Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
London - Fairlie (Glasgow), Scotland
Dates:
4/5/2025
to
12/5/2025
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Join us for this 9-day cruise aboard Le Bellot exploring the rich history and culture that thrives on either side of the Irish Sea.
Begin with a night aboard ship docked near London Bridge, then set sail in the early morning down the Thames to discover historic Dover Castle, perched high on the emblematic White Cliffs, and perhaps visit the nearby UNESCO Heritage site of Canterbury Cathedral.
Enjoy a morning on the Isle of Wight visiting Osborne House, Queen Victoria's favorite residence, before a relaxing afternoon cruising along the shores of the English Channel. Arrive the following day some 30 miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall in the Isles of Scilly, where you visit the world-famous Tresco Gardens.
Crossing the Irish Sea, you call in Kinsale, Ireland, your gateway to proudly Irish Cork and its iconic Jameson Distillery. Holyhead, Wales, on the Isle of Anglesey, is where you may visit medieval Caernarfon Castle, built in the late 13th century by Edward I as the architectural capstone to the English conquest of Wales, or you may choose to explore the National Trust's Bodnant Garden.
Belfast, Northern Ireland's dynamic capital, is home to Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art museum on the site of the yard where the ill-fated ship was built. It is also your opportunity to experience the spectacular unspoiled scenery of the Antrim Coast and the famed Giant’s Causeway of over 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal columns, formed by the cooling of molten lava some six million years ago.
Your final full day is spent exploring the fabled Hebrides, beginning in the charming fishing port of Tobermory, whose distillery produces a renowned single malt scotch whisky, before proceeding to Duart Castle, ancestral home of Clan Maclean on the Isle of Mull, and ending with the mystical abbey of the Isle of Iona, home to the first Christian settlement in Scotland.
Your voyage comes to an end in Fairlie, gateway to Glasgow, Scotland's modern cultural capital.
Ref : LF0345US - EE040525
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
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Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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L'AUSTRAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Selection of Clarins top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including archaeologist Tom Dawson and Darragh Gannon, an expert in Irish studies.
- Experience UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way: Canterbury Cathedral, Edward I's Caernarfon Castle, and the Giant's Causeway on the Antrim Coast.
- Cruise the River Thames from London Bridge to the White Cliffs of Dover.
- Explore Osborne House, Queen Victoria's favorite residence, designed by Prince Albert.
- Wander through award-winning Tresco Gardens and Bodnant Garden at the height of the spring bloom.
- Discover the vibrant Celtic culture of Cork.
- Delve into the misty past of the Hebridean Isles of Mull and Iona.
Ports of Call & Excursions
4 May 2025 - London
Embarkation 4/5/2025 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 4/5/2025 at 8:00 pm
The main residence of the British monarch, financial hub and seat of British government, London is the economic and cultural heart of the country. A city of contrasts, attached to its traditions while buzzing with modernity, the capital of the United Kingdom has countless historic districts and notable sites to explore. From Hyde Park to the City through Westminster and Trafalgar Square, get ready to take on London's frenetic tempo. In between a visit to the National Gallery, a stroll through Covent Garden and a trip to Tower Bridge, you can take a quiet breather in one of London's many beautiful parks and gardens.
5 May 2025 - Dover
Arrival 5/5/2025 early morning
Departure 5/5/2025 early evening
Located in Kent County on the edge of the English Channel, 35 km away from the French coast and Cap Gris-Nez, Dover is the United Kingdom town nearest to France. As the main transit port between the two sides of the English Channel, it is the “Gateway to England”. Dover is famous for its impressive white cliffs, which have inspired many a poet and playwright. Majestically facing mainland Europe, they offer the possibility of a spectacular clifftop walk. Impregnable and perched on a hill overlooking the Channel in the city’s north-east, Dover Castle dominates the city. You will find its network of underground tunnels very interesting.
6 May 2025 - Cowes
Arrival 6/5/2025 early morning
Departure 6/5/2025 early afternoon
Located on the north coast of the Isle of Wight, across from the shores of the port cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, Cowes will win you over with its easy lifestyle, its heritage, verdant landscapes, craggy cliffs, and the crystal-clear waters of the Solent, the stretch of sea separating the island from mainland England. Many have succumbed to the charms of this pristine jewel. This includes Queen Victoria, who, captivated by this natural and authentic setting, had her summer residence built there in 1847: Osborne House, an architectural gem that is now one of the symbols of the town. A shipbuilding centre and the cradle of sailing, Cowes welcomes one of the largest regattas in the world every year during Cowes Week, an event gathering some 10,000 skippers and more than a thousand boats.
7 May 2025 - Isles of Scilly
Arrival 7/5/2025 midday
Departure 7/5/2025 late afternoon
Nestling in the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, at the south west tip of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly form a small British island chain whose climate, landscapes and lifestyle are unlike any other and seem to have come straight from an Enid Blyton story. Here, everything resembles a tropical paradise. The long sandy beaches run alongside lush green meadows teeming with semi-exotic flowers, whilst the ruins of ancient castles loom from the tops of the hills. Veritable havens of peace that inspired the legendary Avalon of King Arthur, they are today listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the rugged coastline plays host to wildlife that is as varied as it is exceptional, including the very rare Atlantic grey seal.
