Day 1 — London, England, U.K.

Arrive in London and transfer to the port. Settle into your cabin before sailing out of the city on the River Thames. (D)

Day 2 — Dover

Your first port of call is Dover, known for the famous white cliffs that edge the coast. Delve into the history of this strategic town—the closest point to mainland Europe—on a visit to Dover Castle, originally built in the 12th-century on a site that has been fortified for some 2,000 years. Take a guided tour of the castle, and if time allows, explore the network of tunnels below the castle from which Operation Dynamo was launched to rescue the solders trapped at Dunkirk during World War II. Alternatively, set out on an excursion to the medieval pilgrimage town of Canterbury, made famous by Chaucer’s tales, and visit its World Heritage-listed cathedral on a walking tour. Or step back in time at the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne, and learn about the fierce World War II air battles that pitted the Royal Air Force against the Luftwaffe. Then take a walk atop White Cliffs of Dover to the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse. (B,L,D)

Day 3 — Isle of Wight

Just off the southern coast of England lies the Isle of Wight, a favorite among yachters and once the haunt of Charles Dickens and other literary greats. Go ashore in the harbor town of Cowes and take a scenic drive around the island to the village of Godshill. Visit the Osborne House, an Italianate summer residence built by Queen Victoria. Explore this opulent mansion, left much as it was when the queen passed away here in 1901, and stroll the lovely gardens to outbuildings used by the royal family. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Isles of Scilly

An archipelago of more than a hundred isles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly boast pristine, empty beaches and subtropical vegetation thanks to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. Visit Tresco Abbey Gardens to see some of the rare plants and flowers that flourish on these islands. Or set off on a wildlife cruise among the rugged, uninhabited eastern isles, on the lookout for rare Atlantic gray seals and large numbers of sea birds, including gannets, shearwaters, and puffins. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Kinsale and Cork, Ireland

Trace Ireland’s southern coast to the charming fishing village of Kinsale in County Cork, and explore the area on one of three excursions. Set out to discover the dynamic university town of Cork on a wallking tour of the historic center, and browse the stalls at the English Market, established in 1788 and housed in an architecturally stunning hall. Or follow a city highlights tour with a visit and tasting at the Old Jameson Distillery. Alternatively, stay in Kinsale and take a scenic drive along the craggy cliffs of the Old Head of Kinsale, stopping to explore the 17th-century Charles Fort. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Holyhead, Wales

Arrive in Holyhead, and travel across the Isle of Anglesey and over the Menai Strait to North Wales, one of the cradles of Celtic culture. Here, the people hold fast to the old ways, and Welsh remains their mother tongue. Choose to travel into the foothills of Snowdonia for a visit to Bodnant Garden, one of the finest examples of 19th-century Victorian landscape design. With spring in full bloom, admire a collection of rare plants from all over the world that was begun by a renowned scientist in the 1870s. Or delve deeper into Welsh culture, learning about the language industry, and history of Wales on a visit to the National Slate Museum and Caernarfon Castle, one of four northern Welsh castles built by King Edward I that have been collectively designated a World Heritage site. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Belfast, Northern Ireland

Dock in Northern Ireland’s capital city, located at the end of Belfast Lough. Spend the day discovering this intriguing city and its turbulent past. See the stately buildings of city center, including the Grand Opera House and Albert Memorial Clock Tower, and stroll through the grounds of Queens University to Belfast's celebrated Botanic Gardens.  Then tour the new Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art experiential museum on the site of the shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built. Or set out on an excursion along the Antrim coast. Make a brief stop at Dunluce Castle to admire the scenery.  Then view some 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns at World Heritage-listed Giant's Causeway, and learn the legends associated with the site. Alternatively, choose a walking tour of Belfast that ends with traditional Irish music, dancing, and storytelling at a local pub. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Iona and Isle of Mull, Scotland

Begin your day on the mystical isle of Iona, where St. Columba founded a monastery In A.D. 563, establishing Christianity in Scotland. Here, scribes would painstakingly copy and illuminate religious tracts and transcribe ancient Celtic sagas, preserving a record of oral bardic tradition. Iona later became the burial place of Scotland’s kings, including Duncan and Macbeth. On a guided tour of Iona Abbey, stroll through the serene, restored monastery and see the churchyard’s intricate Celtic crosses. Board the ferry to the Isle of Mull, and enjoy lunch before a visit to Duart Castle. Perched on a rocky promontory jutting into the sound, the castle is the ancestral home of Clan Maclean. Delve into the clan’s fascinating history as you visit dungeons where Spanish prisoners were held following the sinking of the Spanish Armada in 1588. You’ll have the opportunity to climb to the top of the 13th-century keep and the battlements to take in views as far as Ben Nevis. Take in beautiful views of the Sound of Mull on a drive to the town of Tobermory, nestled between the hills and the picturesque harbor. Stroll along the waterfront lined with brightly painted rowhouses. (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Glasgow/ Return Home

After breakfast this morning, disembark the ship in Glasgow (2024) or nearby Fairlie (2025) and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)