Ireland, Britain & France Discovery

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.

Ireland’s oldest city enjoys a rich history that includes Viking settlement, the Norman invasion, and periods of economic boom, seen in the Waterford Crystal Factory and its once-heralded title as the Wine Capital of Ireland. A walk through Waterford reveals vestiges of its rich past. The Vikings established Waterford in the late nineteenth century as a walled city, making it their most important stronghold in Ireland after Dublin. In 1169, Waterford was one of the first cities to be conquered by the Normans, and in 1205, King John granted Waterford its first charter, which helped the city develop as a major seaport. The Viking Triangle, a historic area with 1,000-year-old Viking Walls, includes Reginald’s Tower, Ireland’s oldest civic building, the Medieval Museum, and the Bishop’s Palace Museum. Other significant buildings include the remains of Blackfriars Abbey, a Dominican friary established in 1235. Cycling and hiking opportunities are found along Waterford Greenway, beautiful cycling and walking trail along an old railway line, and the Vee Scenic Drive, offering panoramic views of the Knockmealdown Mountains and valleys.

The Irish coastal town of Youghal is rich in history and natural beauty. A walk through this medieval once-walled city reveals parts of the original water gate, medieval walls, and clock tower. Very much strollable, notable sites can be spied throughout, such as St. Mary’s Church, built in 1250, housing the tomb of Richard Boyle, the first earl of Cork, and Myrtle Grove, home of the Elizabethan adventurer and major of the town, Sir Walter Raleigh. During the nineteenth century, Youghal was an important site for pottery works and lace making; these and other artisan crafts are proudly on display in local shops. Youghal is also your gateway to Lismore Castle Gardens, arranged over seven acres within the seventeeth-century outer defensive walls of Lismore Castle. The gardens are said to be the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and Blackwater Valley. Explore the countryside by foot or bike; relax on one of Youghal’s several Blue Flag beaches, or go birdwatching at Ballyvergan Marsh, the largest freshwater coastal marsh in County Cork.

Sitting pretty in Kinsale Harbor at the mouth of the Bandon River, just south of Cork, Kinsale enjoys a rich history as a medieval fishing village and important naval port for over 500 years, known for its Battle of Kinsale. The colorful seaside village is strollable, providing easy access to historic sites, museums, and outdoor activities. Kinsale has a celebrated food culture, found in its restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Bastion, and annual gourmet food festivals. Notable buildings include Desmond Castle, built by the ninth Earl of Desmond circa 1500, which has taken on many roles over time, including functioning as a prison, ordnance store, workhouse, and, most recently, the International Museum of Wine. Charles Fort, a seventeenth-century star-shaped fort and Irish National Monument, offers panoramic views and self-guided walks. James Fort, on the river’s opposite bank, boasts grassy headlands and views of the harbor and Kinsale town. Beyond castles, golf lovers can tee off at the world-renowned Old Head Golf Links, sitting on a 220-acre headland jutting into the Atlantic, offering dramatic views and a challenging course.

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.

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.

Rich in character and effortlessly walkable, Saint Helier invites exploration through its historic markets, elegant streets, and inviting waterfront. Wander to Elizabeth Castle during low tide, enjoy the cafés and shops tucked along the old lanes, or step inside the town’s museums to learn about Jersey’s unique identity shaped by both French and British influences. The waterfront promenade and nearby gardens offer gentle walks that highlight the town’s warm, sunlit charm.

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.

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.

France’s Atlantic shore between Pointe de Grave, at the mouth of the Gironde River, and Biarritz, at the foot of the Pyrenées, is known as Côte d’Argent. The river narrows near Bordeaux, center to one of the world’s most celebrated wine-producing regions. More than 10,000 vineyards dot the countryside, providing most of the Epicurean nation’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon, Savignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. Bordeaux reveals itself through taste and texture, historic stone façades, vine-covered hills, and the simple pleasure of lingering over a perfectly chosen glass. With hundreds of historical buildings and monuments, dozens of art galleries and museums, and distinctive French cuisine, Bordeaux is simply unmissable.

France’s Atlantic shore between Pointe de Grave, at the mouth of the Gironde River, and Biarritz, at the foot of the Pyrenées, is known as Côte d’Argent. The river narrows near Bordeaux, center to one of the world’s most celebrated wine-producing regions. More than 10,000 vineyards dot the countryside, providing most of the Epicurean nation’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon, Savignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. Bordeaux reveals itself through taste and texture, historic stone façades, vine-covered hills, and the simple pleasure of lingering over a perfectly chosen glass. With hundreds of historical buildings and monuments, dozens of art galleries and museums, and distinctive French cuisine, Bordeaux is simply unmissable.