Guest of Honour 
Media 
Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
10% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
- Last staterooms
Treasures of Ireland and the British Archipelagos
Fairlie (Glasgow), Scotland - Honfleur
Dates:
11/5/2023
to
19/5/2023
days
nights on board
In partnership with PARIS MATCH, with the exceptional presence of Alvaro Canovas, great reporter, specialized in international news reports.
PONANT invites you aboard Le Bellot for a 9-day cruise to discover the British and Irish treasures along the coastlines of the Channel and the Celtic and Irish seas.
Departing from Fairlie, a charming town on the west coast of Scotland, you will first sail towards Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe.
Your call in Belfast will allow you to visit the Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns.
Next, Le Bellot will sail towards Dublin, the Irish capital brimming with convivial atmosphere and authentic charm.
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.
Your ship will then sail towards the Isles of Scilly, a strange little archipelago whose landscapes seem to have come straight out of Enid Blyton's famous story, The Rockingdown Mystery. Here, long sandy beaches lie alongside green fields, while ruins of old castles stand proud on hilltops.
Then you will make your way to Dartmouth, a charming town tucked away in the heart of the stunning décor formed by the mouth of the Dart. You will discover its old pastel-coloured fishermen’s houses and some half-timbered buildings before calling at Guernsey, whose green prairies and romantic cliffs welcomed Victor Hugo during his exile.
Then you will reach Honfleur, jewel of the “Côte Fleurie”, after a magnificent cruise.
Ref : EE110523
Your itinerary
In partnership with PARIS MATCH, with the exceptional presence of Alvaro Canovas, great reporter, specialized in international news reports. A cruise off the British and Irish coasts to discover the treasures...
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Your trip in detail
Our guest of honour
Alvaro Canovas
A life of a great reporter photographer, the new Paris Match 2023 cruise in partnership with Ponant:
"He is one of the most prolific photographers, the most active on all fronts of current affairs, capable of capturing a starry-eyed look one day, and setting off the next day to the conflict zones of our time. From Catherine Deneuve to Syria or Ukraine, Alvaro Canovas - honoured with numerous awards - reserves his reporter's notebooks for the Paris Match meetings on board, hosted by Philippe Legrand, journalist, director of the magazine's editorial diversification and author. Anecdotes and confidences on a life of unexpected events dictated by world events!
Philippe Legrand, journalist, author and director of the editorial diversification of Paris Match.
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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L'AUSTRAL
28/6/2023 to the 12/7/2023
LE PAUL GAUGUIN
LE CHAMPLAIN
29/5/2023 to the 5/6/2023
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
11/9/2023 to the 5/10/2023
*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.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- 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
Alvaro Canovas
Alvaro Canovas was born in Paris in 1968. He began working with Paris Match in 1989, He also worked in fashion, visual and performing arts. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, He chose to focus on international news. I began working on conflicts in Africa, and spent the majority of his time covering events in the near and middle East. The post September 11 world reignited old hatreds between religious communities in countries such as Iraq and Pakistan and furthered misunderstandings between the Occident and the Orient.
His work as a photographer covering foreign news for over fifteen years led me to witness numerous ecological disasters provoked by earthquakes and hurricanes, deadly storms that have dominated front page news over the past few years tend to be most harmful in countries in the Southern hemisphere, often leading to humanitarian catastrophes. They also wreak damage on developed nations where, like in New Orleans, the poor are most likely to suffer. My goal has always been to give news events a human dimension, providing readers with informative photographs of people intricately involved in the changing face of History.
Languages spoken : french and english.
Photo credit : © Alvaro Canovas.
Philippe Legrand
Philippe Legrand is a journalist, author, radio and Tv speaker for the last thirty years. On Europe 1 radio, he is in charge of the broadcast L'Entretien Une date Une histoire. With France 3 TV, Face Caméra is shown in front of 6 millions of telespectators. He has published 14 books and received Le Prix du Livre de l'Année 2022 for his book J'avais dix ans à Bergen-Belsen. His book on Mère Teresa has reached more than two millions of lectors and inspired the British movie on the Mother of Calcutta. He is the Director of Editorial Diversification of Paris Match, the first French newsmagazine. He received on 2021, the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of the Culture. For the last ten years, he is a co-speaker for the Paris Match cruise's in partnership with Ponant.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Paris Match/E1
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Alvaro Canovas
Alvaro Canovas was born in Paris in 1968. He began working with Paris Match in 1989, He also worked in fashion, visual and performing arts. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, He chose to focus on international news. I began working on conflicts in Africa, and spent the majority of his time covering events in the near and middle East. The post September 11 world reignited old hatreds between religious communities in countries such as Iraq and Pakistan and furthered misunderstandings between the Occident and the Orient.
His work as a photographer covering foreign news for over fifteen years led me to witness numerous ecological disasters provoked by earthquakes and hurricanes, deadly storms that have dominated front page news over the past few years tend to be most harmful in countries in the Southern hemisphere, often leading to humanitarian catastrophes. They also wreak damage on developed nations where, like in New Orleans, the poor are most likely to suffer. My goal has always been to give news events a human dimension, providing readers with informative photographs of people intricately involved in the changing face of History.
Languages spoken : french and english.
Photo credit : © Alvaro Canovas.
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
Paris Match
For the last five years, Paris Match has been embarking on magnificent human adventures on the seven seas aboard the PONANT ships. There was the Arctic with the photographers Philip Plisson and Francis Latreille; China with the writer, media commentator and filmmaker Philippe Labro; South America with the astronaut Patrick Baudry; Indonesia with Jean-Marie Rouart from the Académie française…
Taking the form of “encounters and conferences”, these moments of discussion with a personality, led by Philippe Legrand*, are always an opportunity to travel through history and linger over new episodes.
Famous for its slogan "le poids des mots, le choc des photos” [the weight of the words, the impact of photos], Paris Match is France’s biggest selling news magazine, as well as being present in 120 countries, and occupies a special position in the media world. Its archives tell more than 60 years of history and reveal that very special link with celebrities that has been its strength and its identity.
A number of its editions are considered to be references that collectors hold on to preciously. From the assassination of John F. Kennedy to man walking on the moon, via icons, anonymous talents, or essential testimony, the major events of the century are recounted in its pages.
* Philippe Legrand is a journalist, author, radio and television presenter, director of communication and editorial diversification. He joined Paris Match in 1999.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- In partnership with PARIS MATCH, with the exceptional presence of Alvaro Canovas, great reporter, specialized in international news reports.
- A cruise off the British and Irish coasts to discover the treasures of these ancestral lands.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: from Belfast, the mysterious Giant's Causeway site, Dublin, city of literature.
- Discover the Giant’s Causeway and its thousands of basalt columns.
- Fort William and the discovery of Scottish traditions and history in the heart of the Highlands.
- The wild and romantic landscapes of Guernsey and Scilly.
Ports of Call & Excursions
11 May 2023 - Fairlie (Glasgow), Scotland
Embarkation 11/5/2023 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 11/5/2023 at 7:00 pm
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.
12 May 2023 - Fort William
Arrival 12/5/2023 early morning
Departure 12/5/2023 mid afternoon
A port town on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is sometimes described as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK." Because it sits at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, and is in close proximity to the dramatic landscape of Glencoe, it is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers. For those looking for a less adventurous experience, the nearby Ben Nevis Distillery offers tours and tastings, and Old Fort and Old Inverlochy Castle are interesting historical sites.
13 May 2023 - Belfast, Northern Ireland
Arrival 13/5/2023 early morning
Departure 13/5/2023 evening
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.
14 May 2023 - Dublin
Arrival 14/5/2023 early morning
Departure 14/5/2023 late evening
The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.
15 May 2023 - Holyhead, Wales
Arrival 15/5/2023 early morning
Departure 15/5/2023 late afternoon
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.
16 May 2023 - Isles of Scilly
Arrival 16/5/2023 midday
Departure 16/5/2023 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.
17 May 2023 - Dartmouth
Arrival 17/5/2023 early morning
Departure 17/5/2023 evening
Succumb to the charming setting of the small town of Dartmouth in the county of Devon, South-East England. Set in the heart of lush scenery, on the banks of the River Dart’s estuary, the town’s magnificent landscapes are typical of English countryside. Its picturesque paved streets will let you discover sumptuous half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries while, on the northern bank of the river, you will be able to admire former fishermen’s houses in their pastel colours. Now a popular tourist destination, this small port town has nonetheless managed to retain its relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
18 May 2023 - Guernsey, Channel Islands
Arrival 18/5/2023 early morning
Departure 18/5/2023 midday
Guernsey is an atypical and unforgettable port of call. This Channel Island will delight you with its mild, iodic climate and its green and floral landscapes. Don’t be surprised to come across dolmens and menhirs here and there, testifying to the long history of the island and its rich heritage. The attractive capital of St. Peter Port is characteristic of the delightful British atmosphere that gives the island its charm. The memory of the great writer Victor Hugo is also very present, as he lived for fifteen years in exile in Guernsey. His home, Hauteville House, preserves his memory. The incredible richness of the decoration gives a clear illustration of the creative genius of this great man.
