Expedition Circumnavigation Of Ireland And Wild Scotland: Mysterious Celtic Realms – Rugged, Wild And Beautiful

Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet 'port' wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal's major sea ports and is also home to one of the country's oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961.

The treasures of Galicia await when your ship arrives in La Coruna, Spain. The Torre de Hercules, the city’s impressive landmark, tells of great history from afar – it is the only still active lighthouse from Roman times. Discover the city’s architectural history as you stroll through the lively old town and trace the transition from Roman to baroque times San Carlos Garden is an oasis of calm right in the city centre, or you can enjoy the dramatic Atlantic coastline on an invigorating walk along the promenade. La Coruna is also a popular starting point for excursions* to the pilgrimage site Santiago de Compostela, whose magnificent cathedral combines Romanesque, Renaissance and baroque styles.

La Coruña, the largest city in Spain's Galicia region, is among the country's busiest ports. The remote Galicia area is tucked into the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, surprising visitors with its green and misty countryside that is so much unlike other parts of Spain. The name "Galicia" is Celtic in origin, for it was the Celts who occupied the region around the 6th-century BC and erected fortifications. La Coruña was already considered an important port under the Romans. They were followed by an invasion of Suevians, Visigoths and, much later in 730, the Moors. It was after Galicia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Asturias that the epic saga of the Pilgrimage to Santiago (St. James) began. From the 15th century, overseas trade developed rapidly; in 1720, La Coruña was granted the privilege of trading with America - a right previously only held by Cadiz and Seville. This was the great era when adventurous men voyaged to the colonies and returned with vast riches. Today, the city's significant expansion is evident in three distinct quarters: the town centre located along the isthmus; the business and commercial centre with wide avenues and shopping streets; and the "Ensanche" to the south, occupied by warehouses and factories. Many of the buildings in the old section feature the characteristic glazed façades that have earned La Coruña the name "City of Crystal." Plaza Maria Pita, the beautiful main square, is named after the local heroine who saved the town in 1589 when she seized the English standard from the beacon and gave the alarm, warning her fellow townsmen of the English attack.

The Irish themselves, at least those outside of Dublin, speak of Cork as the actual capital of Ireland. You will surely agree with them when you discover the charming lanes with their Victorian houses, cosy cafes and pubs. A popular meeting place for locals is the covered English Market, dating from 1788, where local specialities are sold – indulgence and history are served up in equal measure here. Your experts will be happy to help you with the history: the “Rebel City” was the heart of the Irish struggle for independence. The spirit of freedom that Cork reflects is exemplary for your cruise – off the beaten track, you will find new impressions. In addition to your city tours, we also recommend a detour into the breathtaking landscape with rugged cliffs and picturesque bays, ideal for wonderful hikes. Get ready to discover the true Irish soul.

Cork City received its first charter in 1185 from Prince John of Norman England, and it takes its name from the Irish word corcaigh, meaning "marshy place." The original 6th-century settlement was spread over 13 small islands in the River Lee. Major development occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries with the expansion of the butter trade, and many attractive Georgian-design buildings with wide bowfront windows were constructed during this time. As late as 1770 Cork's present-day main streets—Grand Parade, Patrick Street, and the South Mall—were submerged under the Lee. Around 1800, when the Lee was partially dammed, the river divided into two streams that now flow through the city, leaving the main business and commercial center on an island, not unlike Paris's Île de la Cité. As a result, the city has a number of bridges and quays, which, although initially confusing, add greatly to the port's unique character. Cork can be very "Irish" (hurling, Gaelic football, televised plowing contests, music pubs, and peat smoke). But depending on what part of town you're in, Cork can also be distinctly un-Irish—the sort of place where hippies, gays, and farmers drink at the same pub.

The Irish themselves, at least those outside of Dublin, speak of Cork as the actual capital of Ireland. You will surely agree with them when you discover the charming lanes with their Victorian houses, cosy cafes and pubs. A popular meeting place for locals is the covered English Market, dating from 1788, where local specialities are sold – indulgence and history are served up in equal measure here. Your experts will be happy to help you with the history: the “Rebel City” was the heart of the Irish struggle for independence. The spirit of freedom that Cork reflects is exemplary for your cruise – off the beaten track, you will find new impressions. In addition to your city tours, we also recommend a detour into the breathtaking landscape with rugged cliffs and picturesque bays, ideal for wonderful hikes. Get ready to discover the true Irish soul.

Splendid impressions and exciting activities lie ahead of you as your expedition ship makes its way along the coast of Ireland towards Dingle. The peninsula, with its wild cliffs, juts out into the Atlantic, leaving you amazed at the eroding power of the sea. A rugged coastline and fine sandy coves shape Dingle, the pearl of County Kerry. “Failte!” – you’ll often hear the welcoming greeting from the hospitable locals. Irish, also known as Gaelic, has been spoken on the peninsula since the fourth century. And the landscape on Dingle will leave you speechless – an ideal terrain for enjoying magnificent views while hiking with your experts on the Irish pilgrim route. The rugged nature, bathed in green, is truly inspirational.

