Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Situated on the shores of the deep Cromarty Firth and with a fine natural harbour, Invergordon is a key port with an important naval history stretching back through two World Wars. The small, yet modern town is a charming coastal gateway to the beautiful Scottish Highlands and the incredible scenery that forms a stunning backdrop to the romantic castles and historic battlefields featuring in optional excursions along with the ‘Capital of the Highlands’ Inverness. Other popular options include the Glenmorangie Distillery and a visit to haunting Loch Ness with its legendary monster.

Established in the late 18th century as a fishing port, Tobermory is one of the prettiest ports in Scotland. The picture-postcard village has a large natural harbour where colourful boats bob on the waves watched over by a rainbow of brightly, painted buildings backed by woodland-fringed hills. Tobermory is the capital of the Isle of Mull. Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides and its diverse landscape ranges from high mountain and wild moorland, to wave-lashed sea cliffs and sandy beaches. Neighbouring Iona is the tiny island where St Columba first brought Christianity to Scotland in 563 AD.

Britain’s only island archipelago, the magical Isles of Scilly lie just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall. St Mary’s, the largest of the five inhabited islands, is a delight with white sand beaches, tranquil waters and stunning seascapes. The attractive village of Hugh Town, considered the ‘capital’, is the hub of the islands’ activity. The second largest and the only privately-owned island is Tresco, where, in the glorious Abbey Gardens, some 20,000 exotic species thrive in the sub-tropical climate. Optional excursions explore both St. Mary’s and Tresco, two of the beautiful cluster of islands that are worlds apart from everyday life.

Over the years many renowned painters and writers have been attracted to pretty Honfleur, which with its narrow, half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets and charming old harbour set in a sheltered cove off the Seine’s tidal estuary, is simply enchanting. Unlike many of its Normandy neighbours, Honfleur was spared during the bombing of World War Two and nestled in its tidy, picturesque streets historic buildings house art galleries, artists’ studios, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and fine souvenir shops.