Deluxe Stateroom
10% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
In Kooperation mit Smithonian Journeys.
Auf dieser Kreuzfahrt ist die Bordsprache ausschließlich Englisch.
Diese Kreuzfahrt gehört zu einer besonderen Auswahl von PONANT Reisen, die speziell für englischsprachige Gäste konzipiert wurden. Neben den gewohnten Elementen einer PONANT Reise, umfassen die aufgeführten Preise für diese Kreuzfahrten Transfers zum und vom Schiff, Vorträge und Diskussionen an Bord mit Weltklasse-Experten, und einen Landausflug oder eine Aktivität in jedem Hafen, bei denen die Gäste die Sehenswürdigkeiten und vieles mehr entdecken und in die unbekannte Kultur eintauchen können.
Begleiten Sie uns auf dieser 9-tägigen Kreuzfahrt an Bord der Le Dumont-d'Urville und entdecken Sie die reiche Geschichte und Kultur zu beiden Seiten der Irischen See.
Die Reise beginnt mit einem Overnight-Aufenthalt in London. Ihr Schiff liegt in der Nähe der London Bridge und wird am frühen Morgen die Themse hinunter fahren zum historischen Dover Castle, das auf den berühmten weißen Klippen thront. Wenn Sie Lust haben, können Sie die nicht weit entfernte Kathedrale von Canterbury besichtigen, die zum UNESCO-Welterbe gehört.
Verbringen Sie einen Vormittag auf der Isle of Wight und besichtigen Sie Osborne House, die Lieblingsresidenz von Königin Victoria, bevor Sie am Nachmittag an den Küsten des Ärmelkanals entlang fahren. Am nächsten Tag erreichen Sie die Scilly-Inseln, circa 30 Meilen vor der Südwestküste Cornwalls, wo Sie die weltberühmten Tresco Abbey Gardens besuchen können.
Nach der Überquerung der Irischen See erreichen Sie Kinsale, Irland, Ihr Tor zum stolzen irischen Cork und der berühmten Jameson Distillery. In Holyhead, Wales, auf der Insel Anglesey können Sie das mittelalterliche Schloss Caernarfon Castle besichtigen, das im späten 13. Jahrhundert als architektonischer Schlussstein der Eroberung von Wales durch die Engländer von Eduard I. erbaut wurde, oder den Bodnant Garden, ein Eigentum des National Trust.
In Belfast, Nordirlands dynamischer Hauptstadt, haben Sie Gelegenheit zum Besuch des modernen Museums Titanic Belfast, das auf dem Gelände der Werft steht, wo das tragische Schicksal des berühmten Passagierschiffes seinen Lauf nahm. Sie haben außerdem Gelegenheit, die spektakuläre unberührte Landschaft der Antrim Coast und den berühmten Giant’s Causeway zu entdecken, der aus mehr als 40.000 ineinandergreifenden sechseckigen Basaltsäulen besteht, die vor etwa sechs Millionen Jahren durch abkühlende Lava entstanden sind.
Ihren letzten Tag verbringen Sie auf den berühmten Hebriden, als erstes besuchen Sie die geheimnisvolle Abtei auf der Isle of Iona, wo sich die ersten christlichen Siedler Schottlands niederließen. Anschließend geht es zum Duart Castle, das einstige Heim des Maclean Clans auf der Isle of Mull. Zum Schluss entdecken Sie den charmanten Fischerhafen Tobermory, in dessen Destillerie ein berühmter schottischer Single Malt Wiskey gebrannt wird.
Ihre Reise endet in Glasgow, Schottlands moderner Kulturhauptstadt.
Ref : LG0945US - EU050523
Eine rein englischsprachige Reise mit direktem Austausch mit den Experten an Bord, Transfers vor und nach der Kreuzfahrt und einem inbegriffenen Landausflug oder einer Aktivität an jedem Hafen Spannende...
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Miriam Davis
Miriam C. Davis received a B.A. in History from Emory University before studying Scottish history at the University of St. Andrews on a Bobby Jones Scholarship. She then received an M.A. in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York on a Fulbright Fellowship, and a Ph.D. in Medieval Archaeology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has participated in archaeological excavations in Scotland and England. After teaching for sixteen years at Delta State University, she left as Professor of History and is now a freelance writer. Miriam has served as the Smithsonian Journeys Expert on tours of Scotland and Ireland since 2011.
Language spoken: English
Hugh Neighbour
Hugh Neighbour brings many years of experience as a diplomat for the U.S. and an officer in the U.S. Navy, mostly working overseas.Specialized in political and economic affairs, he was posted in Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.Hugh was awarded the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award as well as a number of Department of State awards for distinguished service.Since retiring from the U.S. State Department in 2010, Hugh has worked as a consultant in both Washington and overseas, served as an official observer for several elections overseas, and lectured aboard high-end cruise ships. Several times a year, Hugh directs a course in advanced foreign area studies to select groups in the Washington region.Hugh willoffer a fresh, up-to-date perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of the fascinating peoples and places you will visit.
Language spoken : English
Photo credit : ARR
Vorbehaltlich des Widerrufs im Falle von höherer Gewalt
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT Aktivitäten
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys ist das Reiseprogramm der Smithsonian Institution, eine bedeutende US-amerikanische Forschungs- und Bildungseinrichtung, das aus 21 Museen, dem National Zoological Park, Bildungszentren, Forschungseinrichtungen, Kulturzentren und Bibliotheken besteht. Die Kreuzfahrten in gemeinsamer Kooperation stützen sich auf die Ressourcen von Smithsonian, die auf eine 175-jährige Geschichte zurückblicken, und bieten bemerkenswerte Experten und Erfahrungen. Diese Reisen beziehen insbesonders die lokalen Kulturen mit ein und tauchen tiefer in die Geschichte, Küche, Sprache, Umwelt und Tierwelt eines Reiseziels ein. Seit mehr als 50 Jahren ist Smithsonian Journeys in der Kultur verwurzelt und konzentriert sich auf das Eintauchen und Entdecken von Kulturen - mit dem Ziel, Gäste zu inspirieren und zu einem tieferen Verständnis der Orte beizutragen.
