy along the way. Here, we’ll visit a few of the locations that link the landscape to the literature of poet Seamus Heaney, discovering the smells, sights and sounds that make his poetry so uniquely of this place along the way. We’ll enjoy lunch locally and then head straight to Belfast. After some free time in the city this afternoon, we’ll head to an incredible neighborhood bistro on the outskirts of the city for dinner.
Day 8
Donegal to Belfast
September 28
On our last day, we’ll head out to the countryside to learn about award-winning, hyperlocal artisanal butter in the morning. Then we’ll head to Ireland’s smallest distillery for a tour, tasting, and unique lunch feast. For our farewell dinner on our last day, we’ll visit one of Ireland’s most accomplished and exciting chefs at her brand-new restaurant in the city.
September 30th departure.
Day 9
Belfast
September 29
*One thing to note: this itinerary is the current plan, and, things may change. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described above. However, the nature of the places we’ll be visiting — not typical tourist destinations — means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.
