E2020 Excursions

Excursions are priced in Euros and are booked once onboard the ship.

14 September 2020 – Portrush

The Giants Causeway & Dunluce Castle 50-100 €

• Port of call : Portrush
• Length : 3h45

After coming ashore in Portrush, board your coach and in the company of your local guide head off along the Antrim coast. You will stop at Dunluce Castle which you will visit. Most of the fortifications date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Dunluce Castle (Irish: Dún Libhse), which literally translates as the Hill fort of the fairy, is the medieval castle with the most extensive ruins in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcrop and is accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland. The castle is dramatically surrounded by terrifyingly steep drops on either side, which would have been a very important factor to the early Christians and Vikings who were drawn to this place where an early Irish fort once stood.

Next, you will visit the Giants Causeway, where 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 on 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. Enjoy the audio-visual presentation and causeway exhibition before boarding the “Causeway Coaster” minibus, which will bring you to the causeway itself.

Return to your coach and guide for the return drive to Portrush and your ship waiting in the bay.

• This moderate tour involves walking on uneven and gravel terrain. At Dunluce castle, 1 hour of walking is involved over a short distance; total waking distance at the Giant’s causeway is at the guests’ discretion. Stones at the causeway can be slippery when wet. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Bushmills distillery 50-100 €

• Port of call : Portrush
• Length : 2h00

After coming ashore in Portrush, board you coach and in the company of your local guide head off along the Antrim coast. Your first stop this morning is to photograph Dunluce Castle, a dramatic and picturesque ruin on a rocky headland. Most of the fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Next, proceed to the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Old Bushmills. Granted its license in 1608 by King James I, the distillery has continuously produced whiskey for almost 400 years. During your guided tour, discover the secrets of crafting the renowned whiskey, involving special water from St. Columb’s Rill, malted Irish barley, a triple distillation in copper stills and aging for many years in oak casks. Experience this smooth liquid by enjoying a tasting at the end of your tour.

Return to your coach and guide for the return drive to Portrush and your ship waiting in the bay.

• This moderate tour involves some steps and approximately 1 hour of walking throughout the distillery over a short distance on a flat surface. We recommend you wear flat and comfortable shoes. Participants should be at least 18 as this tour includes an alcohol tasting. This tour is limited to 30 participants.

 

15 September 2020 – Killybegs

Glenveagh Castle & park 100-150 €

• Port of call : Killybegs
• Length : 8h00

Donegal, the most northerly county in Ireland, extends along much of the north-west coast. It is a region famous for its scenery – with a beautiful, much-indented coast, long sandy beaches, great areas of mountains, deep glens and chattering streams.

Departing from Killybegs, you will travel through the scenic and varied landscapes of County Donegal to Glenveagh National Park. Here within a rugged and remote mountain valley, Henry Mc Ilhenny from Philadelphia created one of the most celebrated gardens in Ireland.

Morning coffee will be served upon arrival and then you will have time to enjoy the wonders of Glenveagh’s fine National Park, Gardens and Castle.

Natural woodlands of oak and Birch clothe the slopes of the deep valley that bisects the Park. These woods are inhabited by badgers, foxes and stoats, whilst woodland bird life includes siskins, tree creepers, redstarts and wood warblers. Woodland gardens and pleasure grounds, an Italian terrace with antique sculpture and terracotta pots, all these different themes have been skilfully interwoven against the wild and beautiful Donegal landscape.

Glenveagh Castle’s (pronounced “Glen Vey”) architectural scheme is roughly that of Balmoral on a reduced scale, including a small rectangular keep with distinct stepped battlements (a unique Irish form), from which extends, on lower stories, a comfortable residence.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a local hotel.

Following lunch, sit back and relax as you drive through some more of Donegal’s spectacular countryside before you head back to the pier. A stop will be made in Ardara for you to explore independently and maybe do some shopping.

• This excursion involves approximately 2 km (1.5 mile) of walking some over uneven surfaces and slight inclines. There are approximately a hundred of steps to climb at the castle. A shuttle between coach parking lot and castle will be available. We recommend you wear waterproof clothing and comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves 3 ½ hours of driving.

