Adventure Cruise to Coastal Islands of the UK and Eire with the Scotland Experience
For example, most people probably wouldn't expect to find bananas growing along the coast of England. But they do grow in England -— along with palms, cacti, and other exotic sub-tropical plants—if you head for the Isles of Scilly, warmed by waters of the Gulf Stream just a few miles southwest of the Cornish coastline. In contrast is the rugged, blustery coastline of the Shetland Islands and the Orkneys, two archipelagos that lie off the northeasterly tip of Scotland. These islands are rich in Viking history. Here you'll find Shetland's world-famous miniature ponies grazing by the roadside, on beaches and on heath-covered hills.
The adventure cruise begins at Dartmouth, England, where passengers will board M/V Polar Star, their floating home for the next two weeks.
Photo: James P. Blair/Getty Images
The visit to the Isles of Scilly include a stop at the sub-tropical Abbey Gardens of Tresco bordered by white sandy beaches and aquamarine water (yes, this is England!). Then, sailing northwest to the coast of Eire, the M/V Polar Star will cruise around the rugged Skelligs, with views of abandoned monasteries and time to explore the Dingle peninsula.
The ship will cruise alongside the Cliffs of Mohar before going ashore at Inishmore Island for a trip through stonewalled fields to Dun Aengus, a Bronze Age fort set atop cliffs 90 meters high. Then it's on to Donegal Bay, one of the most spectacular areas of Ireland, known for its jagged peninsulas and the highest sea cliffs in Europe,
Rocky Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland is ideal for bird watching from its lofty cliffs. It is rich in Viking and early Christian history and, according to legend, Robert the Bruce hid here before his victorious return to Scotland.
St. Kilda is the home to the largest gannet colony in the world as well as fulmars, puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. Peaceful Iona, from where Christianity spread to northern Europe, has a grand abbey and burial ground for 52 Scottish kings. Time permitting, there is an after-dinner visit to Tobermory on Mull to stroll the seafront of this lovely town and perhaps visit one of its famous pubs.
Canna and Rum provide spectacular bird watching and a visit to eccentric Kinloch Castle. Throughout the day passengers can watch for gold and white-tailed eagles; in the evening, they can expect to see thousands of Manx shearwaters coming in to roost.
Next stop is the Isle of Skye, known for stunning mountain scenery. The M/V Polar Star will land at the beach of Loch Scavig where a seal colony is located. After lunch, passengers will board the Zodiacs to cruise along the shores of the pretty island of Soay.
On the shores of Loch Ewe, passengers will visit tranquil Inverewe Gardens, home to exotic specifies which flourish due to the nearby Gulf Stream. The ship will sail the wildlife-rich waters of the Minch and round Cape Wrath, the UK mainland's most northwesterly point with its Stevenson Lighthouse.
The cruise will wind up with visits to the Shetland Islands and the Orkneys, For some pretty small islands, Scotland's northern archipelagos have an incredibly wide variety of attractions and have been the scene of momentous historic events. These 200 or so islands, only about 40 of which are inhabited, are at the northern extremity of Great Britain. In fact, with the typical British penchant for curious names, the lighthouse that mark's UK's northern tip is known as Muckle Flugga.
Once part of Norway, these islands are rich in Viking history. In more recent times, warships of the Imperial German Fleet were scuttled off the coast off Orkney following World War I. Foodies enjoy fresh lobster, crab, scallops and prawns, while bird watchers find millions of birds—from hawks to puffins—among which more than 300 species have been identified. With their "top of the world" locale, these islands enjoy more than 18 hours of midsummer sunshine.
Passengers will disembark in Leith for independent travel to Edinburgh or to begin their journey home.
Cost is from US$4,870 per person (based on double occupancy), with 14 nights' accommodation onboard the MV Polar Star, plus all meals. Also included are all shore excursions and activities as indicated in the itinerary. Departure date is May 9, 2008.
Built in Finland, the M/V Polar Star takes up to 105 passengers on expedition cruises to remote destinations. For shore excursions, the ship is equipped with 10 16-person Zodiacs. The Zodiacs transport passengers to remote areas where they will see thousands of seabirds, nesting and in flight—the likes of puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills and guillemots.
Passenger amenities include a spacious bridge (with an open bridge policy) and large observation lounge/lecture hall with seating for all passengers. The M/V Polar Star provides a superior outdoor viewing area. Common areas include well-stocked library, bar, fitness facility and dining room that seats all passengers in one sitting.
Reservations, copies of the full-color "Scotland Experience" catalog and additional information are available from Scotland Experience, 333 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 712, Chicago, Illinois 60601, 800-661-3830, www.scotland-experience.com.
Information Source: Griffith & Associates for the Scotland Experience
Dateline: January 2008
Adventure Cruise to Coastal Islands of the Uk And Eire with the Scotland Experience
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