Belfast - What a blast!

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I've been back home in Birmingham for over a week now and have had plenty of time to reflect on the weekend in Belfast.....


I can understand when people get excited about visiting other European cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam etc. Travelling abroad and experiencing new cultures is always exciting, and I expect that most people don't even consider Belfast when planning a city break. But having visited the city, the culture and the arts scene I'd say Belfast is well worth giving consideration to.

It's only about an hours flight from the mainland UK with bmibaby and it has a lot to offer. Just tap into the wealth of history and get in touch with the Belfast Tourist Board to see what's on and what tickles your fancy.


As I said in a previous blog post, I was looking forward to going to Belfast, but I wasn't prepared for quite how impressed I was going to be about the city. It feels like the city is about to blossom into something really great.


Belfast is entering a new era, and one that can and will attract lots of new people to the city. It's a very exciting time.

It's evident by the plans the city has that redevelopment is taking place and if there are jobs to go with that it could entice lots of people to relocate.

My only slight concern is that the city (whoever is in charge) might just get a bit carried away with the redevelopment and Belfast may loose some of it's character. As an outsider I'd say it's vital for the city to keep some of it's historical sights. I'm guessing that the tourism side of things is a relatively new aspect to Belfast, so it would be wonderful if they could manage to embrace the new whilst holding onto some of the old.

As part of the trip myself and Nicky used Twitter as a social media tool to keep our friends and followers updated of our adventures. I've taken a few screen shots of some of the 'tweets' we made whilst visiting Belfast.
















Twitter is an excellent way of relaying messages/news to people. It's instant and a great way to get people involved. Although I had brought 3 cameras with me and a laptop, I do kinda wish I had a more up to date phone to blog with ( I still have a pay as you go nokia old skool phone thing!). If you would like to follow me on twitter you can find me @karenstrunks and Nicky @getgood


This was my first press trip. What would I do differently next time? Apart from having the ability to 'live blog' as my journey progressed, I would take more video footage.

Here is a video compilation!


















So where to next? Watch this space!

Belfast Bound!

I'm off on my first press trip! I'm heading to Belfast with Birmingham blogger Nicky Getgood for 3 days.

The trip is sponsored by BMIBaby and the Belfast Tourist Board.

Myself and Nicky will be blogging about our Belfast experience, and you can follow our adventures on twitter @karenstrunks and @getgood. We will be using the hashtag #brumvsbelfast.

As much as time allows, I will be live-ish blogging here, and Nicky will be blogger over at Digbeth Is Good.

I am going armed with a laptop and dongle & 3 cameras. Nicky is bring her camera, flip, and iphone. We are all social media'd up!

BMIBaby will be tweeting about our trip @bmibaby_com

The Birmingham Mail newspaper will be documenting our trip on their website. I will update this link when it goes live.

Here is a glimpse into our itinerary:


Friday 12 June
0705 bmibaby flight departs from Birmingham International Airport, terminal one

0820 Arrive Belfast International Airport.

1030 Taxi tour of Belfast with Belfast Best Travel – guide Chris Forsythe will collect you from the hotel (tour approx 1.5hrs): www.taxi-tours-ireland.com

Afternoon Mix culture with retail:

Victoria Square – Belfast’s newest shopping centre with House of Fraser as anchor tenant. Stunningly designed, the Dome offers wonderful views over Belfast skyline

Queens Arcade & Fountain Centre – a mix of independent retailers offering delicatessen, giftware and are. The Craft & Design Collective have an innovated shop/gallery/exhibition area upstairs in the Fountain Centre – find the best of Northern Ireland’s arts/craft and design at SPACEcraft

Linen Hall Library – home to the Northern Ireland Political Collection, CS Lewis collection and many more interesting groups of books. The Linen Hall Library is the only subscribing library still in existence in Ireland: www.linenhall.com

Belfast Best Vintage – retro clothing on Wellington Place

Spires Shopping centre – a mix of designer boutiques, independent retailers and vintage clothing within a wonderful landmark building owned by the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.

Ormeau Baths Gallery, Ormeau Avenue – contemporary art gallery housed in an old Victorian Baths - Energy Class B is a collection of work by 12 young contemporary Polish artists and is exhibited as part of the U.K wide Polska!Year celebrations. The exhibition has been curated by Monika Szewczyk, Director of the Arsenal Gallery in Bialystok, Poland.: www.ormeaubaths.co.uk
Queens University / Botanic Gardens – set in leafy south Belfast

University Belfast is a splendid example of Lanyon architecture – quadrangle, visitor centre and Naughton Art Gallery. The botanical gardens next door offer an escape from the hussle of city life – visit the restored Palm House and Tropical Ravine

Lisburn Road – the ‘diamond mile’, the Lisburn Road is where you’ll find independent retailers, boutiques, designer house-ware, spas, delicatessen, coffee shops, bars and private art galleries.

1900 Dinner at No27, 27 Talbot Street, courtesy of Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau

2030 Music at the John Hewitt Bar - Panama Jazz band.

A traditional pub on Donegall Street, the John Hewitt first opened its doors in December 1999. The bar is unique in its ownership as it is owned by The Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre. The Resource Centre's managers had always relied on various grants to fund its work, when in the mid-90s, they came up with the idea of generating some of their own funds by going into business... And why not a pub! John Hewitt, the late poet, socialist and Freeman of Belfast officially opened the Resource Centre on Mayday 1983, hence the name of the bar.

Saturday 13 June

0930 Visit St George’s Market, Ireland’s oldest covered market. Saturdays is the City and Garden market offering the best local, organic and international produce. Arts, crafts and entertainment are also on offer (runs until 3pm).

Titanic Belfast
1230 Titanic Dock and Thompson Pump House Tour – walking tour that departs from the front doors of the Odyssey Arena – see the slipways, dry dock, pumphouse (lasts approx 2hrs): www.titanicwalk.com

1530 Titanic Boat Tour – departs from Donegall Quay, beside the ‘Big Fish’

Sunday 14 June

1100 Join the guided Art walking tour – new Sunday initiative with the Cathedral Quarter’s art galleries open on Sundays – begins at Belfast Exposed Photographic Gallery, Donegall Street: http://www.belfastgalleries.com/

1345 Visit the Ulster Hall for some live music and tour of one of Belfast’s most popular entertainment venues and landmark buildings

1430 Belfast Music Tour (tickets enclosed) departs from the Ulster Hall - take a bus journey through a great rock’n’roll city with local DJ Stuart Bailie – ends at the ‘Oh Yeah Music Centre’ in the Cathedral Quarter: www.belfastmusic.org

1900 Catch the airport bus from Europa Bus Station, Great Victoria Street

1930 Complimentary entry to Belfast International Airport Executive Lounge

2115 Depart Belfast International Airport with bmibaby

We are getting up at 4am for a 7am flight so we can have a full day in Belfast tomorrow. First thing upon arrival in Belfast - an Ulster Fry!

So....Watch this space for updates coming soon!