Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Dublin and transfer to the Sea Cloud II. Settle in to your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.
Day 2: Cobh
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The small, typically Irish town of Cobh, dominated by the sea and its harbour, is situated on an island in the wide Cork Harbour, one of the world's largest natural harbours. Several ferry routes and a bridge connect it to the mainland. Overlooked by the neo-Gothic St. Colman Cathedral with its impressive bells, a picturesque mass of colourful houses cram the steep slope leading up from the harbour. The Cobh Heritage Centre commemorates the period of 1849 to 1920 when the town, known back then as Queenstown, was the main port for Irish emigrants. The city of Cork is about nine miles from Cobh in County Cork in south western Ireland, an area dominated by the Gulf Stream. It is nestled among the hills of the valley formed by the River Lee in a prominent position on a river island. Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, a regional economic capital and was European Capital of Culture in 2005.
Day 3: Tresco
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Off the south west coast of Cornwall, some 150 small islands and islets emerge from the sea. The privately-owned Tresco is the second largest of the five inhabited British Scilly Isles and has a reputation as an 'island in bloom' thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate. The subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens, set up in the 19th century by Augustus Smith on the lands of an old Benedictine Abbey, are home to exotic plants from many regions of the world. This small Garden of Eden is set in a natural paradise with subterranean caverns, sheer granite cliffs, idyllic white sandy beaches, emerald water and spectacular violet-red sunsets.
Day 4: Dartmouth
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The old harbour town of Dartmouth in the southern English county of Devon is set in forested hills on the west bank of the Channel estuary. Since the 15th century, Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle, which faces it, have guarded the entry to the town. Little has changed since 1539 in the cobbled Bayard's Cove with its small fort on the old harbour. Sailing boats and yachts now roll gently where great ships once set sail for new shores. Charming old houses line the narrow streets leading from the promenade up the steep slope with its numerous steps. Located in a dominant position above the town, the Britannia Royal Naval College bears testament to the historic significance of seafaring and the navy.
Day 5: St. Peter Port/Guernsey
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
'A piece of France fallen into the sea and grabbed up by the English' is how Victor Hugo described his place of exile in the Bay of St. Malo, which is closer to the northern coast of France than the south coast of England. Guernsey, the second largest British Channel Island, later inspired Auguste Renoir to produce a whole series of paintings. Narrow, meandering roads bordered by hedges and embankments wind through the interior of the island, which boasts luscious vegetation courtesy of the mild Gulf Stream climate, while in the south, green hills give way to rocky cliffs on the sea's edge. Here, spectacular crags, bays and sandy beaches have been shaped by the vast tidal range pummelling the rock. The pretty island capital of St. Peter Port overlooking the large sheltered harbour and castle boasts a fascinating mixture of styles in a tangle of terraces and stepped gardens.
Day 6: Brest
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Thanks to its sheltered position in the Bay of Brest, an exquisitely beautiful Atlantic inlet which extends deep inland, the Cité du Ponant has been an important naval port and base for the French Atlantic fleet for centuries. Almost entirely destroyed during the war and rebuilt from scratch, this modern university city now looks resolutely to the future and to its close ties with the navy and the sea. Maritime activities can be best observed from the promenade above the busy port or on the lively quayside itself. A new marina is being built beneath the castle which houses the national naval museum. The Océanopolis sea life centre in the Moulin Blanc marina boasts some huge aquariums and provides the latest scientific information in multimedia format on tides, weather and sea life.
Day 7: Le Palais/Belle-Île-en-Mer
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At 54 square miles, Belle-Île-en-Mer, south of Lorient is the largest of Brittany's islands. For a few weeks every summer, the storms and crashing waves subside and the island takes on a laid-back holiday atmosphere, with lots of bicycles, beach towels and music. On the west coast, the waves break on the rocks causing white crests to dance on the water. Small, idyllic bays and beaches nestle in deep inlets in the rocky coastline, sometimes only accessible from the sea. The island's capital is the port of Le Palais with its imposing citadel and countless street cafés along the harbour and in the Place de la République. Claude Monet spent two and a half months on the island, producing 39 paintings of the wild Côte Sauvage.
Day 8: At Sea
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Day 9: Pauillac
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Pauillac on the Médoc peninsula at the mouth of the Gironde north-west of Bordeaux is one of the oldest marinas in France. Its wide quayside is just under a mile long and takes a prominent position in the peaceful town centre. However, it is Pauillac's location in the middle of one of the best wine-growing areas which has made it famous around the world. The town produces by far the most full-bodied wines in the Médoc and Bordeaux regions. On the outskirts of this town, which has its own 'appellation d'origine contrôlée', are no fewer than 18 of the 61 chateaux included in the list of Grand-Crus in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, as well as three of the five Premier Grand-Cru wine estates: Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild. An excursion to Bordeaux is more than just a visit to an exquisite city with an old town which features on the UNESCO world heritage list. It is a visual and gastronomic treat for gourmets and sightseers alike.
Day 10: At Sea
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Day 11: Bilbao
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Bilbao and disembark after breakfast. Settle in to your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category F
Two portholes, chair, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category E
Two portholes, sofa, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category D
Two portholes, two chairs, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category C
Panorama windows, two chairs, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category B
Panorama window, sofa, table, chair, decorative fireplace, console with TV/DVD and mini-bar, dressing table, walk-in closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category A
Panorama window, sofa, table, chair, desk, decorative fireplace, TV and DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, four closets, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
Notes
Rates are based on double occupancy. A limited number of cabins can be booked for individual use for an additional charge.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