You will experience the works of art that erosion is capable of as you cruise off the Cliffs of Moher. The power of the crashing waves has eroded hollows into the rock, with parts of the cliff crashing down to form a unique and spectacular coastline. In some places, the rocks drop more than 200 m (656 ft) almost vertically into the sea. As you pass by this natural wonder, you will be able to enjoy some amazing views from the deck.You will feel a true sense of discovery on the Aran Islands. The limestone islands off the west coast of Ireland rise up with grey and blue cliffs up to 100 m (328 ft) from the raging sea. If you are on a discovery tour, you will enjoy the view over the rocky coast and puzzle over the islands’ past. Answers will be provided by your experts, but also by your own impressions when visiting Kilronan: in what is perhaps one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations, lined by a white sandy beach, you can immerse yourself in island life. During your individual shore visit, explore the impressive Fort Dun Aonghasa, which sits high up on a cliff above the Atlantic. The well-preserved stone fortress from the Bronze Age offers breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding nature. At first glance, the islands may look like a rocky desert, but they turn out to be a nutrient-rich limestone landscape with rare flora and fauna.

Kilronan is the principal town on the island of Inismore (Inis Mór) in the Aran Islands located in Galway Bay, and is one of them most picturesque spots in Ireland. Once for the sole purpose as a fishing port for the Aran fisherman, today it is the main port for the ferry companies and with its white sandy beach it has a wide selection of first class restaurants serving seafood, and traditional Irish bars, buskers, and accommodation it is a splendid spot to people watch and a base yourself before exploring the island. One of the island’s most famous attractions is Dun Aengus. Dun Aengus is a fort situated on the edge of a cliff at a height of 100 meters overlooking the Atlantic on the Aran Islands, Inishmore. It consists of a series of concentric circular walls, the innermost; the citadel encloses an area approximately 50 meters in diameter with 4m thick walls of stone. These walls have been rebuilt to a height of 6m and have wall walks, chambers, and flights of stairs as well. The main industries in Kilronan are fishing and tourism. School children also visit to improve their Irish at summer schools. Kilronan has a population of approx. 300 people.

You will experience the works of art that erosion is capable of as you cruise off the Cliffs of Moher. The power of the crashing waves has eroded hollows into the rock, with parts of the cliff crashing down to form a unique and spectacular coastline. In some places, the rocks drop more than 200 m (656 ft) almost vertically into the sea. As you pass by this natural wonder, you will be able to enjoy some amazing views from the deck.You will feel a true sense of discovery on the Aran Islands. The limestone islands off the west coast of Ireland rise up with grey and blue cliffs up to 100 m (328 ft) from the raging sea. If you are on a discovery tour, you will enjoy the view over the rocky coast and puzzle over the islands’ past. Answers will be provided by your experts, but also by your own impressions when visiting Kilronan: in what is perhaps one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations, lined by a white sandy beach, you can immerse yourself in island life. During your individual shore visit, explore the impressive Fort Dun Aonghasa, which sits high up on a cliff above the Atlantic. The well-preserved stone fortress from the Bronze Age offers breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding nature. At first glance, the islands may look like a rocky desert, but they turn out to be a nutrient-rich limestone landscape with rare flora and fauna.

Killybegs is an insider tip off the classic Irish routes. The largest fishing port in Ireland is located in the tranquil town on the Atlantic coast, where numerous ships land their fresh catch daily. A very special “commodity” has its origin ashore: the Donegal rugs, which are produced in traditional carpet weaving mills, are characterised by their handicraft and elaborate patterns – the world’s largest loom is also said to be here. Killybegs is also the gateway to nature’s works of art: green meadows, idyllic dunes and azure-blue waters. Fintra Beach on the outskirts of the town is one of the most beautiful beaches in County Donegal.

Killybegs The days start early in Killybegs, as this quiet fishing town rumbles to life, and ships with red and blue paint peeling from their hulls quietly depart, ready for a morning's hard work at sea. Located in a scenic part of County Donegal, Killybegs is Ireland's fishing capital, and the salty breeze and pretty streets serve as a revitalising medicine for visitors. The town is also your gateway to some of the country's most majestic coastal scenery, which is dotted with flashing white lighthouses, keeping watch over invigorating seascapes. Killybegs enjoys a privileged position on the coast of north west of Ireland, close to the spectacular Slieve League - a titanic mountain, which explodes upwards from frothing ocean. Walk as close as you dare to the coastline’s sheer drops, or admire the folding cliffs from the best vantage point, down on the water.

A wonderful place for bird watching lies ahead of you when your expedition ship calls Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland with cliffs up to 70 m (229 ft) high that alternate with beautiful bays. Compared with the island’s nearly 150 human inhabitants, the many kittiwakes and puffins that you can watch are clearly in the majority. Look forward to special encounters with nature and to the ornithological expertise of your on-board experts. Amidst the rugged landscape, the excursions to the burial mounds, cashels and menhirs that have been built here are surrounded by a magical aura. Follow in the footsteps of the island’s history and explore the remains of the old castles and churches that dot Rathlin Island. A highlight is a visit to the West Light, one of the three lighthouses that now houses a maritime museum. From here you have spectacular views of the rugged cliffs and the sea.

