Halifax, Nova Scotia to Southampton

A city that thrives on a diet of music, outdoor events, and ocean-faring history, Nova Scotia's capital - and Atlantic Canada's largest conurbation - oozes salt-licked charm. The star-shaped fortress of Halifax Citadel sits above the city, while down below, Halifax revolves around its bustling harbor. Here, jet-skis skid across the water, and heritage ships jaunt out to scenic offshore islands. Music carries on the waterfront's breeze as summer’s events play out, while a hefty population of pubs and restaurants provides all the space required for sitting back and relaxing. The shorefront boardwalk invites you on a gentle stroll along the waves, wandering back through Halifax's history. The Canadian Museum of Immigration waits at Pier 21 and was the doorway to a country of opportunity for so many - with over a million immigrants taking their first footsteps into Canada here. The pier's wooden boards are dotted with cafes, craft shops, and artist studios. Sail deeper into seafaring heritage at the maritime museum. As the closest city to the sinking of the Titanic, recovered victims were transported to - and many were buried - in Halifax. The story, and items from the doomed vessel, are displayed in the museum's collection. Peggy's Cove lighthouse is nearby, and this immaculate little lighthouse is one of Canada's favorites, watching out stoically over the Atlantic's waves. With rich pickings available from its coastal location, the fruits of the sea are served up in the fryers of Halifax's varied restaurants - try seared scallops and juicy mussels. Round off any meal with a buttery blueberry grunt dessert – delicious when served up warm with a dollop of melting vanilla ice cream.

Home to a unique 18th-century fortress city, visit Louisbourg to be transported back in time, to an immersive recreation of life in an authentic fortified French outpost. Named Louisbourg after the French King Louis XIV - this easterly settlement was favored thanks to its position close to the French colonies, and the expedited route it offered across the waves back to Europe. Set among Cape Breton Island's thrilling, rugged coastal scenery, bask in Louisbourg's glorious seascapes and evocative, centuries-old history. Located close to the most easterly point of Nova Scotia, and overlooking the entrance to the St Lawrence River from the Atlantic, there were few better locations to build such an imposing fortress, as the French and British jostled for these lands. Louisbourg is one of North America’s most impressive and was constructed with 2.5 miles of thick walls around it. While practically impenetrable from the sea, it was undone by a land assault in 1745, and ultimately in 1758 - when it was largely destroyed by the British, swaying the course of Canadian history in the process. Now painstakingly reconstructed, you can enter a time warp to experience life in this unique fortress. Walk streets that echo with the clinking of smithy hammers, and feel the full force of canons shaking the ground as they fire. Be sure to try some oaky local rum too – the vice of choice for Louisbourg’s former residents. Nearby, stroll along the stirring coastline to the tip of the peninsula, which is crowned by Lighthouse Point. A popular spot to enjoy some sandwiches and a sit-down, it’s the site of the first lighthouse to be constructed in Canada, all the way back in 1734. The handheld fog horn can still be wound up to blare out warnings through the gloomy blanket.

Travelers on this Silver Wind voyage are in for a rare treat! The ship will be in a prime position for the total lunar eclipse, taking place between 00.15 and 02.15. Make sure you are out on deck to experience this rare and extraordinary event.
The total lunar eclipse will see the sky gradually darken to totality, as the Earth, sun, and moon align. The scientific term for this is called syzygy (from the Greek word syzgia, which means "yoked together,") and it is pronounced "sizigee". Due to the Earth’s cone-shaped shadow, you cannot tell exactly how long the total lunar eclipse will last, but the educated guess is around two hours. During that time, the moon will go through a series of partial eclipses, allowing guests to fully experience the phenomenon.
In the past, total lunar eclipses have terrified people who have no understanding of them. In fact, Christopher Columbus himself very cleverly used one to his favor in 1504. In an effort to induce the natives of Jamaica to continue provisioning him and his hungry men, he successfully intimidated the natives by correctly predicting a total lunar eclipse for 1 March 1504. Of course, this was trickery as he had an almanac that predicted the date with him. However, his trick worked - when the natives saw the eclipse — on schedule, just as Columbus predicted — they ran from all directions to Columbus' ships with fresh provisions, begging him to pray to his God for protection. Sneaky!

