This holiday of contrasts in based in Stranraer, where we stay at the North West Castle Hotel, which was once the home of the famous Arctic explorer, Sir John Ross. This grand property with its graceful façade has its own curling ice rink where major national and international competitions are held. Stranraer itself is a picturesque town with a ruined four storey castle. Out and about, we sail across the Irish Sea for a guided tour of Belfast, followed by free time to explore. This port city features grand architecture such as City Hall, Custom House, Grand Opera House, Albert Memorial Clock and Ulster Hall along with an ever-changing canvas of street art. On another day, we venture out to flamboyant Logan Botanic Garden, Scotland’s most exotic park. We then move on to the award-winning Mull of Galloway Experience on Scotland’s most southerly point. We also call at Portpatrick which nestles on a rugged coast on the western shore of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula, in an unspoiled corner of southern Scotland.