Vorbehaltlich des Widerrufs im Falle von höherer Gewalt
Einschiffung 05.05.2023 von 16:00 bis 17:00
Abfahrt 05.05.2023 um 23:59
Hauptresidenz der britischen Monarchie, internationaler Finanzplatz und Sitz der Regierung - London ist das wirtschaftliche und kulturelle Herz des Landes. Als Stadt voller Kontraste zwischen Tradition und vibrierender Modernität enthüllt sich die Hauptstadt des Vereinigte Königreichs durch ihre unterschiedlichsten Viertel und bemerkenswerten Stätten: Seien Sie darauf vorbereitet, von Hyde Park bis zur City über Westminster und Trafalgar Square das frenetische Leben der Londoner zu teilen. Doch zwischen einer Besichtigung der National Gallery, einem Rundgang durch Covent Garden und der Überquerung der Tower Bridge können Sie in einer der unzähligen Londoner Grünanlagen mitten in der Natur eine Pause einlegen.
Ankunft 06.05.2023 mittags
Abfahrt 06.05.2023 am frühen Abend
Dover im County Kent, 35 km vor der französischen Küste und Kap Gris-Nez an der Küste des Ärmelkanals, ist die Stadt Großbritanniens, die am nächsten an Frankreich liegt. Dover ist der Haupttransithafen zwischen den beiden Ufern des Ärmelkanals und das „Tor Englands“. Mit ihren berühmten weißen Kreidefelsen inspirierte die Stadt Maler und Dichter. Majestätisch blicken sie dem Kontinent entgegen und bieten Ihnen die Möglichkeit zu einem spektakulären Spaziergang auf ihrem Gipfel. Im Nordosten der Stadt dominiert Dover Castle auf einem Hügel mit unvergleichlichem Blick auf den Kanal die Stadt, die ein erstaunliches Netz von unterirdischen Galerien besitzt.
Ankunft 07.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 07.05.2023 am frühen Nachmittag
Cowes ist eine kleine Hafenstadt an der Nordküste der Insel Isle of Wight, gegenüber den Hafenstädten Portsmouth und Southampton. Die Stadt bezaubert mit einer sanften Lebensweise, ihrem Kulturerbe und grünen Landschaften zwischen schroffen Felsen und dem glasklaren Wasser des Meeresarms Solent, der die Insel von England trennt. Viele Menschen haben sich in den Charme dieses unberührten Juwels verliebt. So auch Königin Victoria, die von der natürlichen und authentischen Umgebung begeistert war. Sie ließ hier 1847 ihre Sommerresidenz Osborne House bauen, ein Schatz der Architektur, der zu einem der Symbole der Stadt wurde. Cowes ist ein Zentrum für Schiffbau und die Wiege des Segelsports. Hier findet jedes Jahr eine der größten Regatten der Welt statt, die Cowes Week, bei der fast 10.000 Skipper und über 1.000 Boote an den Start gehen.
Ankunft 08.05.2023 mittags
Abfahrt 08.05.2023 am späten Nachmittag
Die Scilly-Inseln liegen im Atlantischen Ozean an der Südwestspitze von Cornwall. Sie bilden eine kleine britische Inselkette, deren Klima, Landschaften und Lebensstil einzigartig sind und direkt aus einer Geschichte von Enid Blyton stammen könnten. Hier ähnelt alles einem tropischen Paradies. Die langen Sandstrände verlaufen entlang üppiger grüner Wiesen voller semi-exotischer Blumen, während die Ruinen antiker Burgen von den Hügeln ragen. Sie sind wahre Zufluchtsorte des Friedens, die das legendäre Avalon von König Arthur inspiriert haben. Heute sind sie als Gebiet von außergewöhnlicher natürlicher Schönheit aufgeführt. Die zerklüftete Küste beherbergt ebenso vielfältige wie außergewöhnliche Tiere, einschließlich der sehr seltenen atlantischen Kegelrobbe.
Ankunft 09.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 09.05.2023 am frühen Nachmittag
Kinsale gilt als schönstes Dorf Irlands und besticht mit wunderschönen Naturlandschaften und einem reichen kulturellen Erbe. Die malerische kleine Hafenstadt liegt in der Mündung des River Bandon in der Grafschaft Cork. Zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten zählen die von bunten Häusern gesäumten Gassen, Kunstgalerien und Theater und die Burg aus dem 17. Jahrhundert. Ganz in der Nähe auf einem Felsvorsprung thront der Leuchtturm von Kinsale. Er ist auch heute noch in Betrieb und bietet einen herrlichen Blick auf den Atlantik.
Ankunft 10.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 10.05.2023 am frühen Abend
Lassen Sie sich von der reizvollen Umgebung der kleinen Hafenstadt Holyhead im Norden von Wales und westlich der faszinierenden Insel Anglesey bezaubern. Holyhead, das wegen seiner historischen Bedeutung oft als “die Mutter von Wales“ bezeichnet wird, ist ein Paradies für Liebhaber von Naturlandschaften und Kulturerbe, die unter anderem die vielen historischen Stätten der Stadt erkunden können. Zum Beispiel die Kirche Saint-Cybi aus dem 13. Jahrhundert, eingebettet in die römische Zitadelle. Schließlich können Sie den Leuchtturm South Stock bewundern, das 1809 gebaute Wahrzeichen der Stadt. In der Nähe des Leuchtturms können Sie viele Meeresvogelarten beobachten, darunter Lummen und Tordalke.
Ankunft 11.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 11.05.2023 am frühen Abend
Die Hauptstadt von Nordirland befindet sich am Ende der Bucht von Belfast, im Nordosten der "Grünen Insel". An den Kais bemerken Sie sofort ein Gebäude in Form eines fragmentierten Passagierschiffes:Die Titanic Belfast ist dem berühmten Ozeandampfer gewidmet. Dessen rekonstruierte Innenausstattung lädt Sie zu einer Kreuzfahrt in die Belle Epoque ein. Das historische Zentrum lädt Sie auch auf eine Reise durch die Zeit ein - von den majestätischen Säulen im Edwardischen Stil des Rathauses bis zu den eindrucksvollen neogotischen Türmen von Queen's University. Und die kunstvoll verzierten Holzfassaden der viktorianischen Pubs machen Ihnen sicherlich Lust, einzutreten und ein Pint Bier oder gut gekühlten Cider zu genießen.
Ankunft 12.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Abfahrt 12.05.2023 mittags
Von allen Inseln der Inneren Hibriden ist Iona mit Abstand diejenige, die am meisten zur Besinnung und zur Meditation einlädt. Und das hat seinen Grund ... Denn von diesem nun geweihten Fleckchen Erde aus begann der gegen 563 von Irland kommende heilige Columban mit der Evangelisierung von Schottland. Heute steht eine Abtei, echtes spirituelles Zentrum der Insel, an der Stelle des ehemaligen Klosters, das vom irischen Missionar gegründet wurde. Zahlreiche Könige Schottlands, darunter der legendäre Macbeth sollen im angrenzenden Friedhof begraben sein. Wenn die Sonne mitmacht, bietet die Ankunft auf der Insel Iona ein wunderschönes Schauspiel.
