11 Days - Atlantic Archipelago Adventures [London To Edinburgh]
Itinerary
Day London, EnglandDepart 8:00 PM
London, one of the world's top destinations, is a city begging to be explored. Steeped in history, the well-known sites of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square beckon, or get a modern perspective from the top of the London Eye. This cosmopolitan city offers all the world cuisines youre used to, but there are still places to find traditional British fare like bangers and mash or shepherds pie.
London, one of the world's top destinations, is a city begging to be explored. Steeped in history, the well-known sites of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square beckon, or get a modern perspective from the top of the London Eye. This cosmopolitan city offers all the world cuisines youre used to, but there are still places to find traditional British fare like bangers and mash or shepherds pie.
Day At Sea
Day Isles of Scilly, EnglandArrive 08:00 AM Depart 05:00 PM
This beautiful archipelago welcomes you to the best and most unspoiled beaches in Cornwall. Rare birds from around the globe are at home here, as are extraordinary gardens and the historic Cromwell Castle. As a special treat, choose an optional visit to the island of Tresco and its beautiful Abbey Gardens, designed by the renowned Augustus Smith on the site of the old Benedictine Abbey, now home to 20,000 exotic plants.
This beautiful archipelago welcomes you to the best and most unspoiled beaches in Cornwall. Rare birds from around the globe are at home here, as are extraordinary gardens and the historic Cromwell Castle. As a special treat, choose an optional visit to the island of Tresco and its beautiful Abbey Gardens, designed by the renowned Augustus Smith on the site of the old Benedictine Abbey, now home to 20,000 exotic plants.
Day Fishguard, Wales, United KingdomArrive 08:00 AM Depart 05:00 PM
Fishguards name in Welsh is Abergwaun, meaning the mouth of the River Gwaun. The English name comes from an Old Norse word for a fish trap, and indeed the community has profited from catching and drying herring for centuries. It has remained remarkably unchanged physically over the years. The waterfront has a traditional feel like many others in Pembrokeshire. At first glance, nothing would indicate that this is the site of the last invasion of Britain by a foreign power. But a bicentenary stone recalls the day in 1797 when 1400 French revolutionary troops landed here, only to be routed by the local folk, including a heroic woman shoemaker named Jemima Nicholas, who rounded up more than a dozen dismayed invaders while armed with a pitchfork. A large tapestry depicting the struggle is on display in the Fishguard Town Hall. The surrounding South Wales countryside is dotted with medieval castles, some impressive, such as Pembroke and Picton Castles, and others little more than scenically sited ruins. Cardigan also has a notable garden called Dyffryn Fernant, and St. Davids boasts an impressive early cathedral and a Bishops Palace. Prehistoric Pembrokeshire is represented by the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, a massive dolmen with an intact 15-ton capstone made of the same type of rock that formed the inner sanctum of Stonehenge.
Fishguards name in Welsh is Abergwaun, meaning the mouth of the River Gwaun. The English name comes from an Old Norse word for a fish trap, and indeed the community has profited from catching and drying herring for centuries. It has remained remarkably unchanged physically over the years. The waterfront has a traditional feel like many others in Pembrokeshire. At first glance, nothing would indicate that this is the site of the last invasion of Britain by a foreign power. But a bicentenary stone recalls the day in 1797 when 1400 French revolutionary troops landed here, only to be routed by the local folk, including a heroic woman shoemaker named Jemima Nicholas, who rounded up more than a dozen dismayed invaders while armed with a pitchfork. A large tapestry depicting the struggle is on display in the Fishguard Town Hall. The surrounding South Wales countryside is dotted with medieval castles, some impressive, such as Pembroke and Picton Castles, and others little more than scenically sited ruins. Cardigan also has a notable garden called Dyffryn Fernant, and St. Davids boasts an impressive early cathedral and a Bishops Palace. Prehistoric Pembrokeshire is represented by the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, a massive dolmen with an intact 15-ton capstone made of the same type of rock that formed the inner sanctum of Stonehenge.
Day Dun Laoghaire (Dublin), IrelandArrive 09:00 AM
Dublin is a city of delights and surprises. Stroll across the HaâPenny Bridge to Trinity College for a glimpse of the Book of Kells. Step inside the 11th century Dublin Castle. Stop by the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish history. And embrace the beauty of Dublin Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Dublin is a city of delights and surprises. Stroll across the HaâPenny Bridge to Trinity College for a glimpse of the Book of Kells. Step inside the 11th century Dublin Castle. Stop by the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish history. And embrace the beauty of Dublin Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Day Dun Laoghaire (Dublin), IrelandDepart 10:00 PM
Dublin is a city of delights and surprises. Stroll across the HaâPenny Bridge to Trinity College for a glimpse of the Book of Kells. Step inside the 11th century Dublin Castle. Stop by the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish history. And embrace the beauty of Dublin Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Dublin is a city of delights and surprises. Stroll across the HaâPenny Bridge to Trinity College for a glimpse of the Book of Kells. Step inside the 11th century Dublin Castle. Stop by the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish history. And embrace the beauty of Dublin Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Day Holyhead, Wales, United KingdomArrive 08:00 AM Depart 06:00 PM
Today the city of Holyhead is connected to the large Welsh island of Anglesey by a causeway known locally as The Cobb, but until the mid-19th century, it was on its own separate Holy Island connected by a bridge. Its protected harbor and location adjacent to the Irish Sea made it an important port from Roman times. Its beautiful St. Cybis Church is in fact situated in the remains of a Roman three-walled fort, the Caer Gybi, facing the harbor. The harbors three-kilometer breakwater is the longest in the United Kingdom, and made the port a crucial safe haven in inclement weather for ships plying the busy routes to industrial Liverpool and Lancashire.
