Wild Isles: A Voyage to the Rugged Coasts of Scotland and Ireland

7 DAYS FROM $7,340

• Experience the enchanting Isle of Skye, and see the geometric basalt columns of Staffa Island. • Explore the Stone Age sites of Orkney, from the Ring of Brodgar to Skara Brae. • Visit the 4,000-year-old seaside ruins of Jarlshof on the windswept Shetland Islands.

Expedition Cruise Light or Moderate

DAYS 1–3 I U.S./DUBLIN, IRELAND/ IONA, SCOTLAND/STAFFA Fly overnight to Dublin and take a tour of this dynamic city. In the afternoon, board the National Geographic Resolution and sail towards Scotland. Start the day on the sacred island of Iona in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. This tiny island has drawn pilgrims since St. Columba established a Christian settlement. Visit the 13th-century abbey, and see the Celtic high crosses dating from the late eighth century. Continue to Staffa, where, conditions permitting, we’ll take Zodiacs into Fingal’s Cave to see its spectacular hexagonal basalt shafts. National Geographic Resolution for the entire voyage I Meals: 1B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 4–5 I ISLE OF SKYE/ORKNEY ISLANDS Spend a day discovering the evocative landscapes and rich legends of the Isle of Skye. Visit an old Highland village and the Talisker Distillery, and hike to the peculiar rock formations of the Trotternish Peninsula. In the Orkney Islands, view the megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and see the 5,000-year-old site of Skara Brae. Step into the 12th-century St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 6–7 I SHETLAND ISLANDS/ BERGEN, NORWAY Dock in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago of about a hundred islands and islets north of mainland Scotland. Drive through a rolling landscape dotted with Shetland ponies and traces of prehistory. Explore the ruins at Jarlshof, which reveal 4,000 years of near-continuous settlement. Awaken in Bergen and disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meals: 2B, 1L, 1D

A diverse expedition team, including an Expedition Leader, a photo instructor, and local naturalists will accompany this trip.

Alison Wright National Geographer Photographer Named a National Geographic Traveler of the Year in 2013, award-winning photojournalist Alison Wright documents cultures and people with a focus on the human condition. Her work has been featured in National Geographic magazine, and she has published 10 books. Her foundation, Faces of Hope, supports education and healthcare for women and children around the world.

INFORMATION

This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions. Dates: This expedition is offered in April. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by cabin category. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.