In these days where the world seems to be getting smaller and previously far-flung destinations are now within reach, it is surprising that many people only have a vague awareness of what is on offer ‘on their own doorstep’. Here is an opportunity to sail around the entire British Isles discovering the diverse charms of the Channel Islands, Eire, Ulster, Scotland’s outlying islands and her majestic capital, Edinburgh. Un petit peu of Gallic flair prefaces this fascinating cruise. On the estuary of the River Seine, lies the delightful town of Honfleur. Perhaps see Monet’s garden at Giverny, the Normandy beaches or the Bayeux Tapestry. The relaxed style of St Helier introduces you to picturesque Jersey (and some duty-free shopping!). Then it is over the sea to Ireland and Cobh, formerly Queenstown of transatlantic liner fame. Take in Cork and its lovely period buildings, or Blarney Castle with its famous Stone. Glengariff, at the head of Bantry Bay retains an ‘olde world charm’ and offers excursion opportunities to County Kerry and the Beara Peninsula. Donegal beckons and Killybegs, which boasts Ireland’s finest natural harbour, is a bustling town that has plenty for the visitor as well as being a fine base for exploring the delightful north-west. Belfast is a vibrant exciting city with outstanding shops, restaurants and bars. Hillsborough Castle and The Giant’s Causeway are prime attractions. Remote Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands offer total contrasts to city life with their Gaelic influences. Leith is the home to the Royal Yacht Britannia and August is the time of the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Finally, a day at sea and the return to Tilbury.

LONDON TILBURY  
Day 1 Marco Polo sails at 1700hrs

HONFLEUR (France) 
Day 2 Arr 1130hrs Dep 2100hrs, stay 9.5hrs.
This pretty little town, at the mouth of the River Seine, makes a perfect finale to a spectacular cruise. The old harbour and marina are just delightful and the narrow streets and alleys of the old quarter are little changed since French medieval times. Claude Monet’s famous garden at Givenchy, the Normandy Landings beaches and even the Bayeux Tapestry are all within reach.

Optional Shore Excursions For Honfleur:
Tour C160 - A Day in Paris
Tour C161 - Honfleur and Deauville
Tour C162 - Rouen
Tour C163 - Monet’s Garden at Giverny
Tour C164 - Spirit of Normandy

ST. HELIER (Jersey) 
Day 3 Arr 0930hrs Dep 1900hrs, stay 9.5hrs.
St. Helier is the capital and by far the biggest town on the island. It is overlooked by two fortifications: Elizabeth Castle withstood Oliver Cromwell and his army for seven weeks in 1651, and was later used by the occupying German forces during the Second World War. Fort Regent is built on an outcrop above the town and has now been converted into a sports and leisure complex. Inside, there is an aquarium, a postal museum, a funfair and the old castle ramparts give excellent views out across the town and the bay. Other in town attractions include the award -winning Jersey Museum, the new Maritime Museum and the Occupation Tapestry Gallery.
Very popular for shopping, the best area in St. Helier is in the King Street/Queen Street precinct area. Most luxury goods are less expensive than in the UK, as Jersey, although VAT free, has low duties on items such as alcohol, cigarettes, perfume, cosmetics and electrical goods.

COBH (For Cork, Ireland) 
Day 4 Arr 1330hrs Dep 2300hrs, stay 9.5hrs.
Cobh, formerly Queenstown of transatlantic liner fame. Take in Cork, with its lovely period buildings, and Blarney Castle and the famous Stone. Tour oportunities could also include a visit to the Old Middleton Distillery.

GLENGARIFF (Ireland) 
Day 5 Arr 0800hrs Dep 1500hrs, stay 7hrs.
Glengarriff, set against the Caha Mountains at the head of Bantry Bay retains an ‘olde world charm’ and offers excursion opportunities to County Kerry and the Beara Penisula

KILLYBEGS (Ireland) 
Day 6 Arr 0930hrs Dep 1830hrs, stay 9hrs.
County Donegal beckons and Killybegs, which boasts Ireland’s finest natural harbour, is a bustling town that has plenty for the visitor as well as being a fine base for exploring the delightful north-west.

BELFAST (Northern Ireland) 
Day 7 Arr 1000hrs Dep 2000hrs, stay 10hrs.
Belfast is a vibrant exciting city steeped in history with outstanding shops, restaurants and bars. Hillsborough Castle and The Giant’s Causeway in Co. Antrim are prime attractions.

STORNOWAY (Outer Hebridies) 
Day 8 Arr 1200hrs Dep 1900hrs, stay 7hrs.
This history-rich outpost offers a tremendous diversity of interests including the pre-historic Callanish Standing Stones, fabulous coastlines, beaches and wildlife.

Optional Shore Excursions For Stornoway:
Tour C110 - Hebridean Highlights
Tour C111 - South Lewis and Harris

KIRKWALL (Orkney Islands) 
Day 9 Arr 0730hrs Dep 1730hrs, stay 10hrs.
The capital and administrative centre of the Orkney Islands, set on the principal island known as Mainland. The Orkneys comprise 70 or so islands, rocks and skerries that cover an area of 376 square miles. You can still detect the Norse influence and the Stone Age settlement at Skara Brae, older than either the Pyramids or Stonehenge, is fascinating.

Optional Shore Excursions For Kirkwall:
Tour C300 - Skara Brae and Skaill House
Tour C301 - South Island and Distillery
Tour C302 - Scenic Orkneys

LEITH (for Edinburgh, Scotland) 
Day 10 Arr 0830hrs Dep 0500hrs, stay 20.5hrs.
Leith is the home of the Royal Yacht Britannia and of course August is the time of the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

AT SEA  
Day 11 Cruising at sea

LONDON TILBURY  
Day 12 Marco Polo arrives at 0900hrs

Passengers land by launch or tender