History. Culture & Unexpected Wildness. This adventure through England, Ireland and Scotland takes us to wild and beautiful islands like Staffa and Orkney— and adds culture and history to our appreciation of the spectacular landscapes we’ll see.
Everywhere on our British Island cruises you will encounter many surprises: the immense tropical gardens in the otherwise “English-y” isles of Scilly. The stunning geological architecture of Fingal’s Cave on Staffa. The cloistered quiet of Iona, the capital of ancient Celtic Christianity. The way the 5,000-year-old dwellings at Skara Brae in Orkney banish forever any lingering notions of early man as “primitive.” And the spectacular scenery along our British island cruise adventure. Each day you'll see and learn more.
Travel with Mary Robinson, first woman President of Ireland, formerly the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, who will bring perspective and context to modern Ireland
Exploring the British and Irish Isles itinerary:
DAY 1 — London/Portsmouth/Embark Ship
Arrive today in London and proceed to the historic coastal town of Portsmouth to embark National Geographic Explorer.
DAY 2 — Dartmouth
Be on deck this morning as we make a dramatic entry into the River Dart. Dartmouth has a great seafaring history. We stroll along the quaint waterfront, observing many fine old buildings that recall its nautical past.
DAY 3 — Isles of Scilly
On the island of Tresco we visit the fabulous Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Gulf Stream allows an astounding variety of subtropical plants to flourish at these northern latitudes, and numerous birds, including shearwaters and sandpipers, are often seen here.
DAY 4 — The Skelligs and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Today we explore the roots of Celtic Christianity. We cruise slowly by Skellig Michael to view the beehive huts of a Celtic Christian monastery, built five hundred feet high atop the island in the sixth century. A half-mile distant is rocky Little Skellig, whose white spires reveal is as a favorite roost for seabirds. Go ashore at the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Walk through the charming village of Dingle, sample an Irish coffee and browse the shops for woolens.
DAY 5 — Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher
These stark islands contain many pre- and early Christian sites. Most dramatic is Dun Aengus, a stone fort dating to 4000 BC. Perched on a 200-foot cliff overlooking the sea, the view is staggering.
DAY 6 — County Donegal, Ireland
Donegal, in Gaelic Dun na nGall or ‘fort of the foreigners’ (i.e. the Vikings), is an ancient and dramatically beautiful area. We board Zodiacs to explore lovely Donegal Bay and drive to Glencolumbkille, one of the most traditional areas in Ireland, where Gaelic is still the primary language. In the evening, we cruise past the 2,000-foot-high cliffs of Slieve League, the highest in Europe.
DAY 7 — Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
St. Columba called Iona “love of my heart” and chose it as the site for his monastery. Walk through the ancient nunnery to 12th-century Iona Abbey, where sixty kings lie buried, including Duncan and MacBeth. Afternoon finds us on Staffa, an island famed for its great basalt columns and deep sea caves. It was here in Fingal’s Cave that Felix Mendelssohn was inspired to write his haunting Hebrides Overture.
DAY 8 — Outer Hebrides: St. Kilda and Callanish
Along the wild, western coast of Scotland are the Outer Hebrides, islands steeped in history and legend, where Gaelic is still widely spoken. The day is open for exploration. Weather permitting, we explore remote St. Kilda. A World Heritage Site, it was occupied from the New Stone Age through 1930. We then venture to the Isle of Lewis to see the massive neolithic Standing Stones of Callanish.
DAY 9 — Inverewe Gardens
Visit the famous Inverewe Gardens. Tempered by the Gulf Stream, the delightful gardens are an anomaly of sub-tropical color--grown at the same latitude as St. Petersburg!
DAY 10 — Orkney Islands
Few places in the world have the impact of the Stone Age sites of Orkney. The standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar and the 6,000-year-old stone-slab village excavated at Skara Brae are stunning manifestations of a culture older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Later, we see the massive Cathedral of St. Magnus, built by the Vikings, and stately Balfour Castle on Shapinsay Island, where we recharge with a hearty Scottish tea.
DAY 11 — Fair Isle and Mousa
Fair Isle claims to be the most isolated settlement in the British Isles. The seventy or so inhabitants are a rugged yet amiable people, proud of their island and, of course, their world-renowned woolen crafts. After a pleasant walk around the island, we join our island friends for tea. Later, Zodiac in to the uninhabited island of Mousa, where we find one of the best examples of an Iron Age broch (fortified farm).
DAY 12 — Shetland Islands
Drive through scenic countryside, stopping to photograph resident Shetland ponies on our way to the Jarlshof archaeological site. Here we enter the Bronze Age with the ruins of 3,000 years of continuous settlement
DAY 14 — Bergen, Norway
Disembark
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship, and the newest addition to the Lindblad fleet. It is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An Undersea Specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world.
Capacity: 148 guests in 81 outside cabins.
Registry: Bahamas. Overall Length: 356 feet.
Public areas: Bistro Bar; Chart Room; Restaurant; Global Gallery; Library, Lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations; Mud Room with lockers for expedition gear, and Observation Lounge. Our “Open Bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our Officers and Captain and learn about navigation.
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair.
Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls.
Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, SplashCam, underwater video camera, Crow’s Nest remote controlled camera, video microscope, snorkeling gear.
Special Features: A full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, LEX Photo Specialist and Video Chronicler, Internet Cafe and laundry.
Wellness: The vessel is staffed by two Wellness Specialists and features a glass enclosed Fitness Center, outdoor stretching area, two LEXspa treatment rooms and Sauna.
