Enjoy a relaxing journey through the Dorset countryside to Minterne House, set within 1,300 acres of scenic land. Described as a "Corner of Paradise" by Simon Jenkins, Minterne has been home to the Churchill and Digby families for 350 years. The 13th Lord Digby will personally guide you through the house, sharing 2,000 years of family history, artwork, and memorabilia linked to key moments in American, European, and Far Eastern history. Minterne's connection to Winston Churchill dates back to 1660, when the first Sir Winston Churchill rented the house. Later, it was inherited by the Digby family, keeping much of its original Churchill furnishings and tapestries. After the tour, take time to explore Minterne's stunning gardens, designed in the style of Capability Brown. With 1.5 miles of walking paths, you'll enjoy views of lakes, waterfalls, and a unique collection of Himalayan rhododendrons, azaleas, and rare trees. On the return journey to Portland Port, make a photo stop at the Cerne Abbas Giant, one of Britain's largest hill figures, known for its associations with fertility folklore.

Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's most famous stone circle, remains shrouded in mystery. This ancient monument, composed of massive stones standing alone on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, has intrigued and inspired people for centuries. Its origins date back as far as the Pyramids, with theories about its builders ranging from the Druids and Greeks to the Phoenicians and even the legendary Atlanteans. The purpose of Stonehenge has been equally speculated, with suggestions including human sacrifice, religious rituals, and astronomical observation. The monument that visitors see today consists of structures built between 3000 and 1000 BC. Among the most iconic features are the trilithons-two upright stones topped by a horizontal lintel, joined by mortise-and-tenon joints. These stones are precisely aligned so that during the summer and winter solstices, the sun shines directly through the circle, illuminating the central Heel Stone. Stonehenge is a place of wonder, offering a captivating glimpse into ancient engineering and celestial alignment, leaving visitors with a sense of awe and fascination. Journey through the splendid English country-side before arriving pier side to re board your ship.

Departing Portland Port, you'll pass the Portland Sailing Academy, host of the 2012 Olympic sailing events, and cross the causeway connecting Lyme Bay and Portland Harbour. Continue north through the seaside town of Weymouth, known for its association with King George III, and catch a glimpse of Maiden Castle in the distance, considered one of England's finest prehistoric forts. Built by Stone Age communities around 2,000 BC, it later served as a Bronze Age burial site Next, travel towards the ancient city of Dorchester before heading west through the stunning Dorset countryside, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, toward the market town of Bridport. With Saxon roots, Bridport was historically a rope-making hub and has been used as a filming location, most recently for the UK crime drama Broadchurch . Continue along the Jurassic Coast Road, one of Britain's most scenic coastal routes, offering breathtaking views over Lyme Bay, Chesil Beach, Portland, and the Fleet Lagoon, as you head to the charming village of Abbotsbury. Here, enjoy a self-guided visit to Abbotsbury Swannery, the only place in the world where you can walk through a colony of 800 nesting mute swans. These swans, typically territorial, nest together thanks to the ideal conditions provided by the Fleet Lagoon. Afterward, reboard the coach for the return journey to Portland.

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of five inhabited islands and other small rocky islets situated 28 miles from Lands End, the most southwesterly point of the British Isles. With a total population of just over 2,000, an exceptionally mild climate, beautiful flowers and countless white sandy beaches, they are also known for their friendliness, birds, clear turquoise sea, and ancient sites and monuments. Your local guide will meet you at St Mary's quay and give a short introductory talk about the history of the Isles. Then venture off on foot to enjoy a scenic tour of the Garrison on the isle of St Mary's and look across to Bryher and Tresco, marveling that even though you can walk between them, they are so utterly different. Enjoy the beautiful views before ending up in Star Castle to enjoy a tea or coffee in the 16th Century Castle Dungeon Bar. Star Castle is now a hotel, but it was built as an impregnable fortress back in 1593 and gets its name from the shape of its eight-sided central keep, curtain wall and dry moat. Just to the right of the castle you'll see a campsite and just right of this a footpath branches right and takes you down to Steval Point Battery, which marks the island's most westerly point. On a clear day you'll enjoy fabulous views over to St Agnes and distant, lonely Bishop's Rock Lighthouse. Following refreshments return to the pier with your guide. Please note : Wear comfortable walking shoes. subject to the ship's tender schedule, after the tour, it may be possible for you to explore Hugh Town at your leisure which is the main and largest settlement on the Island, before returning to your ship.