Ankunft 12.05.2023 am Nachmittag
Abfahrt 12.05.2023 am späten Nachmittag
Das ganz im Norden der ansprechenden Insel Mull gelegene Tobermory ist sicherlich einer der schönsten Naturhäfen der Westküste Schottlands. Dieses 1788 gegründete ehemalige Fischerdorf wurde in einen Jachthafen umgewandelt, der heute sehr für seinen Rahmen und das von ihm ausgehende beschauliche Flair geschätzt wird. Bezaubernd sind auch die entlang der Hügelflanke stufenförmig angeordneten Häuser, deren leuchtende Farben den Hafen erstrahlen lassen. Auch wenn das eigentliche Schauspiel draußen stattfindet, nicht weniger interessant ist die Sammlung des Mull Museums, die der lokalen Geschichte sowie den Ausstellungen in der Kunstgalerie An Tobar gewidmet ist.
Ankunft 13.05.2023 am frühen Vormittag
Ausschiffung 13.05.2023 um 08:00
Im Herzen des Clyde-Tals kontrastiert die lebhafte Stadt Glasgow mit der wilden Schönheit der umliegenden Landschaften. Die städtischste der schottischen Städte wartet mit zahlreichen Trümpfen auf - von dem bedeutenden künstlerischen bis zum außergewöhnlichen architektonischen Erbe. Der schachbrettartige Grundriss der Stadt erleichtert Ihnen Ihre Bummel durch die großen Fußgängerzonen. Lassen Sie sich von dem Treiben der von schönen viktorianischen Gebäuden gesäumten Straßen führen und verpassen Sie nicht, die Sammlungen der zahlreichen Museen und Kunstgalerien zu bewundern. Die Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum ist diesbezüglich exemplarisch. Vollenden Sie Ihre Sightseeintour mit etwas ... Denn ja, Glasgow ist auch ein Shoppingparadies!
The Battle of Britain, in the summer and fall of 1940, was the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. It is also the battle that changed the course of World War II.
This excursion begins with a short drive along the coast to the small village of Capel-le-Ferne, site of the Battle of Britain Memorial, for a guided tour of this monument to the heroism and sacrifice of the pilots and support staff of the Royal Air Force who crippled the Luftwaffe's efforts to bomb Britain into submission. You will see the memorial itself, dedicated by the Queen Mother in 1993, and the Wall, which contains the names of all the aircrew who flew at least one sortie during the battle. You will also visit the Wing, which houses an interactive experience creating a sense of what life was like during the campaign and its aftermath.
Leaving the memorial site, you drive past Dover Castle, a massive fortress much of which is hidden deep within the chalk of the cliffs, on your way to the White Cliffs Visitor Center. From here you set off on a 2 mile walk along perhaps the most famous cliffs in the world to reach the South Foreland Lighthouse. This Victorian era structure was built to guide mariners through the treacherous shifting sands of the Strait of Dover and was the first lighthouse anywhere in the world to make use of electric light.
Your motorcoach will meet you at the lighthouse for the short drive back to the pier.
Inbegriffen
Given its strategic location at the shortest distance between Britain and the continent, it is not at all surprising that Dover Castle is one of the most fortified castles in England. Begun by Henry II and completed under Henry III in the mid 13th century, the castle has undergone many substantial renovations, one of the most important occurring at the time of the Napoleonic Wars, when a tunnel complex was dug into the chalk beneath the castle.
Your exploration of this massive fortress begins with a guided tour of the castle, with its Inner Bailey and Henry II's Great Tower. Explore the wider castle grounds to get a sense of the long history of the place, including an ancient Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest in the world, and an Anglo-Saxon church. Stretch your legs and walk the battlements to enjoy remarkable views over the English Channel.
Enjoy some time on your own to explore and, if available, enter the tunnels as they were during World War II, when they served as the headquarters from which the evacuation of Dunkirk was directed. Relive the drama of "Operation Dynamo" from May 26 - June 4, 1940, when, against enormous odds, more than 100,000 English and French troops were rescued. Perhaps see the underground hospital created by digging additional tunnels to serve as triage, operating rooms, and wards for treating the wounded before they were transferred further inland. Whatever you choose, you are sure to come away from the experience with a clearer sense of the importance of this remarkable monument in the history of England, and of the modern world.
· This is a moderate excursion. The guided tour of the castle involves standing for about an hour and some walking. Additional walking is largely at your discretion. A typical visit involves a total of 1.5 miles, over mixed terrain and steps. No special clothing is needed-comfortable shoes and a light jacket in case of rain should suffice.
Inbegriffen
A short journey from Dover through the heart of the county of Kent, known as the ‘Garden of England’, brings you to the historic and picturesque city of Canterbury – home to one of England's most famous cathedrals, setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Canterbury's wealth originated with the pilgrims who, like Chaucer's travelers, flocked to the city to visit the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket, who was murdered in his cathedral in 1170. The Norman cathedral still dominates Canterbury's skyline, inspiring the same sense of awe as it did in the Middle Ages. Explore this magnificent building, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican community, at your own pace, perhaps pausing at the site of Becket's martyrdom, marveling at the workmanship of the ancient stained-glass windows, or admiring the architecture of the Quire, the first Gothic building in England. You will also have time to wander among the labyrinth of streets and lanes lined with quaint shops, many of which date to the time of Chaucer.
Inbegriffen
Once an independent kingdom, the Isle of Wight so charmed Queen Victoria that after her first visit she is quoted as saying “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.”
You will get a sense of what she meant as you sail into the harbor at Cowes, once known as the "yachting capital of the world," and set off on a panoramic drive around this small island, much of which is managed as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. A brief stop in the picturesque village of Godshill is followed by a drive to Osborne House.
Queen Victoria had Osborne House built as a summer residence for the royal family in the mid-19th century. Designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance country villa, it is a grand palace, but it functioned essentially as a family holiday home and is filled with many personal and family mementos. Highlights include the majestic State Rooms, for entertaining visiting dignitaries, Queen Victoria’s bedroom, where she died in 1901, the Swiss Cottage, a playhouse for the royal children, and the magnificent Gardens, designed, like the house, by Prince Albert.
After exploring this charming window into the personal lives of the royals, you return to Cowes and to your waiting ship.
