The UK: Northern Ireland

Belfast

People forget that Northern Ireland is its own country. I took 50 travelers to Belfast in the spring of 2025. We went to learn about the history of “The Troubles,” a violent conflict, seemingly a sectarian one between Catholics and Protestants, whose roots actually go much deeper into historical and cultural differences. I vaguely remember news reports of this during my early childhood, of footage with looting and bombings that led to many deaths. Today, however, Belfast is a bustling capital city. You can visit Titanic Belfast (where the great ship was built), see the conflict mural, tour City Hall, and even sign the Peace Wall, which still divides the Protestant and Catholic parts of the city. One day, this wall will no longer need to stand, and all those who have signed will be a part of history. Belfast was definitely worth the visit, but I would recommend at least two days here.

City Hall

Foyer

The stained glass made for some awesome views. Not only was this a very clean place for a bathroom stop, but it was also was free for us to tour. I was astounded how many rooms and exhibits there were.

City Hall

Ceiling

I used a video clip of this for my TikTok of Belfast, and trust me, it’s just as beautiful in person. The architecture was one of my favorite parts of Belfast.

City Hall

Parliament

For just a moment, we were able to sit and pretend to be part of the local government. For some, it was too much power.

Union Jack… and the Titanic

We walked down the streets, simply admiring the architecture. Some of our group managed to catch part of a women’s rugby match (brutal/awesome), which is a great activity in Belfast if you have the time. The Union Jack (we saw so many on the streets!) was a great reminder that we had left the Republic and were officially in the United Kingdom. Titanic Belfast was definitely a highlight; if you are (like most of my students) fascinated by the shipwreck, this is a must-do. There’s so much to explore, and there’s even a ride (cable car-style, nothing scary) near the end.