What It’s Really Like to Travel Through Northern Ireland — As Seen from a Quiet Weekend Escape
I booked the train with no grand plans—just a need to step out of London’s tempo and into someplace where the tide sets the pace.
After arriving in Belfast, I took a bus north along the coast. The views unfolded slowly—green cliffs, distant sea stacks, and rows of stone cottages that looked like they hadn’t changed in decades. I stayed in a modest B&B in Portstewart, just minutes from the promenade. Quiet, clean, and the kind of place where you could leave your door unlocked and no one would blink.
I didn't pack much—just enough for two nights and a waterproof layer. What helped most was my expandable backpack, which adjusted to fit everything from my book to the local snacks I picked up along the way. It stayed light, even with an extra fleece thrown in on Sunday when the wind picked up by the cliffs.
Saturday morning started with a walk along the Causeway Coast Way. I skipped the main tourist trail and instead followed a quieter stretch between Portballintrae and Dunseverick. The air was salty, and the sea was wild and grey. No crowds, just a few dog walkers and the distant sound of waves smacking rocks.
For lunch, I ducked into a small pub off the main road. Their seafood chowder came in a bowl big enough to warm your whole body. It wasn’t fancy, but it was honest. That kind of honest that makes you eat slower.
By Sunday afternoon, I was back on the train, tired in the right way—like something in me had loosened. No drama, no checklists, just space.
If you’re planning your own short escape, a well-designed expandable backpack travel bag makes all the difference. I used this one — lightweight, flexible, and surprisingly roomy.
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