19 May 2023 - Honfleur
Arrival 19/5/2023
Disembarkation 19/5/2023 at 7:00 am
A treasure of the Côte Fleurie, Honfleur is located on the edge of la Crique de Rouen in Normandy. You will no doubt admire the historical ships moored in its old port. With its tall, slate-covered houses, the quays provide a great setting for a very nice walk. In the streets behind the harbour, you will see many timber houses. These picturesque places were the cradle of several pre-impressionist painters. You can see their works in the Eugène Boudin museum. Exhibited works represent scenes of medieval streets and the coastline as it used to be, as illustrated by the Butin beach and its lush green hillsides.
Fort Augustus & Loch Ness
At the pier in Fort William board your motorcoach for a wonderfully scenic drive through Scotland's Great Glen along the shores of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich. Your drive will pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and by the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces whose training depot the memorial overlooks.
As you drive through the splendor of the Highlands, you follow the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th-century to connect Scotland's east and west coasts, ending your journey at the small town of Fort Augustus, situated at the midpoint of the canal, on the southern tip of legendary Loch Ness.
In Fort Augustus, board the Spirit of Loch Ness, a purpose-built vessel, for a 50-minute cruise on Scotland’s most famous loch. You will cruise past Cherry Island, the loch’s only island, as you take in the legendary beauty of the loch, including a striking view of Fort Augustus Abbey from the water. Enjoy a spot of tea or coffee and a cake bite while your crew points out sights of interest. A glimpse of Nessie is not guaranteed but cannot be ruled out.
Back in Fort Augustus, enjoy some time at leisure to wander through this lovely little hamlet. You can watch as boats navigate the locks of the canal, or you may wish to browse the village's lovely shops.
Rejoin your coach for the journey back to Fort William and your awaiting ship.
- This is an easy excursion with very little walking. We recommend comfortable shoes and layered clothing, including a jacket in case of inclement weather. Order of the visits may be reversed. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €160
According to availability, price per passenger.
Glorious Glenfinnan & historic Highlands
Fort William is ideally situated to serve as a gateway to the Highlands. This panoramic tour provides a taste of some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Following a brief overview of Fort William, a short drive along the shore of Loch Eil, brings you to the village of Glenfinnan. Best known for the stunning railway viaduct featured in a Harry Potter movie, Glenfinnan is on the West Highland Line which connects Fort William and Mallaig. The West Highland Line itself is famous for the Jacobite Steam Train, often referred to as the “Hogwarts Express Line." Pausing here for a short time, you may wish to climb the wee hill behind the Visitor Center for a better view of the viaduct, or you may walk to the nearby Glenfinnan Monument, honoring the Jacobite clansmen who fought and died in the cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Returning to Fort William, you stop at Banavie, where you visit Neptune's Staircase, a series of eight locks that raise boats 20 meters from sea level to join the Caledonian Canal. Constructed in the early 19th century by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, the Canal connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at nearby Corpach.
A short drive brings you to the Commando Memorial which offers breathtaking views of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles. The Memorial is dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces and overlooks the Commando Training Depot established in 1942. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, the memorial has become one of the United Kingdom's best-known monuments.
- This is an easy excursion, involving only as much walking as you wish to do. We recommend comfortable shoes and a raincoat. Order of the visits may be reversed. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €125
According to availability, price per passenger.
Majestic Glencoe & highlands
From the pier, join your local coach and start your journey from Fort William to one of Scotland's most spectacular places. Surrounded by towering mountains, Glencoe is the iconic highland landscape.
The glen provides some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery and is a paradise for climbers, walkers and skiers. It is, of course, also the scene of the infamous 1692 massacre. Upon arrival, visit the award-winning Glencoe visitor centre to learn more about the history, geology and nature of this region.
Continue your circular journey through the glen, pausing to photograph the famous “Three Sisters” as the mountain peaks are fondly known. Then head over Rannoch Moor; the Great Moor is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe.
Continue on a scenic drive via Pass of Brander, taking in the impressive scenery of the Scottish Highlands with mountains, sea lochs, castles and islands before returning up the West Coast to Fort William.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a raincoat. This excursion is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Glen Nevis hike
From the pier, join your local coach for a short transfer to Glen Nevis.
Upon arrival, commence your walk, heading straight into attractive deciduous woodland. The rough and rocky path then goes through the Nevis Gorge where you will see glimpses of tremendous rocky mountainsides through the trees.
At one stream, the way has been cut out of the rock and heads around the corner on a wide ledge; beyond here there is a first glimpse of the white line of Steall Falls through the gorge. The valley now narrows considerably, and the river can occasionally be seen below, crashing over and round huge fallen boulders.
The glen suddenly broadens out once more to form a grassy meadow decorated with wildflowers and surrounded by wooded, precipitous mountainsides. The crowning glory is the Steall Falls, now seen directly ahead across the meadow.
Continue to the main path until it reaches a bend where the glen curves round to the left and the path is close to the river. This is the best spot for admiring the great falls. They are the third highest falls in Scotland, cascading 105 metres down the rockface, and a tremendous sight particularly in spate. Rising above the falls is the Munro of A Gearanach, the first peak on the Ring of Steall, and this is the starting point for many mountain excursions.
Return to the coach along the same route.
- This excursion involves walking 2 miles (3,5 km) on uneven and occasionally muddy footpaths, steep in places. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof raincoat. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. This excursion is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €240
According to availability, price per passenger.
A day along the Antrim Coast
Depart from the port of Belfast and drive along Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoilt scenery is to be found in the county of Antrim. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, here is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Travel via the Coast Road to reveal different seascapes, towering cliffs, white sandy beaches, tranquil glens and lush forest parks, as you make your way northwards. From the vantage point at Fair Head and Murlough Bay you can enjoy views of Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, as well as the wild and mysterious island of Rathlin just seven miles (11 km) off the coast.
Stop to enjoy tea/coffee and scones at a local hotel along the coastal route before continuing to photograph Carrick A Rede Rope Bridge. Spanning a chasm some eighty feet (25 m) deep, its construction once consisted of a single rope handrail and widely spaced slats, which the fishermen would traverse across with salmon caught off the island.
Continue to a local establishment to enjoy lunch before venturing to the UNESCO World Heritage Giants' Causeway site. The summer of 2012 marked the opening of the new Visitor Centre at the Giant's Causeway. This new interpretative centre allows you to decide for yourself which explanation of how the causeway's 40,000 basalt stones were formed is most likely. For centuries, visitors have marvelled at its stone formation. To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. Your imagination will travel along stepping-stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the myths and legends of the past. You can board the "Causeway Coaster" minibus to bring you to the causeway itself.
On your way back to Belfast, a photo stop will be made at Dunluce Castle, before returning to your ship.
- This excursion is mainly a panoramic tour which includes 2 hours at the Giant's Causeway, the amount of walking is at guest's discretion. This tour includes a snack with tea or coffee and scone and a 3-course lunch.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
In the hull of Titanic
From the pier, embark your local coach for a short transfer to Belfast city centre.
Firstly, visit Titanic Belfast. Opened in April 2012, the new signature building telling the story of Titanic contains nine galleries containing a variety of interpretative materials and media including film and video, audio, archival materials and scale models; a high point will be a ride through the Titanic under construction. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four-high impact “hull” shaped sections which house the experience. As you wander up through Titanic Belfast, you will experience a thrilling ride through the reconstruction of the shipyards and the Titanic under construction. The stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day will be told in an exciting and modern way. At the conclusion, you can visit the wreck at her resting place on the floor of the North Atlantic.
After your immersion in the hull of the Titanic, take a short stroll to the Titanic Hotel where you will enjoy a typical snack while your guide tells the story of the making of Titanic. Titanic Hotel was the original drawing offices for Harland and Wolff, where the Titanic began its journey to life. The drawing offices were built in the late 1880s when the company was emerging as one of the world's leading shipbuilders. Here, decisions were made which changed the course of shipbuilding.
Then, re-board your coach for a panoramic tour of Belfast, city of industry and elegance with a rich and varied past. Its origins go back to an ancient fort controlling the ford across the River Lagan which flows through the city. The panoramic tour of the city will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland's largest city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past. You will drive past the Grand Opera House and the Albert Memorial before passing Queen's University, the Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall - an impressive building with a 91 metres (300 feet) long façade of Portland stone, which dominates Donegall Square. A stop here will allow you photograph what is perhaps the most noteworthy of the statues in the grounds. It is the marble figure of “Thane” on a granite pedestal, sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock and commemorating the sinking in 1912 of the R.M.S Titanic, the ill-fated Belfast built liner.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground with many steps (approximately 200 steps). Guests can choose to walk the stairs throughout Titanic Belfast or use the lifts. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Order of the visit may vary.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Charms 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.
- This is a moderate excursion with a total walking distance of approximately 1,2 mile (2 km) of flat and even terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof jacket if weather conditions suggest it. Order of visits may vary.
