Push the shamrock aside and meet the new Belfast - hip, historical, happening.
Belfast was transformed by the Industrial Revolution, and its grand public buildings give it a vigorous, 19th-century feel. Investment in recent years combined with the optimism engendered by the peace process have restaurants, cafes and pubs flourishing with craic to burn.
This compact city boasts a massive arts festival, waterfront artworks and the new Odyssey Complex. Of course, there are still plenty of reminders of the Troubles - feelings run deep. But despite occasional setbacks, there is an atmosphere of determined optimism.
In the wake of 2005's bombings in London and Glasgow, the British Home Office still rates the UK's terrorism threat level as severe. Travellers should exercise caution, monitor the media for any developments in the situation and expect delays at airports due to increased security measures.
Restrictions on airline cabin luggage are in place throughout the UK. For details check the UK Department for Transport website .
severity: Mid-level alert
279,240
Name: Pound Sterling
Code: GBP
Symbol: £
230V 50 Hz
Official: English, Irish, Scots
GMT/UTC 0 (GMT/UTC)
+44
Imperial
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