2013 was a very special year for Derry/Londonderry as it celebrated being the UK City of Culture. It was also voted “One of the Top Ten Cities in the World to visit in 2013″ by the Lonely Planet and, with so many special treasures, we can certainly understand why. Our journey through Derry takes us along one of the oldest city walls in Britain to the new stylish Peace Bridge across the River Foyle, with a wonderful array of historical sites fitted in along the way. Arriving in Derry along the Glenshane Pass is one of the most picturesque sites in the UK and is a wonderfully relaxing route to drive into the city from Belfast.

The walled city of Derry is the 2nd largest city in Northern Ireland and is the only city to have a complete set of walls. You can take a walk along the ‘catwalk ‘, the widest part of the wall that dates back to 1642, and explore the original cannons and wonderful views over Derry. After your walk along the walls, you can take a trip to St Columb’s Cathedral, completed in 1633. The cathedral is packed full of ancient artefacts and paintings, that paint a picture of Derry’s past and present and is a wonderfully relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Art and history lovers will want to take a trip to The Bogside Murals, an area of the city where artists have created large pieces of street art that tell a story of ‘the troubles’ and the difficult periods of life in Derry. The museum of Derry also tells the story if the history of Derry and it’s struggles, that have led it to the present day.

The Walled City School of Dance is the place to head if you want to enjoy a little Irish Dancing.If all of that dancing gives you are a taste for Irish music, you will love a trip to Peadar O’Donnell’s bar. The bar is the place to be if you want to listen to live traditional Irish music and enjoy a jig and a pint of Guinness. The area around the bar is filled with lots of restaurants, if you need to fill up to top up your energy levels. You cannot leave a city break without a spot of who

The Peace Bridge is a new installation situated on the Rover Foyle, stretching from Guildhall Square to Ebrington Square. The bridge signifies the new era of Derry, one with peace in mind and of people coming together. A walk along the bridge will reward you with great views and will give you a breath of fresh air after all of your exploring. The city is packed full of green space and wonderful countryside on the outskirts, meaning it a city break and relaxing getaway rolled into one.