Natural and Cultural Discoveries in Celtic Lands

• Day 1 Dublin

  The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.

• Day 2 Youghal

  The historic town of Youghal, in south-west Ireland's County Cork, lies at the mouth of the River Blackwater, which flows into the Irish Sea. A fortified medieval town, Youghal boasts numerous historic buildings inside some of the best-preserved ancient ramparts in Ireland. A stroll through the old town will take you to the 13th-century Saint Mary's Collegiate Church, the 700-year-old Clock Gate Tower and the gardens of Youghal College. Some architectural wonders lie hidden along the banks of the River Blackwater: the country homes of the town's great landowners and distillers.

• Day 3 Ballycotton

  This picturesque fishing village is typical of West Cork, the wild, windswept coastline of south-west Ireland. You will be enchanted by the warm atmosphere of the traditional pubs and first-rate seafood restaurants, supplied directly by local fishermen. The huge beaches surrounding Ballycotton are extraordinary, and contain nature reserves where you can spot a large number of marine wildlife. The lighthouse, which stands on a small island opposite Ballycotton, is a well-known attraction as it is one of the world’s only three black lighthouses.

• Day 4 Kinsale

  Considered Ireland’s most beautiful village, Kinsale will captivate you with its sublime natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located at the mouth of the Bandon River in County Cork, this charming little port is home to picturesque streets lined with colourful houses, art galleries and theatres, as well as to a 17th-century fort. Not far away, perched on a rocky promontory, stands the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse: still in operation today, it has magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean.

• Day 5 Baltimore

  The magnificent West Cork area on the south-west tip of Ireland is home to Baltimore: a charming fishing village seemingly at the world’s end. It lies in an extraordinary landscape with immense beaches, a steep coastline, rocky cliffs and secret coves. You can admire the 13th-century castle of Dún na Séad, which bears witness to the sack of Baltimore in the 17th century, when pirates attacked the village, kidnapping over 100 inhabitants. The famous white stone Baltimore Beacon towers majestically over the bay, offering one of the finest views of the coast.

• Day 6 Skomer Island

  Skomer is a Welsh island with a unique atmosphere. Lying off the south coast of Pembrokeshire, Skomer is famous as a home to a wide variety of seabirds, and one of the most beautiful natural sites in Wales, with its rugged coastline, spectacular cliffs, sheltered bays and coves, seals and wild flowers. The island, which has not been inhabited since 1950, is now a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Scientific Interest and a Protected Area. It contains traces of human occupation dating back to the Iron Age, with remains of prehistoric houses, burial cairns and menhirs.

• Day 7 Fishguard

  A small coastal town located in the South Wales, Fishguard will offer you a peaceful stop during your cruise. Nestling in the hollow of two hills, the city, once a Viking trading post, is now the ideal starting point for exploring the Welsh countryside. Across its vast expanses of fertile land, its green valleys and its magnificent moors, the region will reveal its rich historical heritage to you. Among other things, you will be able to visit mediaeval Pembroke Castle, renowned for its impressive architecture and the illustrious people who have lived there, such as Gerald de Windsor.

• Day 8 Warrenpoint

  On the shores of Carlingford Lough, a fjord marking the eastern end of the border between Ireland and the UK, lies the charming seaside resort of Warrenpoint. Set in stunning natural surroundings and dominated by the Mournes and Cooley peaks, the area is ideal for walking. It is also the starting point for an escape to discover the archaeological site of Fort Navan, also known as Emain Macha, once considered the capital of the Ulster kings. At the Castle Ward, a Victorian tower house, you can gain an insight into the lives of its inhabitants in the 18th century. Or you may prefer to learn about the history of Belfast's water supply at Silent Valley Park.

• Day 9 Dublin

  The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.

Natural and cultural discoveries in Celtic lands ItineraryThe Captain reserves the right to alter the itinerary to suit weather conditions.