Europe & British Isles

50° 20′ N 4° 38′ W

Guests enjoy zodiac exploration of the Basalt rock formations on the island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland
ExpeditionsUi Arrow rightAncient Isles: England, Ireland, and Scotland

Ancient Isles: England, Ireland, and Scotland

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Highlights

Aerial birds eye drone view from the world famous cliffs of moher in county clare ireland. Scenic Irish rural countryside nature along the wild atlantic way and European Atlantic Geotourism Route
  • Trace a maritime thread around the isles, exploring the wild and beautiful places where Celtic and Viking influences still thrive in local languages and customs

  • Sail around magical Skellig Michael, which is crowned with a seventh-century beehive monastery

  • See the stunning 12th-century Iona Abbey, and Zodiac into Fingal’s Cave in Scotland

  • Discover the Stone Age megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year old village of Skara Brae on Orkney

  • Explore wild, windswept outer isles in search of whales, dolphins, and seals, and marvel at vast seabird nesting sites

  • Benefit from Lindblad Expeditions’ 50-plus years of expedition experience and the insight of our field staff team and local experts in the region

  • Conditions permitting, explore uninhabited St. Kilda—a UNESCO World Heritage site

  • Travel with a National Geographic Photography Expert on each departure. Join Todd Gipstein on the June 2023 departure

  • Extend your voyage: discover the seaport town of Bergen on a pre-voyage extension, and explore London or the Scottish Highlands on a post-voyage extension

Day by Day

Multiple routes available

Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.

2023 Expedition


Starts at

London, U.K.

Ends at

Bergen, Norway

Download Itinerary

Days 1-2

U.S. / London, England / Embark Ship

Fly overnight to London. Embark National Geographic Explorer in the city center after lunch as we set sail down the Thames.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Days 1-2

U.S. / London, England / Embark Ship

Fly overnight to London. Embark National Geographic Explorer in the city center after lunch as we set sail down the Thames.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Portsmouth

Visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and climb inside the HMS Victory, flagship of Admiral Nelson in Britain's greatest naval triumph, the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. The partially restored Tudor warship Mary Rose, deployed by King Henry VIII is also here. Should natural history be your preference, join our naturalists for a drive to Titchfield Haven estuary for a trail walk and avian spotting session.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Portsmouth

Visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and climb inside the HMS Victory, flagship of Admiral Nelson in Britain's greatest naval triumph, the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. The partially restored Tudor warship Mary Rose, deployed by King Henry VIII is also here. Should natural history be your preference, join our naturalists for a drive to Titchfield Haven estuary for a trail walk and avian spotting session.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Fowey

Begin your day in this Cornish port (its name is pronounced “Foy”) with a ramble along a colorful quay and medieval streets. Follow this with a visit to the Eden Project, a collection of immense eco-garden biomes set within a 34-acre bowl—celebrating sustainability and botanical innovation. Alternatively, experience the grandeur of the Estates of Cornwall on a visit to the houses of Pencarrow and Lanhydrock. For those wishing for a more relaxed afternoon spend time on your own in the village of Fowey or join the field staff for an expeditionary outing in the area.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Fowey

Begin your day in this Cornish port (its name is pronounced “Foy”) with a ramble along a colorful quay and medieval streets. Follow this with a visit to the Eden Project, a collection of immense eco-garden biomes set within a 34-acre bowl—celebrating sustainability and botanical innovation. Alternatively, experience the grandeur of the Estates of Cornwall on a visit to the houses of Pencarrow and Lanhydrock. For those wishing for a more relaxed afternoon spend time on your own in the village of Fowey or join the field staff for an expeditionary outing in the area.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Isles of Scilly

Revel in flourishing subtropical beauty at Tresco Abbey Garden—planted in the 19th century around the ruins of a Benedictine abbey in the Isles of Scilly. Today, it’s matured into a priceless botanical sanctuary for thousands of exotic species from across the southern hemisphere—from Brazil to New Zealand, Myanmar to South Africa. Yet here it is, on an islet just 28 miles off the Cornwall coast. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Isles of Scilly

Revel in flourishing subtropical beauty at Tresco Abbey Garden—planted in the 19th century around the ruins of a Benedictine abbey in the Isles of Scilly. Today, it’s matured into a priceless botanical sanctuary for thousands of exotic species from across the southern hemisphere—from Brazil to New Zealand, Myanmar to South Africa. Yet here it is, on an islet just 28 miles off the Cornwall coast. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Cobh, Ireland

Arrive in this colorful port city on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, intimately tied to maritime history and the great Irish Emigration. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and learn about the momentous events that took place here—from the 1912 departure of the Titanic to the successful rescue of passengers from the torpedoed Lusitania and the millions of Irish who departed these shores in search of a better life. Enjoy and afternoon of Irish traditions, from music to sport, with locals.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Cobh, Ireland

Arrive in this colorful port city on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, intimately tied to maritime history and the great Irish Emigration. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and learn about the momentous events that took place here—from the 1912 departure of the Titanic to the successful rescue of passengers from the torpedoed Lusitania and the millions of Irish who departed these shores in search of a better life. Enjoy and afternoon of Irish traditions, from music to sport, with locals.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-9

Wild West Coast of Ireland

Over the next three days, enjoy the windswept landscapes of western Ireland. Sail past Skellig Michael, the protected Celtic Christian hermitage where beehive huts and remains of a seventh-century monastery still stand. Our exploration continues on through County Kerry, with its cozy local pubs. County Galway includes a visit to the wild and rocky Aran Islands—known for their religious and cultural heritage. Stand out on deck with your National Geographic Photography Expert as we sail past the Cliffs of Moher and try to capture the perfect shot of the stunning cliffs at sunset. Soak in the windswept coast of County Donegal as we round the northwestern end of the Emerald Isle and visit artisans who continue the traditional craft of hand weaving with local wool.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-9