8 May 2025 - Kinsale
Arrival 8/5/2025 early morning
Departure 8/5/2025 early afternoon
Considered Ireland’s most beautiful village, Kinsale will captivate you with its sublime natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located at the mouth of the Bandon River in County Cork, this charming little port is home to picturesque streets lined with colourful houses, art galleries and theatres, as well as to a 17th-century fort. Not far away, perched on a rocky promontory, stands the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse: still in operation today, it has magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean.
9 May 2025 - Holyhead, Wales
Arrival 9/5/2025 early morning
Departure 9/5/2025 early evening
In the north of Wales and in the west of the captivating Isle of Anglesey, succumb to the charms of the enchanting small port town of Holyhead. Often called “the mother of Wales” due to its importance in history, Holyhead is a paradise for anyone with a passion for natural landscapes and heritage. They will love exploring the town’s many historical landmarks, among other sites. Among these is Holyhead’s 13th-century church, St Cybi’s Church, nestling right in the middle of the Roman citadel. Finally, you will be able to admire one of the symbols of the town: South Stack Lighthouse, built in 1809. As you pass near the lighthouse, you might have the chance to marvel at numerous species of seabirds, including guillemots and razorbills.
10 May 2025 - Belfast, Northern Ireland
Arrival 10/5/2025 early morning
Departure 10/5/2025 late afternoon
The capital city of Northern Ireland is located on the very tip of Belfast Lough, in the north-east of the Emerald Isle. Along the waterfront, the building shaped like a fragmented liner is non other than the Titanic Belfast, a homage to the famous transatlantic liner, with full-scale reconstructions making for an insightful experience of the Belle Epoque. In the historical centre, you’ll also travel back in time when you see the majestic Edwardian columns of the City Hall, and the imposing neo-gothic towers of Queen’s University for example. The carved wooden façades of the Victorian pubs will certainly entice you in for a pint of beer or chilled cider.
11 May 2025 - Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Arrival 11/5/2025 early morning
Departure 11/5/2025 late morning
Located at the northernmost tip of the lovely Isle of Mull, Tobermory has to be one of the most beautiful natural seaports on Scotland’s West Coast. Founded in 1788, this ancient fishing village has been converted to a leisure port highly appreciated today for its surroundings and the quiet charm it exudes. You will definitely be won over by the row of many-storied houses on the hillside, illuminating the harbour with their vibrant colours. Although the real spectacle is outdoors, no less interesting are the Mull Museum dedicated the local history and the exhibitions at the An Tobar art gallery.
11 May 2025 - Iona, Hebrides
Arrival 11/5/2025 early afternoon
Departure 11/5/2025 late afternoon
Of all the islands in the Inner Hebrides, Iona is by far the most conducive to contemplation and meditation. And for good reason... it is here that St Columba landed from Ireland in 563 and undertook to establish Christianity in Scotland. Now an abbey, the islandﾒs true spiritual centre stands where the ancient monastery founded by the Irish missionary was built. Many kings of Scotland, including the legendary Macbeth, are buried in the nearby cemetery. In sunny weather, arriving on the Isle of Iona is a stunningly beautiful experience.
12 May 2025 - Fairlie (Glasgow), Scotland
Arrival 12/5/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 12/5/2025 at 8:00 am
The village of Fairlie can be found less than an hour away from lively Glasgow. In the north of Ayrshire county, on the western Scottish coast, this charming little town faces the Isle of Arran. The originality of Kelburn Castle, built in the 12th century, stems from its façade covered in graffiti by four famous Brazilian graffiti artists. This artistic statement as well as the castle’s estate and gardens, which can be discovered during a pleasant walk, are well worth a visit.
Dover Castle
Given its strategic location at the shortest distance between Britain and the continent, it is not at all surprising that Dover Castle is one of the most fortified castles in England. Begun by Henry II and completed under Henry III in the mid 13th century, the castle has undergone many substantial renovations, one of the most important occurring at the time of the Napoleonic Wars, when a tunnel complex was dug into the chalk beneath the castle.
Your exploration of this massive fortress begins with a guided tour of the castle, with its Inner Bailey and Henry II's Great Tower. Explore the wider castle grounds to get a sense of the long history of the place, including an ancient Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest in the world, and an Anglo-Saxon church. Stretch your legs and walk the battlements to enjoy remarkable views over the English Channel.
Enjoy some time on your own to explore and, if available, enter the tunnels as they were during World War II, when they served as the headquarters from which the evacuation of Dunkirk was directed. Relive the drama of "Operation Dynamo" from May 26 – June 4, 1940, when, against enormous odds, more than 100,000 English and French troops were rescued. Perhaps see the underground hospital created by digging additional tunnels to serve as triage, operating rooms, and wards for treating the wounded before they were transferred further inland. Whatever you choose, you are sure to come away from the experience with a clearer sense of the importance of this remarkable monument in the history of England, and of the modern world.
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This is a moderate excursion. The guided tour of the castle involves standing for about an hour and some walking. Additional walking is largely at your discretion. A typical visit involves a total of 1.5 miles, over mixed terrain and steps. No special clothing is needed—comfortable shoes and a light jacket in case of rain should suffice.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The White Cliffs & The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, in the summer and fall of 1940, was the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. It is also the battle that changed the course of World War II.