Rising in the heart of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the archipelago of Iles-de-la-Madeleine offers diverse wildlife and sweeping coastal scenery. The somewhat precarious location of these 12 islands, in the middle of the world's most immense estuary, means they have historically been something of a ship graveyard. The craggy red rocks that emerge suddenly from the waves here have gashed the hulls of countless ships in times gone by. A gang of six pretty lighthouses shares the task of warning of the islands' treacherous waters, while simultaneously providing a scenic twinkle amid the copper-colored cliffs and coastal archways. Acadian French accents ring out on the shores and, despite their location, the Iles-de-la-Madeleine form part of Quebec's province. Historically cut off by thick ice, they have developed a distinct culture and character of their own. The 55 mile-long stretch of Route 199 provides the backbone of the island, tying the seven inhabited landforms together, along with a chain of undulating sand dunes. Each of the islands has its own character and profile to explore – offering everything from windswept beaches to sheltered lagoons and rolling emerald hills. Whales cruise through the deep waters offshore, and you can sail up close and personal to the marine mammals, as well as the seals who are occasionally spotted lounging around on floating chunks of ice. Port du Millerand's flotilla of fishing boats reaps the rewards of the location, bringing home vast hauls so local restaurants can serve up the freshest lobster, mussels, and crab. With bird watching, coastal golf courses, water sports, and diving opportunities among the many recreations on offer here - this clutch of estuary islands have something for everyone.

Acclaimed for its unearthly landscape, Woody Point is probably as close to Mars as you will ever get in this lifetime. Situated on the west coast of the island, the Tablelands behind Woody Point in the Gros Morne National Park is composed of peridotite — like much of the surface of Mars — and NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, plus others are studying this unique landform searching for insights into possible bacterial life on the red planet. The story of the Tablelands earned Gros Morne its World Heritage Site status from UNESCO in 2010, and the area remains a geological wonder, showcasing a time when the continents of Africa and North America collided. When the plates struck 485 million years ago, the peridotite was pushed to the surface and remained above sea level. The rock lacks the nutrients to sustain plant life, thus giving the Tablelands a barren, isolated appearance. As the name suggests, the flat-topped mountains dwarf the tiny village (population 281!), yet Woody Point has retained its character and the historic houses and buildings dating from 1870 have been beautifully maintained.

L’Anse aux Meadows is a National Historic Site in Newfoundland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Found at the very northern end of the Great Northern Peninsula, the area shows archaeological evidence of eight timber-framed turf structures, a complete Norse settlement established more than 1,000 years ago similar to those found in Greenland and Iceland. It still is the only authenticated Norse site in North America and indicates the first European presence in the New World. The original site has been reburied after excavations to ensure protection from deterioration. Replicas of Norse houses, a workshop, a boat shed and an old Norse ship have been set up at Norstead a few hundred meters northeast of the original site.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring the shoreside.

There is a wonderful legend that the Vikings named Greenland Green and Iceland Ice in order to confuse potential attackers. Because it is quite the opposite; if Iceland is full of emerald forest, then expect ice in Greenland. Lots and lots of ice. Thus one shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that the name Nanortalik means “place of polar bears”. Although, as Nanortalik is Greenland’s most southerly town, don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see any. In truth, Greenland’s polar bears typically live much further north. What you will see however is Mother Nature at her finest. Vertical cliff walls, sheets of floating sea ice and a plethora of Arctic wildlife that amount to an adventurer’s wonderland. As Nanortalik itself is located on a small island in the southern tip of Greenland, nature is never far away, wherever you find yourself. The optimistically named city centre is surrounded by the pristine waters of Tasermiut Fjord and dotted with the colourful houses you would expect this far north. Traditionally, artisans’ houses were painted in different colours to showcase what they did, i.e. commercial houses were red; hospitals were yellow; police stations were black; the telephone company was green and fish factories were blue. Today it is more a case of anything goes! Nanortalik locals are warm and welcoming and are known to extend the art of Kaffe-Mik to its visitors. This old tradition is where a family invites guests into their home to drink coffee and taste their famous Greenlandic cake.

