Iceland

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Cobh is a town in Ireland, on an island in Cork city’s harbour. It’s known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. Titanic Experience Cobh is a themed attraction in the former White Star Line ticket office. More displays on the liner are in the Cobh Heritage Centre, which also explores how Cobh became an embarkation point during Ireland’s mass emigrations. North of town, huge Fota Wildlife Park is on Fota Island

Founded in the 17th century, the city was one of the world’s leading industrial names, home to Harland and Wolff – the shipbuilders who built the ill-fated Titanic. Despite its more recent political troubles, Belfast is today an alluring destination. Amidst its majestic Victorian buildings, shop in stylish boutiques, sip a Guinness, or take a scenic stroll in Barnett Demesne park. The city’s centrepiece is the City Hall, completed in 1906, with its domed roof and grand Italian marble staircase. Must-sees include the Crown Bar. Owned by the National Trust, it’s still a vibrant drinking venue, with an amazingly rich and ornate interior of brightly coloured tiles, carvings, stained and etched glass, period gas lighting and cosy snugs.

Stornoway is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. The town’s population is around 8,000, making it by far the largest town in the Hebrides, as well as the second largest island town in Scotland after Kirkwall in Orkney.

A genuine ‘Midnight Sun’ destination, Akureyri cruise port is a charming Icelandic town with a stunning location on the country’s longest fjord – Eyjafjordur. There are several interesting museums and churches but the most amazing feature of Akureyri is its botanical garden – not surprisingly, the most northerly in the world. That this glorious display of flowers and plants thrives is a tribute to the local microclimate which is remarkably mild for somewhere so close to the Arctic Circle. Less surprising is the range of tours to appeal to nature-lovers from whale watching (18 species from minkes to killers have been spotted) to the spectacular ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ at Godafoss. Along the way, you will also see age-old glaciers, beautiful lakes, bubbling sulphur mud-pits, hidden caves and coves, dormant volcanoes and lava which has turned into bizarre-shaped sculptures.

The Icelandic fishing port of Isafjordur is the perfect starting point for those who want to experience the magnificent natural beauty of the West Fjords, and its two valleys of Tungudalur and Engidalur lend themselves well to outdoor pursuits. Surrounded by steep sloping mountains you can indulge in a spot of skiing, golfing, or hiking – just some of the activities on offer. The town is also rich in art, culture and historical significance. Main points of interest include the Slunkariki Art Gallery and the West Fjords Folk Museum which houses a remarkable collection of traditional tools and relics. Nearby Neostikaupstaour consists of the oldest buildings in Iceland, including four from the 18th century, which belonged to Danish merchants. The town centre is interesting to walk around as it has a selection of old streets, small shops and a unique array of houses. Known for its quirky peculiarities don’t be surprised to see the barber playing his accordion, the baker training for the marathon or see the goldsmith paddling around in his kayak!

The name means ‘Smoky (or Steamy) Bay’ but these days the Icelandic capital Reykjavik is even hotter than that. Its reputation now as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination. Another big attraction is the opportunity to swim in open-air pools heated by the very geothermal springs that inspired Reykjavik’s name. Not that Reykjavik – or most of Iceland for that matter – is actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 5,000ft below the earth’s surface.

The name means ‘Smoky (or Steamy) Bay’ but these days the Icelandic capital Reykjavik is even hotter than that. Its reputation now as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination. Another big attraction is the opportunity to swim in open-air pools heated by the very geothermal springs that inspired Reykjavik’s name. Not that Reykjavik – or most of Iceland for that matter – is actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 5,000ft below the earth’s surface.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.