This excursion begins with a short drive along the coast to the small village of Capel-le-Ferne, site of the Battle of Britain Memorial, for a guided tour of this monument to the heroism and sacrifice of the pilots and support staff of the Royal Air Force who crippled the Luftwaffe's efforts to bomb Britain into submission. You will see the memorial itself, dedicated by the Queen Mother in 1993, and the Wall, which contains the names of all the aircrew who flew at least one sortie during the battle. You will also visit the Wing, which houses an interactive experience creating a sense of what life was like during the campaign and its aftermath.
Leaving the memorial site, you drive past Dover Castle, a massive fortress much of which is hidden deep within the chalk of the cliffs, on your way to the White Cliffs Visitor Center. From here you set off on a 2 mile walk along perhaps the most famous cliffs in the world to reach the South Foreland Lighthouse. This Victorian era structure was built to guide mariners through the treacherous shifting sands of the Strait of Dover and was the first lighthouse anywhere in the world to make use of electric light.
Your motorcoach will meet you at the lighthouse for the short drive back to the pier.
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This is an active excursion with total walking distance of approximately 3 miles. The cliff walk includes stretches of unsure footing and can be slippery at times. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended, as well as a waterproof jacket and bottled water.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Canterbury and its Cathedral
A short journey from Dover through the heart of the county of Kent, known as the ‘Garden of England’, brings you to the historic and picturesque city of Canterbury – home to one of England's most famous cathedrals, setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Canterbury's wealth originated with the pilgrims who, like Chaucer's travelers, flocked to the city to visit the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket, who was murdered in his cathedral in 1170. The Norman cathedral still dominates Canterbury's skyline, inspiring the same sense of awe as it did in the Middle Ages. Explore this magnificent building, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican community, at your own pace, perhaps pausing at the site of Becket's martyrdom, marveling at the workmanship of the ancient stained-glass windows, or admiring the architecture of the Quire, the first Gothic building in England. You will also have time to wander among the labyrinth of streets and lanes lined with quaint shops, many of which date to the time of Chaucer.
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Total walking distance on this excursion is at your discretion. The ground around the cathedral has some cobblestones and is uneven in places, which may make walking difficult. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress (shoulders and knees covered) is requested to enter religious sites.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Royal Osborne House
Once an independent kingdom, the Isle of Wight so charmed Queen Victoria that after her first visit she is quoted as saying “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.�
You will get a sense of what she meant as you sail into the harbor at Cowes, once known as the "yachting capital of the world," and set off on a panoramic drive around this small island, much of which is managed as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty followed by a drive to Osborne House.
Queen Victoria had Osborne House built as a summer residence for the royal family in the mid-19th century. Designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance country villa, it is a grand palace, but it functioned essentially as a family holiday home and is filled with many personal and family mementos. Highlights include the majestic State Rooms, for entertaining visiting dignitaries, Queen Victoria’s bedroom, where she died in 1901, the Swiss Cottage, a playhouse for the royal children, and the magnificent Gardens, designed, like the house, by Prince Albert.
After exploring this charming window into the personal lives of the royals, you return to Cowes and to your waiting ship.
- This is an easy excursion. There are only a few steps at Osborne House, chairs and benches are available throughout the house and gardens, and the amount of walking is entirely at your discretion. Wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing for the changeable weather.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Cork City and the Jameson Distellery
Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in the estuary of the River Lee, just upstream from Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. In fact, it is this feature of the city that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you will travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the town from which the famous rare Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Old Jameson Distillery will take you into the heart of the cherished whiskey making tradition. Join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th-century self-contained industrial complex and learn the history of Irish whiskey as you observe the fully operational water wheel and marvel at the 32,000-gallon copper still, the largest in the world.
After the history comes the tasting, where you are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland's finest whiskey. Afterwards, visit the craft shop or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre where you can lose yourself in the charm of another age.
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This moderate excursion includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking on flat surfaces with cobblestones and some steps at the distillery. Wear warm and comfortable waterproof clothing and walking shoes. Please note that the order of the visits may be reversed. Participants must be at least 18 years old to participate. This tour is limited to 80 participants.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Charles Fort & Old Head Kinsale
From the pier, board your coach and follow the rugged coastline to the Old Head of Kinsale. The Old Head boasts spectacular scenery and breathtaking views with steep cliffs jutting down to the Celtic Sea on three sides. On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania passenger ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat just miles off the southern coast of Old Head during WWI, claiming 1,198 lives. Today the wreck remains, just 300 feet below the surface.
As you drive the loop of Old Head, you will reach Garrylucas Beach, where you will stop for a gentle stroll along a beautiful, white-sand beach, awarded a Blue Flag for its high quality environmental and quality standards.
Continue via the inland route to Charles Fort, a classic example of a late 17th century star-shaped fort. Here, enjoy a guided tour of this dramatic fort that was primarily constructed as a coastal defense to prevent attacking naval forces from entering Kinsale Harbor. As one of the largest military forts in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. These include the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Charles Fort remained garrisoned by the British army until 1922.
After your visit, rejoin your coach for your transfer back to your awaiting ship.
