Aileen's Travels

Beaches in Northern Ireland Although summer has passed, I want to discuss my favourite beaches I have visited in Northern Ireland. These beach days hold some of my favourite memories as a kid and adult. Any families reading this should definitely take a trip if they haven't already, who knows maybe the whole family will enjoy the day. They aren't just for kids though, any teenagers or adults who want to relax or take an evening stroll these are for you too! The first beach I want to review is Newcastle beach, no not Murlough beach. This beach is soo overlooked, with many scoffing at the idea of me even calling it a  beach, but it has sand (I promise its there under those rocks) and an ocean, it's a beach. Is this the best beach ever? No. But can it still be fun to go on and enjoy a hot summer's day. YES! This beach can be wonderful with a towel down, and the hot sun beating down on you. Although it is small and has many rocks, it makes up for in convenience. This beach ...

 City exploring Around Titanic Belfast! I wanted to explore the city, and make a post about it. I mean how can I have a travel blog and not include Belfast. My first stop was Titanic quarter, specifically the Titanic Museum. Me and my friend purchased tickets beforehand and then printed them off inside, and headed into the museum. It was wonderful inside. Seeing the history of not only the titanic but Belfast and how it has progressed through time, as well as how the events leading up to the titanic setting sail and it's fateful demise. It took us around 1.5hrs to make our way through the museum without skipping anything. We also got to go on a ride, that felt more like an amusement than a museum. There is an narrator who talks you through the working conditions when building titanic and what it was like for the workers inside the ship. It left me speechless, It was so good. After we finished the museum we headed to get food, however the café in the museum was quite expensive so we...

 Seaside town with stunning views Travel For my next journey, I wanted to go somewhere farther than I had ever been before. I looked around on a map and google to find somewhere that I could drive to, that would be perfect for a hot summer's day. PORTSTEWART! I looked at the beautiful images on google and began planning my itinerary. I checked to see how long it would take me to drive there....2 HOURS... or 67.6 miles. The longest I've ever drove was 1 hour...how was I going to sit in a car for 2 hours. I initially backed out but I couldn't find anywhere that compared with an even longer journey and decided to suck it up and just go for it. The drive began well however it faltered when half way through I realised I forgot to fill up my car and I had to find a filling station ASAP as my tank was in red. (Side note: ALWAYS CHECK YOUR TANK BEFORE GOING ON A LONG JOURNEY)  After that harrowing experience, I hit the road again and continued my travels to Portstewart. Arrival I M...

 Exploris Aquarium My next Journey was to Exploris Aquarium in a small town called Portaferry!  I had a faint memory of going to the aquarium when I was a child but I could hardly remember it now at the ripe old age of 20. I wanted to see if it lived up to its hype in my head or if it was another washed up area that I didn't notice as a child. Travel Heading down to Portaferry I was actually quite nervous. Not only did I not know the way but as the name states, you take a ferry across the water to get to the aquarium. For me personally from Craigavon, it took about 1.5 hours, including the ferry. The ferry isn't that long of a wait as it goes every half an hour back and forth, which is handy if you plan your trip accordingly. Now for the ferry....!!! I was terrified of driving on to it and the closer we approached it, the worse my nerves became. Once you enter the quaint town of Strangford, you whip around a tight corner and there it it...The Ferry. I actually stopped driving ...

A Day To Explore One of the first places I chose to travel to was Newcastle! You're probably wondering why? what does this old washed up town have to offer but before you cast your judgement and doubts, let me show you how this charming seaside town can create a day filled with delicious food, entertainment and stunning views. Travel  The journey to Newcastle isn't as bad as it seems, I promise! It is on the coast, which depending on where you are coming from can be far, but its worth it! The roads and signs are pretty easy to follow, and after a few trips you will know it like the back of your hand. After having been a few times I decided to drive a more scenic route home, going along the coast, then through Newry which added about another hour to my journey.  If you're looking for somewhere to stay overnight you can visit Castlewellan which is on the way, and only a short car ride between the two. Castlewellan offers a camp site, a wonderful maze to get lost in and a beau...