Today the city of Holyhead is connected to the large Welsh island of Anglesey by a causeway known locally as The Cobb, but until the mid-19th century, it was on its own separate Holy Island connected by a bridge. Its protected harbor and location adjacent to the Irish Sea made it an important port from Roman times. Its beautiful St. Cybis Church is in fact situated in the remains of a Roman three-walled fort, the Caer Gybi, facing the harbor. The harbors three-kilometer breakwater is the longest in the United Kingdom, and made the port a crucial safe haven in inclement weather for ships plying the busy routes to industrial Liverpool and Lancashire.
Day Belfast, Northern Ireland, United KingdomArrive 07:00 AM Depart 10:00 PM
"Belfast has emerged from decades of conflict to become one of Irelands most intriguing cities. In the 19th century, its location on the banks of the River Lagan made it an industrial center for ropemaking, shipbuilding, tobacco and textiles. And this legacy shaped much of its architecture: Grand Edwardian and Victorian municipal buildings and warehouses are found throughout the city alongside telltale scars of its more recent past. While the legacy of Belfasts complex conflict known as The Troubles still looms, there are many other sides of Northern Ireland's capital to explore, from the quaint streets of the Cathedral Quarter to the newly regenerated Titanic Quarter, where the ill-fated RMS Titanic was constructed. Belfast is also gathering momentum as an up-and-coming gourmet destination, with a new generation of chefs producing food to get excited about. Beyond the city limits, County Down and neighboring County Antrim have a wealth of things to see and do. Any lingering negative preconceptions will evaporate after a short time in this fascinating and welcoming city."
"Belfast has emerged from decades of conflict to become one of Irelands most intriguing cities. In the 19th century, its location on the banks of the River Lagan made it an industrial center for ropemaking, shipbuilding, tobacco and textiles. And this legacy shaped much of its architecture: Grand Edwardian and Victorian municipal buildings and warehouses are found throughout the city alongside telltale scars of its more recent past. While the legacy of Belfasts complex conflict known as The Troubles still looms, there are many other sides of Northern Ireland's capital to explore, from the quaint streets of the Cathedral Quarter to the newly regenerated Titanic Quarter, where the ill-fated RMS Titanic was constructed. Belfast is also gathering momentum as an up-and-coming gourmet destination, with a new generation of chefs producing food to get excited about. Beyond the city limits, County Down and neighboring County Antrim have a wealth of things to see and do. Any lingering negative preconceptions will evaporate after a short time in this fascinating and welcoming city."
Day Glasgow, ScotlandArrive 08:00 AM Depart 05:00 PM
The largest city in Scotland is famed for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture. Situated on the River Clyde, Glasgow is proud of the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral, George Square with its 12 statues of famous people including Robbie Burns, Queen Victoria and Walter Scott, and the University of Glasgow, established in 1451.
The largest city in Scotland is famed for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture. Situated on the River Clyde, Glasgow is proud of the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral, George Square with its 12 statues of famous people including Robbie Burns, Queen Victoria and Walter Scott, and the University of Glasgow, established in 1451.
Day Oban, Scotland, United KingdomArrive 08:00 AM Depart 05:00 PM
Oban is a small town on the west coast of Scotland. The site began as a small fishing outpost and has been occupied as such for literally thousands of years. Rural in its roots, the modern-day village of Oban grew around the famed whisky distillery founded in 1794. Renowned for its 14-year-old malt whisky, the Oban distillery has become a tourist attraction, drawing many visitors to the area. The quiet, rural feel of Oban is responsible for the abundance of wildlife within the town boundaries. Here grey seals can be spotted swimming in the harbor or resting along the shore. A wide variety of land and seabirds are found throughout the area. On occasion dolphins and river otters also visit. A beautiful balance exists between this small town and the natural environment surrounding it, where the sounds of nature mingle with the melody of the streets.
Oban is a small town on the west coast of Scotland. The site began as a small fishing outpost and has been occupied as such for literally thousands of years. Rural in its roots, the modern-day village of Oban grew around the famed whisky distillery founded in 1794. Renowned for its 14-year-old malt whisky, the Oban distillery has become a tourist attraction, drawing many visitors to the area. The quiet, rural feel of Oban is responsible for the abundance of wildlife within the town boundaries. Here grey seals can be spotted swimming in the harbor or resting along the shore. A wide variety of land and seabirds are found throughout the area. On occasion dolphins and river otters also visit. A beautiful balance exists between this small town and the natural environment surrounding it, where the sounds of nature mingle with the melody of the streets.
Day At Sea
Day Edinburgh, ScotlandArrive 07:00 AM
From the Firth of Forth, a UNESCO site, to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh is steeped in history. Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Botanic Gardens. The UNESCO site of Old Town. The wonders of Edinburgh are never ending. From one of Europes best-preserved castles to the worlds longest herbaceous border, a riot of color and culture pervades. In this city as old as Scotland itself, youll find the perfect blend of historic tradition and natural beauty.
From the Firth of Forth, a UNESCO site, to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh is steeped in history. Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Botanic Gardens. The UNESCO site of Old Town. The wonders of Edinburgh are never ending. From one of Europes best-preserved castles to the worlds longest herbaceous border, a riot of color and culture pervades. In this city as old as Scotland itself, youll find the perfect blend of historic tradition and natural beauty.