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This excursion involves walking approximately 4 miles on uneven grounds and steps. We recommend you wear warm, waterproof clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Center of Cork City
This walking tour of Cork is designed to introduce you to Ireland's second city through a variety of its neighborhoods and monuments. A 45-minute drive from the pier brings you to the South Mall, lined with businesses housed in buildings that were once boathouses along the River Lee. Across Parnell Bridge, your guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll along the quays of the south shore, where you will encounter a variety of architectural styles-the classical lines of Cork's elegant limestone City Hall, the modern design of the College of Commerce, and the Gothic façade of Holy Trinity Church. Pause for a moment to admire the graceful arch of Parliament Bridge before continuing on to Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral. Designed and built by William Burgess in 1879, this Gothic Revival church is renowned for the exuberant style of its ornamentation, particularly the ornately decorated interior.
After your visit to the interior of Saint Fin Barre's, resume your exploration of Cork on the north side of river, where you enter the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfares of the city. Along North Main and Castle Streets you are in a very cosmopolitan part of the city, full of pedestrian lanes, cafes, bookshops, and antique stores and surrounded by the people of Cork, gregariously going about their business. It is in this part of the city that you will find the famous English Market, a veritable festival of meats, fruits and vegetables, fish, cheeses from Italy, France, and Ireland, fresh breads, and more. Take some time to browse the many stalls on your own and do a bit of shopping, then rejoin your group for a quick drink at a local pub before returning to the ship.
- This moderate excursion involves slightly more than a mile of walking over flat, occasionally uneven, surfaces. We recommend comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Bodnant Garden
From the small port of Holyhead your motorcoach transports you on a scenic drive across the Isle of Anglesey, over the Menai Strait to the mainland of North Wales, and along the coast to the village of Conwy, home to the world-class Bodnant Garden.
Nestled in the Snowdonian foothills, Bodnant Garden was established in 1874 by scientist, businessman, and politician Henry Pochin, whose vision it was to create here in Wales a garden that would showcase plants from around the world. He and his descendants began the work of collecting and made Bodnant home to the earliest laburnum arch in Britain, to the earliest Chinese magnolias in the country, and to unique rhododendron hybrids.
In 1949 the Garden was gifted to the National Trust, who now maintain it and carry on its traditions. Bodnant is home to exotic plants like the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas and the Fire Bush of the Andes, as well as boasting Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees. During your visit, the flowers of spring — daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons —should still be in bloom, while the rose beds, lily ponds, herbaceous plantings and wildflower meadows of summer will be beginning to make their presence known.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
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The amount of walking during this excursion is largely at the guest's discretion. The guided tour of the garden is about 45 minutes over mostly flat or gently sloping terrain. Adventurous visitors should be prepared for a mix of gravel and grass footing and some older pathways with steps and exposed tree roots.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Welsh Culture and History
This full day of activity is designed to introduce you to three central aspects of Welsh culture—its language, its industrial past, and its architectural history. The experience begins even before you disembark, with a lecture from a native Welsh speaker and linguist on the history of the Welsh language and on the importance of continuing to teach it to children in Welsh schools.
Once aboard your motorcoach, you will travel onto the mainland of North Wales to Menai Bridge, a key industrial hub. Visit the iconic suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford, the first of its kind and a Grade I listed structure that connects Anglesey to mainland Wales. Explore the rich history of Welsh civil engineering at The Thomas Telford Centre, where you can view original bridge artifacts, learn about its reconstruction, and discover the fascinating story of how the Menai Strait was crossed. Afterward, enjoy free time or a scenic walk to Church Island, which offers breathtaking views of the suspension bridge.
Stop for lunch at an award-winning local family restaurant renowned for their delicious, locally sourced produce and fresh seafood. Enjoy a delightful lunch while soaking in the breathtaking views of the waters that separate Anglesey from mainland Wales.
After lunch, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle, designed by Edward I to drive home the message that Wales, after his conquest of the Principality, was subject to English rule. This point was underscored in 1284, when Edward made certain that his son was born in the castle and declared Prince of Wales. The current heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, was crowned here in 1969.
Leaving Caernarfon and the mainland, wonder at the landscape of the Isle of Anglesey as you return to your ship in Holyhead.
- This is a moderate excursion, involving as much as a mile and half of walking over mostly flat and groomed surfaces, but much of the walking is at your discretion. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Hospitality of Belfast
This excursion offers the chance to experience firsthand the festive spirit of Irish hospitality as it has been shared through the ages.
Begin with a guided walking tour of Belfast center, where you will learn something of the history of this elegant Victorian city as you discover iconic buildings and monuments, including the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, erected in memory of Queen Victoria's beloved husband; Ulster Hall, an imposing 19th-century music hall now used for concerts and recitals of all kinds; and the emblematic Belfast City Hall, whose magnificent 300-foot-long façade of Portland stone makes it impossible to mistake.
But the highlight of your tour is certain to be your stop in a local pub, where you will spend time in the company of world champion Irish dancers and musicians. Enjoy a pint as you are entertained with dancing, stories, songs and music played on harp, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar, flute, fiddle, concertina, and whistles. You may even try your hand at sean-nós and céilí dancing as your entertainers sing and play melodies and street songs that would have been heard in the ship-yards, mills, and markets of old.
