Guide-driver in Belfast

We used these guys and they were great: http://www.belfasttaxitours.net/ We happened to get a very knowledgable & friendly driver who made our tour of Belfast exceptionally informative and interesting. Unfortunately I can only remember his first name, which was Peter. We only used them in Belfast, but they also do tours to the Antrim coast (Causeway, etc)

I think I looked at that site but didn't go very far with it since it didn't have much information. Since you had a good experience I'll use the contact link and make some inquiries. I also found a site that lists guides and driver-guides who are either Blue Badge or Irish National guides and have sent some emails to those people. Hopefully I'm on the right track and can get on to the next city/country for guides. Thanks for the recommendation!

The taxi tours are very good, as you tend to "melt into the background" in a black cab (they are just the same as London cabs), but there are also very good bus tours. You can arrange it all when you get there. There is an excellent tourist office near the City Hall. To see the Titanic's dry dock and slipway you will probably need a taxi tour. Last time I was in Belfast, after quite a lot of pleading, I also managed to get into the harbour office to see the "captains table" from Titanic. It missed the maiden sailing and is waiting there for Titanic's next voyage! Roger

Thanks, Roger. Good ideas. I think the Titanic stop would be of interest to our group. I'm leaning toward the taxi tour because he responded quickly, and it sounds as if they'll make a reservation for us. One of the driver-guides I emailed said he is booked for all the cruises, so I suspect that will be true for the others. One company was probably a bus tour company like you suggested since he said they don't develop their itineraries this early and said we could arrange something when we arrive. I'm just a little concerned with a huge ship full of people that we might have problems getting on a tour to see what we want when we have one shot at it and not much time. We are a little free spirited ourselves but have enough OCD that we want to plan so we don't miss anything. But our traveling companions like a lot of structure and certainty. Their overseas travel has all been with Tauck until this trip with us, so I think she's way out there on the limb, trusting me with a lot of the decision making in planning our excursions rather than going on the ship's excursions, so I dare not drop the ball!!