Inbegriffen
Located about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a cluster of low-lying islands, only five of which are inhabited. The entire archipelago is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dotted with Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Marine Conservation Zones. The clear waters surrounding the islands support an abundance of marine life, and migratory birds are drawn by the temperate climate, winds and ocean current.
Your discovery of some of the natural beauty that Scilly has to offer begins with a cruise aboard a local boat around the eastern isles. The rugged coastlines of the islands are a haven for wildlife and you may spot gannets, cormorants, shearwaters, and Atlantic grey seals. From about mid-April, puffins return to breed here, making the Isles of Scilly a hugely important habitat for this popular seabird.
Disembark on St. Martin’s, a quiet island offering spectacular views and a wealth of life’s simpler pleasures. Its rich natural beauty has attracted an enterprising group of residents, a few of whom you will meet, including the owners of St. Martin’s Vineyard. Established in 1996 on the site of a former flower farm, the tiny vineyard's first vintage in 2000 yielded only 120 bottles. Today it produces much more, while maintaining a focus on biodiversity and sustainability, including a move towards organic production. You are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds at your own pace, and of course, taste several of the wines.
From the vineyard, walk along the island’s only concrete road to Highertown, home to a gallery showcasing local artists, a flower farm, and a thriving artisanal bakery. Browse these shops at leisure before walking back to the pier for the transfer to your ship.
Inbegriffen
Tresco is the second largest of the Isles of Scilly, located some 30 miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the world-class Tresco Abbey Gardens, an incredible botanical paradise planted in the ruins of a Benedictine priory.
Founded by Augustus Smith, a wealthy banker, in 1834, the gardens today are home to an impressive collection of 20,000 plant species heralding from as far away as New Zealand, South America, and South Africa. The mild climate in Scilly, combined with plenty of sunshine, allows sub-tropical plants to flourish here in latitudes that seem impossible. A walled enclosure around the priory ruins acts as a wind-break, providing shelter from the ferocity of Atlantic weather during the winter months when, even then, more than 300 plants are in bloom.
You will be visiting in the spring, when the garden is at its loveliest, and when red squirrels, one of Britain's most endangered species, dart about the grounds in the safety of this verdant sanctuary. Stroll the gardens at leisure to discover its many treasures, including the collection of figureheads and decorative carvings from ships that sank off Scilly's shores — another of Augustus Smith's passions.
Inbegriffen
Located about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a cluster of low-lying islands, only five of which are inhabited. The entire archipelago is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dotted with Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Marine Conservation Zones. The clear waters surrounding the islands support an abundance of marine life, and migratory birds are drawn by the temperate climate, winds and ocean current.
Discover the natural beauty that Scilly has to offer on a cruise aboard a local boat around the eastern isles. The rugged coastlines of the islands are a haven for wildlife, and you may spot gannets, cormorants, shearwaters, and Atlantic grey seals. From about mid-April, puffins return to breed here, making the Isles of Scilly a hugely important habitat for this popular seabird.
· This is an easy excursion, with minimal walking and just a few steps into and out of local boats. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and sunscreen are recommended.
Inbegriffen
Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges, a feature that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera, and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you travel to the village of Cobh, where you board a ferry to nearby Spike Island, which commands a central position within Cork Harbor, making it an ideal spot for an array of different purposes. Over the past 1300 years, the island hosted a 7th-century monastery and a 17th-century fortress, served as a refuge for smugglers for much of the 18th-century, and was the site of the world's largest prison during the Victorian era. Your guided tour of this multi-faceted place will introduce you to the island's key features, including the star-shaped Fort Mitchel, which dominates the site, and will include stories of various characters who have added their own chapters to the legends of the island, from prisoners like James Grey, the thief known as 'Jack in the Box', to Ellen Organ, "little Nellie of Holy God," whose precocious spirituality persuaded Pope Pius X to admit children as young as 7 to Holy Communion. Following your tour, you will have some time at leisure to explore independently before reboarding the ferry for the return trip.
Inbegriffen
Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in the estuary of the River Lee, just upstream from Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. In fact, it is this feature of the city that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you will travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the town from which the famous rare Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Old Jameson Distillery will take you into the heart of the cherished whiskey making tradition. Join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th-century self-contained industrial complex and learn the history of Irish whiskey as you observe the fully operational water wheel and marvel at the 32,000-gallon copper still, the largest in the world.
After the history comes the tasting, where you are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland's finest whiskey. Afterwards, visit the craft shop or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre where you can lose yourself in the charm of another age.
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This walking tour of Cork is designed to introduce you to Ireland's second city through a variety of its neighborhoods and monuments. A 45-minute drive from the pier brings you to the South Mall, lined with businesses housed in buildings that were once boathouses along the River Lee. Across Parnell Bridge, your guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll along the quays of the south shore, where you will encounter a variety of architectural styles—the classical lines of Cork's elegant limestone City Hall, the modern design of the College of Commerce, and the Gothic façade of Holy Trinity Church. Pause for a moment to admire the graceful arch of Parliament Bridge before continuing on to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Designed and built by William Burgess in 1879, this Gothic Revival church is renowned for the exuberant style of its ornamentation, particularly the ornately decorated interior.
After your visit to the interior of Saint Fin Barre's, resume your exploration of Cork on the north side of river, where you enter the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfares of the city. Along North Main and Castle Streets you are in a very cosmopolitan part of the city, full of pedestrian lanes, cafes, bookshops, and antique stores and surrounded by the people of Cork, gregariously going about their business. It is in this part of the city that you will find the famous English Market, a veritable festival of meats, fruits and vegetables, fish, cheeses from Italy, France, and Ireland, fresh breads, and more. Take some time to browse the many stalls and do a bit of shopping before returning to the ship.
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From the small port of Holyhead your motorcoach transports you on a scenic drive across the Isle of Anglesey, over the Menai Strait to the mainland of North Wales, and along the coast to the village of Conwy, home to the world-class Bodnant Garden.
Nestled in the Snowdonian foothills, Bodnant Garden was established in 1874 by scientist, businessman, and politician Henry Pochin, whose vision it was to create here in Wales a garden that would showcase plants from around the world. He and his descendants began the work of collecting and made Bodnant home to the earliest laburnum arch in Britain, to the earliest Chinese magnolias in the country, and to unique rhododendron hybrids.
In 1949 the Garden was gifted to the National Trust, who now maintain it and carry on its traditions. Bodnant is home to exotic plants like the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas and the Fire Bush of the Andes, as well as boasting Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees. During your visit, the flowers of spring — daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons —should still be in bloom, while the rose beds, lily ponds, herbaceous plantings and wildflower meadows of summer will be beginning to make their presence known.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
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This full day of activity is designed to introduce you to three central aspects of Welsh culture—its language, its mining and industrial past, and its architectural history. The experience begins even before you disembark, with a lecture from a native Welsh speaker and linguist on the history of the Welsh language and on the importance of continuing to teach it to children in Welsh schools.