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This is a moderate excursion with a total walking distance of approximately a mile and a quarter of flat and even terrain. You should wear comfortable shoes and a waterproof jacket if weather conditions suggest it.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Giants Causeway
From the port of Belfast drive along the Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoiled scenery is to be found here. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, this is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Stop briefly at Dunluce Castle for the spectacular views from this 14th-century outpost at the edge of a magnificent cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean before you continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway. A new Visitor Center, opened in 2012, provides information you can use to decide for yourself between competing theories of how the causeway came to be. One view is that the 40,000 basalt stones that form the causeway were deposited here as the result of a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago. Another story is that during the age of giants, the local giant, Finn McCool, tore up pieces of the coast and threw them into the sea in order to protect Ireland from other giants across the sea in Scotland.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the unique rock formations that have stood for millions of years as a natural rampart against the ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire. Your imagination will travel along these giant stepping-stones that lead either to the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the realm of myth and legend.
-
This excursion is mainly via motorcoach. There is some walking at Dunluce Castle to get the best views, but walking at the Giant's Causeway Visitor Center is entirely at your discretion. Those who wish to walk to the stones themselves will need to navigate a fairly steep incline. We recommend comfortable shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
City Tour and Titanic Belfast
Belfast is an elegant city boasting a rich and varied past. But Northern Ireland's largest city was built primarily in the modern period. This excursion focuses on the legacy of the 19th-century industrialists whose wealth is responsible for most of the monuments that grace the present.
Your tour begins with a drive past a host of popular sights — the stately Grand Opera House and Albert Memorial Clock Tower among them — before stopping at Queens University, founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. Here you will have an opportunity to walk the college grounds and enjoy a stroll through Belfast's celebrated Botanic Gardens, home to Palm House, a magnificent cast iron and glass structure enclosing a rainforest that was built before the similar structure of the same name in London's Kew Gardens.
Drive past Belfast City Hall, whose 300ft-long façade of Portland stone dominates Donegall Square, site of a statue of Queen Victoria and of the Titanic Memorial, before your final stop at one of Belfast's newest attractions, Titanic Belfast.
A monument to the city's maritime heritage on the site of the shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built, Titanic Belfast opened in 2012. This state-of-the-art experiential museum tells the stories of the men and women who labored at the Harland & Wolff yard to build what was the largest ship afloat at the time, and also tells the stories of the passengers and crew who were aboard on April 15, 1912. Using a variety of materials and media, including CGI, film and video, audio, archival materials, and scale models, the oft-told story of the Titanic is brought to life in a new and fascinating way, as Belfast remembers this important part of its legacy.
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The city tour is primarily via motorcoach, but walking at the university and the gardens totals approximately half a mile. Walking at Titanic Belfast is entirely at the guest's discretion.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.
Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including archaeologist Tom Dawson and Darragh Gannon, an expert in Irish studies
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in London to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Glasgow at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Program is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Dover Castle
Given its strategic location at the shortest distance between Britain and the continent, it is not at all surprising that Dover Castle is one of the most fortified castles in England. Begun by Henry II and completed under Henry III in the mid 13th century, the castle has undergone many substantial renovations, one of the most important occurring at the time of the Napoleonic Wars, when a tunnel complex was dug into the chalk beneath the castle.
Your exploration of this massive fortress begins with a guided tour of the castle, with its Inner Bailey and Henry II's Great Tower. Explore the wider castle grounds to get a sense of the long history of the place, including an ancient Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest in the world, and an Anglo-Saxon church. Stretch your legs and walk the battlements to enjoy remarkable views over the English Channel.
Enjoy some time on your own to explore and, if available, enter the tunnels as they were during World War II, when they served as the headquarters from which the evacuation of Dunkirk was directed. Relive the drama of "Operation Dynamo" from May 26 – June 4, 1940, when, against enormous odds, more than 100,000 English and French troops were rescued. Perhaps see the underground hospital created by digging additional tunnels to serve as triage, operating rooms, and wards for treating the wounded before they were transferred further inland. Whatever you choose, you are sure to come away from the experience with a clearer sense of the importance of this remarkable monument in the history of England, and of the modern world.
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This is a moderate excursion. The guided tour of the castle involves standing for about an hour and some walking. Additional walking is largely at your discretion. A typical visit involves a total of 1.5 miles, over mixed terrain and steps. No special clothing is needed—comfortable shoes and a light jacket in case of rain should suffice.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The White Cliffs & The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, in the summer and fall of 1940, was the first major military campaign fought entirely in the air. It is also the battle that changed the course of World War II.
This excursion begins with a short drive along the coast to the small village of Capel-le-Ferne, site of the Battle of Britain Memorial, for a guided tour of this monument to the heroism and sacrifice of the pilots and support staff of the Royal Air Force who crippled the Luftwaffe's efforts to bomb Britain into submission. You will see the memorial itself, dedicated by the Queen Mother in 1993, and the Wall, which contains the names of all the aircrew who flew at least one sortie during the battle. You will also visit the Wing, which houses an interactive experience creating a sense of what life was like during the campaign and its aftermath.
Leaving the memorial site, you drive past Dover Castle, a massive fortress much of which is hidden deep within the chalk of the cliffs, on your way to the White Cliffs Visitor Center. From here you set off on a 2 mile walk along perhaps the most famous cliffs in the world to reach the South Foreland Lighthouse. This Victorian era structure was built to guide mariners through the treacherous shifting sands of the Strait of Dover and was the first lighthouse anywhere in the world to make use of electric light.
Your motorcoach will meet you at the lighthouse for the short drive back to the pier.