You’ll come upon the mystical expanses of the Scottish mainland on the wild west coast. Oban, idyllically built around a picturesque natural harbour, is considered the gateway to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Your exploration of the coastal town is crowned by McCaig’s Tower, a decorative replica of Rome’s Colosseum. The tranquil gardens within offer a refuge from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The surrounding area, with its peaceful and beautiful Highlands, is ideal for hiking in the dramatic landscape of mountains and sea. Oban embodies the raw, unspoilt beauty of Scotland, combining it with the finesse of the single malt whisky distilled here – complex and multifaceted, just like the town itself.

Oban, "little bay" in Gaelic, today has a resident population of 8,500 and is the unofficial capital of the West Highlands - the "Gateway to the Isles." The panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic Scots. It is no surprise to find Oban in the 21st-century remains a magnet for travellers from all over the world. The town's present day popularity owes much to the Victorians, and as early as 1812, when the Comet steamship linked Oban with Glasgow, the town played host to intrepid travellers touring Staffa - the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture - and Iona - home of Scottish Christianity since St Columba stepped ashore in AD563. Indeed once Oban had the royal seal of approval from Queen Victoria, who called it "one of the finest spots we have seen," the town's destiny as an endearingly enchanting holiday destination was as firmly set as the lava columns of Fingal's Cave in Oban is justifiably known as the “gateway to the Isles.” The town's south pier is the embarkation point for car ferries to Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay, Lismore and Islay. From these islands you can travel further a field to Iona, Staffa and to many of the smaller less well known isles.

Lush, green highlands, rugged coasts and the heritage of kings and clans: head deep into the rugged island world of the Hebrides and feel the soul of Scotland – for example, on the wildly romantic Isle of Skye. Here you will be greeted by the famous rock formation, the Old Man of Storr, watching over the island. Portree is more tranquil: in this picturesque fishing village, you will encounter colourful facades which stand out in contrast against the black cliffs and green highlands. From here you can explore the surrounding area with its lochs, mountains and castles, which are wonderful examples of Scottish architecture.

The Isle of Skye ranks near the top of most visitors' priority lists: the romance of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, combined with the misty Cuillin Hills and their proximity to the mainland all contribute to its popularity. Today Skye remains mysterious and mountainous, an island of sunsets that linger brilliantly until late at night and of beautiful, soft mists. Much photographed are the really old crofts, one or two of which are still inhabited, with their thick stone walls and thatch roofs. Orientation on Skye is easy: follow the only roads around the loops on the northern part of the island and enjoy the road running the length of the Sleat Peninsula in southern Skye, taking the loop roads that exit to the north and south as you please. There are some stretches of single-lane road, but none poses a problem.

Discover charming Stromness, the “grey town by the sea”, which owes its name to its characteristic scenic houses. In the listed centre, inviting piers, imposing warehouses and trading houses combine history and maritime flair perfectly. An absolute highlight is the impressive former Viking settlement, which allows you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this region. But the Orkneys also mean wind, water and walking: enjoy spectacular views on nature trails. The experts at your side will take you on a journey of discovery to important testimonies of the past – from a Neolithic stone circle to a Stone Age village and a 17th-century manor house.Cruising through Scapa Flow, a large harbour bay in the south of the Scottish Orkney Islands, combines the North Sea world with history. Around you is nothing but a wide expanse of water lined with gentle coastal strips. And below you are the remains of the dramatic scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in 1919: during the negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles, the German Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter feared that the ships could fall into the hands of the Allies. To prevent this, he ordered the sinking of his own entire fleet in order to preserve the honour of the German Navy. Today, Scapa Flow is a popular diving destination known for its wrecks.

Welcome to Aberdeen, the “city of flowers and granite” in north-east of Scotland. Where the pretty rivers Dee and Don meet, old traditions meet modern influences. The sparkling granite architecture gives the harbour city an elegant atmosphere and makes it a real highlight. Discover the impressive tropical winter gardens in Duthie Park and stroll through the charming medieval city centre. With renowned universities and a rich cultural scene, the streets are full of life. Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, one of the best beaches in Scotland – Aberdeen Beach – invites you for a leisurely stroll. You might spot dolphins here or in Aberdeen harbour, for which the city is also famous.

With close to 220,000 inhabitants, Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city. Locally quarried grey granite was used during the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries for many of Aberdeen's buildings, and hence the nicknames it has earned as the Granite City, or the Grey City. Aberdeen granite was also used to build the terraces of the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Bridge in London. Since the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s, Aberdeen has also been called the Oil Capital of Europe or the Energy Capital of Europe. It is no wonder that because of the oil fields in the North Sea, Aberdeen's seaport is very important. The Heliport with its flights to the oil fields is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world.

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.