Crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Great Britain, the first view of England is the milky-white strip of land called the White Cliffs of Dover. As you get closer, the coastline unfolds before you in all its striking beauty. White chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint rise straight from the sea to a height of 350’ (110 m).
 Numerous archaeological finds reveal people were present in the area during the Stone Age. Yet the first record of Dover is from Romans, who valued its close proximity to the mainland. A mere 21 miles (33 km) separate Dover from the closest point in France. A Roman-built lighthouse in the area is the tallest Roman structure still standing in Britain. The remains of a Roman villa with the only preserved Roman wall mural outside of Italy are another unique survivor from ancient times which make Dover one of a kind. 

Portland Island and the resort town of Weymouth are connected by a 5-mile (8 km) long neck of white sand known as Chesil Beach. Renowned as the finest example of a barrier-type beach in Europe, Chesil Beach was formed 10,000 years ago as glaciers receded and sea levels rose.
The rugged coastline of Dorset and the many attractions in the area are what make Weymouth such a popular vacation destination. The Old Harbour of Weymouth is an excellent Georgian-style harbor and one of the prettiest in Europe. It bustles with activity from large catamarans, fishing boats and yachts. Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park displays over 1,000 incredible sea creatures including sea turtles, crabs, octopuses and sharks. The nearby Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens is an impressive walled garden set in 20 acres (8 hectares) of woodland. Portland Island offers stunning views across the Chesil Beach, Portland Harbour, Fleet Lagoon and Weymouth. The little egret, once a rare bird in Britain, is now regularly seen along these shores.

Falmouth has a fine natural harbor, but has lost its earlier importance as a seaport and now caters mainly to yachts and boating for holidaymakers. Falmouth has the mildest winter climate in England..

Fishguard’s name in Welsh is Abergwaun, meaning the mouth of the River Gwaun. The English name comes from an Old Norse word for a fish trap, and indeed the community has profited from catching and drying herring for centuries. It has remained remarkably unchanged physically over the years. The waterfront has a traditional feel like many others in Pembrokeshire. At first glance, nothing would indicate that this is the site of the last invasion of Britain by a foreign power. But a bicentenary stone recalls the day in 1797 when 1400 French revolutionary troops landed here, only to be routed by the local folk, including a heroic woman shoemaker named Jemima Nicholas, who rounded up more than a dozen dismayed invaders while armed with a pitchfork. A large tapestry depicting the struggle is on display in the Fishguard Town Hall. The surrounding South Wales countryside is dotted with medieval castles, some impressive, such as Pembroke and Picton Castles, and others little more than scenically sited ruins. Cardigan also has a notable garden called Dyffryn Fernant, and St. David’s boasts an impressive early cathedral and a Bishop’s Palace. Prehistoric Pembrokeshire is represented by the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, a massive dolmen with an intact 15-ton capstone made of the same type of rock that formed the inner sanctum of Stonehenge.

For fans and followers of all the arts, as well as those passionate about cultural and political affairs, Dublin is a rich feast of historic sites and memorable associations. Stroll the gorgeous, Georgian grounds of Trinity College, or the lawns of St. Stephen’s Green, and literary allusions encircle you. Stand before ancient Christ Church Cathedral, or in the hushed, timeless aisles of Marsh’s Library. Towering Dublin Castle was the stronghold of the British for seven centuries, and the General Post Office gained notoriety and renown on the same day in the Easter Rising of 1916. Ireland is famous for thirsts other than for knowledge, however, and you are also invited to visit the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery to taste the “water of life.”
 

The town of Douglas is the center of the Isle of Man’s business, shipping, transport, shopping, and entertainment. It derives its name from the early Celtic word Duboglassio, meaning ‘black river.’  Located in the Irish Sea, equidistant from England, Scotland and Ireland, the Isle of Man is a self-governing possession of the British Crown and is not part of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, or an Overseas Territory,  but instead holds a semiautonomous status. It is home to the world's oldest continuous parliament, known as the Tynwald Court. The Isle of Man is a melting pot of character and taste, blessed with an extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes and unspoiled beaches. It is home to numerous nature reserves, parks, historic stone churches, castles and an abundance of diverse museums, including ones dedicated to aviation, military, motorcycle, railway, folk, and nautical exhibits. At the House of Manannan Museum visitors are guided through interactive displays focusing on the island’s Celtic and Viking past. 

Belfast is Northern Ireland’s fun-loving and cosmopolitan capital. Its seat of government is Stormont Castle, a beautiful baronial mansion. There is something of interest here for everyone: Victorian architecture, a glittering waterfront, modern art, and over 90 Irish pubs. The Giant's Ring, a 5,000-year- old stone ‘henge’ shows occupation here since the Bronze Age. The magnificent copper dome of Belfast City Hall dominates the city centre. Belfast is also the site of the memorial statue for R.M.S Titanic, because it was here that the ship was built in 1909. Mixing the traditional with the ultra-modern, the Titanic Belfast Museum commemorates the fate of Titanic in its architecture. Shaped like the great prow of the ocean liner, the museum’s exhibits tell the story of the ill-fated vessel.
Some additional icons of the city include the 113’ (34 m) Albert Memorial clock tower, the 12th century Belfast Castle, and the twin spires of St. Peter's Cathedral. Discover art galleries, the Opera house, fountains, botanical gardens, and a zoo in this dynamic city.


