BRITAIN & IREL AND UNDER SAIL

Transcription

1 LIM ITED AVA IL A BILIT Y RE M A I NI NG S AV E 400 PE R PE RS ON BRITAIN & IREL AND UNDER SAIL A SUMMER VOYA GE A BOA R D T H E M A GN I F ICE NT S E A CLO UD I I 31 S T JULY TO 12 T H A U G U S T 2 018

2 Pembroke Castle We are delighted that Sea Cloud Cruises, the owner of Sea Cloud II has been able to bring her to the shores of Britain and Ireland so that we may charter her for a voyage in an area that we consider to be perfect for exploring under sail. Those familiar with Sea Cloud II will immediately see the advantages of travelling on this magnificent vessel to some of the loveliest places from seductive coastal towns to stunning seascapes and islands. It is often said that sailing aboard Sea Cloud II is both the destination and the reason to travel all in one. But, add the scenic coast and islands off the British Isles and France and you have a magical experience that goes far beyond the ordinary. We will sail from Dublin and during our cruise visit remarkable places of great natural beauty, rich in wildlife and history. From the spectacular Caernarfon Castle in Wales to the charming Irish gardens of Mount Congreve, set on the banks of the River Suir and the tiny, timeless island of Sark in the Channel Islands, we will explore delightful spots. For those interested in gardens we have more treats in store with visits to the world famous Abbey Gardens on Tresco and the exotic Jardin George Delaselle on the tiny Ile de Batz. Both extraordinary gardens reside on trafficfree islands which accentuate the peace and tranquility so rarely found anywhere in Europe. In combining the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands with their French equivalents that dot the coast of Brittany, we will explore the best of British and French island life. So, in essence this trip is ideal for those who enjoy the thrill of being under sail, the natural world, the sea, its islands and the individual character that small islands have in abundance. Many of the islands, gardens and estates will be at their most appealing and the countryside will be beautiful and inviting. This, combined with the sheer diversity of the coastline, makes for a most appealing sea journey, whether you be an avid gardener, birdwatcher or simply enjoy sailing past and visiting some of the most enchanting places in the world. REPUBLIC Dublin OF IRELAND Holyhead Waterford Pembroke UNITED Penzance KINGDOM Isles of Scilly Dartmouth Portsmouth Guernsey Ile de Batz Sark St Malo FRANCE THE ITINERARY Day 1 London to Dublin, Ireland. Fly by scheduled flight. Upon arrival into Dublin transfer to the Sea Cloud II for embarkation. Dinner will be on board the vessel this evening. Day 2 Holyhead, Wales. After breakfast we will depart on a tour of Caernarfon Castle, perhaps the most magnificent of the castles built in Wales under the order of King Edward I. Its design is said to echo the walls of Constantinople, the power-house of the Roman Empire, and the castle s symbolic status was emphasized when

