Merlin. St. Patrick. Macbeth. This 9-day British Isles cruise encompasses England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Explore the green rolling hills and stone castles as you sail to historic ports and experience legendary grounds. Enter the Neolithic world of the Standing Stones of Callenish and Stennes, the Ring of Brodgar, and the ruins of Skara Brae. Experience some of the most beautiful flora in the British Isles at the height of their bloom in the cultivated gardens at Tresco Abbey on the Isles of Scilly, the Bodnant Garden on Anglesey, as well as the wildflowers of Skye and Lewis.

Places Visited

England
Europe
Ireland
Scotland
United Kingdom
Wales
Aberdeen
Dublin
Kirkwall
London
Edinburgh
European Union
Fishgard
Holyhead
Isle of Iona
Isle of Lewis
Isle of Skye
Isles of Scilly
Poole
Tresco

Activity Level: Relaxed

Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: London / Poole / Embark

1 Dinner

Arrive in London and transfer to Poole to embark on the Corinthian.

Day 2: Tresco, Isles of Scilly

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

The Isles of Scilly lie off the southwest coast of Cornwall and are believed to have been visited by the ancient Phoenicians. Walk from the port to the Tresco Abbey Gardens for a guided visit. Due to a combination of the region's mild winter climate, the long hours of summer sunshine, and the high walls and hedges around the carding, the Abbey is home to exotic plants from all over the world. Tresco is also known for its wonderful birding opportunities.

Day 3: Fishgard, Wales

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Travel to St. Davids to tour the magnificent cathedral in this village-sized city. Continue to the adjacent Bishop's Palace, once one of three fortified residences of the Bishops of St. Davids.

Day 4: Holyhead / Snowdonia / Caernarvon

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Arrive in Holyhead in the morning, which is separated from mainland Wales by the narrow Menai Strait. Visit the Bodnant Garden, one of the finest in Britain. After a lunch of Welsh specialties, drive along the Vale of Conwy through the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia to Caernarfon Castle, where Price Charles was invested as Price of Wales.

Day 5: Dublin, Ireland

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Dublin, a lively city on the banks of the Liffey River, is famous for its historic sites, handsome Georgian architecture, and friendly locals. View the 13th century Gothic cathedral of St. Patrick and continue on to Dublin Castle to see newly discovered Viking excavations as well as the Chester Beatty Library, which features a fine collection of Oriental art and artifacts. In the afternoon, tour Trinity College and its famed library, which houses the Book of Kells and other national treasures.

Day 6: Isle of Iona, Scotland

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement in Scotland, is lovely and verdant. It enjoys a reputation as a seat of spiritual power. "The Graves of Kings" contains 48 Scottish monarchs, including Macbeth and his victim Duncan. Enjoy a walking tour and a visit to the Abbey.

Day 7: Portree, Isle of Skye

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Call in Portree to explore the castles found on the Isle of Skye. Visit the Eilean Donan Castle, which was initially built in 1214 and was later restored in the 20th century. Also visit Dunvegan Castle, which is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Spend some time at the Museum of the Isles to learn about the 1,500-year history of the island. In the evening, visit the Talisker Distillery and enjoy a tour and Scotch tasting.

Day 8: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

The largest town in the Western Isles, Stornoway is the home to the Standing Stones of Callenish, an arrangement of stones which are reminiscent of a Celtic Cross and built almost 5,000 years ago. Next, visit Carloway Broch, a dry-stone circular fort which was built in the 1st century A.D. and remained in use until the 14th century.

Day 9: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

From Kirkwall, enjoy an excursion to the Heart of Neolithic Orkneym, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Maes Howe, a chambered cairn, the Standing Stones of Stennes, the hence and stone circle of the Ring of Brodgar, and the ruins of a Neolithic village at Skara Brae. Return to Kirkwall for a tour of the medieval St. Magnus Cathedral, the most northerly cathedral in the British Isles.

Day 10: Aberdeen / Balmoral / Crathes Castle

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

From Aberdeen, enjoy an excursion to Balmoral, the Scottish home of the British Royal Family since it was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848. The estate extends over 50,000 acres of heather-clad hills and ancient woodlands. In the afternoon, continue to Crathes Castle, which is known for its Scottish renaissance painted ceilings and an exceptional walled garden which encompasses nearly four acres.

Day 11: Leigh / Disembark / Edinburgh

1 Breakfast

In the morning, disembark the ship in Leigh and transfer to Edinburgh for your continued flights.

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Included

10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!

Meyer Smolen

Voyage to Green and Gentle Lands