Once aboard your motorcoach, you will travel onto the mainland of North Wales, where your first stop will be at the National Slate Museum on the shores of Llyn Padarn at the edge of Snowdonia National Park. Here you will learn about the Welsh slate industry's crucial contributions to the Industrial Revolution in Britain and at the same time gain insight into the arduous lives of the Victorian quarrymen who worked the mines to make it possible.
Pause in the town of Caernarfon for lunch before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle, designed by Edward I to drive home the message that Wales, after his conquest of the Principality, was subject to English rule. This point was underscored in 1284, when Edward made certain that his son was born in the castle and declared Prince of Wales. The current heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, was crowned here in 1969.
Leaving Caernarfon and the mainland, you return to the isle of Anglesey, where your final visit of the day is at Plas Newydd ("new mansion"), the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey. Feel free to wander through this elegant country house at your leisure and discover many treasures and fascinating artifacts, including a number of paintings by Rex Whistler and the world's first articulated wooden leg, made for the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who was wounded at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
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Belfast is an elegant city boasting a rich and varied past. But Northern Ireland's largest city was built primarily in the modern period. This excursion focuses on the legacy of the 19th-century industrialists whose wealth is responsible for most of the monuments that grace the present.
Your tour begins with a drive past a host of popular sights — the stately Grand Opera House and Albert Memorial Clock Tower among them — before stopping at Queens University, founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. Here you will have an opportunity to walk the college grounds and enjoy a stroll through Belfast's celebrated Botanic Gardens, home to Palm House, a magnificent cast iron and glass structure enclosing a rainforest that was built before the similar structure of the same name in London's Kew Gardens.
Drive past Belfast City Hall, whose 300ft-long façade of Portland stone dominates Donegall Square, site of a statue of Queen Victoria and of the Titanic Memorial, before your final stop at one of Belfast's newest attractions, Titanic Belfast.
A monument to the city's maritime heritage on the site of the shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built, Titanic Belfast opened in 2012. This state-of-the-art experiential museum tells the stories of the men and women who labored at the Harland & Wolff yard to build what was the largest ship afloat at the time, and also tells the stories of the passengers and crew who were aboard on April 15, 1912. Using a variety of materials and media, including CGI, film and video, audio, archival materials, and scale models, the oft-told story of the Titanic is brought to life in a new and fascinating way, as Belfast remembers this important part of its legacy.
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This excursion offers the chance to experience firsthand the festive spirit of Irish hospitality as it has been shared through the ages.
Begin with a guided walking tour of Belfast center, where you will learn something of the history of this elegant Victorian city as you discover iconic buildings and monuments, including the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, erected in memory of Queen Victoria's beloved husband; Ulster Hall, an imposing 19th-century music hall now used for concerts and recitals of all kinds; and the emblematic Belfast City Hall, whose magnificent 300-foot-long façade of Portland stone makes it impossible to mistake.
But the highlight of your tour is certain to be your stop in a local pub, where you will spend time in the company of world champion Irish dancers and musicians. Enjoy a pint as you are entertained with dancing, stories, songs and music played on harp, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar, flute, fiddle, concertina, and whistles. You may even try your hand at sean-nós and céilí dancing as your entertainers sing and play melodies and street songs that would have been heard in the ship-yards, mills, and markets of old.
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From the port of Belfast drive along the Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoiled scenery is to be found here. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, this is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Stop briefly at Dunluce Castle for the spectacular views from this 14th-century outpost at the edge of a magnificent cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean before you continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway. A new Visitor Center, opened in 2012, provides information you can use to decide for yourself between competing theories of how the causeway came to be. One view is that the 40,000 basalt stones that form the causeway were deposited here as the result of a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago. Another story is that during the age of giants, the local giant, Finn McCool, tore up pieces of the coast and threw them into the sea in order to protect Ireland from other giants across the sea in Scotland.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the unique rock formations that have stood for millions of years as a natural rampart against the ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire. Your imagination will travel along these giant stepping-stones that lead either to the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the realm of myth and legend.
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Disembark on the mystical Isle of Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement in Scotland, dating from 563, the year that St. Columba landed in this remote place. It enjoys a reputation as a seat of spiritual power and bears the distinction of harboring in its "Graves of the Kings" some 60 Scottish monarchs, including Macbeth and his victim Duncan. A guided walking tour includes a visit to the 13th-century Abbey, which is open all the year round to welcome pilgrims from every corner of the globe to this holy site.
After visiting the abbey, board a local ferry to the Isle of Mull. Disembark in Fionnphort, and travel across the island, taking in stunning scenery enroute to a local hotel where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch before continuing to Duart Castle. Perched on a rocky promontory jutting into the Sound of Mull, the castle is the ancestral home of Clan Maclean. Fully refurbished in 1911, it is a fascinating place, full of stories about the clan, their rivalries, and the role they have played in Scottish history. You can see the dungeons where Spanish prisoners were kept after the Macleans sank their galleon as it retreated from the defeat of the Armada in 1588. And those prepared to climb the ancient, worn steps, can take the turnpike stairs to the top of the 13th-century keep and the battlements, with views as far as Ben Nevis in the north and Jura in the south.
After touring the castle, transfer to Tobermory. Enjoy a brief stroll along the waterfront of this bustling fishing village before rejoining your ship, which has sailed during the day to meet you here.
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PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included features:
Not included:
Notes:
Lektor
An Bord Ihres Schiffes bieten Ihnen ausgewählte Lektoren kulturelle und historische Einblicke, damit Sie noch mehr über Ihr Reiseziel erfahren können: den Ursprung der lokalen Traditionen, die Geschichte symbolischer Orte, berühmte Persönlichkeiten und historische Helden... Die Experten begleiten Sie während der gesamten Kreuzfahrt, an Bord und bei den Ausflügen an Land, um ihr Know-how und ihre Einsichten mit Ihnen zu teilen.
Unsere Zusatzleistungen
The Battle of Britain, in the summer and fall of 1940, was the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. It is also the battle that changed the course of World War II.
This excursion begins with a short drive along the coast to the small village of Capel-le-Ferne, site of the Battle of Britain Memorial, for a guided tour of this monument to the heroism and sacrifice of the pilots and support staff of the Royal Air Force who crippled the Luftwaffe's efforts to bomb Britain into submission. You will see the memorial itself, dedicated by the Queen Mother in 1993, and the Wall, which contains the names of all the aircrew who flew at least one sortie during the battle. You will also visit the Wing, which houses an interactive experience creating a sense of what life was like during the campaign and its aftermath.