3 Caernarfon Castle Mount Congreve Gardens Tresco Seal pup Edward I s son, the first Prince of Wales, was born here. Our morning exploration will focus on the once impregnable castle and its ruins. We will return to the vessel for lunch and set sail to our next port of call, Waterford. Day 3 Waterford, Ireland. From our mooring we will transfer to Mount Congreve whose gardens were created by Ambrose Congreve. This magnificent estate covers over 700 acres, approximately 100 of which comprise of the most beautiful gardens with a collection of rare and unusual plants and trees. Enjoy a stroll through some of the many miles of these magnificent gardens before returning to our vessel for lunch. This afternoon will be yours to explore Waterford town independently. Day 4 Pembroke, Wales. After a relaxing morning spent sailing aboard our beautiful vessel, we will visit the 12th century Pembroke Castle, the second largest castle in Wales and birthplace of Henry VII. Its vast walls, towers and keep were impregnable to cannon fire during the Civil War and so much of this impressive fortress remains intact today and will be the focus of our tour. We will then enjoy a short drive to the ancient town of Tenby, a picturesque walled Medieval town that has remained largely unchanged from when it was built 500 years ago. We will take time to stroll through this town s delightful centre and along the scenic coast before our return to the vessel for dinner. Day 5 Tresco, Isles of Scilly. Following a leisurely morning and lunch aboard our vessel, we will moor at Tresco to visit the wonderful Abbey Gardens, laid out by Augustus Smith, a wealthy banker who purchased the islands from the Duchy of Cornwall in the mid-1830s. Using the milder climes of the Gulf Stream that flow through Tresco, Augustus Smith was able to create a garden housing many variations of species of exotic plants. We will take time to explore this tropical paradise before returning to the Sea Cloud II. Day 6 St Agnes. St Agnes is the most south westerly community in the UK. Surrounded by rocks and reefs, this delightful, tiny island offers marvellous coastal walks. Perhaps enjoy a stroll through St Agnes old town, see its lighthouse or maybe visit the local museum. Meanwhile, the opportunity for further exploration presents itself with the small island of Gugh which lies across a narrow sandbar. Here we find a single stone monolith called the Old Man of Gugh which dates back to the Bronze Age. After lunch we will tender ashore to Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited Isles of Scilly. Take the chance to wander along the tracks that cross the island amongst hedgerows and fields bursting with wildflowers. The active may wish to climb Watch Hill, where in the past islanders would keep watch for ships in distress or alternatively take a stroll to one of the beautiful beaches. Day 7 Penzance. Today we arrive off Penzance where our morning excursion will take us to St Michael s Mount, the family home of the St Aubyn s who have resided here since 1647 and described as the jewel in Cornwall s crown. Cut off from the mainland at high tide, it is a fascinating place with an intriguing history. It was here in 1588 that the first beacon was lit to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada. Spend time following in the footsteps of pilgrims who have visited here over the ages, a place steeped in spiritual energy and majesty. Day 8 Roscoff for Ile de Batz, Brittany. A short ferry from Roscoff takes us to the Ile de Batz where we will have the opportunity to explore the hidden gardens of Georges Delaselle. This plant paradise, maintained for over 100 years includes 2000 species of flowers from all five continents and is a true conservatory of global biodiversity, preserving many endangered species of plants. For this reason, the garden bears the seal of Jardin Remarquable from the French Ministry of Culture. Return to the vessel for lunch and sail past the rugged Les Sept-Iles, an archipelago of elusive islands attracting a phenomenal number of bird species (including puffins, kittiwakes and fulmars) who would otherwise rarely nest in France. Day 9 St Malo. Today you will have a choice of excursions. On a full

4 Puffin with fish Ile de Batz View from St Agnes Mont St Michel day tour there will be the option to visit the 12th century Benedictine monastery of Mont St Michel, perched atop a dramatically sited granite outcrop and perhaps one of the most iconic examples of architecture in the whole of France. Alternatively, you may prefer to join us for a morning tour of Medieval Dinan, perhaps one of the best persevered and most attractive small towns in Brittany. Featuring half-timbered houses, cobblestoned streets filled with boutique shops and cafes and an impressively long rampart, this town is perfect for exploration. We will return to the vessel for lunch followed by some time to explore the town of St Malo independently. Day 10 Guernsey, Channel Islands. From the lovely town of St Peter Port, you will either join a walking tour of the harbour fortress, Castle Cornet, which has stood guard for over 800 years and includes a number of battlements with breathtaking views, or enjoy a leisurely drive around this enchanting and historic island. Following lunch we will offer a further choice; a cliff walk, exploring the island s beautiful bays, secluded coves and picturesque harbours, or an afternoon at leisure exploring the island or simply relaxing aboard the luxurious Sea Cloud II. Moor overnight in Guernsey. Day 11 Sark. Being one of the smaller and less developed of the Channel Islands, today s exploration will focus on Sark, a beautiful and peaceful place where we will offer plenty of time to take in its tranquil surroundings. During our time here we will also visit the lovely Seigneury Gardens, a walled display aligned with unusual specimens of plants and flowers, perhaps the oldest of its designs being a formal rose garden edged with box hedging. Spend time here before returning to the vessel this evening and setting sail. Day 12 Dartmouth, England. Our morning in Dartmouth will focus on Coleton Fishacre, famed for its connection with the D Oyly Carte family and a country house which originally formed part of a 2000 acre estate, farmed as early as the 13th century. The estate is now prized for its very individual house, majestic gardens and spectacular coastline, arguably located on the most idyllic stretch of South Devon s coastline. The gardens benefit from an exceptional climate, which, with no prevailing winds from the south, allowed Lady Dorothy to include in her plantings some very rare species from as far PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy LIMITED AVAILABILITY REMAINING SAVE 400 PER PERSON Cat Cabin Description Deck Brochure Price E Deluxe double Cabin 6745 D Deluxe double Cabin 7045 C Deluxe double Promenade B Junior Suite Promenade 7745 A Luxury Owner s Suite Lido F Stateroom for sole use Cabin E Deluxe double for sole use Cabin away as Chile and China. Return to our vessel and sail this afternoon to our final port of call, Portsmouth. Day 13 Portsmouth. Following breakfast, disembark from Sea Cloud II and transfer by coach to London Heathrow airport (2 hours approx). Special Offer Price PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel to Dublin 12 nights aboard Sea Cloud II on a full board basis House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Transfer from Portsmouth to London Heathrow Cruise Director Noble Caledonia Tour Manager Guest Speaker Gratuities Port taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance, lunch on day 9 during the Mont St Michel tour. +44 (0)