Total : €115
According to availability, price per passenger.
Giant's Causeway clifftop experience
Departing from the pier in Belfast, you will travel inland through the Northern Counties of Down and Antrim passing en route Ballymoney and Ballymena, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giants’ Causeway.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at its majesty and mystery. The unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of the Atlantic storms and the rugged symmetry of the columns never fail to intrigue and inspire. To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. Your imagination will travel along stepping stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the myths and legends of the past.
Upon arrival, experience the Giant’s Causeway like never before and take the road less travelled and see for a stunning five-mile hike along the thrilling clifftop path. It is the perfect option for hikers and walkers. Follow your hiking guide and listen to fascinating stories of the Giant’s Causeway, to its history and geology. En route, enjoy few photostops at the most stunning viewpoints in Northern Ireland, such as Hamilton’s Seat.
The hike ends at the Giant's Causeway, where you can climb the legendary basalt columns before exploring the interactive exhibition within the Visitor Centre.
Then, get back to your coach for your transfer back to the pier.
- This excursion involves hiking approximately 6 miles (10 km) on natural paths, grass and uneven grounds. The path may be muddy. We recommend you wear good hiking shoes, layered clothing and a raincoat. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. The tour depends on the weather. This tour will be conducted in English only and is limited to 18 participants.
Total : €200
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ulster Folk Museum experience
From the pier, board your local coach for a short transfer to the 20th century. Today, you will enjoy a journey back in time to rediscover Ulster as it was over a century ago.
Upon arrival at the Ulster Folk Museum, in the charming town of Holywood, meet your local guide who will give you an introduction before taking you on a guided tour of the Folk Museum. During your tour explore 'rolling hills of countryside' and a 'bustling town' filled with authentic period buildings. Visit various buildings throughout your tour where you will have the opportunity to see daily demonstrations of traditional crafts from basket weaving to printing and meet the inhabitants bringing it all to life. An immersive trip into the past awaits you.
Then, enjoy some free time to explore the park independently before saying goodbye to your new old friends and travelling the short journey to Belfast City.
Belfast is a city of industry and elegance and boasts a rich and varied past. Its origins go back to an ancient fort controlling the ford across the River Lagan, which flows through the city. A brief panoramic tour of the city will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland’s largest city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past.
Finally, rejoin the port and your awaiting ship.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 1 hour on uneven grounds and some steps. We recommend you wear confortable walking shoes, layered clothes and a raincoat. The Folk Museum guide may conduct the tour in English only.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historic Dublin
From the pier, head for the heart of the Irish capital. You will pass in front of the Customs House, completed in 1791 and designed by the architect James Gandon who was also responsible for some of Dublin’s loveliest buildings. Crossing the river Liffey to Dublin’s south side, the Bank of Ireland stands proudly, a 18th-century building which housed the Irish Parliament until its abolition as a result of the Union Act in 1800. On the opposite side, is the impressive gateway to Trinity College, the University of Dublin founded in 1592 at the instigation of Queen Elizabeth I.
A first stop is made to visit Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s most famous monuments. Dating back to 1038, it is the country’s oldest and most important cathedral. The cathedral has resisted the trials and tribulations of time and history. The building underwent extensive restoration work in the Victorian era and is an active religious centre.
Next, discover Dublin Castle. The castle played an important role from the Middle Ages up until 1922 as it was the residence of representatives of the British monarchy. It has survived numerous rebellions during its history, such as the 1916 uprising, and is today the theatre of official ceremonies such as the investiture of the President of the Republic. It was here that the 1998 peace agreements with Northern Ireland were signed.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the return journey to the pier and your ship.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven ground and cobblestones at the Dublin Castle. Please note the castle may close with little to no notice due to State functions. Order of the visits may be reversed. We reommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a raincoat.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Literature of Dublin
From the pier, board your local coach for a short transfer to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, located on the banks of the River Liffey, in the vaults of the magnificently-restored CHQ building in Dublin's Docklands. This is one of the capital's most historic locations and was the original departure point for many Irish emigrants when they left their homeland during the Famine. Dating back to 1820, the CHQ building was originally a wine and tobacco warehouse that famously hosted the Crimean War Banquet.
EPIC is an interactive experience that tells the fascinating stories of more than 300 Irish people and more than 1,500 years of history. It relives some of the greatest achievements in the world of Irish sport, music, art, culture, politics, food, fashion and science. Equiped with your audio-guide, discover Irish people heritage and history.
After your visit, continue to your lunch location before beginning a walk through Dublin, focussing on its literature heritage. Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature and is associated with four Nobel prize winners: WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Discover the streets on foot through these famous writers eyes before arriving at MoLI, the Museum of Literature Ireland.
Opened in 2019 and housed in Newman House, the museum celebrates Ireland’s world-renowned literary culture from the past to the present, inspiring visitors of all ages to create, read and write. Drawing its core inspiration from the work of Ireland’s most famous writer James Joyce and named after his best known female character, Molly Bloom, the museum features immersive multimedia exhibitions, priceless literary artefacts from the Irish state collections (including “copy n°1” of Ulysses), events and performances, creative workshops, cross-disciplinary artistic commissions, cutting-edge education programmes and a café set in one of the city’s most beautiful and tranquil gardens. Explore at your own pace this treasure trove of artistry before rejoining your coach for your return journey to port.
- This tour involves 0,6 mile (1 km) walking on mostly flat ground, and sometimes uneven and gravel ground and steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The inside visit to EPIC Museum is made with audio-guide. The inside visit to Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is self-guided. Order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : €170
According to availability, price per passenger.
Monastic ruins of Glendalough
Departing from the pier, board your coach and travel towards the County of Wicklow, just south of Dublin. It has a great variety of scenery within its borders and it is known as the “Garden of Ireland”. Central Wicklow is a mass of domed granite mountains, penetrated by deep glens and wooded valleys; it contains some of the finest scenery in Ireland.
Your first destination is Glendalough, or the “Glen of two Lakes”. It is one of the most important sites of monastic ruins in Ireland. It is also known as the city of the seven Churches. Fourteen centuries have passed since the death of its founder, St. Kevin, when the valley was part of Ireland’s Golden Age.
The two lakes, which gave the valley its name, came into existence thousands of years ago, after the Ice Age, when great deposits of earth and stone were strewn across the valley in the area where the Round Tower now exists. The mountain streams eventually formed a large lake.
Step out into the monastic ruins and enjoy a guided tour of this historic site. Established by St. Kevin in the 6th century, its ruined churches are scattered around the two lakes. At this time, Glendalough became a famous school of learning, inhabited by thousands of students from Ireland, Britain and Europe. One of Europe’s finest examples of round tower architecture can be found here, as well as a cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses. The stunning natural beauty of this wondrous place is evident in its mountains, glens and lakes.
Having enjoyed the beauty of this peaceful and picturesque valley, reboard your coach for your scenic return drive to Dublin and your awaiting ship.
- This tour includes 1 hour of visit of the ruins and involves walking on uneven ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bodnant Garden
From the pier, board your motorcoach and enjoy 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.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
- 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. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
South Stack RSPB Reserve
From the pier, board your local coach for the 30-minute drive to South Stack RSPB Reserve (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
South Stack RSPB Reserve is an important nesting site for seabirds that nest on the cliffs by the thousands. There are Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills along with Shags, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. South Stack is also one of the best places to see the Chough. The Chough (pronounced chuff) is the rarest member of the crow family in the British Isles and can be seen swooping along the cliffs all year round. Few Peregrine Falcons are also used to nest here. Smaller birds at the reserve are a source of food for them and one or two pairs nest at South Stack each year.
In summer, the heathland, part of the largest maritime heath in North Wales, has an abundance of plant species including the Spotted Rock Rose, Anglesey’s county flower and the Spathulate Fleawort, endemic to Anglesey. Amongst the colourful wildflowers you may see the rare silver-studded blue butterfly or even a basking adder, whilst out to sea you may be lucky enough to catch glimpses of porpoises and dolphins.
Your South Stack expert, a member of the RSPB, will guide and help you identify birds and wildlife of interest at the reserve. After the guided walk, enjoy some free time to explore the reserve on your own.
- This tour involves walking approximately 1,2 miles (2 km), and then at guest's discretion. There are compact gravel paths throughout the reserve, but also uneven ground with holes, which may need to be negotiated for good sightings. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. At the visitors’ centre, you can find information about the reserve and binoculars and telescopes are available for sighting. Please be aware by the end of July most will have left the reserve. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Discover Anglesey
Discover the Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) with its unparalleled beauty and vivid history, bestowed from ancestral Celtic, Roman, Viking and Medieval settlers.
From the pier, board your local coach and drive to Llangefni at the centre of the island to visit Oriel Ynys Môn (Gallery of Anglesey). At Oriel Ynys Môn, learn about Anglesey’s cultural history, the industries that thrived here, the rich archaeological finds and the tragic shipwrecks off the island’s rugged coast. See exhibitions displaying work from local artists and ‘borrowed’ collections from renowned organisations.