Leaving the memorial site, you drive past Dover Castle, a massive fortress much of which is hidden deep within the chalk of the cliffs, on your way to the White Cliffs Visitor Center. From here you set off on a 2 mile walk along perhaps the most famous cliffs in the world to reach the South Foreland Lighthouse. This Victorian era structure was built to guide mariners through the treacherous shifting sands of the Strait of Dover and was the first lighthouse anywhere in the world to make use of electric light.
Your motorcoach will meet you at the lighthouse for the short drive back to the pier.
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Given its strategic location at the shortest distance between Britain and the continent, it is not at all surprising that Dover Castle is one of the most fortified castles in England. Begun by Henry II and completed under Henry III in the mid 13th century, the castle has undergone many substantial renovations, one of the most important occurring at the time of the Napoleonic Wars, when a tunnel complex was dug into the chalk beneath the castle.
Your exploration of this massive fortress begins with a guided tour of the castle, with its Inner Bailey and Henry II's Great Tower. Explore the wider castle grounds to get a sense of the long history of the place, including an ancient Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest in the world, and an Anglo-Saxon church. Stretch your legs and walk the battlements to enjoy remarkable views over the English Channel.
Enjoy some time on your own to explore and, if available, enter the tunnels as they were during World War II, when they served as the headquarters from which the evacuation of Dunkirk was directed. Relive the drama of "Operation Dynamo" from May 26 - June 4, 1940, when, against enormous odds, more than 100,000 English and French troops were rescued. Perhaps see the underground hospital created by digging additional tunnels to serve as triage, operating rooms, and wards for treating the wounded before they were transferred further inland. Whatever you choose, you are sure to come away from the experience with a clearer sense of the importance of this remarkable monument in the history of England, and of the modern world.
· This is a moderate excursion. The guided tour of the castle involves standing for about an hour and some walking. Additional walking is largely at your discretion. A typical visit involves a total of 1.5 miles, over mixed terrain and steps. No special clothing is needed-comfortable shoes and a light jacket in case of rain should suffice.
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A short journey from Dover through the heart of the county of Kent, known as the ‘Garden of England’, brings you to the historic and picturesque city of Canterbury – home to one of England's most famous cathedrals, setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Canterbury's wealth originated with the pilgrims who, like Chaucer's travelers, flocked to the city to visit the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket, who was murdered in his cathedral in 1170. The Norman cathedral still dominates Canterbury's skyline, inspiring the same sense of awe as it did in the Middle Ages. Explore this magnificent building, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican community, at your own pace, perhaps pausing at the site of Becket's martyrdom, marveling at the workmanship of the ancient stained-glass windows, or admiring the architecture of the Quire, the first Gothic building in England. You will also have time to wander among the labyrinth of streets and lanes lined with quaint shops, many of which date to the time of Chaucer.
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Once an independent kingdom, the Isle of Wight so charmed Queen Victoria that after her first visit she is quoted as saying “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.”
You will get a sense of what she meant as you sail into the harbor at Cowes, once known as the "yachting capital of the world," and set off on a panoramic drive around this small island, much of which is managed as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. A brief stop in the picturesque village of Godshill is followed by a drive to Osborne House.
Queen Victoria had Osborne House built as a summer residence for the royal family in the mid-19th century. Designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance country villa, it is a grand palace, but it functioned essentially as a family holiday home and is filled with many personal and family mementos. Highlights include the majestic State Rooms, for entertaining visiting dignitaries, Queen Victoria’s bedroom, where she died in 1901, the Swiss Cottage, a playhouse for the royal children, and the magnificent Gardens, designed, like the house, by Prince Albert.
After exploring this charming window into the personal lives of the royals, you return to Cowes and to your waiting ship.
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Located about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a cluster of low-lying islands, only five of which are inhabited. The entire archipelago is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dotted with Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Marine Conservation Zones. The clear waters surrounding the islands support an abundance of marine life, and migratory birds are drawn by the temperate climate, winds and ocean current.
Your discovery of some of the natural beauty that Scilly has to offer begins with a cruise aboard a local boat around the eastern isles. The rugged coastlines of the islands are a haven for wildlife and you may spot gannets, cormorants, shearwaters, and Atlantic grey seals. From about mid-April, puffins return to breed here, making the Isles of Scilly a hugely important habitat for this popular seabird.
Disembark on St. Martin’s, a quiet island offering spectacular views and a wealth of life’s simpler pleasures. Its rich natural beauty has attracted an enterprising group of residents, a few of whom you will meet, including the owners of St. Martin’s Vineyard. Established in 1996 on the site of a former flower farm, the tiny vineyard's first vintage in 2000 yielded only 120 bottles. Today it produces much more, while maintaining a focus on biodiversity and sustainability, including a move towards organic production. You are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds at your own pace, and of course, taste several of the wines.
From the vineyard, walk along the island’s only concrete road to Highertown, home to a gallery showcasing local artists, a flower farm, and a thriving artisanal bakery. Browse these shops at leisure before walking back to the pier for the transfer to your ship.
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Tresco is the second largest of the Isles of Scilly, located some 30 miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the world-class Tresco Abbey Gardens, an incredible botanical paradise planted in the ruins of a Benedictine priory.
Founded by Augustus Smith, a wealthy banker, in 1834, the gardens today are home to an impressive collection of 20,000 plant species heralding from as far away as New Zealand, South America, and South Africa. The mild climate in Scilly, combined with plenty of sunshine, allows sub-tropical plants to flourish here in latitudes that seem impossible. A walled enclosure around the priory ruins acts as a wind-break, providing shelter from the ferocity of Atlantic weather during the winter months when, even then, more than 300 plants are in bloom.
You will be visiting in the spring, when the garden is at its loveliest, and when red squirrels, one of Britain's most endangered species, dart about the grounds in the safety of this verdant sanctuary. Stroll the gardens at leisure to discover its many treasures, including the collection of figureheads and decorative carvings from ships that sank off Scilly's shores — another of Augustus Smith's passions.
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Located about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a cluster of low-lying islands, only five of which are inhabited. The entire archipelago is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dotted with Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Marine Conservation Zones. The clear waters surrounding the islands support an abundance of marine life, and migratory birds are drawn by the temperate climate, winds and ocean current.
