Southampton to Southampton

Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So suffice to say, that Southampton is a seafearing place. Today Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in a variety of ways: a castellated old city that has lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum) and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains provide a fascinating insight to 15th century living while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot. Culture wise, the city’s bustling Guildhall Square is the centre for art, education and food and drink. Southampton’s location of the south coast of England means just a short distance away lie some interesting spots. Pre-historic enigma Stonehenge is less than an hour away while the quintessentially English market town Salisbury is perfect for a bit of shopping. Both are well worth a visit. For those who prefer their entertainment crafted by Mother Nature, a short ride to the New Forest will give you peace; think idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.

The crammed together, timber-framed houses of Honfleur's delightful waterfront simply beg to be painted, and the waterfront beauty has been immortalised on the canvases of artists like Monet, and Honfleur's celebrated son, Boudin. Located in scenic Normandy, where the Seine opens out into the Channel, this is one of France's - and the world's - most spectacular, historic harbours. Impossibly picturesque, the Vieux Bassin's Norman harbour townhouses are an artist’s dream, reflecting out onto the still water, between bright wooden fishing boats. It may be gorgeous, but it’s also a historically important port, and Samuel de Champlain's epic voyage - which resulted in the founding of Quebec - launched from these waters. Take a stroll back in time, as you wander cobbled streets where flowers spill down walls or sit to indulge in Calvados – brandy made from Normandy's famous apples. A museum dedicated to Eugene Boudin, the town's influential impressionist artist, displays visions of the harbour and region, as well as paintings of the town's stunning wooden church. Wander to Eglise St Catherine itself, to see the twisting structure, which is France's largest wooden chapel. Constructed from trees taken from nearby Touques Forest, it replaced the stone church that stood here previously, which was destroyed during the Hundred Years War. Out of Honfleur, The spectacular Pont de Normandie cable-stayed bridge loops up over the Seine's estuary, bringing excursions to Le Havre even closer. The pensive, sombre beaches of the D-Day landings stretch out across Normandy's coastline, while the Bayeux Tapestry unfurls within reach of Honfleur's picturesque scenery.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.

With close to 220,000 inhabitants, Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city. Locally quarried grey granite was used during the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries for many of Aberdeen's buildings, and hence the nicknames it has earned as the Granite City, or the Grey City. Aberdeen granite was also used to build the terraces of the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Bridge in London. Since the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s, Aberdeen has also been called the Oil Capital of Europe or the Energy Capital of Europe. It is no wonder that because of the oil fields in the North Sea, Aberdeen's seaport is very important. The Heliport with its flights to the oil fields is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Once a major defence point against Irish invaders Holyhead now extends the hand of friendship across the Irish Sea and is a major ferry port connecting the two countries. Discover a scenic and spectacular place whatever the weather – whether the sun’s bouncing off the blotched blue sea or the waves are swelling moodily as rain thrashes down. Set on the windswept coast of North Wales South Stack Lighthouse is a stunningly perched bright white lighthouse which has been casting its gaze out across the water for more than 200 years. A rugged picturesque site to explore you can wander out across the small aluminium bridge to reach the island where it rises. Be warned there’s a steep climb down 400 steps and then a spiral of another 100 up once you’re inside but if you’re up to the physical demands the views are magnificent from the beacon that has guarded these waters for so long. Ellin's Tower also stands over the crumbling cliffs nearby and this small castellated hideout is adorned with binoculars - perfect for getting a closer look at the crowds of nesting seabirds and puffins who cling to the coastline’s stark cliffs. In Holyhead itself enthusiastic volunteers will relay the region’s seafaring history to you at the compact Maritime Museum or you can explore Breakwater Country Park - another coastal hiking spot that sits below the gentle Holyhead Mountain. Enjoy views of the Irish Sea stretching as far as the Skerries seven miles out to sea and as far as Ireland on clear days.

