Wales, England & France Discovery

Ports

• Dublin
  

  Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, sits on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the Liffey River. The Vikings settled in Dublin from the 841 AD onward, and existing remnants of Viking history infuse the city. During their reign Dublin became the most important town in Ireland as well as a center for western Viking expansion and trade. As the second city of the British Empire in the 18th century, Dublin entered its architectural golden age and is famous for the Georgian architecture of this period. Historic buildings include the thirteenth-century Dublin Castle and imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. City parks include landscaped St. Stephen’s Green and strollable Phoenix Park. The National Museum of Ireland explores Irish heritage and culture. You’ll find just as much allure in Dublin’s parks and expansive green spaces as you will in the city’s lively quarters—from cycling through the quiet glens of Phoenix Park to meandering amid orchids inside the glasshouses at the National Botanic Gardens.

• Fishguard, Wales
  

  A tranquil coastal town in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales, Fishguard stretches along the north slope of the valley. Set across two parts, the main town is perched on the top of the hill, while Lower Fishguard hugs a small river that flows into an idyllic harbor, where SeaDream drops anchor. Ancient standing stones round the perimeter of Fishguard Parish, forming one of several clusters of Early Medieval standing stones in Wales. Beyond its public gardens of Dyffryn Fernant and Penlan Uchaf, the quaint fishing village is notable for its parish church, seaside cafés, and artisan shops and boutiques along High Street. Fishguard’s Royal Oak House is notable as the site of the signing of France’s surrender after 1797’s Battle of Fishguard, a brief military campaign during which Napoleon’s troops attempted to invade Britain, its story displayed in finely embroidered tapestry.

• St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly
  

  The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the Cornish coast of southwest England, is defined by its heathland and fringed by sandy beaches. On Tresco, one of the five inhabited islands in the archipelago, Tresco Abbey Garden is home to subtropical plants and the Valhalla Museum, displaying a diverse collection of artifacts. As a small, privately owned island, Scilly’s ambiance of exclusivity extends to its upscale cafés and art gallery. The tower of 17th-century Cromwell’s Castle stands north of Tresco and is one of a handful of stone fortifications that survive from England’s Interregnum (“between reigns”) period of 1649-1660.

• Fowey
  

  Dock in Fowey Harbor to explore the small town of Fowey, England, sitting pretty on the south coast of Cornwall, just a stone’s throw away from the Biomes House, the largest contained rainforest, and the award-winning garden restoration project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Established hundreds of years ago as a trading and navel town, Fowey boasts a heady mix of coastal walking paths, quaint streets, and luxe boutiques, backgrounded by a picturesque countryside and thirteenth-century Restormel Castle.

• Douarnenez
  

  This beautiful coastal town with a handful of harbors is located at the mouth of the Pouldavid River, an estuary on the southern shore of Douarnenez Bay. The opportune location allows easy access to the area’s untouched beaches, perfect for strolling and lounging. Experience the quaint atmosphere of Douarnenez’s lively quaysides and narrow streets dotted with craft workshops, fishermen’s cottages, and patisseries.

• Belle Île
  

  Nestled off the coast of Brittany in the Bay of Biskay, Belle Île (meaning “beautiful island”) is defined by its rugged coastline dotted with fissured cliffs, natural harbors, and sandy beaches. Explore the island by foot or bike, itself a nature preserve rich in shifting sand dunes, heathered moors, and protected orchids. The 16th-century Vaubun Citadel, the church of Locmaria, and the lighthouse of Gouphar are defining landmarks on this tiny island, perhaps no less approachable than the village charm of cobbled streets, outdoor markets, and delightful cafés.

• Bordeaux
  

  Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France. The city of Bordeaux, with a population of 239,157 inhabitants in 2010, is the ninth largest city in France; its metropolitan area is the sixth largest in France, with a population of 1,127,776. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture of the Gironde department. Its inhabitants are called "Bordelais" (for men) or "Bordelaises" (women). The term "Bordelais" may also refer to the city and its surrounding region. Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital. It is home to the world's main wine fair, Vinexpo (fr), while the wine economy in the metro area takes in 14.5 billion euros each year. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.