 

Walking the Bluestack Mountains  50-100 €

• Port of call : Killybegs
• Length : 3h30

Donegal is a paradise for the hill walker. Its stunning landscape and sense of splendid isolation combine to make walking here a special experience. The flora in this area is abundant and in summer, foxgloves, thistles, bracken, wild strawberries and various ferns cover the hillside. The walk is suitable for walkers of all levels of ability and there are many vantage points offering magnificent views of the surrounding Bluestack Mountains and Donegal Bay.

Depart the pier by coach in the company of your mountain guide. The Bluestack Mountain Range of South-west Donegal runs from the Pettigo Plateau, westwards to Binbane. The striking feature of this wonderful circular walk in the foothills of the Bluestacks is the sheer beauty and peacefulness of the mountains and the freshness of the air. A walk through the mountains is sure to please as the walk is easy, the surroundings breathtaking. Feel the sheer sense of adventure as you trek over the mountains to visit Disert, the site of an ancient graveyard and a holy well dating to the times of St Colmcille.

The walk circles this National Monument and uses existing roads and tracks. There is a link into the graveyard site where there is a massive rock, a well and standing stones (dolmen), as well as other artefacts associated with religion and folklore. Flowing through the site is the Eany Beg Water and a small tributary of this river that has cut a gorge into the hillside making a fine waterfall. This short walk provides plenty to see in this dramatic landscape, which still remains relatively unspoilt.

Return to Killybegs and your awaiting ship.

• This excursion involves approximately 3.5 km (2 miles) of walking, some over uneven surfaces and inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and warm waterproof clothing. This tour is limited to 20 participants.

 

Wild Donegal & Glencolmcille  50-100 €

• Port of call : Killybegs
• Length : 4h00

The Glencolmcille area is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area rich in folklore and traditional music. One of the most scenic areas in Ireland, the countryside drive is outstanding. The area is rich in archaeological sites with some of Ireland’s finest examples of Portal Dolmens. The Folk Museum which opened in 1967 is a monument to Father James McDyer who came to Killybegs in 1952 and set about, infusing the local people with a spirit of self-reliance and pride in their heritage.

Depart from the fishing village of Killybegs in the company of your guide to enjoy a scenic drive through some of Donegal’s spectacular and picturesque areas. Wild and ruggedly beautiful, Donegal is Ireland’s remotest county.

A stop will be made at Glencolmcille Folk Village. Afternoon tea will be served in the “tea rooms”. Here, some traditional musicians will treat you to some traditional Irish music.

Steeped in culture, tradition, and language, the Glencolmcille Museum depicts bygone lifestyles in South-west Donegal through an interpretative centre, craft shop, tea house, school house and thatched cottages dating back to 1750, 1850, and 1900. The village depicts a bygone era of poverty and hardship. The smells of damp and musk remain to remind us of a time before insulation and central heating. It will be brought to life today especially for your visit. Drop into the school house where you will go back in time and sit in a classroom to receive your Irish language tuition. Continue to your next house and enjoy a talk on old Irish cures. Donegal is also renowned for its tweed so a demonstration of spinning and weaving is available for you, as well as a host of traditional activities that take place in the Folk Village.

On your return drive to Killybegs, a photostop will be made at the Malin Beg picturesque beach area, one of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal.

• This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mile) of walking on uneven surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and warm waterproof clothing.

 

A stroll through Donegal Town 50-100€

• Port of call : Killybegs
• Length : 3h30

Donegal Town is located at the mouth of Donegal Bay in the north-west of Ireland and surrounded by the vista of the Blue Stack Mountains. The area offers a rugged beauty and mystique that you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the world. Donegal Town itself would be regarded as a town of great historical interest, for it was the family seat of the O’Donnells, chieftains of Tirconaill. In 1474, they were responsible for bringing the Franciscan monks to Donegal when the Franciscan Abbey was built.

Upon arrival in the town centre, start your tour on foot at the Franciscan Abbey. Situated at the mouth of the Bay are the ruins of the ancient monastery, founded in 1474 by the first Red Hugh O’Donnell and his wife Nuala O’Brien. They and their son were laid to rest there; however the exact site of the graves is no longer known.

A town steeped in history, Donegal is also the centre of activity for South County Donegal. The attractive centrepiece of the town is known as the “Diamond”. It is here that you will find a tall obelisk dedicated to the memory of the Four Masters. This was the name given to the four friars, led by Michael O’Cleary, who in the 17^th century compiled the Annals of the Four Masters, one of the earliest historical texts recording the early history of Ireland.