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This is an active excursion with total walking distance of approximately 3 miles. The cliff walk includes stretches of unsure footing and can be slippery at times. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended, as well as a waterproof jacket and bottled water.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Canterbury and its Cathedral
A short journey from Dover through the heart of the county of Kent, known as the ‘Garden of England’, brings you to the historic and picturesque city of Canterbury – home to one of England's most famous cathedrals, setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Canterbury's wealth originated with the pilgrims who, like Chaucer's travelers, flocked to the city to visit the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket, who was murdered in his cathedral in 1170. The Norman cathedral still dominates Canterbury's skyline, inspiring the same sense of awe as it did in the Middle Ages. Explore this magnificent building, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican community, at your own pace, perhaps pausing at the site of Becket's martyrdom, marveling at the workmanship of the ancient stained-glass windows, or admiring the architecture of the Quire, the first Gothic building in England. You will also have time to wander among the labyrinth of streets and lanes lined with quaint shops, many of which date to the time of Chaucer.
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Total walking distance on this excursion is at your discretion. The ground around the cathedral has some cobblestones and is uneven in places, which may make walking difficult. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress (shoulders and knees covered) is requested to enter religious sites.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Royal Osborne House
Once an independent kingdom, the Isle of Wight so charmed Queen Victoria that after her first visit she is quoted as saying “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.�
You will get a sense of what she meant as you sail into the harbor at Cowes, once known as the "yachting capital of the world," and set off on a panoramic drive around this small island, much of which is managed as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty followed by a drive to Osborne House.
Queen Victoria had Osborne House built as a summer residence for the royal family in the mid-19th century. Designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance country villa, it is a grand palace, but it functioned essentially as a family holiday home and is filled with many personal and family mementos. Highlights include the majestic State Rooms, for entertaining visiting dignitaries, Queen Victoria’s bedroom, where she died in 1901, the Swiss Cottage, a playhouse for the royal children, and the magnificent Gardens, designed, like the house, by Prince Albert.
After exploring this charming window into the personal lives of the royals, you return to Cowes and to your waiting ship.
- This is an easy excursion. There are only a few steps at Osborne House, chairs and benches are available throughout the house and gardens, and the amount of walking is entirely at your discretion. Wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing for the changeable weather.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Cork City and the Jameson Distellery
Cork, Ireland's second city (or the "real capital of Ireland," as its inhabitants like to say), was founded in the 6th century as a monastic settlement on an island in the estuary of the River Lee, just upstream from Cork harbor. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. In fact, it is this feature of the city that gives Cork its distinctively continental air. The city has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city—a city of jazz, film, opera and theater. And yet, despite offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the charm and friendliness of a country town. Among the sights you will see on your panoramic tour are the spires of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall, and the renowned Bells of Shandon.
Leaving the city, you will travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the town from which the famous rare Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Old Jameson Distillery will take you into the heart of the cherished whiskey making tradition. Join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th-century self-contained industrial complex and learn the history of Irish whiskey as you observe the fully operational water wheel and marvel at the 32,000-gallon copper still, the largest in the world.
After the history comes the tasting, where you are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland's finest whiskey. Afterwards, visit the craft shop or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre where you can lose yourself in the charm of another age.
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This moderate excursion includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking on flat surfaces with cobblestones and some steps at the distillery. Wear warm and comfortable waterproof clothing and walking shoes. Please note that the order of the visits may be reversed. Participants must be at least 18 years old to participate. This tour is limited to 80 participants.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Charles Fort & Old Head Kinsale
From the pier, board your coach and follow the rugged coastline to the Old Head of Kinsale. The Old Head boasts spectacular scenery and breathtaking views with steep cliffs jutting down to the Celtic Sea on three sides. On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania passenger ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat just miles off the southern coast of Old Head during WWI, claiming 1,198 lives. Today the wreck remains, just 300 feet below the surface.
As you drive the loop of Old Head, you will reach Garrylucas Beach, where you will stop for a gentle stroll along a beautiful, white-sand beach, awarded a Blue Flag for its high quality environmental and quality standards.
Continue via the inland route to Charles Fort, a classic example of a late 17th century star-shaped fort. Here, enjoy a guided tour of this dramatic fort that was primarily constructed as a coastal defense to prevent attacking naval forces from entering Kinsale Harbor. As one of the largest military forts in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. These include the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Charles Fort remained garrisoned by the British army until 1922.
After your visit, rejoin your coach for your transfer back to your awaiting ship.
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This excursion involves walking approximately 4 miles on uneven grounds and steps. We recommend you wear warm, waterproof clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Center of Cork City
This walking tour of Cork is designed to introduce you to Ireland's second city through a variety of its neighborhoods and monuments. A 45-minute drive from the pier brings you to the South Mall, lined with businesses housed in buildings that were once boathouses along the River Lee. Across Parnell Bridge, your guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll along the quays of the south shore, where you will encounter a variety of architectural styles-the classical lines of Cork's elegant limestone City Hall, the modern design of the College of Commerce, and the Gothic façade of Holy Trinity Church. Pause for a moment to admire the graceful arch of Parliament Bridge before continuing on to Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral. Designed and built by William Burgess in 1879, this Gothic Revival church is renowned for the exuberant style of its ornamentation, particularly the ornately decorated interior.