Greenfields, farms, and sheep are not the first things people usually think of as typically Greenlandic, but in Qassiarsuk, agriculture has been the way of life for over a thousand years. Qassiarsuk is one of several settlements in Southern Greenland which subsist by sheep farming since the 1960s, and the rolling meadows could easily evoke Scotland or Norway, if not for the icebergs drifting past. Qassiarsuk lies in the heart of Norse Greenland, home of one of the most famous Norsemen of all, Eric the Red, who founded the colony in Southern Greenland around 985. Eric was fiercely pagan, but his wife Thjodhild was a devout Christian. The Sagas say that she demanded her husband build her a church; Eric refused, but Thjodhild refused to share his bed until he relented, unwittingly constructing the first church in North America, on the condition that it be out of view of his hall. Today, Eric's house and Thjodhilds church are outlined in the turf of the modern town, but extensive archaeological investigations have shown a once-thriving community centered around the church. Today, one can visit faithful reconstructions of Eric's hall and Thjodhild's church, and gain a stunning view over the fjord from the bronze statue of their son Leif Ericson (the first European to visit the North American Mainland), as well as enjoy the hospitality of the locals, who are proud of their idyllic town and its epic history. Several sites in Norse Greenland including Brattahlíð are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Three kilometers off Yukon’s north coast, only Workboat Passage separates Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk from Ivvavik National Park. The low-lying treeless island of 116 k2 was Yukon’s first territorial park. Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk has been declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1972, was classified as a Nature Preserve in 1987, designated a Natural Environment Park in 2002, and as an example of the technologies and techniques used for living and construction over the past several millennia. It is now also on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list! Itilleq is an important area for Ice Age fossils. Normally snow-covered during winter, the island shows abundant and diverse wildlife, with many migratory birds, including the largest colony of Black Guillemots in the Western Arctic, caribou, muskox, polar bear, and brown bear on land and bowhead and beluga whales, ringed and bearded seals, and occasionally walrus in its surrounding waters. The Inuvialuit community has used the area for hundreds of years. When Franklin arrived in 1826 he saw three of their camps. Remains of their old dwellings are still visible near Simpson Point. This is wherein the late 1800s, American whalers established a now-abandoned station. At the height of the Beaufort Sea whale hunting period, there were 1,500 residents. Several of the historic buildings by whalers and later missionaries, traders, and the RCMP are still standing – although some had to be moved further inland to escape the rising sea level.

The largest town in southern Greenland, Qaqortoq has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Upon arrival in this charming southern Greenland enclave, it's easy to see why. Qaqortoq rises quite steeply over the fjord system around the city, offering breath-taking panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains, deep, blue sea, Lake Tasersuag, icebergs in the bay, and pastoral backcountry. Although the earliest signs of ancient civilization in Qaqortoq date back 4,300 years, Qaqortoq is known to have been inhabited by Norse and Inuit settlers in the 10th and 12th centuries, and the present-day town was founded in 1774. In the years since, Qaqortoq has evolved into a seaport and trading hub for fish and shrimp processing, tanning, fur production, and ship maintenance and repair.

18 kilometers northeast of Qaqortoq, Hvalsey is part of Qaqortukulooq, one of the five sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Arctic farming complex Kujataa. Between Eriksfjord to the north and Einarsfjord to the south, the Hvalseyfjord branches off from Einarsfjord. Although Hvalsey is better known for the well-preserved ruins of one of the sixteen churches in the Norse’s Eastern Settlement, the church was in a farmstead known as Thjodhild’s Stead. This farmstead at the northeastern end of the fjord included a large building with living quarters, a hall and livestock pens, as well as other livestock pens, a storage building, and a warehouse –the ruins of which can still be seen. Norse farming laid the foundation for Inuit farming in later centuries, leading to the UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017. In the 14th century account “Descriptions of Greenland” the abundant fish, a reindeer farm on Reindeer Island, and Hvalsey’s name “Whale Island” clearly indicate that the Norse had ample food sources at that time. The church was built in the Anglo-Norwegian style of the 13th century but is known to have been built over an older graveyard. The farmstead is mentioned in the Icelandic “Book of Settlements” as property of the Kings of Norway, and the last documented event of the Norse in Greenland is a wedding that took place in the church in September 1408. After almost 600 years of abandonment, conservation work had to be done to prevent the seaward wall from collapsing.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring the shoreside.

Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of seas birds call these craggy cliffs home, clinging to the sheer faces as if by magic. Not only is St. Kilda home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin (almost 1 million), but also the world's largest colony Gannets nests on Boreray island and its sea stacks. The islands also home decedents of the world’s original Soay sheep as well as having a breed of eponymously named mice. The extremely rare St. Kilda wren unsurprisingly hails from St. Kilda, so birders should visit with notebooks, binoculars, and camera to hand. While endemic animal species are rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been peopled since 1930 after the last inhabitants voted that human life was unsustainable. However, permanent habitation had been possible in the Medieval Ages, and a vast National Trust for Scotland project to restore the dwellings is currently being undertaken. The islands even enjoyed status as being an ideal holiday destination in the 19th century. Today, the only humans living on the islands are passionate history, science, and conservation scholars. One of the caretakers even acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda. It should be noted that St. Kilda is the UK's only (and just one of 39 in the world) dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance.