Rows of pastel-coloured homes sit like macaroons ready to be plucked from the box of this beloved waterfront town in County Cork. On sleepy mornings a peek outside the window reveals a pastoral scene of bright fishing boats chugging out along the glinting estuary all overlooked by the soaring bell tower of Cobh’s show-stealing cathedral. Recently named one of Europe's most beautiful small towns this is an enchanting place to drop anchor - enjoy strolls by the natural harbour or head down the road to kiss the Blarney Stone as you explore some of storybook Ireland's best scenery. Cobh was also the final port of call for the tragic voyage of the RMS Titanic and visitors can take a walk through the small sombre museum which marks the event housed inside the former White Star Line ticket office. Cobh sparkles in the sunshine but there's something even more evocative about the place during a salt-whipped drizzle as the seagulls cry above you and the warm lights of a welcoming pub beckon. Nearby Spike Island is Ireland's very own version of Alcatraz starting life as a monastery in the 7th century before becoming a smugglers' haven and eventually a spot to stash convicts. Back on the mainland an Irish pub lunch is a must. Thick pints of Guinness and steaming bowls of creamy seafood chowder - served with hunks of butter-smothered soda bread - will get you into an authentic maritime mood and leave you feeling full up for days.

Devon’s largest city is packed with seafaring heritage and quintessential britishness. Tea shops, pubs, a famous gin distillery plus a newly revamp port promenade provide much in the way of gentle entertainment, while those who like to stretch their legs only have to look northwards to the rolling moors. The city is of course most famous for its role in the launching of the Mayflower, as it is from Plymouth that the Pilgrim Fathers left for the New World in 1620 – the original steps may have been lost but a stone plaque allows visitors to stand on the exact spot they left from. The town is peppered with remnants of its historic maritime heritage, across the waters of Plymouth Sound lies fortified Drake’s Island guarding the approaches, while Plymouth Hoe, where Sir Francis Drake was famously playing bowls when he received news of the invading Armada, is just up from the docks. Nearby Royal William Yard, built by John Rennie between 1825-31, boasts the largest collection of Grade 1-listed military buildings in Europe. Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery contains maritime displays including important Napoleonic ship models. The city's strategic position on England’s south coast cost it dearly during WWII. From 1940-44 the Luftwaffe basically razed the original city, and many of the original building were destroyed. What was rebuilt is more gritty than pretty, but those who are willing to look beyond the dour city centre will find a very pleasing place surrounded by beautiful English countryside.

The tied island of Portland sprawls out attractively into the English Channel linked to the mainland by just the Chesil barrier beach’s thin sliver of sand. Portland forms part of England’s dramatic Jurassic Coast a UNESCO World Heritage Site of limestone cliffs coastal rock formations and beautiful bays. It may be a tiny teardrop of an island but with pirate heritage historic castles and soaring lighthouses there’s a lot to keep you busy as you soak in Dorset’s relentlessly wonderful coastal appeals. Photograph the handsome white and red-banded lighthouse which watches out over the rock-interrupted waves on a breathtakingly photogenic outcrop. Flashing out warnings of a hull-shredding offshore bank the lighthouse marks the southern tip of this island and lurches out five miles towards the Channel Islands. Rock mined from Portland has been used to create some of the most famous buildings in the world including St Paul’s Cathedral and the United Nations' Building of New York. The stunning natural arch of Durdle Door is close by - looming over a scenic cove it is undoubtedly one of England’s prettiest beaches and most beautiful natural landmarks. A 16th-century Tudor castle stands guard over Portland’s harbour and was one of London 2012’s more unusual Olympic venues hosting sailing events. You can also learn of D-Day history and the role this area played in one of the most important land invasions ever seen at Castletown D-Day Centre.

Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So suffice to say, that Southampton is a seafearing place. Today Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in a variety of ways: a castellated old city that has lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum) and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains provide a fascinating insight to 15th century living while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot. Culture wise, the city’s bustling Guildhall Square is the centre for art, education and food and drink. Southampton’s location of the south coast of England means just a short distance away lie some interesting spots. Pre-historic enigma Stonehenge is less than an hour away while the quintessentially English market town Salisbury is perfect for a bit of shopping. Both are well worth a visit. For those who prefer their entertainment crafted by Mother Nature, a short ride to the New Forest will give you peace; think idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.