Discover the natural beauty that Scilly has to offer on a cruise aboard a local boat around the eastern isles. The rugged coastlines of the islands are a haven for wildlife, and you may spot gannets, cormorants, shearwaters, and Atlantic grey seals. From about mid-April, puffins return to breed here, making the Isles of Scilly a hugely important habitat for this popular seabird.
· This is an easy excursion, with minimal walking and just a few steps into and out of local boats. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and sunscreen are recommended.
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Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges, a feature that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera, and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you travel to the village of Cobh, where you board a ferry to nearby Spike Island, which commands a central position within Cork Harbor, making it an ideal spot for an array of different purposes. Over the past 1300 years, the island hosted a 7th-century monastery and a 17th-century fortress, served as a refuge for smugglers for much of the 18th-century, and was the site of the world's largest prison during the Victorian era. Your guided tour of this multi-faceted place will introduce you to the island's key features, including the star-shaped Fort Mitchel, which dominates the site, and will include stories of various characters who have added their own chapters to the legends of the island, from prisoners like James Grey, the thief known as 'Jack in the Box', to Ellen Organ, "little Nellie of Holy God," whose precocious spirituality persuaded Pope Pius X to admit children as young as 7 to Holy Communion. Following your tour, you will have some time at leisure to explore independently before reboarding the ferry for the return trip.
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Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in the estuary of the River Lee, just upstream from Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. In fact, it is this feature of the city that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you will travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the town from which the famous rare Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Old Jameson Distillery will take you into the heart of the cherished whiskey making tradition. Join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th-century self-contained industrial complex and learn the history of Irish whiskey as you observe the fully operational water wheel and marvel at the 32,000-gallon copper still, the largest in the world.
After the history comes the tasting, where you are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland's finest whiskey. Afterwards, visit the craft shop or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre where you can lose yourself in the charm of another age.
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This walking tour of Cork is designed to introduce you to Ireland's second city through a variety of its neighborhoods and monuments. A 45-minute drive from the pier brings you to the South Mall, lined with businesses housed in buildings that were once boathouses along the River Lee. Across Parnell Bridge, your guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll along the quays of the south shore, where you will encounter a variety of architectural styles—the classical lines of Cork's elegant limestone City Hall, the modern design of the College of Commerce, and the Gothic façade of Holy Trinity Church. Pause for a moment to admire the graceful arch of Parliament Bridge before continuing on to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Designed and built by William Burgess in 1879, this Gothic Revival church is renowned for the exuberant style of its ornamentation, particularly the ornately decorated interior.
After your visit to the interior of Saint Fin Barre's, resume your exploration of Cork on the north side of river, where you enter the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfares of the city. Along North Main and Castle Streets you are in a very cosmopolitan part of the city, full of pedestrian lanes, cafes, bookshops, and antique stores and surrounded by the people of Cork, gregariously going about their business. It is in this part of the city that you will find the famous English Market, a veritable festival of meats, fruits and vegetables, fish, cheeses from Italy, France, and Ireland, fresh breads, and more. Take some time to browse the many stalls and do a bit of shopping before returning to the ship.
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From the small port of Holyhead your motorcoach transports you on a scenic drive across the Isle of Anglesey, over the Menai Strait to the mainland of North Wales, and along the coast to the village of Conwy, home to the world-class Bodnant Garden.
Nestled in the Snowdonian foothills, Bodnant Garden was established in 1874 by scientist, businessman, and politician Henry Pochin, whose vision it was to create here in Wales a garden that would showcase plants from around the world. He and his descendants began the work of collecting and made Bodnant home to the earliest laburnum arch in Britain, to the earliest Chinese magnolias in the country, and to unique rhododendron hybrids.
In 1949 the Garden was gifted to the National Trust, who now maintain it and carry on its traditions. Bodnant is home to exotic plants like the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas and the Fire Bush of the Andes, as well as boasting Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees. During your visit, the flowers of spring — daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons —should still be in bloom, while the rose beds, lily ponds, herbaceous plantings and wildflower meadows of summer will be beginning to make their presence known.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
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This full day of activity is designed to introduce you to three central aspects of Welsh culture—its language, its mining and industrial past, and its architectural history. The experience begins even before you disembark, with a lecture from a native Welsh speaker and linguist on the history of the Welsh language and on the importance of continuing to teach it to children in Welsh schools.
Once aboard your motorcoach, you will travel onto the mainland of North Wales, where your first stop will be at the National Slate Museum on the shores of Llyn Padarn at the edge of Snowdonia National Park. Here you will learn about the Welsh slate industry's crucial contributions to the Industrial Revolution in Britain and at the same time gain insight into the arduous lives of the Victorian quarrymen who worked the mines to make it possible.
Pause in the town of Caernarfon for lunch before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle, designed by Edward I to drive home the message that Wales, after his conquest of the Principality, was subject to English rule. This point was underscored in 1284, when Edward made certain that his son was born in the castle and declared Prince of Wales. The current heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, was crowned here in 1969.
Leaving Caernarfon and the mainland, you return to the isle of Anglesey, where your final visit of the day is at Plas Newydd ("new mansion"), the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey. Feel free to wander through this elegant country house at your leisure and discover many treasures and fascinating artifacts, including a number of paintings by Rex Whistler and the world's first articulated wooden leg, made for the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who was wounded at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
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Belfast is an elegant city boasting a rich and varied past. But Northern Ireland's largest city was built primarily in the modern period. This excursion focuses on the legacy of the 19th-century industrialists whose wealth is responsible for most of the monuments that grace the present.
Your tour begins with a drive past a host of popular sights — the stately Grand Opera House and Albert Memorial Clock Tower among them — before stopping at Queens University, founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. Here you will have an opportunity to walk the college grounds and enjoy a stroll through Belfast's celebrated Botanic Gardens, home to Palm House, a magnificent cast iron and glass structure enclosing a rainforest that was built before the similar structure of the same name in London's Kew Gardens.
Drive past Belfast City Hall, whose 300ft-long façade of Portland stone dominates Donegall Square, site of a statue of Queen Victoria and of the Titanic Memorial, before your final stop at one of Belfast's newest attractions, Titanic Belfast.
A monument to the city's maritime heritage on the site of the shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built, Titanic Belfast opened in 2012. This state-of-the-art experiential museum tells the stories of the men and women who labored at the Harland & Wolff yard to build what was the largest ship afloat at the time, and also tells the stories of the passengers and crew who were aboard on April 15, 1912. Using a variety of materials and media, including CGI, film and video, audio, archival materials, and scale models, the oft-told story of the Titanic is brought to life in a new and fascinating way, as Belfast remembers this important part of its legacy.