After your visit to the interior of Saint Fin Barre's, resume your exploration of Cork on the north side of river, where you enter the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfares of the city. Along North Main and Castle Streets you are in a very cosmopolitan part of the city, full of pedestrian lanes, cafes, bookshops, and antique stores and surrounded by the people of Cork, gregariously going about their business. It is in this part of the city that you will find the famous English Market, a veritable festival of meats, fruits and vegetables, fish, cheeses from Italy, France, and Ireland, fresh breads, and more. Take some time to browse the many stalls on your own and do a bit of shopping, then rejoin your group for a quick drink at a local pub before returning to the ship.
- This moderate excursion involves slightly more than a mile of walking over flat, occasionally uneven, surfaces. We recommend comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Bodnant Garden
From the small port of Holyhead your motorcoach transports you on a scenic drive across the Isle of Anglesey, over the Menai Strait to the mainland of North Wales, and along the coast to the village of Conwy, home to the world-class Bodnant Garden.
Nestled in the Snowdonian foothills, Bodnant Garden was established in 1874 by scientist, businessman, and politician Henry Pochin, whose vision it was to create here in Wales a garden that would showcase plants from around the world. He and his descendants began the work of collecting and made Bodnant home to the earliest laburnum arch in Britain, to the earliest Chinese magnolias in the country, and to unique rhododendron hybrids.
In 1949 the Garden was gifted to the National Trust, who now maintain it and carry on its traditions. Bodnant is home to exotic plants like the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas and the Fire Bush of the Andes, as well as boasting Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees. During your visit, the flowers of spring — daffodils, camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons —should still be in bloom, while the rose beds, lily ponds, herbaceous plantings and wildflower meadows of summer will be beginning to make their presence known.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
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The amount of walking during this excursion is largely at the guest's discretion. The guided tour of the garden is about 45 minutes over mostly flat or gently sloping terrain. Adventurous visitors should be prepared for a mix of gravel and grass footing and some older pathways with steps and exposed tree roots.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Welsh Culture and History
This full day of activity is designed to introduce you to three central aspects of Welsh culture—its language, its industrial past, and its architectural history. The experience begins even before you disembark, with a lecture from a native Welsh speaker and linguist on the history of the Welsh language and on the importance of continuing to teach it to children in Welsh schools.
Once aboard your motorcoach, you will travel onto the mainland of North Wales to Menai Bridge, a key industrial hub. Visit the iconic suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford, the first of its kind and a Grade I listed structure that connects Anglesey to mainland Wales. Explore the rich history of Welsh civil engineering at The Thomas Telford Centre, where you can view original bridge artifacts, learn about its reconstruction, and discover the fascinating story of how the Menai Strait was crossed. Afterward, enjoy free time or a scenic walk to Church Island, which offers breathtaking views of the suspension bridge.
Stop for lunch at an award-winning local family restaurant renowned for their delicious, locally sourced produce and fresh seafood. Enjoy a delightful lunch while soaking in the breathtaking views of the waters that separate Anglesey from mainland Wales.
After lunch, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Caernarfon Castle, designed by Edward I to drive home the message that Wales, after his conquest of the Principality, was subject to English rule. This point was underscored in 1284, when Edward made certain that his son was born in the castle and declared Prince of Wales. The current heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, was crowned here in 1969.
Leaving Caernarfon and the mainland, wonder at the landscape of the Isle of Anglesey as you return to your ship in Holyhead.
- This is a moderate excursion, involving as much as a mile and half of walking over mostly flat and groomed surfaces, but much of the walking is at your discretion. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Hospitality of Belfast
This excursion offers the chance to experience firsthand the festive spirit of Irish hospitality as it has been shared through the ages.
Begin with a guided walking tour of Belfast center, where you will learn something of the history of this elegant Victorian city as you discover iconic buildings and monuments, including the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, erected in memory of Queen Victoria's beloved husband; Ulster Hall, an imposing 19th-century music hall now used for concerts and recitals of all kinds; and the emblematic Belfast City Hall, whose magnificent 300-foot-long façade of Portland stone makes it impossible to mistake.
But the highlight of your tour is certain to be your stop in a local pub, where you will spend time in the company of world champion Irish dancers and musicians. Enjoy a pint as you are entertained with dancing, stories, songs and music played on harp, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar, flute, fiddle, concertina, and whistles. You may even try your hand at sean-nós and céilí dancing as your entertainers sing and play melodies and street songs that would have been heard in the ship-yards, mills, and markets of old.
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This is a moderate excursion with a total walking distance of approximately a mile and a quarter of flat and even terrain. You should wear comfortable shoes and a waterproof jacket if weather conditions suggest it.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Giants Causeway
From the port of Belfast drive along the Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoiled scenery is to be found here. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, this is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Stop briefly at Dunluce Castle for the spectacular views from this 14th-century outpost at the edge of a magnificent cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean before you continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway. A new Visitor Center, opened in 2012, provides information you can use to decide for yourself between competing theories of how the causeway came to be. One view is that the 40,000 basalt stones that form the causeway were deposited here as the result of a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago. Another story is that during the age of giants, the local giant, Finn McCool, tore up pieces of the coast and threw them into the sea in order to protect Ireland from other giants across the sea in Scotland.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the unique rock formations that have stood for millions of years as a natural rampart against the ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire. Your imagination will travel along these giant stepping-stones that lead either to the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the realm of myth and legend.