Then, continue to a famous town wifor its very long name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogog- ogoch, meaning, ‘the Church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio near a red cave’. The name is usually shortened to Llanfair PG by the locals. Enjoy a short stop and take the opportunity to photograph the world’s longest railway station sign.
Next, head to the Menai Strait, where you can see Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge (Menai Bridge), opened in 1826, the worlds first iron suspension bridge, and Robert Stevenson’s Britannia Bridge, opened in 1850, originally for the Chester – Holyhead Railway line, not vehicular travel.
Enjoy a scenic return journey to Holyhead via the west coast of Anglesey renowned for its beautiful beaches.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and waterproof clothes.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Garrison walking tour
Your walking tour on the lovely Island of St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly, will take you to The Garrison. This walk, offering lovely views of the other islands, was voted the best coastal walk in Britain in a Times survey in 2010.
Depart the quayside in Hugh Town towards the Garrison promontory. The Garrison is deemed to be of national importance “for the complexity and survival of its fortifications, representing successive periods of raiding, hostility and war”. The Garrison dates back to Elizabethan times and goes on through the Civil War years (it became the last Royalist stronghold), and the Spanish Wars of the 18th century.
You will enter The Garrison through the old garrison gateway, and follow the coastal footpath. Your guide will point out the various islands surrounding the Garrison as well as giving you some historical background while passing the various batteries.
Towards the end of the walk, climb the hill up to Star Castle so that you may enjoy sweeping panoramas of the islands. Star Castle is now a hotel, but it was built as an impregnable fortress back in 1593 and gets its name from the shape of its eight-sided central keep, curtain wall and dry moat. Here you will have some refreshments before returning to your ship.
- This tour is entirely done on foot and involves walking over uneven paths, as well as some steep up and down hill footpaths. Paths can be narrow at some places. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is conducted in English only. This excursion is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €50
According to availability, price per passenger.
St Martin's Vineyard
St. Martin’s is a quiet island with some of the finest beaches in the world. St. Martin’s rich natural beauty has attracted an enterprising bunch of residents, each making the most of where they live.
From the pier, walk to St. Martin’s Vineyard. It is the UK’s most south westerly vineyard which set on the site of a former flower farm. Established as a vineyard in 1996, the first vines to be trialled were white varieties, Reichensteiner and Madeleine Angevine, with the first vintage in 2000 yielding just 120 bottles. Today, the vineyard produces five varieties: three white, one rose and one red. The current owners moved to the island in early 2020 to continue the traditional management of the vineyard whilst increasing focus on biodiversity and sustainability, including a move towards organic production.
During your visit, meet with the owners James and Holly who will introduce you to their vineyard and enjoy a self-guided tour of the vineyard at your own pace. Of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting of some of the wines.
Next, head to Highertown, along the island’s one and only concrete road. Highertown is home to a charming gallery showcasing local artists, a flower farm and a thriving artisanal bakery.
After free time to browse at leisure, it will then be time to walk back to the pier and transfer back to your awaiting ship.
- The amount of walking depends on the pier used. This excursion can involve 1,5 to 3,5 miles (2,5 to 5,6 km) walking on uneven grounds, possibly sandy, rough track with two steep inclines. The presence of the owners of the vineyard is subject to availability. Order of visits may be reverted. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 30 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Tresco Abbey gardens
The Isles of Scilly are a sub-tropical haven for plants and wildlife. In this walking tour, visit the lovely island of Tresco and tour one of the most remarkable gardens in the world, the glorious Tresco Abbey Gardens, containing 20,000 exotic plants flourishing in the warm Gulf Stream climate of these parts.
Meet your local guide who will take you on a walk around the island.
The stunning Tresco Abbey Gardens were created nearly 170 years ago by Augustus Smith around the remains of the 12th century Saint Nicholas Priory. Succeeding generations of the Dorrien-Smith family and their gardeners have collected one of the most fascinating and varied botanical collection of plants from all around the world. These include hotter, drier terraces at the top to suit Australian and South African plants, whilst the bottom ones provide the humidity that favours flora from New Zealand and South America.
Fringing the lush grid of paths criss-crossing the gardens are cacti, date-palms and rarities like lobster claw and shocking-pink drifts of pelargonium. The Valhalla museum reminds the visitor of the shipwrecks that surround the islands and the storms that caused many of them.
Enjoy a self-guided visit at your own pace and then a delightful cream tea before heading back to the pier.
- As this excursion is entirely done on foot, we advise you wear comfortable shoes and take waterproof clothes. This tour is conducted in English only. The visit of the garden is not guided. If available, gardeners would be more than happy to answer questions.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Buckfast Abbey & Totnes
Visit a fascinating abbey lovingly rebuilt in recent times and travel to a nearby medieval town that remains to this day a flourishing market town.
On the edge of the moor lies Buckfast Abbey, a thriving community of Benedictine monks. The original 11th century Buckfast Abbey fell into ruin after the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1882, four monks returned and in 1906 they began the monumental task of rebuilding the church themselves. It took them 31 years; a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that only one of them had previous building experience. Now only the absence of the patina of age distinguishes this splendid church, a mix of early English and Norman styles, from original fabric.
A presentation and exhibition explains the monks’ achievement and their present-day work. Famed for its stained glass, fine examples of the monk’s own work adorn the abbey. You will explore at leisure and visit the garden sensory and the lavender gardens before visiting the produce shop which sells everything from bees wax to the much-enjoyed monastic beverage: mead!
Afterwards you will head to the thriving medieval town of Totnes and explore with your guide as you are taken on a short-guided walking tour of the town. Spend some time at leisure exploring the shops of Totnes before re-boarding your coach and returning to the pier.
- This tour involves approximately 800 metres (0.5 mile) of walking on flat terrain with a gentle incline in places. Total walking distance in Totnes is at guests’ discretion. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed to avoid congestion.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Steam train & river cruise
This lovely tour of Devonshire’s “English Riviera coast” will give you a real feel for the village life and delightful countryside in this part of the world. Start with a short walking tour of Dartmouth. This ancient port is perhaps best known for Britannia Royal Naval College which stands imposingly on the hill above. It has been the centre of naval training for centuries and so the town itself has a strong maritime history, which is echoed in its ancient taverns and well-preserved shops.
Then join a public boat for a transfer up the pretty River Dart, passing stunning scenery all the while. Agatha Christie’s House, Greenway, sits here on the banks of the river in its idyllic setting.
After 1h15 hour of sailing, arrive in medieval Totnes. Explore this town with your guide before travelling by coach to the pretty seaside resort town of Paignton. Here, board a traditional steam train for a picturesque ride through the rolling scenery to Kingswear, nestled on the banks of the river Dart. Then a short ferry crossing brings you into the town centre of Dartmouth.
- As the 2022 timetable is not available at the moment we are publishing, please note the tour may need to be extended slightly, depending on what time the trains and river cruises are running. This tour is conducted in English only.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Greenway House & gardens
Depart from the pier by boat and make the delightful journey up the river Dart. After a 30-minute sailing, arrive at Greenway House and Gardens.
Agatha Christie made Greenway her holiday home from 1938 until 1959. Take the opportunity to view the many personal collections and mementoes of our best-loved mystery writer and her family in a house that portrays the spirit of a holiday home in its 1950s heyday. Here, Agatha Christie gathered with her family and friends for long summer days together, often to celebrate a novel just completed for publication. Visit the house before taking a stroll around the gardens.
The most nostalgic and magical of gardens, evoking a past world of long summer holidays and secret places waiting to be discovered, was described by previous owner Agatha Christie as “the loveliest place in the world”. The beautiful garden is renowned for its rare half-hardy plants, under planted with drifts of native wild flowers. Among the many corners to explore are a Victorian fernery, an exquisitely restored vinery and the enigmatic “Raleigh’s boathouse”.
- The walk from Greenway quay to visitor reception is steep in places along a winding bark chip path through the Greenway woodland. The 750 metres (800 yards) walk takes about 10 minutes and there are plenty of benches for resting or admiring the view on the way. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility due to the steep hill and getting on and off the boats. Walking in the gardens is at guest’s discretion. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothes. The tour is limited to 40 participants.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
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.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Media
Discuss and debate geopolitics, societal changes and the major challenges of the future with editors, journalists and columnists from major news outlets. On board, Paris Match, Le Figaro, L’Express or Le Point, undisputed references when it comes to quality news and information, offer in-depth analyses of the shifts occurring in our society. Partnerships with GEO and Point de Vue cater to our guests who are passionate about photography, geography and history.
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
19/5/2023 - TRANSFER BY DELUXE COACH FROM THE PORT OF HONFLEUR TO PARIS CDG AIRPORT (TERMINAL 2)
€125
Find out moreTASTE OF EDINBURGH (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Edinburgh
Meet at Edinburgh Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel InterContinental Edinburgh The George 5*.
Day and dinner at leisure.
