Swan Hellenic’s Treasures of the British Isles

Make the most of the Great British summer and join Swan Hellenic’s 15-day Treasures of the British Isles cruise in partnership with the National Trust.

The voyage visits a number of National Trust properties, including Wallington in Northumberland, Plas Newydd, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey, Greenway, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, and the magical garden of the D’Oyly Carte family at Coleton Fishacre, as well as the spectacular Snowdonia National Park and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Helping bring the destinations to life on board are NT guest speakers Jeremy Pearson, the Historic Properties Advisor for Devon and Cornwall, and Adrian Tinniswood, an established author of several National Trust books. Both have lectured widely in the UK and abroad and will be able to offer their expertise on the properties visited. Other speakers on this cruise include ornithologist Tim Earl, Tresco Abbey Garden’s curator, Mike Nelhams, and theologian, the Rt Revd Stephen Platten.

Treasures of the British Isles departs from Portsmouth and calls at Port of Tyne, Edinburgh, Scrabster, Stornoway (overnight), Tobermory (overnight), Oban, Anglesey, Belfast, Isles of Scilly, Dartmouth and St. Peter Port (Guernsey) before returning to Portsmouth. 

The lead-in price of £1,905 per person is based on a special guarantee offer fare on the June 6 departure. Savings of up to £930 per person are available on this cruise for selected cabins. Prices include a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent guest speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and relevant cruise taxes/fees. Special offer terms and conditions apply. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Zegrahm Expeditions Offers a New Take on Ireland

Zegrahm Expeditions has become a leader in small-ship island circumnavigations and, this August, the adventure travel company will circumnavigate Ireland on an expedition that is not being offered by any other tour operator. Linking together a combination of places in the country that independent travellers couldn’t easily access on their own, this 14-day voyage combines charming villages, wondrous birdlife, historic landmarks and incredible geologic features. This trip is led by a team of experts, including two of the company’s directors along with several Irish and United Kingdom natives, two of which hail from the Emerald Isle itself.

Among the many highlights of this expedition, travellers will:

Explore the geological masterpiece of Giant’s Causeway—40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns of varying heights that line the coast and descend like a staircase into the sea.

Embark on an iconic drive that encompasses some of the world’s finest scenery from Sneem to the market town of Kenmare, best known as the Ring of Kerry
Zodiac cruise to the private island of Skellig Michael, once home to 9th-century Irish Christian monks, and now home to one of Europe’s best-known, but least-accessible monasteries—also a World Heritage Site.

Tour (and taste!) the Old Bushmills Distillery for a look into region’s best-known elixir.

Visit to Donegal’s Belleek Pottery studio to view artisans hard at work on traditional and contemporary tabletop, decorative, lighting, and jewellery pottery pieces.

Admire the skill and mastery of blowing, cutting, and engraving crystal ware at the renowned Waterford Crystal Gallery.

Raise a pint with fellow travellers and locals alike at several of the many pubs that dot the country.

“We pride ourselves as a leader in small-ship cruising and this expedition is the perfect example of how we can tie together so many unique stops into one itinerary. Plus, with all the activities offered on this voyage, there really is something for every traveller,” says Zegrahm Expeditions’ President, Jon Nicholson.

This expedition, aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey, departs August 14, 2011. Ideally timed for a summer vacation, Zegrahm offers family and friends travelling together a savings of 10% for four or more people and 15% when you travel with eight or more. To learn more about this itinerary, visit: http://www.zeco.com/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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