Coastal Beauty of Britain & Ireland

Portland is a ruggedly beautiful island connected to the mainland by the renowned Chesil Beach and is known for its striking cliffs and wild landscapes. Forming part of the Jurassic Coast, the island is rich in history, with important landmarks like Portland Castle and the distinctive red and white tower of Portland Bill Lighthouse. Close by is the famous limestone arch of Durdle Door, which you will have the opportunity to admire on a coastal tour from your smaller sized ship. Whilst here, you can take the opportunity to sample the famous Dorset knob, beautifully paired with Blue Vinny cheese or local honey, or Dorset Apple Cake, deliciously sweet with a hint of cinnamon.

The largest of the Isles of Scilly, St. Mary’s is a peaceful gem off the coast of Cornwall, known for its warmth and beauty. The island is a charming blend of picturesque beaches, rolling hills, and rugged coastal paths, perfect for peaceful walks and sea views, and the tiny capital of Hugh Town has narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés, ripe for browsing or sampling locally caught seafood. Close by is Star Castle standing as a reminder of its centuries past, while, due to the island’s subtropical climate, you’ll have the chance to discover the lush Tresco Gardens, home to 2,000 exotic plant species, or go in search of the abundant wildlife, from playful seals to a variety of birds.

Each of the Blasket Islands, situated off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, are quite remarkable. Inishtooskert, Blasket’s northernmost land, is exposed to the ever-changing currents of the Atlantic Ocean, and its coastline is a mix of beaches and coves carved into the rock, overlooked by dramatic cliffs, jagged peaks and rolling landscapes that seem to flow into the waters below. There’s abundant bird and sea life here, including dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Galway in summer makes for a joyous exploration of its cobbled streets, lined with colourful shop fronts and vibrant pubs that will often have live music playing at any time of the week. Referred to as ‘Ireland’s cultural heart’, the city thrives as a centre for culture and the arts with its university and many summer festivals. During your visit, you can immerse yourself in Galway’s history with a knowledgeable guide who will captivate you with stories of the city’s past and present. Close by, the ruggedly vertical Cliffs of Moher offer spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay.

Killybegs promises a captivating blend of maritime history, nature, and exploration, and during June, you could enjoy a boat trip from the local harbour to discover the region’s rugged coastline or try your hand at sea fishing. The area surrounding Killybegs is renowned for its numerous hiking trails offering scenic views of Lough Eske, the Blue Stack Mountains, or the Slieve League cliffs, which are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. On your return, you can experience warm Irish hospitality by sampling freshly caught seafood, including succulent prawns and the famed Donegal oysters, while listening to traditional Irish music in a local pub with a pint of the iconic ‘Black Stuff’, Guinness.

Slieve League Cliffs are one of the Wild Atlantic Way's greatest secrets. Located in County Donegal, Ireland, the cliffs are among the highest in Europe and offer remarkable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Considered to be a site of great pilgrimage, the cliffs are home to ancient stone remnants scattered around the hillsides, thought to be from a time before Christianity arrived in Ireland, and also contain the ruins of a chapel from an early Christian monastic site.

A vibrant city with a rich history and blend of traditional and modern culture, Belfast offers you the chance to not only explore its strong maritime links with the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was built, before she set sail on her ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton on 10 th April 1912, but also as gateway to the impressive rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway, discovering its links to the mythological giant, Finn McCool. You can stroll through the city’s streets, alive with music and traditional Irish pubs, admire the urban street art, or visit the Titanic Distillery and learn of its whiskey tradition and why it disappeared, before sampling a few Irish spirits at Belfast’s first working distillery in 90 years.