EXPLORE THE BRITISH ISLES

Welcome to London. You have 2 nights to explore the city.

Southampton is a city in Hampshire, South East England, 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 15 miles (24 km) west of Portsmouth.

Savor the old town’s marvelous Georgian and Victorian architecture and impressive Edinburgh Castle, high on its volcanic crag with a fabulous view. Stroll along the medieval Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the abbey and Queen Mary’s chambers. Visit St. Giles’ Cathedral where John Knox once preached.

Aberdeen is a port city in northeast Scotland, where the Dee and Don rivers meet the North Sea. With an offshore petroleum industry, the city is home to an international population. It’s also known as the ‘Granite City’ for its many enduring grey-stone buildings. The 19th-century Marischal College is typical – a monumental Victorian landmark that’s now headquarters of the City Council.

This starkly beautiful island holds many ancient treasures like the enigmatic Standing Stones of Stenness and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, amazingly discovered with furniture and indoor drains preserved. Visit the imposing trio of St. Magnus Cathedral, the nearby ruins of the Earl’s Palace, and the earlier Bishop’s Palace.

Stroll through this village and enjoy the views of Lews Castle before exploring the remote, wild Hebrides countryside dotted will old crofts. Visit the breathtaking Standing Stones at Callanish, a megalithic avenue of 19 stones and 13 stone circle and Carloway Broch, a 2,000-year-old circular fortified tower. Shopping: Buy superb Harris Tweed here, woolens and local crafts. Dining: Enjoy local fish, lamb and delicious breads and pastries.

Donegal’s scenic fishing village, Killybegs is situated in a region marked by natural beauty and rich in Celtic heritage. Discover thatched Irish cottages and picturesque Gaeltacht villages, not to mention super fresh seafood and beautiful stretches of coastline with Blue Flag beaches. Get a sense of the town’s history and see the world’s largest hand-knotted loom at the former factory of Donegal Carpets, now known as Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre. Nature lovers will want to head to hiking trails of dramatic Slieve League Mountains just west of Killybegs – those up for the adventure will be rewarded with stunning views of Donegal Bay, local wildlife and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Delight in this vibrant city of ornate Victorian and Edwardian architecture, gracious gardens and friendly pubs. Thrill to the natural phenomenon of the Giants’ Causeway, a stunning geological anomaly of tightly packed, uneven basalt columns disappearing into the sea, and the enigmatic ruins of Grey Abbey.

The coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire is popular for strolls on the East Pier, and locally caught fish and chips. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland has nautical art and artefacts inside a 19th-century sailors’ church, while the harbour is a busy hub for fishing, water sports and cruises. Nearby Sandycove is home to the James Joyce Tower and Museum, as well as the sheltered beach and bathing spot at Forty Foot.

Cheerful Cork sprawls about the River Lee in one of Ireland’s most stunning settings. Bridges crisscross the city leading to landmarks like St. Anne’s Church and the Old City Gaol, where you’ll see the 19th century prisoners’ graffiti. Make time to kiss the Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle.

Dartmouth sits at the mouth of the River Dart on Devon’s south coast, its harbour sheltered by steep wooded hills and lined with medieval and Georgian buildings that have changed little in centuries. The town was a major departure point for the Crusades and for the D-Day fleet in 1944 — history runs deep here and the castle guarding the harbour entrance has been in continuous use since the 15th century. The Butterwalk, a timber-framed arcade dating from the 1630s, houses the local museum and gives the town centre a character entirely its own. The surrounding South Hams countryside offers some of the finest coastal walking in England, and the Dart estuary upstream is best explored by river ferry to the village of Dittisham, where the orchards come down to the water’s edge.

Southampton is a city in Hampshire, South East England, 70 miles (110 km) south-west of London and 15 miles (24 km) west of Portsmouth.