Day 2 - Edinburgh/Glasgow
You will depart the hotel in the morning by coach and drive down the famous medieval Royal Mile. Your first stop will be at Calton Hill, where you will have a majestic view which dominates the capital city’s skyline.
You will then go to the city centre where you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh followed by a walking tour in the old city. See the Georgian architecture of the New Town, parts of the medieval Royal Mile and Princes Street with its civic gardens in the heart of the city. This tour will be concluded by a whisky tasting in an authentic cellar where you will taste the golden liquid of Scotland; you’ll be guided by one of the experts at this venue.
At the end of the visit, lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will depart for Glasgow, approximately one-and-a-half-hour drive.
Entering the city, you will proceed to the Cathedral, with its impressive Gothic architecture. Dating back to the 13th century, the present Cathedral sits on the site of the traditional burial of St Kentigern (or Mungo, as he is more popularly known). You will continue your panoramic drive of the city as your guide points out the key areas of interest. You will pass by Tolbooth Steeple built in 1626 which was the crossing point for the main streets of Glasgow at that time. It was where the public hangings of the city used to occur. It is all that remains of the old Tolbooth buildings which was the site of the Glasgow Council Chambers until 1814. You will explore the heart of the city, George Square, with its imposing series of statures of Glasgow's great and good, including those dedicated to Queen Victoria, the Scottish poet Robert Burns and the famous writer Sir Walter Scott. Overlooking George Square, you will see the City Chambers completed in 1888, it is one of the city's most prestigious buildings. This edifice is a symbol of Glasgow's historic wealth and has, for more than a century, been the headquarters of successive councils serving the city of Glasgow.
You will then be transferred to the port of Fairlie, to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
Boasting an ideal location in the Edinburgh city centre, the hotel InterContinental Edinburgh The George, is close to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Palace. At its heart are five listed Georgian townhouses, built in 1775 as homes for the city's most prosperous citizens. It has elegant and comfortable rooms. The rooms take their colour palette from 19th century Scottish landscape paintings. The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen serves seasonal Scottish produce.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation Standard room at the InterContinental Edinburgh The George 5* (or similar) including breakfast.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on day 1.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
Contact of your hotel:
InterContinental Edinburgh The George
19-21 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PB
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0044 131 240 7138
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €695
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
DISCOVER THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS (4 NIGHTS)
Explore the wild and majestic scenery of the Scottish Highlands’ enchanting landscape, as you venture into historic cities, discover quaint villages and gaze at tranquil lochs.
Day 1 – Edinburgh
Meet at Edinburgh Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel InterContinental Edinburgh The George 5*.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Edinburgh/Portree
Your journey starts with a scenic drive to the picturesque village of Luss, which sits on the western shore of Loch Lomond. Enjoy free time here to take a gentle walk along the banks of Loch Lomond, visit the National Park visitor centre, shop in local craft shops exhibiting the work of local artists, or visit the coffee shop that also sells its very own Loch Lomond tartan.
Continue your drive through magnificent Highland scenery en route to Glencoe – once a scene of the infamous 1692 massacre and now a centre for serious mountaineering, providing some of the finest climbing and walking in Scotland. Stop here for a light lunch.
Re-join your coach and continue to the village of Glenfinnan - best known for the stunning railway viaduct which featured in a Harry Potter movie, it is part of the legendary West Highland Line which operates between the towns of Fort William and Mallaig. You will pause here for a photo stop of the Glenfinnan Monument - erected in 1815 as a tribute to the Jacobite clansmen who fought and died in the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart.
The beautiful journey to Mallaig, passes Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest sea-water loch in Europe, Loch Nevis! The views are breath-taking on this scenic coastal road named “The Road to the Isles”.
Board your ferry for the short crossing over to Scotland’s second largest island ‘The Isle of Skye’, also known as ‘Cloud Island’ in old Norse.
Stay overnight in Portree and enjoy dinner at your hotel Cuillin Hills 4*.
Day 3 – Isle of Skye
Begin your day at the enchanting Fairy Pools, known worldwide for their crystal-clear blue waters. This scenic hiking trail passes over small bridges and tranquil rivers, fed by a series of cascading waterfalls from the Cuillin Mountains. Listen to the legendary tales of these mystical pools and learn about the historic battle of clans that took place in 1601.
A short drive takes you to a local restaurant for lunch.
Continue your journey across the island, taking in the panoramic views of this wild and rugged scenery, heading towards Quiraing – an ancient landslip on the northernmost summit of the Trotternish, offering one of the best views of the island on a clear day. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse Kví Rand, which means 'Round Fold'. It is said that the fold was used to conceal cattle from Viking raiders.
Follow the dramatic coastline along the east of the island to Kilt Rock – a sea cliff with basalt columns the resemble the pleats of a kilt. This spectacular geological feature sits next to the Mealt Falls, which dramatically fall 55 metres from the clifftop into the rock-laden shoreline below. If you listen closely, you can hear the whistle of the falls that sound like the eerie tunes of a bagpipe.
South of Kilt Rock under the summit of The Storr sits The Old Man of Storr. Famous for its magnificent scenery and views overlooking the Sound of Rassay. The hill presents a steep rocky eastern face contrasting with gentler grassy slopes to the west. Legend has it that the Old Man of Storr was a giant who resided on the Trotternish Ridge. When he was laid to rest upon his death, his thumb - the “Old Man” - remained partially above ground.
Conclude your day by returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 4 – Portree/Inverness
Start your day with a drive to the picturesque village of Dornie, where Eilean Donan Castle majestically stands at the meeting point of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan is arguably one of the most recognisable castles in the world. Located strategically on a little island in the midst of some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery, it is no wonder that the castle has featured in many films. The Castle is named for the 6th century Irish saint who set up the first community on the island. There has been a fortified castle on this site since the 13th century, although it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in its long and turbulent history.
Continue to Drumnadrochit to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, head to famous Loch Ness, home to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. Visit the wonderful Urquhart Castle - a critical strategic stronghold in the highlands, positioned on the banks of Loch Ness, which would have been a main route through the Great Glen of the highlands. Its chequered history came to a dramatic demise in 1692 when the castle was blown up to stop it falling into Jacobite hands. What remains are picturesque and impressive ruins, surrounded on three sides by the cold deep waters of Loch Ness. During your visit learn about the rich history of the castle and its clansmen and take in the stunning views.
Journey to Muir of Ord, home to the Glen Ord Distillery, the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. The Singleton team welcome you into a world of extraordinary taste and flavour. Enjoy a tour of one of the Highland’s hidden treasures, producing liquid gold all year round. Watch a short video of the distilleries history and taste a dram of their Whisky.
Stay overnight in Inverness and enjoy dinner at your hotel Ness Walk 5*.
Day 5 – Inverness/Fairlie
Take in the mountainous beauty of the Cairngorms National Park as you journey from Inverness to Pitlochry. This scenic drive is scattered with off grid distilleries and hills strewn with castles. The Cairngorms National Park is home to one-quarter of Scotland's native forest and a quarter of the rare and endangered species in the UK.
Blair Castle is nestled in the landscape of Highland Perthshire and has been home to 19 generations of Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl. The current Duke still retains his own private army, the Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe. Inside the castle, you can visit up to 30 rooms, which are fully preserved with their original furnishings and fittings, Jacobite relics and fine art. Explore Blair Castle’s extensive landscaped gardens which feature a nine-acre walled garden, a wooded grove, a kirk ruin, and deer park.
Continue to Stirling, the original Capital of Scotland, to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
From its spectacular setting, high on a volcanic rock above the River Forth, Stirling Castle has controlled one of the main routes between the Scottish Highlands and the lowlands for centuries, earning the title “key to the kingdom”. Earlier fortifications have given way to today's palatial and beautifully furnished 15th-century residence, the home of the Stuart kings and birthplace of James II. Have a photo stop at Stirling Castle.
You will then be transferred to the pier of Fairlie to embark on board your ship.
Your hotels:
Boasting an ideal location in the Edinburgh city centre, the hotel InterContinental Edinburgh The George, is close to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Palace. At its heart are five listed Georgian townhouses, built in 1775 as homes for the city's most prosperous citizens. It has elegant and comfortable rooms. The rooms take their colour palette from 19th century Scottish landscape paintings. The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen serves seasonal Scottish produce.
The Cuillin Hills hotel enjoys some of the finest and most spectacular views of any hotel in Scotland. Set within fifteen acres of mature private grounds overlooking Portree Bay, it has magnificent views over the Sound of Raasay to the Cuillin mountain range. The hotel is only a 10-minute walk from Portree town centre. The rooms blend comforting tradition with modern simplistic style and are layered with classic furniture to provide and preserve the elegant interior of the hotel.
Located on the banks of the River Ness, the Ness Walk is an idyllic 5-star retreat hotel. Originally a 19th century house, the building still retains many of its period features. Each room has its own unique personality.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in Classic room at the hotel InterContinental Edinburgh The George 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
- 2-night accommodation in Sea view room at the hotel Cuillin Hills 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
- 1-night accommodation in Laurel room at the hotel Ness Walk 5* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine and 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on day 1.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- The programme includes great distances and involves long scenic drives (about four hours each day).
