I have said it before and I will continue to say it, one of the most wonderful things I have seen in my life are the majestic landscapes offered by the countryside of this island. On this occasion I will tell you about my experience of a weekend trip along the North Coast, between the towns of Ballycastle, Portrush and Bushmills; from how to organise your trip from Belfast, the budget and the places you can't miss while studying in Northern Ireland.

I understand that we have to get our studies done, but don't forget to feed your soul and spirit with these unique experiences.

The journey from Belfast

My journey started at Belfast's Europa station, in the city centre, less than a 5 minute walk from my BT1 accommodation. At this station, together with my friends, we took a bus that would drop us off at Ballymoney. You must check the Translink website so that you can make a schedule and choose the best time to leave. Tickets can be purchased at the station or online.

Translink Journey Planner

Ballymoney

Ballymoney was not our final destination, but we went there because one of our friends lives nearby and was waiting for us in his car to go together to our accommodation in Ballycastle. It's easy to find accommodation anywhere on the North Coast, from Airbnb to hotel bookings.

Regarding transport, from Europa station or any other station in Belfast, you can buy tickets for any of these towns either by bus or train. Of course, prices vary, so you have to choose the one that suits you best. Also a very important tip, bus tickets must usually be paid in cash, so always carry a few pounds with you.

Ballycastle and Bushmills Distillery

Once in Ballycastle, we left things in our accommodation and went to enjoy the best fish and chips of the world in Morton’s, and then went for a walk along Ballycastle beach. Then we set off on our journey to Bushmills, which is a 15-minute drive away. We found out that there are also buses that take you between the two towns at £11 per person, however, the Uber is priced at £27, so if you go with a group of people it might be a better option.

My hot chocolate from Bilberry Mill

At Bushmills, we enjoyed some delicious hot drinks at a beautiful café called Bilberry Mill, very close to many other places of interest in this location. With these drinks, we were able to warm up a little to not be discouraged from continuing to enjoy our day because of the weather. Then we walked to the Bushmills Distillery, which is the oldest licensed distillery in the world and is a must-see for all people on the island, and especially for whiskey lovers.

The entry to the distillery's bar and gift shop is free, however, I would recommend taking the full one-hour tour in which they guide you around the factory and explain how whiskey is made. This tour costs £15 and can be purchased on the Old Bushmills website, there are also other tours for other prices that include whisky tasting if you are interested.

In the Old Bushmills Distillery

Portrush and Dunluce Castle

The next day was Saturday and we went to the Portrush Parkrun, which is amazing because it's on the beach of this beautiful town. The weather conditions were a bit more challenging, so running this 5km in the sand was more entertaining and interesting for us. Park running is free, and you don't necessarily have to run, you can walk and enjoy this healthy activity on a weekend. We were able to enjoy a delicious brunch in front of the Portrush marina and then go to Dunluce Castle.

Dunluce Castle

Visiting this castle was a fascinating experience, you are transported through time and immersed in the rich history and natural beauty of the region. Fantastically perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Irish Sea, this ruined medieval castle is a stunning testament to Northern Ireland's tumultuous past.

Magheracross view point

After visiting the castle, we went to capture with the lens of our cameras the majestic views of the cliffs at Magheracross view point. Cliff-watching has become one of my favorite hobbies since I've been living in Belfast, and the best thing about it is that I now have a collection of the cliffs I've seen and a list of the ones I've yet to visit while living on this wonderful and epic island.

Magheracross view point

After appreciating the cliffs, we returned to our accommodation in Ballycastle and went to the train station in Ballymoney to take our train to Europa Station in Belfast. The journey took about 45 minutes, and the ticket was priced at £14. It was an incredible weekend and it is an excellent getaway trip along the north coast of the island.

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Information for students from Colombia

Isabella Barros De La Rosa Violence, Terrorism and Security | Postgraduate Student | Colombia Hello, my name is Isabella Barros, I am 24 years old and I am from a beautiful city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia called Barranquilla. I am currently pursuing my master's in Violence, Terrorism and Security at Queen’s. I am very into running and outdoor activities. That's why Belfast is so amazing to live in, because of the landscapes, and the spaces for this kind of hobby. Besides running and studying, you can find me in any bookstore, wandering around the city, or enjoying a pleasant coffee in a cute cafe!