British Isles

Upon arrival in London, transfer to the five-star Horseguards Hotel, a historic property located in the heart of London on the banks of the River Thames. The evening is free to relax and rest from travel.

We travel back in time to 16th-century London this morning with a private tour of the famed Globe Theatre, a faithful recreation of William Shakespeare’s iconic open-air Globe Theatre. Following a festive pub lunch, embark on a walking tour that takes us inside Westminster Abbey. Celebrate our first full day together with a lavish welcome dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants.

Depart London for the countryside of West Sussex, known for its royal heritage and grand estates. Visit Arundel Castle, home of the Duke of Norfolk, reflecting nearly 1,000 years of history and surrounded by one of the top gardens in the U.K. Continue to the historic market town of Arundel for lunch and free time before heading to Portsmouth to embark the Sea Cloud Spirit. Enjoy cocktails on the bow as we set sail around the British Isles.

Spend the morning under sail to the Channel Islands, an archipelago in the English Channel. We go ashore this afternoon on Guernsey, the ‘Island of Flowers’ that inspired Auguste Renoir to produce a whole series of paintings. Wander the narrow and picturesque streets of St Peter Port and visit the Castle Cornet, a 12th-century battlement. Alternatively, learn about the WWII German occupation of Guernsey with visits to the Guernsey Underground Hospital and German Occupation Museum.

Succumb to the charms of Dartmouth, set on the banks of the River Dart’s estuary, making it a mecca for tall ships. Making our way through the winding streets of this traditional seafaring town, stop at the impressive Britannia Naval College, founded in 1863, for a private tour. This afternoon, enjoy free time in Dartmouth or choose to head into the Devon countryside for stunning views across the rugged and picturesque landscape of Dartmoor National Park.

Spend the morning under sail as our lecture series continues. Arrive this afternoon in Penzance, one of Cornwall’s gems nestled in glorious Mount’s Bay. Soak up the old-world atmosphere during an exploration of the town’s cobbled alleyways, winding streets, subtropical gardens, and dockside tavern. Enjoy free time in town or choose to travel by coach to Cornwall’s iconic and stunning Land’s End, England’s westernmost point at the end of the Cornish peninsula.

Wake up in the Isles of Scilly and come ashore on Tresco, known as the “island in bloom” thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate. Walk along the idyllic lanes of this traffic-free island to marvel at the world-renowned subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens. Planted in the 19th century around the ruins of a Benedictine abbey, this miracle of a garden has matured into a priceless botanical sanctuary with more than 20,000 species of plants from more than 80 countries. Later, spend time exploring the island on our own, perhaps visiting the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the island or relaxing at a café. Reboard the Sea Cloud Spirit for lunch and an afternoon of sailing.

Spend a full day cruising the Irish Sea with time to relax, attend a lecture, and enjoy the ship’s many wellness amenities.

Dock in Bangor this morning for an excursion to Belfast. See some of the peace walls that shape the urban landscape and visit Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art museum on the site of the yard where the ill-fated ship was built. Alternatively, choose to travel along the spectacular unspoiled scenery of the Antrim Coast to reach Giant’s Causeway, a geologic wonder of over 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal columns, formed by the cooling of molten lava some six million years ago. Celebrate our journey tonight during the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner on board as we make our way to Dublin.

After breakfast, transfer to the Dublin Airport for flights home.