Overview
12 Days
London
Edinburgh
Ponant Explorers
184
118
2018
AKCBIEIS
Itinerary
Arrive in London, where you meet your fellow guests and Expedition Team. Transfer to Dover to board your expedition vessel this afternoon. Later this evening, enjoy a welcome briefing and reception aboard. Stay: Le Laperouse (D)
Relish a day at sea, relaxing with new friends and attending lectures to enrich your upcoming discoveries in Ireland. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Go ashore in Cork, the Republic of Ireland's second-largest city. Explore the city centre's renowned university area, as well as Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, an impressive example of Gothic Revival architecture. Continue a few miles inland to Blarney Castle, one of Ireland's most iconic sites. Here, you might choose to ascend the parapet to see the Blarney Stone, said to bestow "the gift of the gab” on all who kiss it. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Today, arrive in Galway, a lively cultural enclave renowned for its vibrant lanes, colourful houses and thriving arts scene. You might enjoy a culinary walking tour and Irish whiskey tasting, explore the Burren's vast karst landscape with a botanist and visit a local sheep farm, or spend the day amid Connemara's rugged shoreline. Later, take in iconic vistas from a scenic lookout atop the Cliffs of Moher. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Today, your Captain charts a course past Ireland's Killybegs to County Donegal, a rugged enclave of deep-sea inlets, sandy beaches and spectacular mountains. Once ashore, you may opt for a scenic tour of Donegal Town, a drive through the countryside to the Slieve League Mountains, or a visit to Northern Ireland's walled city of Londonderry to reflect on the legacy of “Bloody Sunday” and “The Troubles.” Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Come ashore in Mull, a remote island enclave of grand mountains, seaside villages, sandy beaches and some of the wildest coastal scenery in Europe. Here, you might visit Duart Castle, sample fine gins and whiskies at a local distillery, or tour the charming coastal burgh of Tobermory and a nearby farm. Afterward, cruise past great basalt columns flanking deep caves as you make your way to Staffa. Conditions allowing, enjoy a Zodiac experience near Fingal, a sea cave formed by hexagonally jointed basalt. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Continue cruising toward Oban. Set on the doorstep of the Scottish Highlands, this former fishing town became the “Gateway to the Islands" at the dawn of the steamship era. Once ashore, explore the town's distillery, McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill. Other options may include a visit to the standing stones of Kilmartin Glen, a tour of Inveraray and Kilchurn castles, or a six-mile hike of the West Highland Way. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Framed by wild, windswept beaches, Scotland's Western Isles span the rolling moorlands of Lewis and the towering mountains of Harris. Today, you might opt for a drive through the moorlands, stopping to explore the Calanais Standing Stones and the island's crofting traditions, or drive the Golden Road, pausing to visit a Harris tweed weaver and a local distillery. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Rich in Viking heritage, the landscapes of the Orkneys span rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and wave-swept sea caves. Today, you might explore historic Kirkwall; Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Stone Age settlements in Western Europe; or the spine-tingling Ring of Brodgar, a circle of standing stones dating to 2700 BC. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Northern Scotland is legendary for its dramatic, windswept mountains, wooded hills and rich history. Today, explore the magnificent Highlands, choosing from excursions that may include a visit to Inverness, a private cruise on mythic Loch Ness and stop at Urquhart Castle, an exploration of Culloden's battlefield, or a whisky tasting at Glenmorangie Distillery. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Bid farewell to your Captain and crew as you sail through the Firth of Forth and disembark in Edinburgh, a city that embodies the Scottish national heritage like few other places. Tour this vibrant capital, taking in Edinburgh Castle and inspiring city views. This evening, gather for a farewell reception and luxurious night's stay at The Balmoral, a longstanding Edinburgh landmark. Stay: The Balmoral (B/L)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on an extension touring Edinburgh and the historic Scottish Borders. (B)
Tour Inclusions
- Cruise the enchanting British Isles for 10 nights aboard exclusively chartered Le Laperouse, with a capacity limited to just 148 guests
- Explore alongside A&K's captivating Expedition Team for an unforgettable enrichment program
- Experience a choice of included, immersive, A&K-only excursions in every port, spanning everything from visits to legendary historic sites and jaw-dropping coastal landscapes to hyper-local culinary and cultural experiences
- Experience the fantastic history of the British Isles, visiting Urquhart Castle in the Scottish Highlands and the thrilling Ring of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands
- Explore dramatic and wild coastal landscapes from Ireland to Scotland, including Galway's spectacular Connemara and stunning seabird habitats in the Inner and Outer Hebrides
- Savour culinary excursions, opting for experiences that include a culinary tour in Galway and a guided whisky tasting at the legendary Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands
- After your cruise, enjoy a farewell reception and luxurious hotel stay at The Balmoral, an Edinburgh landmark
- An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K's Expedition Team and Local Guides
- Pre- and/or Post-Cruise Stays at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotels and A&K-Led Excursions
- Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
- Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
- Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.2
- Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
- 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed
- Choice of Curated, All-Inclusive Shore Excursions
- Enrichment programming, lectures and presentations
- Traveller's Valet® Laundry Service
- All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
- Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
- 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
- This journey contains some active elements, including walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Categories 4-8 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship
- First group event: embarkation on May 21
- Last group event: excursions on May 31
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Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Expedition Cruises (2024-25)
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Abercrombie & Kent. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
