For couples who are besotted with the old world, why not visit the castles and kingdoms of Northern Ireland while staying in the lap of luxury. Castle stays with spas, romantic old buildings now decked out in the most luxurious stylings, and walks taking you to the edge of the island of Ireland at sunset, Northern Ireland has it all when it comes to that romantic getaway of your dreams.
If you're an old-fashioned romantic and want to feel like royalty of olde, you couldn't do better than a trip to Dunluce Castle in County Antrim. Sitting on the edge of what feels like the world, Dunluce Castle stares out over the North Atlantic and is so magical in appearance that it is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis when he was writing The Chronicles of Narnia books. Combine this with a stay in Antrim's luxurious Galgorm Resort & Spa, complete with 163 acres of lush parkland and a superior spa that is a haven of relaxation, for the ultimate break away from it all.
From Dunluce Castle on the Causeway Coast, venture to the quaint seaside town of Carrickfergus, where you’ll find the spectacular Carrickfergus Castle - one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. For over 800 years the castle has been imposing monument on the Northern Ireland landscape, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough and is definitely worth a visit.
Another sight that will make hearts flutter and take you into another world are the lakes and waterways of Fermanagh, where you can island hop across lakes and rivers, and take in everything from ancient monasteries to medieval castles and visit the inspirational shores of the twin lakes of Lough Erne.
Why not head off the beaten track and discover the beauty of Tully Castle just outside Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh set on Tully Point. Don’t forget your camera as this stunning location is one of Northern Ireland’s best picture perfect locations!
If being on the water sounds like the perfect escape to you, one of the most relaxing ways to see Northern Ireland is by boat. Either on an organised cruise or your own rented boat, there are more than 700km of rivers, lakes and canals to explore, and plenty of towns to stop off at along the way, to see what hidden gems are waiting for you to discover.
The mysterious stone idols of Boa Island and White Island will make you marvel at the people of ancient times, while Devenish Island's monastic site holds unique sights of the Ireland of old with the stunning shores providing ample opportunities for Sunday afternoon picnics.
Back on dry land, why not take a break from exploring and relax in the sublime Belle Isle Castle and its surrounding estate, and book into the Belle Isle Cookery School to learn a thing or two in the kitchen that you can bring home with you.
If all that sounds like too much activity, Lough Erne Resort & Spa may hold the solution. Being the only wholly Thai spa in both Ireland and the UK, Lough Erne Resort's variety of spa treatments and packages can cater to any and all needs and will help you wind down and forget the everyday worries that you came to get away from. What could be more romantic than that?