The United States is vast and varied, spanning roughly 3000 miles from east to west and 1650 miles from north to south – and that’s not including Alaska and Hawaii.
31.07.2023 - 15:05 / wanderlust.co.uk / Emerald Isle
Northern Ireland's second city and Ireland's northern-most county sit rather snug together in the corner of the island of Ireland. But many are yet to discover the two make a fantastic combination for a twin break. Blending thought-provoking history, striking landmarks and an incredible natural world, Derry~Londonderry and County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula offer everything you could wish for in a short, action-packed getaway.
Here, Wanderlust Digital Editor Jessica Reid picks out her top activities from her summer adventure to this northern pocket of the Emerald Isle.
8 best things to do in Derry~Londonderry and County DonegalCalling itself the 'Walled City', there's no doubt Derry~Londonderry's star attraction is its spectacular City Walls, and walking around them just has to be one of the first activities to tick off your list.
Dating back to the early 1600s, the walls were built under the reign of King James I to protect English and Scottish settlers from Irish rebels. Forming a complete circle, the fortification is 1.5 km in length and ranges from 12 to 35 ft in width (making it wider than the Great Wall of China), as well as boasting the biggest cannon collection in Europe.
You can access the walls at several points around the city, but a guided tour from a friendly and knowledgeable local is highly recommended to understand the backstory of not just these fantastic walls, but to piece together the history of the entire city. You'll get to learn more about Derry~Londonderry's historic buildings, including the towering 17th-century St Columb's Cathedral and the dazzling Guildhall, and hear the poignant stories of Bloody Sunday, the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the famous murals in the Bogside.
Tours start at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm with the meeting point outside the entrance to the Foyleside Shopping Centre.
With heritage at its heart, various museums dotted around the Derry~Londonderry can help you understand different areas of the city’s complex past.
The Tower Museum, located in Union Hall Place, has an impressive exterior which replicates a medieval tower. Inside is two permanent exhibitions. One guides you through the history of the 16th century Spanish Armarda and the ship wreck discovered off County Donegal’s coast. The other tells entire Story of Derry, from the earliest human inhabitants, right through its complicated history and ending with Derry~Londonderry in the present day.
The Siege Museum and the Museum of Free Derry are two more museums worth visiting in the city, both shining a light on very different areas of Derry~Londonderry’s past with the help of interesting artefacts and interactive displays.
Over in County Donegal, Doagh Famine Village will make you feel as if
The United States is vast and varied, spanning roughly 3000 miles from east to west and 1650 miles from north to south – and that’s not including Alaska and Hawaii.
Fear not, financially challenged traveler, Bogotá has a bounty of free and economical things to do if you know where to look. Public transportation is cheap and much of the art and entertainment requires neither a ticket nor a tuxedo – it’s played out on the street.
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All travel is by definition quixotic — the most seasoned globetrotters can be led on wild goose chases, deceived, and/or just plain make huge mistakes all by themselves about what's around that next corner. Trekking up to the Scottish highlands to look for "Nessie," aka, the Loch Ness "monster," allegedly "sighted" — perhaps even several times — a half-century ago in the Highlands' breathtakingly gorgeous 23-mile-long freshwater lake just south of Inverness, is an epic, decades-long wild goose chase.
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There are so many majestic landscapes to view and things to do in Scotland that it can be hard to narrow down where to visit. So why not choose your hotels as a starting point? Scotland is known for its inclement weather, so choosing a hotel with spa facilities can be an excellent backup for something to do if the weather is terrible. It can also be a great way to soothe weary muscles and feet after all the hiking and sightseeing.
Nestled in the north-west corner of Ireland, the city of Derry-Londonderry (Northern Ireland) and the county of Donegal (Republic of Ireland) sit snugly side by side. Taken together, this pair have every ingredient you could want from a short break: a dollop of history, a splash of culture and immeasurable quantities of nature and adventure. Better yet, it’s a combination that few have yet to put together.
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If there’s one adage that sums up Dublin, it’s “big things come in small packages.” The Irish capital covers less than 45 square miles on either side of the River Liffey, but it’s brimming with enough landmarks, history, and character to fill a much larger city. From Irish literary greats such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde to musical legends such as Bono, Dubliners have had an indelible impact on world culture, and the city promises to do the same for travelers.
It may be hard to believe, but there’s a place in England where the sand is fine and white, the sea is turquoise blue, and the sun shines more than just about anywhere else in the country. In this dream-like place, you can surf, you can sunbathe (and even get a tan), you can hike coastal paths, valleys, and moors, and you can stuff you face with cream teas and pasties. You guess it, Cornwall, England, is a must-see when in Britain. Lucky for you, it’s only a direct train ride away from London.