Next, visit Donegal Castle and learn its history from your local guide. Built by the O’Donnell chieftain in the 15^th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th-century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O’Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family.

After the visit, a stop will be made at a local hostelry to enjoy an Irish coffee, before rejoining your coach and guide for the return drive to Killybegs.

• This excursion involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on uneven surfaces, slight inclines and 40 steps to climb at the castle. It is therefore not recommended for guests with walking difficulty. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and warm and waterproof clothing.

 

16 September 2020 – Galway

Scenic Cliffs of Moher 50-100 €

• Port of call : Galway
• Length : 6h00

Depart from the pier in Galway and drive to the iconic Cliffs of Moher (1 ¾-hour drive).

One of Ireland’s most spectacular sights, these majestic cliffs rise out of the Atlantic Ocean to a height of more than 213m (700 feet) and extend for a distance of nearly 8 km (5 miles) from Hag’s Head, due west of Liscannor, to a point beyond O’Brien’s Tower. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.

For insights into the geological wonder of the cliffs, enjoy a visit to the Atlantic Edge Visitors Centre. Housed in an underground building, the centre’s huge, domed cave displays images and exhibits that will captivate and inform. A virtual reality adventure, “The Ledge,” will be presented in the audiovisual theatre, allowing you to experience life at the cliffs, both above and below sea level, and meet a cast of characters from native bird and sea life.

After the visit, reboard your coach for the return drive to Galway and your awaiting ship.

• Total walking distance is at your discretion. Walking throughout the Cliffs of Moher includes flat, inclined, declined and gravelly terrain and involves some steps. This tour is not recommended for persons with limited mobility. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing, flat shoes and protect yourself from the rain. This tour is only conducted in English.

Galway through the ages 50-100 €

• Port of call : Galway
• Length : 3h45

Depart from the pier in Galway city and travel along the shores of Galway Bay to the picturesque town of Kinvara. A stop will be made here to photograph Dunguaire Castle. Dunguaire Castle is a small 17^th century castle on a rocky promontory. The castle was built by the Hynes clan in 1520, a family who may have been associated with the area since 662, when the site is believed to have once been the royal palace of Guaire Aidhne, the legendary King of Connacht and progenitor of the clan.

From Kinvara you will turn inland to visit the unique and welcoming Rathbaun Farm. Rathbaun Farm is a picturesque, 150-year-old farmhouse where you will be taken on a journey through Irish farming history whilst enjoying some traditional homemade scones and a warm cup of tea. The Connolly family, who still farm today, will talk to you about the many stages this unique farm has seen, from famine times to the prosperous Ireland of today. Afterwards, you will be invited to hand feed the new born lambs and watch the farmer manoeuvre his flock with the help of his dog.

Afterwards, rejoin your motor coach and guide for your return drive to Galway. Capital city of County Galway, Galway is located on the north-eastern corner of Galway Bay. The Corrib River runs through the city. Galway is known as The City of the Tribes, because fourteen so-called tribes led the city to prominence early in its history. They were the merchant families of Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy, Deane, Font, French, Joyce, Kirwin, Lynch, Martyn, Morris and Skerrett. Enjoy a short drive through this famous city and stop to photograph Galway Cathedral, before returning to the pier.

• This excursion involves walking over uneven surfaces and maybe wet terrain – especially at the farm. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothing. This tour is only conducted in English.

 

A day in scenic Connemara 100-150€

• Port of call : Galway
• Length : 9h00

Depart from the pier and drive via Oughterard and Maam Cross in the magnificent Connemara countryside. The rugged landscape of Connemara offers beautiful and contrasting scenery. Majestic mountains rise steeply from an earth of contrasting rock and boglands with many lakes and rivers. Artists from all around the world come to paint this landscape with its ever-changing light.

Your first stop will be at Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden. The abbey was originally built in 1868 and is now the home to the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul, in the heart of the Connemara Mountains, it is regarded as one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings. The Benedictine Nuns at Kylemore have always used the garden, and held a very deep desire to restore it to its former glory – this could be only achieved with grant aid and large bank loans! Restoration began in September 1996 and today, the former flower garden is now restored. Two glasshouses have been reinstated and the kitchen garden is once again productive if not entirely weed free. Every year the standard of gardening gets closer to Victorian perfection.