Wild West Coast of Ireland

Over the next three days, enjoy the windswept landscapes of western Ireland. Sail past Skellig Michael, the protected Celtic Christian hermitage where beehive huts and remains of a seventh-century monastery still stand. Our exploration continues on through County Kerry, with its cozy local pubs. County Galway includes a visit to the wild and rocky Aran Islands—known for their religious and cultural heritage. Stand out on deck with your National Geographic Photography Expert as we sail past the Cliffs of Moher and try to capture the perfect shot of the stunning cliffs at sunset. Soak in the windswept coast of County Donegal as we round the northwestern end of the Emerald Isle and visit artisans who continue the traditional craft of hand weaving with local wool.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Visit the sacred island of Iona and its 13th-century abbey, long revered as a Christian pilgrimage site and believed to be where the Book of Kells originated. Several Scottish kings, including the actual Macbeth, are buried in the royal graveyard here. Later, we explore uninhabited Staffa Island, famed for its perfect six-sided volcanic basalt columns and dramatic Fingal’s Cave—which we enter by Zodiac.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Visit the sacred island of Iona and its 13th-century abbey, long revered as a Christian pilgrimage site and believed to be where the Book of Kells originated. Several Scottish kings, including the actual Macbeth, are buried in the royal graveyard here. Later, we explore uninhabited Staffa Island, famed for its perfect six-sided volcanic basalt columns and dramatic Fingal’s Cave—which we enter by Zodiac.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Outer Hebrides

Explore the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, boasting incredible seabird colonies. Conditions permitting, we make a landing at St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage site and nature preserve. Uninhabited since 1930, the traditional stone village left behind by the island’s final residents now lies in ruins. But active occupants do remain: a huge population of gannets, domesticated sheep now gone wild, puffins, and wrens. Back on board, our undersea specialist may present images captured of the rich history that lies underwater after their diving outing.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Outer Hebrides

Explore the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, boasting incredible seabird colonies. Conditions permitting, we make a landing at St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage site and nature preserve. Uninhabited since 1930, the traditional stone village left behind by the island’s final residents now lies in ruins. But active occupants do remain: a huge population of gannets, domesticated sheep now gone wild, puffins, and wrens. Back on board, our undersea specialist may present images captured of the rich history that lies underwater after their diving outing.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Orkney

Options this morning include a birdwatching trek in quest of Orkney's remarkably varied birdlife or a walking tour of Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital and a showplace of ancient Viking history thanks to its proximity to Norway. Later, discover the Stone Age megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stone slab village of Skara Brae. And step inside majestic St. Magnus Cathedral, a sandstone landmark that took three centuries to build.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Orkney

Options this morning include a birdwatching trek in quest of Orkney's remarkably varied birdlife or a walking tour of Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital and a showplace of ancient Viking history thanks to its proximity to Norway. Later, discover the Stone Age megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stone slab village of Skara Brae. And step inside majestic St. Magnus Cathedral, a sandstone landmark that took three centuries to build.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 13-14

Exploring the Shetland Islands

The Shetlands are characterized by deep-seated cultural traditions and dramatic landscapes. Far north and near enough to Norway to speak Scottish with a Scandinavian accent, this 100-island archipelago has never been fully tamed by those who live here. Experience this for yourself as we step ashore on one or more of these remote islands.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 13-14

Exploring the Shetland Islands

The Shetlands are characterized by deep-seated cultural traditions and dramatic landscapes. Far north and near enough to Norway to speak Scottish with a Scandinavian accent, this 100-island archipelago has never been fully tamed by those who live here. Experience this for yourself as we step ashore on one or more of these remote islands.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Shetland / At Sea

Enjoy a drive through a rolling landscape where thick-coated Shetland ponies graze in rugged grass tussocks. Explore the ruins at Jarlshof, a prehistoric archeological site revealing some 4,000 years of near-continuous settlement. Lost to time for centuries after being abandoned by the Norsemen who last lived here, the site only began being excavated after violent 19th-century storms exposed its existence.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Shetland / At Sea

Enjoy a drive through a rolling landscape where thick-coated Shetland ponies graze in rugged grass tussocks. Explore the ruins at Jarlshof, a prehistoric archeological site revealing some 4,000 years of near-continuous settlement. Lost to time for centuries after being abandoned by the Norsemen who last lived here, the site only began being excavated after violent 19th-century storms exposed its existence.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16

Bergen, Norway / Disembark Ship

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or choose to explore the seaport town of Bergen on a post-voyage extension. (Note: pre-voyage extensions to discover London or the Scottish Highlands are also available.)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 16

Bergen, Norway / Disembark Ship

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or choose to explore the seaport town of Bergen on a post-voyage extension. (Note: pre-voyage extensions to discover London or the Scottish Highlands are also available.)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Download Itinerary

NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins.  Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details. 

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Epic Histories and Cultural Treasures 2023-25


Uncover the hidden side of well-known isles on a journey that encompasses Britain, Ireland, and Scotland. Enter coastal villages by Zodiac and land on remote beaches. Probe the secrets of Stone Age megaliths and Scottish sea caves. Visit historic dockyards, a futuristic biosphere, and Victorian botanical gardens. Stroll charming, remote towns and mingle with locals in cozy pubs throughout the land.

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duration
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From

$17,770

/ per person

Book Now
duration
16 Days
Book before Jun 30

COMBINE & SAVE 10% PLUS SHIPBOARD AMENITIES

See all offers

View our brochures for more details

Breathtaking photos and details on expeditions—view online or by mail for free

Epic Histories and Cultural Treasures 2023-25