- This tour is not recommended for guests with difficulties walking. There will be walking over unpaved roads with some stairs.
Contact of your hotels:
InterContinental Edinburgh The George
19-21 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PB
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0044 131 225 1251
Cuillin Hills Hotel
Portree, Isle of Skye
Scotland, UK, IV51 9QU
Telephone: 0044 1478 612003
Ness Walk Hotel
12 Ness Walk, Inverness
IV3 5SQ, UK
Telephone: 0044 1463 215215
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €3,700
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Fort Augustus & Loch Ness
At the pier in Fort William board your motorcoach for a wonderfully scenic drive through Scotland's Great Glen along the shores of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich. Your drive will pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and by the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces whose training depot the memorial overlooks.
As you drive through the splendor of the Highlands, you follow the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th-century to connect Scotland's east and west coasts, ending your journey at the small town of Fort Augustus, situated at the midpoint of the canal, on the southern tip of legendary Loch Ness.
In Fort Augustus, board the Spirit of Loch Ness, a purpose-built vessel, for a 50-minute cruise on Scotland’s most famous loch. You will cruise past Cherry Island, the loch’s only island, as you take in the legendary beauty of the loch, including a striking view of Fort Augustus Abbey from the water. Enjoy a spot of tea or coffee and a cake bite while your crew points out sights of interest. A glimpse of Nessie is not guaranteed but cannot be ruled out.
Back in Fort Augustus, enjoy some time at leisure to wander through this lovely little hamlet. You can watch as boats navigate the locks of the canal, or you may wish to browse the village's lovely shops.
Rejoin your coach for the journey back to Fort William and your awaiting ship.
- This is an easy excursion with very little walking. We recommend comfortable shoes and layered clothing, including a jacket in case of inclement weather. Order of the visits may be reversed. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €160
According to availability, price per passenger.
Glorious Glenfinnan & historic Highlands
Fort William is ideally situated to serve as a gateway to the Highlands. This panoramic tour provides a taste of some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Following a brief overview of Fort William, a short drive along the shore of Loch Eil, brings you to the village of Glenfinnan. Best known for the stunning railway viaduct featured in a Harry Potter movie, Glenfinnan is on the West Highland Line which connects Fort William and Mallaig. The West Highland Line itself is famous for the Jacobite Steam Train, often referred to as the “Hogwarts Express Line." Pausing here for a short time, you may wish to climb the wee hill behind the Visitor Center for a better view of the viaduct, or you may walk to the nearby Glenfinnan Monument, honoring the Jacobite clansmen who fought and died in the cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Returning to Fort William, you stop at Banavie, where you visit Neptune's Staircase, a series of eight locks that raise boats 20 meters from sea level to join the Caledonian Canal. Constructed in the early 19th century by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, the Canal connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at nearby Corpach.
A short drive brings you to the Commando Memorial which offers breathtaking views of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles. The Memorial is dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces and overlooks the Commando Training Depot established in 1942. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, the memorial has become one of the United Kingdom's best-known monuments.
- This is an easy excursion, involving only as much walking as you wish to do. We recommend comfortable shoes and a raincoat. Order of the visits may be reversed. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €125
According to availability, price per passenger.
Majestic Glencoe & highlands
From the pier, join your local coach and start your journey from Fort William to one of Scotland's most spectacular places. Surrounded by towering mountains, Glencoe is the iconic highland landscape.
The glen provides some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery and is a paradise for climbers, walkers and skiers. It is, of course, also the scene of the infamous 1692 massacre. Upon arrival, visit the award-winning Glencoe visitor centre to learn more about the history, geology and nature of this region.
Continue your circular journey through the glen, pausing to photograph the famous “Three Sisters” as the mountain peaks are fondly known. Then head over Rannoch Moor; the Great Moor is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe.
Continue on a scenic drive via Pass of Brander, taking in the impressive scenery of the Scottish Highlands with mountains, sea lochs, castles and islands before returning up the West Coast to Fort William.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a raincoat. This excursion is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Glen Nevis hike
From the pier, join your local coach for a short transfer to Glen Nevis.
Upon arrival, commence your walk, heading straight into attractive deciduous woodland. The rough and rocky path then goes through the Nevis Gorge where you will see glimpses of tremendous rocky mountainsides through the trees.
At one stream, the way has been cut out of the rock and heads around the corner on a wide ledge; beyond here there is a first glimpse of the white line of Steall Falls through the gorge. The valley now narrows considerably, and the river can occasionally be seen below, crashing over and round huge fallen boulders.
The glen suddenly broadens out once more to form a grassy meadow decorated with wildflowers and surrounded by wooded, precipitous mountainsides. The crowning glory is the Steall Falls, now seen directly ahead across the meadow.
Continue to the main path until it reaches a bend where the glen curves round to the left and the path is close to the river. This is the best spot for admiring the great falls. They are the third highest falls in Scotland, cascading 105 metres down the rockface, and a tremendous sight particularly in spate. Rising above the falls is the Munro of A Gearanach, the first peak on the Ring of Steall, and this is the starting point for many mountain excursions.
Return to the coach along the same route.
- This excursion involves walking 2 miles (3,5 km) on uneven and occasionally muddy footpaths, steep in places. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof raincoat. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. This excursion is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €240
According to availability, price per passenger.
A day along the Antrim Coast
Depart from the port of Belfast and drive along Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast. Some of the world's most unspoilt scenery is to be found in the county of Antrim. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the Glens, here is the best of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
Travel via the Coast Road to reveal different seascapes, towering cliffs, white sandy beaches, tranquil glens and lush forest parks, as you make your way northwards. From the vantage point at Fair Head and Murlough Bay you can enjoy views of Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, as well as the wild and mysterious island of Rathlin just seven miles (11 km) off the coast.
Stop to enjoy tea/coffee and scones at a local hotel along the coastal route before continuing to photograph Carrick A Rede Rope Bridge. Spanning a chasm some eighty feet (25 m) deep, its construction once consisted of a single rope handrail and widely spaced slats, which the fishermen would traverse across with salmon caught off the island.
Continue to a local establishment to enjoy lunch before venturing to the UNESCO World Heritage Giants' Causeway site. The summer of 2012 marked the opening of the new Visitor Centre at the Giant's Causeway. This new interpretative centre allows you to decide for yourself which explanation of how the causeway's 40,000 basalt stones were formed is most likely. For centuries, visitors have marvelled at its stone formation. To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. Your imagination will travel along stepping-stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the myths and legends of the past. You can board the "Causeway Coaster" minibus to bring you to the causeway itself.
On your way back to Belfast, a photo stop will be made at Dunluce Castle, before returning to your ship.
- This excursion is mainly a panoramic tour which includes 2 hours at the Giant's Causeway, the amount of walking is at guest's discretion. This tour includes a snack with tea or coffee and scone and a 3-course lunch.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
In the hull of Titanic
From the pier, embark your local coach for a short transfer to Belfast city centre.
Firstly, visit Titanic Belfast. Opened in April 2012, the new signature building telling the story of Titanic contains nine galleries containing a variety of interpretative materials and media including film and video, audio, archival materials and scale models; a high point will be a ride through the Titanic under construction. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four-high impact “hull” shaped sections which house the experience. As you wander up through Titanic Belfast, you will experience a thrilling ride through the reconstruction of the shipyards and the Titanic under construction. The stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day will be told in an exciting and modern way. At the conclusion, you can visit the wreck at her resting place on the floor of the North Atlantic.
After your immersion in the hull of the Titanic, take a short stroll to the Titanic Hotel where you will enjoy a typical snack while your guide tells the story of the making of Titanic. Titanic Hotel was the original drawing offices for Harland and Wolff, where the Titanic began its journey to life. The drawing offices were built in the late 1880s when the company was emerging as one of the world's leading shipbuilders. Here, decisions were made which changed the course of shipbuilding.
Then, re-board your coach for a panoramic tour of Belfast, city of industry and elegance with a rich and varied past. Its origins go back to an ancient fort controlling the ford across the River Lagan which flows through the city. The panoramic tour of the city will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland's largest city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past. You will drive past the Grand Opera House and the Albert Memorial before passing Queen's University, the Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall - an impressive building with a 91 metres (300 feet) long façade of Portland stone, which dominates Donegall Square. A stop here will allow you photograph what is perhaps the most noteworthy of the statues in the grounds. It is the marble figure of “Thane” on a granite pedestal, sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock and commemorating the sinking in 1912 of the R.M.S Titanic, the ill-fated Belfast built liner.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground with many steps (approximately 200 steps). Guests can choose to walk the stairs throughout Titanic Belfast or use the lifts. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. Order of the visit may vary.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Charms 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.
- This is a moderate excursion with a total walking distance of approximately 1,2 mile (2 km) of flat and even terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof jacket if weather conditions suggest it. Order of visits may vary.
Total : €115
According to availability, price per passenger.