 

Rothesay, standing along the Firth of Clyde, presents the visitor with a combination of illustrious gardens and grand architecture. The magnificent ruins of Rothesay Castle, which date from the 13th century, are what most people visualize when they think of a medieval castle. With a drawbridge, encircling moat, immense circular curtain wall and tall stone towers, Rothesay is unique in Scotland for its circular plan. The ruins of St Blane's Chapel, a 6th century monastery, sit atop a hill with views over the Sound of Bute. For true elegance, visit the country estate of Mount Stuart House with its colonnaded Marble Hall and extraordinary Marble Chapel. Built in the late 1870’s in the Gothic Revivalist style, it was constructed of reddish-brown stone and houses a library of 25,000 books. The Ardencraig Gardens, sitting atop Canada Hill, feature a walled garden and exotic aviary. Ascog Hall Fernery, located on the grounds of a baronial-style house from 1844, is a beautiful garden with the oldest ferns in Britain.

Oban is a small town on the west coast of Scotland. The site began as a small fishing outpost and has been occupied as such for literally thousands of years. Rural in its roots, the modern-day village of Oban grew around the famed whisky distillery founded in 1794. Renowned for its 14-year-old malt whisky, the Oban distillery has become a tourist attraction, drawing many visitors to the area. The quiet, rural feel of Oban is responsible for the abundance of wildlife within the town boundaries. Here grey seals can be spotted swimming in the harbor or resting along the shore. A wide variety of land and seabirds are found throughout the area. On occasion dolphins and river otters also visit. A beautiful balance exists between this small town and the natural environment surrounding it, where the sounds of nature mingle with the melody of the streets.

 

The picturesque fishing town of Ullapool nestles on the shores of Loch Broom, in the Highlands. Its location is one of the more pristine natural environments in Britain. A diverse choice of walks in the area includes mountains, rocky coasts, through forests and into deep gorges. Dominating the landscape is the monolithic peak of 2,000’ (610 m) Stac Pollaidh. Nearby Corrieshalloch Gorge with its 150’ (46 m) Falls of Measach and the Inverpolly Nature Reserve allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Highlands. The geology of the area is highlighted by Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve and the fascinating Inchnadamph Bone Caves. Formed by water penetrating soft limestone, the caves contained 1,000 reindeer bones dating back as far as 47,000 years. Beside them were found the bones of four human beings, dating back 4,500 years. Ullapool owns a reputation as a center for music, the arts and performance. Explore the Ullapool Museum and the Leckmelm Shrubbery & Arboretum.
 

Enjoy onboard amenities and activities. 

Newhaven, about two miles north of the Edinburgh city center on the Firth of Forth, is an historic harbor from which to visit Scotland’s stately capital. Once an important fishing and shipbuilding community, Newhaven is a conservation area with unique vernacular architecture using a forestair to access a house’s first floor living area, above a ground floor traditionally used for storing nets. The town’s Victoria Primary School is the oldest operating primary school in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh is perennially listed among the most attractive and interesting cities in Europe. Its patrician skyline bristles with steeples and spires between the Castle Rock and Carlton Hill. Both the Old Town and New Town are inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The city’s seven hills guard an immensely rich heritage of architectural and historic buildings, districts and streets to delight visitors. Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile and the Princes Street Gardens area are world-renowned. The noble Scottish National Parliament, City Chambers, Law Courts and Scottish National Gallery are equally prestigious sights. A university city, Edinburgh nurtures a vibrant arts and cultural community, a spirited nightlife and a burgeoning culinary scene. A year-round agenda of celebrated festivals add further appeal for visitors.

Newcastle upon Tyne, clinging to the north bank of the River Tyne, grew around the Roman settlement Pons Aelius and was named after the castle built here in 1080 by William the Conqueror's eldest son, Robert Curthose. The port developed in the 16th century, quickly becoming one of the world's largest shipbuilding centers. Newcastle harbors a spirited mix of heritage and urban sophistication.  Among its ultra-modern structures, is the beautiful refined curve of the Gateshead Millennium suspension bridge, one of seven major bridges that cross The Tyne. The modern reflective, spherical-profile of the Sage Gateshead Concert Hall contrasts greatly with the distinguished vertical columns of the traditional-style Theatre Royal, located in Grainger Town, the historic center of Newcastle.  Other city highlights include the Great Northern Museum, The Castle Keep tower-fortification built in 1172, and stunning St Nicholas and St. Mary’s Cathedrals, built in 1091 and 1844. For nature lovers there is the serene landscape of Jesmond Dene Park with its verdant woodland, rock crags, tranquil pools and plunging waterfalls.

The seaside resort town of Great Yarmouth, situated in the Norfolk region of England, was originally the site of the Roman fort of Gariannonum. Located at the mouth of the River Yare, it became a wealthy trading center of considerable importance. It rose to prominence as a major center for tourism when the railway reached it in 1844. Big skies, sweeping beaches, windswept marshes, meandering inland waterways and quaint flint houses combine to great effect in the Great Yarmouth area. The market place, operating since the 13th century, is one of the largest in England.  Museums, theaters, the Sea Life Centre, and the Norman-era Minster Church of St Nicholas, built in 1101, are amongst the many attractions. An historical highlight is the Lord Nelson monument, commemorating the achievements of Admiral Horatio Nelson. High atop the 144 ft (44 m) column stands the statue of Britannia, proudly standing on a globe inscribed with the motto from Nelson’s coat of arms and holding a trident and olive branch.

Crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Great Britain, the first view of England is the milky-white strip of land called the White Cliffs of Dover. As you get closer, the coastline unfolds before you in all its striking beauty. White chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint rise straight from the sea to a height of 350’ (110 m).
 Numerous archaeological finds reveal people were present in the area during the Stone Age. Yet the first record of Dover is from Romans, who valued its close proximity to the mainland. A mere 21 miles (33 km) separate Dover from the closest point in France. A Roman-built lighthouse in the area is the tallest Roman structure still standing in Britain. The remains of a Roman villa with the only preserved Roman wall mural outside of Italy are another unique survivor from ancient times which make Dover one of a kind.