Following your visit to Kylemore, you will journey through the wild and rural countryside to Clifden where a stop will be made for lunch. Known as “The Capital of Connemara”, Clifden has become in recent years one of Ireland’s most sought-after holiday destinations, where visitors and local people mingle, giving the town a unique and enjoyable cosmopolitan flavour. Lunch will be enjoyed here, followed by some independent exploration.

After a while, you will re-board your coach. Sit back and relax as you watch the ever-changing landscape of this truly wondrous place as your journey through Recess, Derryneen and Maam Cross. From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north, through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you will know why Connemara is regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

All too soon you will arrive back in Galway to rejoin your awaiting ship.

• This excursion involves approximately 2 km (1.5 mile) of walking, some over steps and uneven surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. There are very long but very scenic coach rides. A shuttle will be provided from the abbey to the gardens in Kylemore. This tour is only conducted in English.

17 September 2020 – Kinsale

Panoramic Cork & Blarney Castle  50-100 €

• Port of call : Kinsale
• Length : 4h30

Depart the pier for a 45-minute drive to Cork city. Experience a panoramic drive and orientation of the city which includes highlights such as the spires of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, City Hall and the renowned Bells of Shandon.

Next, travel to Blarney Castle. This 5th-century castle is famous for its legendary Blarney Stone, embedded in the castle wall. The stone is said to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on anyone who kisses it. To do so, you must climb the 108 stone steps to the battlements, lie on your back, with someone holding you, and bend down to kiss the overhanging stone. The less agile may simply enjoy the magnificent views from the castle grounds. These were laid out in the 18^th century and contain a grove of trees and pretty dells with a circle of large stones known as Rock Close.

Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which offers a large selection of Irish goods. Some free time is afforded for exploring and to enjoy an Irish coffee. The tour concludes with the one-hour return drive to your ship.

• This moderate tour includes 108 stone steps to reach the top of the castle. Walking distance is at guests’ discretion. Wear comfortable waterproof clothing and flat non-slip sole walking shoes.

Panoramic Cork & Old Jameson distillery 50-100 €

• Port of call : Kinsale
• Length : 4h30

Depart from the pier and travel to the city of Cork. Your panoramic tour will introduce you to Cork, Ireland’s second city (or the “real capital” of Ireland, as the inhabitants like to call it!); it was founded on an island on the swampy estuary of the River Lee just upstream from Cork harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. In fact, it is this feature of the city that gives it its distinctively continental air. Today, Cork City has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a University City with a unique character, a city of Jazz, Film, Opera and Theatre. However, as well as offering the many amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the pleasant charm and friendliness of a country town. You will see the spires of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, The Old Courthouse, City Hall and the renowned Bells of Shandon.

Leaving the city, you will travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the town from which the famous rare Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Old Jameson distillery will take you right to the heart of the cherished whiskey making tradition. You are invited to join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18^th century self-contained industrial complex, unique in Britain and Ireland. Delight in the fully operational water wheel and be amazed by the copper pot still of 32,000 gallons which is the largest in the world. An audio-visual presentation breathes life into the Irish Whiskey legend.

After the history comes the tasting, where you are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland’s finest whiskey. Afterwards visit the craft shop, or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre where you can lose yourself in the charm of another age.

Following your visit, re-board your coach for your return drive to the pier and your ship.

• This moderate tour includes 400 metres (¼ mile) of walking on flat surfaces with cobblestones and some steps at the distillery. Wear warm and comfortable waterproof clothing and walking shoes. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed. Participants must be at least 18 years old to participate. This tour is limited to 80 participants.

18 September 2020 – Penzance

Penzance walking tour 50-100 €

• Port of call : Penzance
• Length : 4h00

Penzance is the principal town on the Land’s End peninsula and is only 10 miles away from Land’s End itself. With a population of approximately 20,000, it is both a market town and a popular tourist destination, and features an attractive promenade on the sea front.

On this walking tour, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the town, free time in Penzance and a traditional cream tea at a local hotel. One of the remarkable things about the town is the abundance of palm trees and gardens full of sub-tropical plants, a sure sign that you have arrived somewhere unique made even more special by the sight of St Michael’s Mount out to sea. The town has the most westerly major Harbour on the English Channel and from there, ferry services operate to the Isles of Scilly.

