British Isles Cruise - from Belfast - 129012

The island capital of Stornoway is on the east coast of the twin islands of Lewis and Harris at the most northerly-westerly tip of the British Isles. One of the most important attractions in the city is Lews Castle, dating from the 19th century, which today is home to a Gaelic-speaking university college. The extensive grounds of Lews Castle are the perfect place to take a stroll. In the spring, rhododendron and gorse bloom in brilliant colours. Martin's Memorial Church in the town centre and several other churches are other must-sees.

Kirkwall is the capital of the northern Scottish island council area of Orkney, where visitors can expect to find a landscape made up mainly of craggy cliffs and strange sandstone formations. The pretty capital and business centre is famous primarily for its whisky distilleries and St. Magnus Cathedral. The cathedral dates from the 12th century and is one of the most beautiful examples of Norman architecture in the British Isles. Other sights include: Tankerness House, a 16th century town house that houses the local history museum of the Orkney Islands, and the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, which is more than 5,000 years old.

Leith is the name of Edinburgh's port. Proud Edinburgh Castle, where visitors can view the regalia of the Scottish kings, stands tall over the city. From here you can go down the Royal Mile to the medieval old town with its impressive houses. This fine street leading from the castle is a real "high" street. Well-preserved medieval buildings line the cobble stoned streets, so steeped in history, that lead down to Holyrood Castle. St. Giles cathedral lies on the way, the cathedral of John Knox and "Kill Joy", the great Scots of the Reformation. It was here that Knox preached his "Book of Discipline", which became one of the foundations upon which the Scots presbyterian church was built.

Leith is the name of Edinburgh's port. Proud Edinburgh Castle, where visitors can view the regalia of the Scottish kings, stands tall over the city. From here you can go down the Royal Mile to the medieval old town with its impressive houses. This fine street leading from the castle is a real "high" street. Well-preserved medieval buildings line the cobble stoned streets, so steeped in history, that lead down to Holyrood Castle. St. Giles cathedral lies on the way, the cathedral of John Knox and "Kill Joy", the great Scots of the Reformation. It was here that Knox preached his "Book of Discipline", which became one of the foundations upon which the Scots presbyterian church was built.

The town at the Cromarty Firth got its name from Sir William Gordon of Embo, who built the harbour in 1828. Invergordon is famous for its many distilleries, where the Scottish national drink, whisky, is produced. Sights include: the Natal Gardens, Inverbreakie Raceway, the Storehouse of Foulis, Tain Through Time Museum, Nigg Old Church, the Glenmorangie Distillery, the Dalmore Distillery, The Official Loch Ness Visitors Centre, the Inverness area and the Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

Kirkwall is the capital of the northern Scottish island council area of Orkney, where visitors can expect to find a landscape made up mainly of craggy cliffs and strange sandstone formations. The pretty capital and business centre is famous primarily for its whisky distilleries and St. Magnus Cathedral. The cathedral dates from the 12th century and is one of the most beautiful examples of Norman architecture in the British Isles. Other sights include: Tankerness House, a 16th century town house that houses the local history museum of the Orkney Islands, and the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, which is more than 5,000 years old.

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and a cornerstone in the economy and infrastructure of the region. With its ideal location, it is a popular destination for cruise ships en route between Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Scotland. With the many small islands - home to the Shetland ponies, the Shetland Islands are also a popular destination for day-trippers from Aberdeen and Orkney.

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and a cornerstone in the economy and infrastructure of the region. With its ideal location, it is a popular destination for cruise ships en route between Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Scotland. With the many small islands - home to the Shetland ponies, the Shetland Islands are also a popular destination for day-trippers from Aberdeen and Orkney.

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.