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This excursion offers the chance to experience firsthand the festive spirit of Irish hospitality as it has been shared through the ages.
Begin with a guided walking tour of Belfast center, where you will learn something of the history of this elegant Victorian city as you discover iconic buildings and monuments, including the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, erected in memory of Queen Victoria's beloved husband; Ulster Hall, an imposing 19th-century music hall now used for concerts and recitals of all kinds; and the emblematic Belfast City Hall, whose magnificent 300-foot-long façade of Portland stone makes it impossible to mistake.
But the highlight of your tour is certain to be your stop in a local pub, where you will spend time in the company of world champion Irish dancers and musicians. Enjoy a pint as you are entertained with dancing, stories, songs and music played on harp, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar, flute, fiddle, concertina, and whistles. You may even try your hand at sean-nós and céilí dancing as your entertainers sing and play melodies and street songs that would have been heard in the ship-yards, mills, and markets of old.
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From the port of Belfast drive along the Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoiled scenery is to be found here. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, this is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Stop briefly at Dunluce Castle for the spectacular views from this 14th-century outpost at the edge of a magnificent cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean before you continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway. A new Visitor Center, opened in 2012, provides information you can use to decide for yourself between competing theories of how the causeway came to be. One view is that the 40,000 basalt stones that form the causeway were deposited here as the result of a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago. Another story is that during the age of giants, the local giant, Finn McCool, tore up pieces of the coast and threw them into the sea in order to protect Ireland from other giants across the sea in Scotland.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the unique rock formations that have stood for millions of years as a natural rampart against the ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire. Your imagination will travel along these giant stepping-stones that lead either to the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the realm of myth and legend.
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Disembark on the mystical Isle of Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement in Scotland, dating from 563, the year that St. Columba landed in this remote place. It enjoys a reputation as a seat of spiritual power and bears the distinction of harboring in its "Graves of the Kings" some 60 Scottish monarchs, including Macbeth and his victim Duncan. A guided walking tour includes a visit to the 13th-century Abbey, which is open all the year round to welcome pilgrims from every corner of the globe to this holy site.
After visiting the abbey, board a local ferry to the Isle of Mull. Disembark in Fionnphort, and travel across the island, taking in stunning scenery enroute to a local hotel where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch before continuing to Duart Castle. Perched on a rocky promontory jutting into the Sound of Mull, the castle is the ancestral home of Clan Maclean. Fully refurbished in 1911, it is a fascinating place, full of stories about the clan, their rivalries, and the role they have played in Scottish history. You can see the dungeons where Spanish prisoners were kept after the Macleans sank their galleon as it retreated from the defeat of the Armada in 1588. And those prepared to climb the ancient, worn steps, can take the turnpike stairs to the top of the 13th-century keep and the battlements, with views as far as Ben Nevis in the north and Jura in the south.
After touring the castle, transfer to Tobermory. Enjoy a brief stroll along the waterfront of this bustling fishing village before rejoining your ship, which has sailed during the day to meet you here.
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The Scottish Highlands encompass some of the most romantic and storied landscapes in the world. Famous for their rugged beauty, they are also home to a vigorous Gaelic pride and the site of many battles in the struggle for autonomy from England. This program provides an introduction to all of these aspects of Highland culture, as well as a tasting of local whisky, without which any visit to the region is incomplete.
Day 1 – Disembark | Glasgow, Scotland | Inverness
After breakfast aboard and disembarkation, board your motorcoach for a leisurely journey to Inverness. Begin with a panoramic tour of Glasgow, including Georgian Blythswood Square, the impressive façade of the University of Glasgow, the quiet residential area of Hyndland—home to several noted authors, poets and actors—and the Riverside Museum, where you can see ships plying their trade on the river Clyde as they have done for millennia.
Leave Glasgow and drive northwards through the beautiful scenery of Trossachs National Park to Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain, where your guide will regale you with stories of Rob Roy, the 17th-century Scottish outlaw made famous by Sir Walter Scott. Continue to picturesque Glencoe, situated in a steep-sided valley known for its waterfalls and impressive mountain peaks, where you pause for lunch, before visiting the award-winning Glencoe visitor center to learn more about the history and geology of this region.
As you continue northward through the wonderfully scenic Great Glen, you pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and stop briefly at the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces whose training depot the memorial overlooks. Follow the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th-century to connect Scotland's east and west coasts, pausing at the small town of Fort Augustus, on the southern tip of Loch Ness, before continuing along the shores of this legendary home of the Loch Ness Monster to Inverness.
On arrival in Inverness, check-in to the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel, your home for the next two nights. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.
Day 2 – Inverness
After breakfast at the hotel, a short drive across the Moray Firth and through the countryside brings you to the Glen Ord Distillery, where the famous Singleton single malt whisky is made. A guided tour of the facility and a nosing and tasting led by an experienced whisky sommelier is followed by time to explore the distillery's exhibition area or browse their gift shop.
Returning to Inverness, enjoy a guided walking tour of this 'capital of the Highlands'. Explore Inverness Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, and stroll along the River Ness toward the city center, for splendid views of Inverness Castle. Your guide will explain the legend of the encounter between a saint and a water monster that continues to attract visitors to the region, and as you walk up Church Street, lined with many grand buildings, you will also learn about the Jacobite uprising and its end in 1746 at the battle of nearby Culloden Moor.
Reaching the top of Castle Hill, you will enjoy a brilliant view of the River Ness and hear the history of the castle, of Mary Queen of Scot’s visit to Inverness, and of Flora MacDonald, the Highland heroine who saved the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie by disguising him as a maid.
Your walking tour ends at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where you can discover more of the fascinating history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands as you browse the museum's exhibits celebrating Highland life. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.
Day 3 – Inverness | Homeward
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.
Your hotel:
The Inverness Palace Hotel is Inverness’s newest 4-star hotel, combining the best of the past with the contemporary style of the present. The building was designed by Ross & MacBeth and opened in 1890. It is a Baronial-style three-story building, with two conical-roofed towers, connected by an arch. Each room is individually styled, combining traditional period features with the comfort of modern living. Elegant modern fabrics and sophisticated finishes decorate the rooms, which feature grand high ceilings and large windows offering fabulous views. There is a Spa and Wellness Center on the property, as well as two restaurants.
Your program includes:
Your program does not include:
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Hotel contact information:
Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa
8 Ness Walk
Inverness
IV3 5NG
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44.1463.222.3243
Gesamtpreis inkl. Steuern- und Gebühren : 900 €