Northern England, The Faroe Islands & Iceland

Your cruising holiday begins in the historic city of York, where
you meet your group and Tour Manager at your hotel. Enjoy some time
to get acquainted with the city ahead of our first dinner together
at the hotel.

On Day 2 We discover much of the city's long
and fascinating story on a guided walking tour of its main
attractions. These include the incomparable Minster, which is one
of Europe's largest and most ornate Gothic cathedrals, and the
Shambles, a quaint street of cobbled streets and beautiful,
overhanging, timber- framed houses that has remained almost
unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Following the tour, you have the chance to continue sightseeing
at your own pace. Perhaps venture to the fantastic Railway Museum?
Located in a convenient and apt position next to York's beautiful
Victorian railway station, enjoy exploring the multitude of
locomotives that this wonderful museum has on offer.

After breakfast this morning, we transfer by coach to Settle
railway station where we take a journey on the famous
Settle-Carlisle Railway (Standard Class). The 72-mile route is
regularly voted one of the world's top railway journeys, and for
good reason.

Enjoy the marvellous passing scenery of the North of England,
from rolling verdant hills to wild and windy moorlands. We continue
by rail to Hexham, boarding our coach to Northumberland for three
nights at the White Swan Hotel in Alnwick.

This morning we enjoy a guided tour around the beautifully
landscaped Alnwick Gardens as well as impressive Alnwick Castle.
Famous as a filming location for Downton Abbey, we are treated to a
'behind the scenes' tour of the imposing structure.

We cross the wild Northumberland countryside to the Holy Island
of Lindisfarne on Day 5, taking a journey into
Britain's spiritual heritage with a visit to the island's famous
priory. In the afternoon we continue to Bamburgh, a scenic coastal
town dominated by its magnificent Castle since the 12th
century.

We leave Northumberland today, travelling by coach to Newcastle
to meet the CMV Marco Polo which begins sailing to Aberdeen after
embarkation. Arriving in Scotland on Day 7, you
have free time to look around before we set sail again. Mooring in
Lerwick, the largest town in the Shetland Isles, on Day
8 gives you time to explore independently.

This morning we reach Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands' vibrant
capital. Although one of the world's smallest capitals, Tórshavn is
packed with an array of attractive, varied architecture. Perhaps
take the optional tour to some of the islands' coastal villages, or
the excursion to visit the grottoes around the sheer rock walls of
the Vestmanna sea cliffs.

Day 10 is spent at sea as we make the crossing
to Iceland.

We arrive in Reykjavik this morning. Here there is an option to
visit the famous and beautiful Blue Lagoon on an optional excursion
that takes you around the island's classic 'Golden Circle' of
thermal activity. Days 12 and
13 are at leisure

Today is spent at sea. Your time upon the open ocean is the
perfect chance to spot the Northern Lights. At this latitude, all
you need are clear skies thanks to the lack of light pollution so
far from land.

Following a free day in Klaksvik, second largest town of the
wild and rugged Faroe Islands, we set sail this evening, arriving
in Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney archipelago, on Day
16. From here, we moor back in Newcastle before catching
the train to York on Day 17.