Giant's Causeway clifftop experience
Departing from the pier in Belfast, you will travel inland through the Northern Counties of Down and Antrim passing en route Ballymoney and Ballymena, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giants’ Causeway.
For centuries, visitors have marvelled at its majesty and mystery. The unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of the Atlantic storms and the rugged symmetry of the columns never fail to intrigue and inspire. To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. Your imagination will travel along stepping stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the myths and legends of the past.
Upon arrival, experience the Giant’s Causeway like never before and take the road less travelled and see for a stunning five-mile hike along the thrilling clifftop path. It is the perfect option for hikers and walkers. Follow your hiking guide and listen to fascinating stories of the Giant’s Causeway, to its history and geology. En route, enjoy few photostops at the most stunning viewpoints in Northern Ireland, such as Hamilton’s Seat.
The hike ends at the Giant's Causeway, where you can climb the legendary basalt columns before exploring the interactive exhibition within the Visitor Centre.
Then, get back to your coach for your transfer back to the pier.
- This excursion involves hiking approximately 6 miles (10 km) on natural paths, grass and uneven grounds. The path may be muddy. We recommend you wear good hiking shoes, layered clothing and a raincoat. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. The tour depends on the weather. This tour will be conducted in English only and is limited to 18 participants.
Total : €200
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ulster Folk Museum experience
From the pier, board your local coach for a short transfer to the 20th century. Today, you will enjoy a journey back in time to rediscover Ulster as it was over a century ago.
Upon arrival at the Ulster Folk Museum, in the charming town of Holywood, meet your local guide who will give you an introduction before taking you on a guided tour of the Folk Museum. During your tour explore 'rolling hills of countryside' and a 'bustling town' filled with authentic period buildings. Visit various buildings throughout your tour where you will have the opportunity to see daily demonstrations of traditional crafts from basket weaving to printing and meet the inhabitants bringing it all to life. An immersive trip into the past awaits you.
Then, enjoy some free time to explore the park independently before saying goodbye to your new old friends and travelling the short journey to Belfast City.
Belfast is a city of industry and elegance and boasts a rich and varied past. Its origins go back to an ancient fort controlling the ford across the River Lagan, which flows through the city. A brief panoramic tour of the city will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland’s largest city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past.
Finally, rejoin the port and your awaiting ship.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 1 hour on uneven grounds and some steps. We recommend you wear confortable walking shoes, layered clothes and a raincoat. The Folk Museum guide may conduct the tour in English only.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historic Dublin
From the pier, head for the heart of the Irish capital. You will pass in front of the Customs House, completed in 1791 and designed by the architect James Gandon who was also responsible for some of Dublin’s loveliest buildings. Crossing the river Liffey to Dublin’s south side, the Bank of Ireland stands proudly, a 18th-century building which housed the Irish Parliament until its abolition as a result of the Union Act in 1800. On the opposite side, is the impressive gateway to Trinity College, the University of Dublin founded in 1592 at the instigation of Queen Elizabeth I.
A first stop is made to visit Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s most famous monuments. Dating back to 1038, it is the country’s oldest and most important cathedral. The cathedral has resisted the trials and tribulations of time and history. The building underwent extensive restoration work in the Victorian era and is an active religious centre.
Next, discover Dublin Castle. The castle played an important role from the Middle Ages up until 1922 as it was the residence of representatives of the British monarchy. It has survived numerous rebellions during its history, such as the 1916 uprising, and is today the theatre of official ceremonies such as the investiture of the President of the Republic. It was here that the 1998 peace agreements with Northern Ireland were signed.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the return journey to the pier and your ship.
- This excursion involves walking on uneven ground and cobblestones at the Dublin Castle. Please note the castle may close with little to no notice due to State functions. Order of the visits may be reversed. We reommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a raincoat.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Literature of Dublin
From the pier, board your local coach for a short transfer to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, located on the banks of the River Liffey, in the vaults of the magnificently-restored CHQ building in Dublin's Docklands. This is one of the capital's most historic locations and was the original departure point for many Irish emigrants when they left their homeland during the Famine. Dating back to 1820, the CHQ building was originally a wine and tobacco warehouse that famously hosted the Crimean War Banquet.
EPIC is an interactive experience that tells the fascinating stories of more than 300 Irish people and more than 1,500 years of history. It relives some of the greatest achievements in the world of Irish sport, music, art, culture, politics, food, fashion and science. Equiped with your audio-guide, discover Irish people heritage and history.
After your visit, continue to your lunch location before beginning a walk through Dublin, focussing on its literature heritage. Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature and is associated with four Nobel prize winners: WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Discover the streets on foot through these famous writers eyes before arriving at MoLI, the Museum of Literature Ireland.
Opened in 2019 and housed in Newman House, the museum celebrates Ireland’s world-renowned literary culture from the past to the present, inspiring visitors of all ages to create, read and write. Drawing its core inspiration from the work of Ireland’s most famous writer James Joyce and named after his best known female character, Molly Bloom, the museum features immersive multimedia exhibitions, priceless literary artefacts from the Irish state collections (including “copy n°1” of Ulysses), events and performances, creative workshops, cross-disciplinary artistic commissions, cutting-edge education programmes and a café set in one of the city’s most beautiful and tranquil gardens. Explore at your own pace this treasure trove of artistry before rejoining your coach for your return journey to port.
- This tour involves 0,6 mile (1 km) walking on mostly flat ground, and sometimes uneven and gravel ground and steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The inside visit to EPIC Museum is made with audio-guide. The inside visit to Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) is self-guided. Order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : €170
According to availability, price per passenger.
Monastic ruins of Glendalough
Departing from the pier, board your coach and travel towards the County of Wicklow, just south of Dublin. It has a great variety of scenery within its borders and it is known as the “Garden of Ireland”. Central Wicklow is a mass of domed granite mountains, penetrated by deep glens and wooded valleys; it contains some of the finest scenery in Ireland.
Your first destination is Glendalough, or the “Glen of two Lakes”. It is one of the most important sites of monastic ruins in Ireland. It is also known as the city of the seven Churches. Fourteen centuries have passed since the death of its founder, St. Kevin, when the valley was part of Ireland’s Golden Age.
The two lakes, which gave the valley its name, came into existence thousands of years ago, after the Ice Age, when great deposits of earth and stone were strewn across the valley in the area where the Round Tower now exists. The mountain streams eventually formed a large lake.
Step out into the monastic ruins and enjoy a guided tour of this historic site. Established by St. Kevin in the 6th century, its ruined churches are scattered around the two lakes. At this time, Glendalough became a famous school of learning, inhabited by thousands of students from Ireland, Britain and Europe. One of Europe’s finest examples of round tower architecture can be found here, as well as a cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses. The stunning natural beauty of this wondrous place is evident in its mountains, glens and lakes.
Having enjoyed the beauty of this peaceful and picturesque valley, reboard your coach for your scenic return drive to Dublin and your awaiting ship.
- This tour includes 1 hour of visit of the ruins and involves walking on uneven ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bodnant Garden
From the pier, board your motorcoach and enjoy 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.
You will enjoy a guided walk in the garden followed by time at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
- 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. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
South Stack RSPB Reserve
From the pier, board your local coach for the 30-minute drive to South Stack RSPB Reserve (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
South Stack RSPB Reserve is an important nesting site for seabirds that nest on the cliffs by the thousands. There are Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills along with Shags, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. South Stack is also one of the best places to see the Chough. The Chough (pronounced chuff) is the rarest member of the crow family in the British Isles and can be seen swooping along the cliffs all year round. Few Peregrine Falcons are also used to nest here. Smaller birds at the reserve are a source of food for them and one or two pairs nest at South Stack each year.
In summer, the heathland, part of the largest maritime heath in North Wales, has an abundance of plant species including the Spotted Rock Rose, Anglesey’s county flower and the Spathulate Fleawort, endemic to Anglesey. Amongst the colourful wildflowers you may see the rare silver-studded blue butterfly or even a basking adder, whilst out to sea you may be lucky enough to catch glimpses of porpoises and dolphins.
Your South Stack expert, a member of the RSPB, will guide and help you identify birds and wildlife of interest at the reserve. After the guided walk, enjoy some free time to explore the reserve on your own.
- This tour involves walking approximately 1,2 miles (2 km), and then at guest's discretion. There are compact gravel paths throughout the reserve, but also uneven ground with holes, which may need to be negotiated for good sightings. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. At the visitors’ centre, you can find information about the reserve and binoculars and telescopes are available for sighting. Please be aware by the end of July most will have left the reserve. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Discover Anglesey
Discover the Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) with its unparalleled beauty and vivid history, bestowed from ancestral Celtic, Roman, Viking and Medieval settlers.
From the pier, board your local coach and drive to Llangefni at the centre of the island to visit Oriel Ynys Môn (Gallery of Anglesey). At Oriel Ynys Môn, learn about Anglesey’s cultural history, the industries that thrived here, the rich archaeological finds and the tragic shipwrecks off the island’s rugged coast. See exhibitions displaying work from local artists and ‘borrowed’ collections from renowned organisations.
