AUGUST 23 - SEPT. 3, 2009
THE BRITISH ISLES
London Roundtrip
Roberta and Arnold's Bridge Cruise on
The Six-Star Crystal Symphony

Special Golf Theme:

PGA Instructors work with you, plus golf celebrities discuss experiences on the PGA Tour. Optional shore excusrsions take you to play at some of the British Isles' most famous courses.

Itinerary

August 23 - Embark London/Dover, England

August 24 - Cruising the North Sea

August 25 - Edinburgh/Rosyth, Scotland (overnight)

August 26 - Edinburgh/Rosyth, Scotland

August 27 - Cruising the North Sea

August 28 - Belfast, Ireland

August 29 - Liverpool, England

August 30 - Dublin, Ireland

August 31 - Waterford, Ireland

Sept. 1 - Cruising the Irish Sea

Sept. 2 - Guernsey, England

Sept. 3 - Disembark London/Dover, England

HIGHLIGHTS:

London/Dover, England: For centuries, Dover has been a symbol of England's royal fortitude. The port's legendary White Cliffs have long been a welcomed landmark for seafaring travelers. The solid Dover Castle has faced invasions by Roman, French and even English troops. London's legendary sights, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Whitehall and the fashionable West End, lie just 80 miles from historic Dover.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Dominated by a medieval castle on a towering crag, Edinburgh is the celebrated capital of Scotland and boasts more than a thousand years of vibrant historical heritage. The Exchange building, the famous Royal Mile featuring St. Giles Cathedral and John Knox House, as well as Palace of holyroodhouse, the Queens official, are only a few of the architectural masterpieces found in this delightful Scottish city. Highlight in this stop is an evening at the world-famous Military Tattoo Festival!

Belfast, Ireland: Having the gift of understatement and optimism, the Irish call their decades-long civil strife "the Troubles." Happily, the Troubles have settled down, making enjoyable visits to Northern Ireland, most notably Belfast, no trouble at all. Ornate Victorian homes and grand Edwardian civic buildings line the streets. The city also has many quaint lanes populated by pubs and boutiques dressed with overflowing window boxes and brightly painted doors. While there is much to detain you in lovely Belfast, you might want to take the quick trip over the lough, or small bay, to Carrickfergus Castle, the best-preserved Norman castle in Ireland.

Liverpool, England: Home of the Beatles! Liverpool grew to greatness in the 18th century, as the riches of the Americas and the West Indies flowed through its docks and marketplaces (At one point it even had more dock space than London.) Enjoy the Town Hall built in those flourishing years, the Walker Art Gallery, or the delights of the restored Albert Dock, with its classy shops and maritime museum, or take a tour visiting all the Beatle haunts.

Dublin, Ireland: The Irish capital, Dublin, enjoys one of the loveliest settings in Europe. Craggy Howth Head shelters the natural harbor at Dublin Bay and the gurgling River Liffey flows through the center of town. The ancient Egyptians, as well as Norman and Viking warriors, visited Dublin. However, the city's most pervasive surviving influences come from the 18th and 19th centuries when elegant Georgian mansions were first built along the river and then outward from its shores. The arts also flourished during this period and Dublin served as the birthplace of some of our greatest literary figures such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce to name only a few.

Waterford, Ireland: The port city of Waterford is the perfect gateway for a host of sightseeing opportunities, from rolling green countryside to traditional villages, castles and abbeys. Although the original Waterford Crystal Factory was closed in 1851, its revival in 1947 has brought a new wave of prosperity to this region. Today, visitors from around the world marvel at the factory's award-winning displays and witness first hand the time-honored skills of glass blowing, cutting and engraving.

Guernsey, England: Charming Guernsey, a mere 25 square miles in size, offers a host of enticing visitor attractions. Although geographically closer to France, it has remained staunchly British through the ages. Today, its diverse culture reflects the best of both worlds. Pastel-colored houses rise layer upon layer behind St. Peter Port, the island's picturesque main town. Beyond, you discover a wealth of activities centering around goldsmiths, silversmiths, wood carvers and clockmakers.