The province of Northern Ireland has a similar landscape to the rest of the Island and is a real treat.

A trip to the north of the emerald isle is now more hassle free than ever before. With easy access through plenty of regional airports and great roads that link city to city, Northern Ireland would make for a great summer destination.

Rural Ireland is a real treat - especially north of the border. The following will help you plan for that special vacation

For the outdoors' type Northern Ireland has a lot to offer. Its northern coastline is one of the most magnificent highlights in Europe, and its landscape is as splendid and rugged as the rest of Ireland. Northern Ireland consists of fabulous fishing lakes and has an array of offshore activities.

The following is a list of places worth seeing.

Giants Causeway: The Causeway is an extraordinary volcanic area of the Northern Ireland coastline that should be on top of your list of places to see. Formed by volcanic explosions millions of years ago the area boasts stunning looming grey cliffs and magical rock formations.

Lough Erne: The area around Lough Erne boasts a rich quantity of nature along with some great historical sites. Bird watchers and fishermen are some of the few who would benefit from the lake. Wildlife includes: red deer, crested glebes and kingfishers to name a few.

Also worth visiting if you are in the area is the famous Belleek pottery workshop. This is situated west of Lough Erne and is best known for its ornamental pieces, which are sold worldwide. Lough Erne also has many islands with daily ferries from the main land.

The Mountains of Mourne are situated east of the province, overlooking the Irish Sea and provide lovely views of the fishing villages and sandy beaches on the coastline. Over twenty short hikes can be enjoyed in the area with parts of the mountain closed to traffic.

The historic town of Enniskillen is also an ideal place to visit. Attractions within the town include: Enniskillen Castle and Forthill Park. Artists and crafts people can be viewed working in the historic Buttermarket.

Less than an hours drive from Enniskillen, and just outside the town of Omagh is the Ulster American Folk Park. At the centre visitors are taken on a remarkable trip through time with the story of the vast emigration from the province.

Exciting and affordable short city breaks are a great way to take in the city life in Northern Ireland. The largest and most popular city of Belfast has a lot on offer with a range of sites to visit. For partygoers The Entries is the place to visit. The Entries are a series of narrow alleys between Ann Street and High Street and feature some of the best pubs in the city.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has now launched a new short break brochure full of great ideas to help make your trip better. The brochure is full of great value accommodation offerings with prices displayed in both Euro and Sterling.

With it increase in popularity and a fast growing economy, Northern Ireland is the perfect spot for a vacation or a short city break. And thanks to the recent move towards peace, Northern Ireland can attract the attention that it deserves.

TJ Tierney is an award winning photographer and a freelance writer. To find out more information visit his site about Ireland. To view his images visit his on-line gallery of pictures of Ireland or visit his photography site.