Then, continue to a famous town wifor its very long name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogog- ogoch, meaning, ‘the Church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio near a red cave’. The name is usually shortened to Llanfair PG by the locals. Enjoy a short stop and take the opportunity to photograph the world’s longest railway station sign.
Next, head to the Menai Strait, where you can see Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge (Menai Bridge), opened in 1826, the worlds first iron suspension bridge, and Robert Stevenson’s Britannia Bridge, opened in 1850, originally for the Chester – Holyhead Railway line, not vehicular travel.
Enjoy a scenic return journey to Holyhead via the west coast of Anglesey renowned for its beautiful beaches.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and waterproof clothes.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Garrison walking tour
Your walking tour on the lovely Island of St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly, will take you to The Garrison. This walk, offering lovely views of the other islands, was voted the best coastal walk in Britain in a Times survey in 2010.
Depart the quayside in Hugh Town towards the Garrison promontory. The Garrison is deemed to be of national importance “for the complexity and survival of its fortifications, representing successive periods of raiding, hostility and war”. The Garrison dates back to Elizabethan times and goes on through the Civil War years (it became the last Royalist stronghold), and the Spanish Wars of the 18th century.
You will enter The Garrison through the old garrison gateway, and follow the coastal footpath. Your guide will point out the various islands surrounding the Garrison as well as giving you some historical background while passing the various batteries.
Towards the end of the walk, climb the hill up to Star Castle so that you may enjoy sweeping panoramas of the islands. Star Castle is now a hotel, but it was built as an impregnable fortress back in 1593 and gets its name from the shape of its eight-sided central keep, curtain wall and dry moat. Here you will have some refreshments before returning to your ship.
- This tour is entirely done on foot and involves walking over uneven paths, as well as some steep up and down hill footpaths. Paths can be narrow at some places. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is conducted in English only. This excursion is limited to 25 participants.
Total : €50
According to availability, price per passenger.
St Martin's Vineyard
St. Martin’s is a quiet island with some of the finest beaches in the world. St. Martin’s rich natural beauty has attracted an enterprising bunch of residents, each making the most of where they live.
From the pier, walk to St. Martin’s Vineyard. It is the UK’s most south westerly vineyard which set on the site of a former flower farm. Established as a vineyard in 1996, the first vines to be trialled were white varieties, Reichensteiner and Madeleine Angevine, with the first vintage in 2000 yielding just 120 bottles. Today, the vineyard produces five varieties: three white, one rose and one red. The current owners moved to the island in early 2020 to continue the traditional management of the vineyard whilst increasing focus on biodiversity and sustainability, including a move towards organic production.
During your visit, meet with the owners James and Holly who will introduce you to their vineyard and enjoy a self-guided tour of the vineyard at your own pace. Of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting of some of the wines.
Next, head to Highertown, along the island’s one and only concrete road. Highertown is home to a charming gallery showcasing local artists, a flower farm and a thriving artisanal bakery.
After free time to browse at leisure, it will then be time to walk back to the pier and transfer back to your awaiting ship.
- The amount of walking depends on the pier used. This excursion can involve 1,5 to 3,5 miles (2,5 to 5,6 km) walking on uneven grounds, possibly sandy, rough track with two steep inclines. The presence of the owners of the vineyard is subject to availability. Order of visits may be reverted. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 30 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Tresco Abbey gardens
The Isles of Scilly are a sub-tropical haven for plants and wildlife. In this walking tour, visit the lovely island of Tresco and tour one of the most remarkable gardens in the world, the glorious Tresco Abbey Gardens, containing 20,000 exotic plants flourishing in the warm Gulf Stream climate of these parts.
Meet your local guide who will take you on a walk around the island.
The stunning Tresco Abbey Gardens were created nearly 170 years ago by Augustus Smith around the remains of the 12th century Saint Nicholas Priory. Succeeding generations of the Dorrien-Smith family and their gardeners have collected one of the most fascinating and varied botanical collection of plants from all around the world. These include hotter, drier terraces at the top to suit Australian and South African plants, whilst the bottom ones provide the humidity that favours flora from New Zealand and South America.
Fringing the lush grid of paths criss-crossing the gardens are cacti, date-palms and rarities like lobster claw and shocking-pink drifts of pelargonium. The Valhalla museum reminds the visitor of the shipwrecks that surround the islands and the storms that caused many of them.
Enjoy a self-guided visit at your own pace and then a delightful cream tea before heading back to the pier.
- As this excursion is entirely done on foot, we advise you wear comfortable shoes and take waterproof clothes. This tour is conducted in English only. The visit of the garden is not guided. If available, gardeners would be more than happy to answer questions.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Buckfast Abbey & Totnes
Visit a fascinating abbey lovingly rebuilt in recent times and travel to a nearby medieval town that remains to this day a flourishing market town.
On the edge of the moor lies Buckfast Abbey, a thriving community of Benedictine monks. The original 11th century Buckfast Abbey fell into ruin after the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1882, four monks returned and in 1906 they began the monumental task of rebuilding the church themselves. It took them 31 years; a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that only one of them had previous building experience. Now only the absence of the patina of age distinguishes this splendid church, a mix of early English and Norman styles, from original fabric.
A presentation and exhibition explains the monks’ achievement and their present-day work. Famed for its stained glass, fine examples of the monk’s own work adorn the abbey. You will explore at leisure and visit the garden sensory and the lavender gardens before visiting the produce shop which sells everything from bees wax to the much-enjoyed monastic beverage: mead!
Afterwards you will head to the thriving medieval town of Totnes and explore with your guide as you are taken on a short-guided walking tour of the town. Spend some time at leisure exploring the shops of Totnes before re-boarding your coach and returning to the pier.
- This tour involves approximately 800 metres (0.5 mile) of walking on flat terrain with a gentle incline in places. Total walking distance in Totnes is at guests’ discretion. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed to avoid congestion.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Steam train & river cruise
This lovely tour of Devonshire’s “English Riviera coast” will give you a real feel for the village life and delightful countryside in this part of the world. Start with a short walking tour of Dartmouth. This ancient port is perhaps best known for Britannia Royal Naval College which stands imposingly on the hill above. It has been the centre of naval training for centuries and so the town itself has a strong maritime history, which is echoed in its ancient taverns and well-preserved shops.
Then join a public boat for a transfer up the pretty River Dart, passing stunning scenery all the while. Agatha Christie’s House, Greenway, sits here on the banks of the river in its idyllic setting.
After 1h15 hour of sailing, arrive in medieval Totnes. Explore this town with your guide before travelling by coach to the pretty seaside resort town of Paignton. Here, board a traditional steam train for a picturesque ride through the rolling scenery to Kingswear, nestled on the banks of the river Dart. Then a short ferry crossing brings you into the town centre of Dartmouth.
- As the 2022 timetable is not available at the moment we are publishing, please note the tour may need to be extended slightly, depending on what time the trains and river cruises are running. This tour is conducted in English only.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
Greenway House & gardens
Depart from the pier by boat and make the delightful journey up the river Dart. After a 30-minute sailing, arrive at Greenway House and Gardens.
Agatha Christie made Greenway her holiday home from 1938 until 1959. Take the opportunity to view the many personal collections and mementoes of our best-loved mystery writer and her family in a house that portrays the spirit of a holiday home in its 1950s heyday. Here, Agatha Christie gathered with her family and friends for long summer days together, often to celebrate a novel just completed for publication. Visit the house before taking a stroll around the gardens.
The most nostalgic and magical of gardens, evoking a past world of long summer holidays and secret places waiting to be discovered, was described by previous owner Agatha Christie as “the loveliest place in the world”. The beautiful garden is renowned for its rare half-hardy plants, under planted with drifts of native wild flowers. Among the many corners to explore are a Victorian fernery, an exquisitely restored vinery and the enigmatic “Raleigh’s boathouse”.
- The walk from Greenway quay to visitor reception is steep in places along a winding bark chip path through the Greenway woodland. The 750 metres (800 yards) walk takes about 10 minutes and there are plenty of benches for resting or admiring the view on the way. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility due to the steep hill and getting on and off the boats. Walking in the gardens is at guest’s discretion. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothes. The tour is limited to 40 participants.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
TRANSFER BY DELUXE COACH FROM THE PORT OF HONFLEUR TO PARIS CDG AIRPORT (TERMINAL 2)
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and Paris CDG airport.
Port of Honfleur / Paris CDG Airport
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will meet at the pier our local representative.
You will then depart the port of Honfleur by coach for Paris (approximately a 3-hour drive).
En route to Paris CDG Airport, a 30-minute stop is scheduled half-way.
Estimated arrival time at Paris CDG Airport :12:30 pm.
Your programme includes:
- Group transfer by deluxe coach from the Port of Honfleur to Paris CDG Airport (Terminal 2).
- Services of a local English-speaking assistance during the transfer.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch.
- Tips for the driver and hostess.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Duration of the transfer is given as a guide only. A minimum of 20 participants is required.
Total : €125
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.