UK - N. Ireland

Northern Ireland, one of the four Home Nations of the UK, is made up of six of the nine counties of the province of Ulster. For many of us, our visions of Northern Ireland are still based on nightly newscasts from 15 or 20 years ago, which reported on the incessant fighting in Northern Ireland, primarily between Protestants and Catholics, which is euphemistically called "The Troubles." However, since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and the ensuing cease-fire, Northern Ireland has rebuilt and blossomed into a beautiful travel destination. Northern Ireland is geographically a stunning country, with rolling hills, majestic mountains, a craggy coast, lush river valleys and remote islands. Whether you prefer hiking, kayaking, cycling, mountain biking or hang-gliding, there are plenty of ways for you to enjoy everything Northern Ireland has to offer. For the less adventurous, you'll get a grand view and a beautiful tour simply by climbing into a car and taking to the roads. Northern Ireland can make you remember why you love car trips – forget traffic jams, unless it's a herd of sheep or a musical festival procession. Wind your way through the mountains, take to the coast or explore the forgotten villages of the past, but you're never much more than half-an-hour from the sea. Golfers and fishermen alike adore Northern Ireland as a place to relax and escape, as do history buffs on a castle tour. You can visit the Beaghmore Stone Circle of the Giant's Causeway for a touch of the mystical and magnificent or the fabulous Arts Festival in Belfast for a taste of more mainstream culture. While her turbulent past has left scars that will always be a part of Northern Ireland, there is so much to see, do and experience here that it just makes a visit all the more interesting.