essential cruise - Grand British Isles Discovery

Day 1 London Tilbury At London Tilbury Port, embark Columbus (3T) in preparation for late afternoon sailing. Day 2 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Charming and quirky, the aesthetically pleasing Dutch capital offers a thrilling metropolitan buzz dressed in a 17th century Golden Age façade. Gabled houses, quiet canals and pretty brick bridges run wistfully through the city. Spend the day wandering the cobbled streets by foot or bicycle. Visit the world’s only floating flower market to see the famed Dutch tulips at Bloemenmarkt, visit the 17th century Royal Palace on Dam Square, still used for Royal events to this day; or soak up some culture at the famous Rijksmuseum, house of Anne Frank, or the Van Gogh Museum. Day 3 At sea Day 4 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands Take a step back in time as we dock at the Royal Burgh Kirkwall; one of the best examples of an ancient Norse Town, boasting buildings that can be traced back 6,000 years. The stunning St Magnus is the town’s crowning glory and is known as one of Scotland’s most interesting cathedrals. The intriguing Earl’s and Bishop’s Palace are also worth a ramble. Meanwhile, modern day Orkney offers an atmospheric centre with twisting wynds (lanes) to explore. Day 5 Portree, Isle of Skye The capital city of Portree offers an assortment of simple pleasures in keeping with the slower island pace. As we dock, you’ll notice the picture-perfect harbour decorated with pastel painted houses - a nod to the fishing capital of old. The soaring peaks of the Cuillin range dominate the town’s skyline, while the landscape encompassing the town is scattered with iconic castles, small lochs and streams. Just outside Portree, the Skye Heritage Centre and Aros Experience bring the history of the island to life and give a real insight into the lives the Highland communities. Ship to shore tender service. Day 6 Tobermory, Isle of Mull Scotland’s answer to Portofino, Tobermory is a picture of bobbing yachts, rainbow-painted buildings, and clear waters in the harbour; plus an abundance of cultural, historical and wildlife attractions. With a diverse mix of mountains and moorlands, sea cliffs and sandy beaches, there’s plenty to keep you occupied on this sleepy island. Ship to shore tender service. Day 7 Belfast A colourful mix of art, history, music and food makes Northern Ireland’s capital a thriving and fashionable destination for quick trips and more. Belfast’s once thriving shipbuilding industry features highly. Visit the Titanic Belfast, an exhibition of the city’s golden era in shipbuilding and in particular the tragic story of the RMS Titanic ship constructed by the Belfast shipbuilders Harland and Wolff. Walk the cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter; visit the striking historic murals; explore the famous St George’s Market; or, outside the city, the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site not to be missed. Day 8 Dublin, Ireland With its cobbled streets and classic pubs, Dublin is undoubtedly a city of unforgettable character. Bursting with heritage, history and legendary literature, must-sees in the city include Grafton Street and around Trinity College, Dublin Castle, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Dublin City Gallery. Take a stroll around the beautiful St Stephen’s Green, and then take in one of Dublin’s most famous landmarks - the high-arched Ha’penny Bridge. Day 9 Cobh Cobh was the last glimpse of Ireland for the tens of thousands, who fled the country for America durin g the Famine, and it’s known as the last point of call for RMS Titanic; a sobering museum is now positioned at the departure point. Despite its harrowing history, modern day Cobh is an attractive waterfront town that doubles as one of the largest harbours in the world. Wander past the brightly-coloured waterfront houses and up to the imposing St Coleman’s Cathedral, or take an optional excursion out to Ireland’s legendary Blarney Castle. Day 10 St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly The largest, and arguably the prettiest of the inhabited Scilly Islands, St Mary’s boasts secret coves of white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, while the pretty harbour ‘capital’ of the Scillies, Hugh Town, offers a warm and friendly welcome. Although just 28 miles from the coast of Cornwall, life trickles by at its own island pace, giving you plenty of time to explore some of the areas must-see gems. Rushy and Great Bay are some of the best beaches, while Tesco Abbey Garden is a subtropical estate home to more than 20,000 exotic species of plant. Ship to shore tender service. Day 11 St Peter Port, Guernsey St Peter Port has been the bustling epicentre of Guernsey since Roman times, and it has the heritage to prove it. For over 800 years, Castle Cornet has played guard over the port and host five museums to explore. In the spring and summer, the Candie Gardens are a real highlight with a tearoom overlooking the town. The attractive Anglo-French town centre is decorated with cobbled streets, distinctive steep stairways and winding picturesque alleys, where you can indulge in some tax-free shopping among the boutique shops. Or outside town, discover sea cliffs and sandy bays. Ship to shore tender service. Day 12 Honfleur, France Recognisable from the artwork of great impressionists such as Claude Monet, the charming maritime town of Honfleur is popular among day-tripping couples and families from Paris. The city’s main draw is the postcard-perfect Vieux Bassin (old dock), which dates back to the 17th century and is nowadays filled with yachts than fishing boats. St Catherine’s Church is famously constructed in the shape of an upside down boat, thanks to the boat builders who designed it. The town has many art galleries and artist’s studios among its cobbled streets. Day 13 London Tilbury Arrive at London Tilbury.