5 SEA CLOUD II For this voyage under sail we have chartered the magnificent Sea Cloud II. Launched in 2001, she is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines the timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. The 32,000 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight; she really is the most exquisite of vessels. Your Cabin/Suite Built to accommodate 94 passengers in five-star luxury, Sea Cloud II offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. Spread over three decks are 29 deluxe outside cabins with showers, 16 junior suites with bathtubs, and two owner suites with bathtubs and showers. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and aesthetically pleasing. The two owner suites feature a king size canopy bed and all other cabins feature queen size beds (excluding category F staterooms which feature upper and lower single beds). Cabin sizes range from 16m 2 to 27m 2 (category F measure 14m 2 ). The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble. All cabins have a television with DVD player, minibar, dressing table, wardrobe and a safe. A welcome bottle of champagne and a fruit basket which is replenished daily are provided to enjoy whilst in your cabin. Your Space No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud II cruise. The Lounge is located mid-ship on the Lido Deck offering comfortable seating areas. The vessel s magnificent Steinway can be found here and will be played for your enjoyment by an accomplished pianist. In addition enjoy interesting lectures and presentations, or perhaps a drink from the bar. There is also a library on board where you can relax, write postcards, play a board game, find a film to watch in your cabin, send s from the laptop or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Relax on the Lido Deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail whilst watching the sailors manoeuver the sails high above, rekindling memories of a bygone age. Your Dining The cuisine aboard the Sea Cloud II is of an exceptionally high standard and has been accepted by the international Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Enjoy international dishes complemented by local specialities selected fresh from the market by the onboard chef. Dinner is served à la carte and is a four course affair with a vegetarian option always available. All cruises aboard the Sea Cloud II are full board with carefully selected wines and beers served to complement your lunch and dinner. All soft drinks, coffee and tea whilst on board are also included. Category C cabin Life On Board Whilst there are many large sailing ships offering passages around the world there are few, if any that can compare in terms of luxury to Sea Cloud II. Despite the luxurious setting, casual clothing is appropriate and the atmosphere on board is friendly and generally informal. Service is personal, and the crew of 65 quickly acquaint themselves with passengers

6 Lounge Lido Deck Category A cabin On deck Category B cabin Restaurant and the officers on the bridge are also available to answer questions; manoeuvres permitting. After all, Sea Cloud II is not only a cruise ship, but a private yacht as well. DECK PLAN SUN DECK SUN DECK For your Comfort, Safety & Security Sea Cloud II combines the timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. The hospital is located on the Cabin Deck and is staffed by a ship s doctor. In consideration of all passengers, smoking is not permitted on board with the exception of designated areas on open decks. LIDO DECK LIDO DECK PROMENADE DECK PROMENADE DECK BAR BAR LOUNGE LOUNGE LIBRARY LIBRARY DINING DINING ROOM ROOM SHOP SHOP CABIN DECK CABIN DECK RECEPTION RECEPTION GYM H H Dining on deck CATEGORY A CATEGORY A CATEGORY D CATEGORY D CATEGORY B CATEGORY B CATEGORY E CATEGORY E CATEGORY C CATEGORY C CATEGORY F CATEGORY F 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0) info@noble-caledonia.co.uk noble-caledonia.co.uk All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: St Michael s Mount _K