Flanked by the UK’s tallest mountain on one side and Loch Linnae on the other, Fort William – or “Bill” to the locals – is what you imagine when it comes to Scottish Highland towns. Verdant moors stretch as far as the eye can see, pastel-painted houses in front of the water and it is not unusual to see pipers in kilts on street corners. But while Fort William may play to certain critics’ idea of a cliché, the pretty town goes far beyond tartan cushions and wee drams of Scotch (although there is a fair amount of this too!). Fort William has everything you could possibly want while in the Highlands. The High Street has plenty to keep you occupied with its good range of shops, cafes and restaurants - a lunch of locally caught seafood or the iconic haggis, neeps and tatties is a must. Because of its privileged location sitting in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis (standing a proud 1,345 meters high) outdoor enthusiasts are especially well catered for. Unsurprisingly so, as Fort William is considered the UK’s outdoor capital. But it’s not all high adrenaline sports. Certainly, those who want to climb up a rock or hurtle down white water rapids will find their nirvana, but if gentle fishing, a quiet county walk, or curling up in cozy pubs warmed by an open fire are more your glass of whiskey than you’re catered for. The West Highland Museum in the center of the town is excellent, while St Andrew's Church, towards the north end of the main street, has a very attractive interior. Also well worth a look is St Mary's Catholic Church, on Belford Road, and no visit should be considered complete without a look at the Old Fort, almost invisible to passing traffic. Add a wildlife cruise amid stunning scenery and the steam train that took Harry to Hogwarts and you can easily spend a day in this lovely port.

The stunning Isle of Lunga is the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago. With volcanic origin, the isle was populated until the 19th Century, and remains of black houses can be seen around this magnificent coastal jewel. Abundant plant life and exotic birdlife are now the main inhabitants of the area. Fortunate visitors view the magnificent array of birds, especially the great puffins that breed on the plateau of the island. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. The 81-hectare island is home to many rare and endangered plants such as primroses and orchids. Views over the landscape and across the ocean can be seen from the 300 foot high cliffs.

If tiny islands that resonate with peace and tranquillity are your idea of travel heaven, then welcome to Iona. Almost 200 miles east of Edinburgh, set in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this magical island has a spiritual reputation that precedes it. And luckily, more than lives up to. The island is minuscule. Just three miles long and only one and a half miles wide, this is not a place that hums with urban attractions. 120 people call Iona home (this number rises significantly if the gull, tern, and Kittiwake population is added), although residential numbers do go up (to a whopping 175) in summer. The beautiful coastline is lapped by the gulf stream and gives the island a warm climate with sandy beaches that look more Mediterranean than Scottish! Add to that a greenfield landscape that is just beautiful, and you’ll find that Iona is a place that stays with you long after you leave. Iona’s main attraction is of course its abbey. Built-in 563 by Saint Columbia and his monks, the abbey is the reason why Iona is called the cradle of Christianity. Not only is the abbey (today an ecumenical church) one of the best – if not the best – example of ecclesiastical architecture dating from the Middle Ages, but it also serves as an important site of spiritual pilgrimage. St. Martin’s Cross, a 9th-century Celtic cross that stands outside the abbey, is considered the finest example of Celtic crosses in the British Isles. Rèilig Odhrain, or the cemetery, allegedly contains the remains of many Scottish kings.

The Isle of Man sits in the middle, but a world apart, from the UK. It is in the Irish sea almost equidistant from Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. But it is not part of any of them. It is a self-governing British crown dependency. The island’s cultural heritage is Gaelic with influences from the Norse and surrounding lands. This background has produced an island with its own traditions. Everything associated with the Isle of Man is Manx. The people are Manx and the language is Manx.

Port St Mary is a quiet former trading and fishing port at the southern end of the Isle which provides access to the rural countryside and nearby towns. One route leads past historic thatched cottages in the crofter's hamlet of Gregneash, and on to The Sound. Walking routes cross the narrow Mull Peninsula through scenery and history to Port Erin, a quaint old coastal settlement and shoreline set amongst a rugged coastline. In tune with the yesteryear feel of the island, a steam train still operates on the island, taking visitors to destinations like Castle Rushen, built-in 1200, and once the home of a Norse king.

Manx people are proud of their Manx cats, famous for having no or little tail, the result of a genetic mutation passed down the generations. Manx Loaghtan sheep are another animal that evolved on the Isle. These sheep have two (sometimes three) pairs of remarkable horns. And the island is not just an isle of men – the name ‘Isle of Man’ evolved from ‘Manannán’, the Celtic god of the sea.

For many visitors, Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channeling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximized Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So suffice to say, that Southampton is a seafaring place. Today Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in a variety of ways: a castellated old city that has lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum), and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains to provide a fascinating insight into 15th-century living while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot. Culture-wise, the city’s bustling Guildhall Square is the center for art, education, and food and drink. Southampton’s location on the south coast of England means just a short distance away lie some interesting spots. Pre-historic enigma Stonehenge is less than an hour away while the quintessentially English market town Salisbury is perfect for a bit of shopping. Both are well worth a visit. For those who prefer their entertainment crafted by Mother Nature, a short ride to the New Forest will give you peace; think idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland, and cliff top walks.