-
This excursion is mainly via motorcoach. There is some walking at Dunluce Castle to get the best views, but walking at the Giant's Causeway Visitor Center is entirely at your discretion. Those who wish to walk to the stones themselves will need to navigate a fairly steep incline. We recommend comfortable shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
City Tour and Titanic Belfast
Belfast is an elegant city boasting a rich and varied past. But Northern Ireland's largest city was built primarily in the modern period. This excursion focuses on the legacy of the 19th-century industrialists whose wealth is responsible for most of the monuments that grace the present.
Your tour begins with a drive past a host of popular sights — the stately Grand Opera House and Albert Memorial Clock Tower among them — before stopping at Queens University, founded by Queen Victoria in 1845. Here you will have an opportunity to walk the college grounds and enjoy a stroll through Belfast's celebrated Botanic Gardens, home to Palm House, a magnificent cast iron and glass structure enclosing a rainforest that was built before the similar structure of the same name in London's Kew Gardens.
Drive past Belfast City Hall, whose 300ft-long façade of Portland stone dominates Donegall Square, site of a statue of Queen Victoria and of the Titanic Memorial, before your final stop at one of Belfast's newest attractions, Titanic Belfast.
A monument to the city's maritime heritage on the site of the shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built, Titanic Belfast opened in 2012. This state-of-the-art experiential museum tells the stories of the men and women who labored at the Harland & Wolff yard to build what was the largest ship afloat at the time, and also tells the stories of the passengers and crew who were aboard on April 15, 1912. Using a variety of materials and media, including CGI, film and video, audio, archival materials, and scale models, the oft-told story of the Titanic is brought to life in a new and fascinating way, as Belfast remembers this important part of its legacy.
-
The city tour is primarily via motorcoach, but walking at the university and the gardens totals approximately half a mile. Walking at Titanic Belfast is entirely at the guest's discretion.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS (2 NIGHTS)
The Scottish Highlands encompass some of the most romantic and storied landscapes in the world. Famous for their rugged beauty, they are also home to a vigorous Gaelic pride and the site of many battles in the struggle for autonomy from England. This program provides an introduction to all of these aspects of Highland culture, as well as a tasting of local whisky, without which any visit to the region is incomplete.
Day 1 – Disembark | Glasgow, Scotland | Inverness
After breakfast aboard and disembarkation, board your motorcoach for a leisurely journey to Inverness.
Drive northwards through the beautiful scenery of Trossachs National Park to Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain, where your guide will regale you with stories of Rob Roy, the 17th-century Scottish outlaw made famous by Sir Walter Scott. Continue to picturesque Glencoe, situated in a steep-sided valley known for its waterfalls and impressive mountain peaks, where you pause for lunch, before visiting the award-winning Glencoe visitor center to learn more about the history and geology of this region.
As you continue northward through the wonderfully scenic Great Glen, you pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and stop briefly at the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces whose training depot the memorial overlooks. Follow the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th-century to connect Scotland's east and west coasts, pausing at the small town of Fort Augustus, on the southern tip of Loch Ness, before continuing along the shores of this legendary home of the Loch Ness Monster to Inverness.
On arrival in Inverness, check-in to the Glen Mhor Hotel, your home for the next two nights. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.
Day 2 – Inverness
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor's Center, a powerful memorial to the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Then, a short drive across the Moray Firth and through the countryside brings you to the Glen Ord Distillery, where the famous Singleton single malt whisky is made. A guided tour of the facility and a nosing and tasting led by an experienced whisky sommelier is followed by time to explore the distillery's exhibition area or browse their gift shop.
Returning to Inverness, enjoy a guided walking tour of this 'capital of the Highlands'. Explore Inverness Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, and stroll along the River Ness toward the city center, for splendid views of Inverness Castle. Your guide will explain the legend of the encounter between a saint and a water monster that continues to attract visitors to the region, and as you walk up Church Street, lined with many grand buildings, you will also learn about the Jacobite uprising and its end in 1746 at the battle of nearby Culloden Moor.
Reaching the top of Castle Hill, you will enjoy a brilliant view of the River Ness and hear the history of the castle, of Mary Queen of Scot's visit to Inverness, and of Flora MacDonald, the Highland heroine who saved the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie by disguising him as a maid.
Your walking tour ends at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where you can discover more of the fascinating history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands as you browse the museum's exhibits celebrating Highland life. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner.
Day 3 – Inverness | Homeward
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.
Your hotel:
The Glen Mhor Hotel is a 4-star hotel combining the timeless charm of the Highlands with a dedication to sustainability and contemporary style. Overlooking the picturesque River Ness, the hotel is a 3-minute walk from Inverness city center. The hotel is home to Uile-bheist Brewery & Distillery, the first distillery and brewery in Inverness in 130 years, and a revitalization of the city’s rich distilling history.
Your program includes:
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2 nights at the Glen Mhor (or similar)
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Transfer and luggage handling from the ship to the hotel on disembarkation day
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Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3
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Breakfast on Days 2 and 3
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Lunch on Day 1
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Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
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Local English-speaking guides
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Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
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Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day
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Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
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It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.
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Late check-out is available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
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The official currency is the British pound. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
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This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
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Program is offered on a space available basis.
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Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
Glen Mhor Hotel
Ness Bank
Inverness IV2 4SG
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1463 234308
Total : AU$2,450
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.