The wife of a Hollywood director has hailed Belfast as a "best-kept secret" after living here for seven months.
Novelist Adena Halpern moved to the city as her husband Jonathan Goldstein was the director for upcoming fantasy film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Along with her husband, son and dog, Adena swapped the Hollywood Hills for a rented house in "very un-L.A" Holywood, Co Down.
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Writing about her experience in Northern Ireland for an article in the Hollywood Reporter, she said they were originally told filming would be taking place in London. When she found out it was happening in Belfast, Adena "started to cry."
However, now that she's back in Los Angeles, the author said she "misses it a lot." She said the city was chosen for filming because of a generous UK tax rebate of 25%, plus an incentive for filming in Northern Ireland.
The decline of Belfast as a ship-building town, she added, meant there were now huge spaces for the 106,000 square foot sound stage at Titanic Studios.
Speaking about her time living in Holywood, Adena added that a forest path she discovered was "like something out of a Jane Austen novel."
She said: "I wanted to make sure I was in a walkable area, because the thought of driving on the left was daunting. Every day I walked down to the High Street where there was a pharmacy, restaurants, two butcher shops, two small markets, pubs, a manicurist and an ice cream shop.
"It was simple enough to get there via the street, but early on in our stay, I discovered a beautiful forest path that was nearly hidden by the trees that shrouded it. It was a quiet, green trail. Extremely safe and very un-LA.
"It was like something out of a Jane Austen novel where Elinor Dashwood and Mr Ferrars would sneak off to hold hands. You could also take Seapark, which is a winding, walking path that goes for 16 miles along the Belfast Lough. It’s extremely calming and a place to reflect or wind down after a day on the set."
Learning about the history of the Troubles, she praised driver and “life-long Belfastian” Francie McGuigan who took her family to see murals across the city.
In addition, Adena included a list of recommendations for where to stay, eat, shop, and visit during your stay in Northern Ireland.
She praised a number of local restaurants, including Noble in Holywood, James St South in Belfast city centre, John Long's Fish & Chips, Melter, The Dirty Duck Alehouse, The Merchant's Cocktail Bar, and Nugelato.
Adena also recommended The Culloden Estate and Spa as somewhere to stay, as many of those filming for shorter periods used the hotel as their base. She added: "Bonus celeb sighting: You can spot Van Morrison eating lunch there almost every day.
"Holywood Private Clinic is your concierge doctor away from home. They will keep track of the meds you need and get them for you when you’re running low. They will also come to your home if you’re sick. And if your Botox is wearing off, they do that too."
For shopping, she said Forestside Shopping Centre has "the best of both worlds" - a Marks and Spencer on one side, and a Sainsbury's on the other. In addition, she praised independent shop Sawers for its "fun food finds from around the world" as well as their impressive lunches.
Adena gave advice to anyone who may be filming in Northern Ireland anytime soon.
“So should you find your production heading to Northern Ireland, don’t cry," she said. "Yes, it will be a dramatic change from life in LA or New York, but you may come out the other side missing the place and its many charms."
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