the 45-minute ferry ride.

Past Ballintoy, we diverted for what turned out to be a must-stop experience: the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, 60 feet of swinging rope above a 90-foot breath-taking plunge. It takes a bit of bravery to cross, but the view of the thundering teal-colored water in the chasm below is worth the heart-pounding scare. And those who cross can buy a t-shirt claiming their success. I wear mine proudly.

To steady the nerves, we popped in at Old Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery, at 400 years the oldest legal whiskey distillery in the world. The building smells of spirits, the tour was interesting, and, of course, you get to taste samples of the famous local tipple, including a shot of 12-year-old malt that glides like honey down the throat. Or so I'm told. Not being a whiskey drinker, I had a difficult time getting through my tasting.

Sidebar: Galgorm Resort and Spa

As a starting point for a road trip along the Causeway Coastal Route, the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast offers visitors everything from a domed Victorian City Hall, Parliament building, the Albert Clock Tower, and the Grand Opera House to political murals and the Crown Liquor Saloon, an historic, and still quite lively, watering hole owned by the National Trust.

Between city sightseeing and your tour of the Antrim Coast, take some respite at Galgorm Resort and Spa, a secluded getaway set on 163 acres of parkland alongside the tranquil River Maine. I spent the night, easily imagining I was on a classic country estate, and dined in the fabulous River Room. Early to rise, I joined a number of cyclists enjoying the picturesque walkways, passing miles of fishing terrain and stables before heading back. Too bad I had no time for the world-class spa. But, the open road was calling....