As well as outstanding natural beauty Penzance is also surrounded by an area of Celtic culture. Penzance prospered from the 16^th century, when markets were established and the town and Harbour drew business away from nearby Marazion, which until then was the main port and market town on Mount’s Bay. Penzance became a tin-trading town in later centuries.

Walk through Penzance and experience a fresh insight into the interest and charm of this famous Cornish town. Stroll through the town and marvel at it coming alive as your guide takes you down the winding streets to see the historic and contemporary buildings. Listen as your guide regales tales from a time where pirates and smugglers where a plenty and its long tradition of music and song, inspired Gilbert and Sullivan to name one of the most famous of their productions “The Pirates of Penzance.”

After your walking tour, arrive by foot at a local hotel with beautiful sea views and enjoy a traditional Cornish Cream tea, before taking the short walk back to the pier.

• This tour is entirely done by foot and involves 2 ½ hours of walking on uneven surfaces as well as some steps. Participants should be in excellent physical conditions.

19 September 2020 – Sailing along Jurassic Coast

Spend the day at sea sailing past one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites while enjoying a wine seminar and tasting with our host Gary Eberle.

19 September 2020 – Poole

Beaulieu Motor Museum & New Forest Park 50-100 €

Port of call: Poole
Length: 5h00

The village of Beaulieu (pronounced “Bewlea”) is a typical example of an English village. Nestled along the Beaulieu River, near the Palace House, it has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. Most of the village is part of the Beaulieu estate, which covers more than 2,800 hectares.

Built from the great 14th century Beaulieu Abbey, the Palace House is set amidst a large park and beautiful gardens with manicured lawns and avenues overlooking the Beaulieu River. . The house has belonged to the family of Lord Montagu since 1538, when Thomas Wrothesley, later named 1st Earl of Southampton, bought the estate, following the dissolution of the monasteries.

A few steps away are the magnificent ruins of Beaulieu Abbey, which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on this land which had been ceded to them by King John Lackland. Although it was largely destroyed in the sixteenth century during the reign of Henry VIII, what remains today does not fail to delight visitors.

The estate is also home to the beautiful National Automobile Museum. With its unparalleled collection of vehicles ranging from the world’s first cars and motorcycles to incredibly powerful vehicles, this car museum will please all ages and tastes. Even the less passionate visitors will be amazed by the wide variety of rare and vintage vehicles on display.

You will have the opportunity to visit it with your guide or to explore the different attractions at your own pace. During a relaxing journey, you can admire the picturesque landscapes of the pretty town of Lyndhurst and New Forest, one of England’s most famous national parks for the famous New Forest ponies that populate it. You will then return to Poole where your ship will be waiting for you.

The total walking distance made during this excursion is left to the discretion of each participant. Please note that this tour includes a total scenic drive of two hours.

Lulworth Cove & Corfe Castle  50-100 €

Port of call: Poole
Length: 4h30

You will leave Poole to visit the Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve, an area of ​​outstanding natural beauty. You will make a stop at Lulworth Cove near the village of West Lulworth, on the Jurassic Coast classified as a World Heritage Site. This creek is one of the most representative examples in the world of this type of geological formation. You will have time to admire the panorama and to walk on the beach before continuing your journey, which will take you through the beautiful countryside of Dorset to reach the castle of Corfe.

These medieval ruins are some of the most impressive and romantic in England. The privileged location of the castle, at the top of a hill, offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. It was originally built at the request of William the Conqueror in 1080 and protects a breach in the hills called Purbeck Hills, located on the road between Wareham and Swanage. In the eleventh century, this Norman wooden castle was rebuilt with stone, then enlarged and restored during the following centuries, including the kings John Lackland and Henry III.

In the thirteenth century, the castle was used to keep the royal treasury and also served as a prison. Royal Fortress until 1572, it was then sold by Elizabeth Ire to Lord Chancellor Sir Christopher Hatton. During the English Civil War, the castle was besieged twice by the parliamentary forces and eventually destroyed in 1645. The Parliament engineers then systematically demolished using explosives to knock down the walls. . They gave the castle its present appearance.

You will then take the road to join your ship.

This moderately difficult excursion has some steps and involves an hour of walking to the castle on uneven grounds. We advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes.

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Contact Joelle Cliff at [email protected]

by telephone:  805-443-7112 or 805-227-0830

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