Ireland & the British Isles

Day 1 London, UK

After checking in to our hotel, explore the city at your leisure. This evening gather for a welcome reception, followed by dinner, staff introductions, and a briefing.

Day 2 London / Plymouth / Embark Clipper Odyssey

After breakfast we depart via train for Plymouth. Enjoy lunch in town before a tour of Plymouth including a visit to an Elizabethan house built in 1631 and the City Museum and Art Gallery. Birders visit Dartmoor National Park, known for its blanket bogs and upland heath. This afternoon we board the Clipper Odysseyand begin our voyage.

Day 3 Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly, 150 or so granitic isles, are known for their lovely beaches, rocky promontories, and ideal climate. Warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, the Isles of Scilly have given their fortunate inhabitants the luxury of turning a passion for growing flowers into a major industry. This morning we board local boats and cruise to Tresco. Here we visit the ruins and exquisite subtropical gardens at the medieval Tresco Abbey.

Day 4 Saltee Islands / Dunmore East / Waterford

This morning we anchor off the privately-owned Saltee Islands, which attract a variety of birds to their craggy masses. On Great Saltee Island we search for puffins, murres, razorbills, gannets, and more of the 47 bird species known to inhabit the island.

Later this morning, the ship docks in the charming fishing village of Dunmore East. A drive to the House of Waterford Crystal allows us to witness the creation of exquisite crystal ware—from blowing to cutting and engraving—and a visit to the local museum provides enlightenment on the history and archaeology of the area. Or, choose to tour the classical gardens of Mount Congreve, a 700-acre estate with a celebrated collection of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Day 5 Cork / Blarney / Kinsale

In the morning enjoy your choice of tours. A visit to the Blarney Stone takes you on a Cork city drive, then through the countryside to Blarney and its 7th-century Cathedral of Saint Finbarr. At legendary Blarney Castle, you may wish to kiss the famed Blarney Stone — reportedly guaranteeing fluency of speech forever.

Or, explore University College Cork, with its splendid Gothic revival-style buildings and the Honan Chapel, which showcases every aspect of the Irish intellectual, arts, and crafts movements of the early 20th-century Celtic revival period. At the Crawford Gallery discover why Cork was named the European Capital of Culture in 2005. And, displaying a fine selection of foodstuffs is Cork’s historic English Market, which is atmospheric in both produce and producers — a feast for the senses.

After lunch aboard, embark on a countryside journey to Kinsale, a picturesque seaside village with a yachting heritage. The dramatic 17th-century Charles Fort presides over the harbor entrance; the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine in WWI within sight of the ramparts. After enjoying the superb views, enjoy a stroll among Kinsale’s many galleries and shops before returning to the ship.

Day 6 Sneem / Killarney / Caherciveen (Ring Of Kerry)

This full-day excursion encompasses some of the world’s finest scenery as you drive east from Sneem to the market town of Kenmare. The circular route then climbs through Moll’s Gap, revealing an idyllic lake and then mountain panoramas. Visit Muckross House in Killarney National Park, a restored 19th-century Elizabethan-style manor house and gardens, where artisans ply their traditional trades and craftwork in the Kerry Folklife Centre. After lunch in nearby Killarney town, have time to explore before continuing along the northern route, through Killorglin with its grand land and seascapes. Pass along the shores of Dingle Bay en route to re-embark the ship in Caherciveen.

Day 7 Skellig Rocks / Great Blasket Island

At dawn approach the remote and precipitous Skellig Rocks, one of Europe’s most impressive seabird colonies. Little Skellig is home to the second largest gannetry in the world — thousands upon thousands greet your arrival. From the ship’s deck you will see nearby Skellig Michael, the craggy site of an important 9th-century early Christian monastic settlement. Seals and seabirds also populate the Blasket Islands, an archipelago off the Dingle Peninsula where you will board Zodiacs for an expedition stop.

Day 8 Dingle Peninsula

Today explore the Dingle Peninsula — Ireland’s most westerly outpost. From Slea Head the views are dramatic over the seacoast and off-lying islands. Continue to Dunquin’s Blasket Center, offering insights into the isolated island communities. Visit the unusual Gallarus Oratory, a very early 9th-century church built in dry-stone, without mortar, to resemble an upturned boat. Enjoy a stroll and explore craft shops in the small fishing town of Dingle before re-boarding the Odyssey.

Day 9 Cliffs Of Moher / Inishmore, Aran Islands

Early risers watch as your ship cruises by the seabird-studded Cliffs of Moher. Arrive at Inishmore, largest of the three Aran Islands, and an outpost of Gaelic culture, where Irish-speaking residents live in traditional stone cottages.

Your morning tour brings you to 5th-century Dún Aengus Fort, a prehistoric stone fort dramatically situated at the edge of 300-foot cliffs. Stop to enjoy a pint in the pub, before reboarding the ship.

Day 10 Donegal

Charming Donegal Town is your destination today and embark on either a full- or half-day tour of the city’s many sights. Both visit Donegal Castle and the remains of a Franciscan monastery that date to the 15th century. After lunch at Donegal Pub the full-day tour continues to Belleek Pottery for a chance to see potters at work and view the delicate, slightly iridescent final product.

Day 11 Portrush, Northern Ireland / Giant’s Causeway

Spend the morning along the North Antrim Coast, witnessing the dramatic landscape of Northern Ireland. Your ship docks at Portrush, from where you will travel overland to the World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway. This three-mile section of coastline is a geological masterpiece — some 40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns of varying heights line the coast and descend like a staircase into the sea. These were formed by the shrinking of basaltic lava that fractured into vertical columns as it cooled. Those who wish may take a hike through the formations from the interpretive center.

In the afternoon tour the Old Bushmills Distillery. Founded in 1608, whiskey is still produced, matured, and bottled on-site. Learn about the long, colorful history of the company — and Irish whiskey — observe the process of distillation, and enjoy a sample of the intoxicating result.

Day 12 Sanda Island, Scotland / Ailsa Craig

Sanda is a privately owned island that hosts a variety of nesting and migratory seabirds. Step ashore to explore with our naturalists and stop for refreshments at the small restaurant. After lunch on board we make an expedition stop on Ailsa Craig, the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano. This uninhabited island is a bird sanctuary that provides a home for puffins and huge numbers of gannets.

Day 13 Greenock / Disembark / Glasgow

After breakfast on board, disembark in Greenock and transfer to the Glasgow airport for your independent flight.