Tender ashore to the island of Tresco for your self-guided exploration of the famed Abbey Gardens. Tresco is best known for its Abbey Gardens , laid out by the remarkable Augustus Smith - a wealthy merchant banker who purchased the islands from the Duchy of Cornwall in the mid-1830s. Work on the gardens commenced in 1834 on the site of the old Benedictine Abbey. By building tall wind-breaks, Smith channeled the weather up and over the network of walled enclosures he built around the Priory ruins. He also carved the three terraces from the rocky, south-facing slope looking towards St. Mary's. Tresco, shrugging off salt spray and Atlantic gales is host to 20,000 exotic plants, many of which would stand no chance on the Cornish mainland, less than 30 miles away. Yet even at the winter equinox more than 300 plants will be in flower. All in all, the garden is home to glorious species from 80 countries, ranging from Brazil to New Zealand and Burma to South Africa. Subsequent generations have continued the development of the Garden, which is today a major attraction of the islands. Please note : Access is not a problem, the gardens are terraced but most have slopes that can be negotiated by a wheelchair although there are some steps. Wheelchair guests must be accompanied as the guide cannot undertake responsibility for them during the tour. Dress for the weather and comfortable sturdy footwear is recommended. If guests struggle to walk a distance there is a complimentary small shuttle bus from the pier to the gardens.

No additional details available for this excursion.

No additional details available for this excursion.

No additional details available for this excursion.

No additional details available for this excursion.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Sites to see include the Giants Causeway, Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol, Bushmills Distillery and Georges Market. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Enjoy a private tour of Belfast by Black Taxi. These expert local drivers are a gold mine of historical and anecdotal information related to the history of Northern Ireland and will give you a personalized tour that will both inform and entertain. Belfast is a city best explored with those who have lived through its ups and downs and can share with you its wonderful secrets. Your excellent and informative driver takes you deep into the underbelly of the streets of Belfast with an exciting ride in the world famous Black Taxi. Arrive at Stormont and drive through the iron gates, up the long drive to this historic edifice where a photo opportunity will be provided. At the end of your tour, stop at a local pub for an Irish Coffee. Please note : This tour is sold per vehicle with a maximum capacity of 4 guests per taxi. When 4 guests in 1 taxi, 2 guests are required to sit facing backwards on fold down seats. Order of sights visited may vary. Bring your camera, local currency and a waterproof jacket. Tour is conducted by a local English-speaking taxi driver. Stormont may close unexpectedly due to government events.

This panoramic tour of Belfast will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland's largest city. Built with 19th century industrial money, many fine buildings from this era grace the city still and are reminders of its prosperous past. Your guide will provide insights as you see the Grand Opera House and the Albert Memorial before passing Queen's University, home to the Botanic Gardens. Located in these gardens is the Palm House - a superb structure of cast iron and curved glass panels. You will drive past Belfast City Hall - an impressive building with a 300-ft.-long façade of Portland stone. A stop here will allow you to photograph what is perhaps the most noteworthy of the statues here - the marble figure of "Thane," commemorating the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic . Visit the Titanic Belfast, the signature building telling the story of Titanic that contains nine galleries with a variety of interpretative materials and media. Take a ride though the visual gantries where the Titanic was under construction. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building's giant atrium surrounded by the four high impact 'hull' shaped sections which house the experience. You will experience a thrilling ride through the re-construction of the shipyards and the Titanic under construction. The stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day will be told in an exciting and modern way. At the conclusion, you can visit the wreck at her resting place on the floor of the North Atlantic. Rejoin your motor coach and guide for your return drive to the port and your awaiting ship. Please note : Wear flat, comfortable shoes preferably with non-slip soles. Order of sights visited may vary. Bring your camera, local currency and a waterproof jacket.

Depart the port of Belfast and drive 75 minutes inland through the Northern Counties of Down and Antrim. Stop to photograph Dunluce Castle, a dramatic and picturesque ruin on a rocky headland. Next,you will arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Giant's Causeway Site . The Interpretative Centre there will allow you to decide for yourself which explanation of how the causeway's 40,000 basalt stones were formed is most likely (or simply most interesting!). To stroll the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. Your imagination will travel along stepping-stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the myths and legends of the past. You can board the "Causeway Coaster" minibus to bring you to the causeway itself. Enjoy lunch at a nearby hotel. Your return journey will take you along Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast Some of the worlds most spectacular and unspoiled scenery is to be found in the county of Antrim. A stop will be made for you to view Carrick A Rede Rope Bridge . Spanning a chasm some 80 feet deep, its construction once consisted of a single rope handrail and widely spaced slats. The single handrail was subsequently replaced by a two-hand railed bridge, the current cage bridge was installed during Easter 2000. Travel via the Coast Road to reveal an unrivaled seascape, towering cliffs, white sandy beaches, tranquil glens and lush forest parks. From the magnificent vantage point at Fair Head and Murlough Bay , on a clear day you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, as well as the wild and mysterious island of Rathlin just seven miles off the coast. Please note : Wear flat, comfortable shoes preferably with non-slip soles. Order of sights visited may vary. Bring your camera, local currency and a waterproof jacket.

The North's largest city is an eclectic mix of charming Victorian and Edwardian buildings, engaging attractions and a grand history that's on display around every corner. Your tour will begin as your coach travels through stately Donegall Square in the heart of Belfast. Among the square's architectural treasures is City Hall. Completed in 1906, the 300-foot long main façade is topped with a copper dome that rises 173 feet. As you make your way around the city you'll see many more Victorian buildings with the same distinctive verdigris green domes. Also in the square stands Belfast's oldest library, the Linen Hall Library , which was established in 1788. Continuing on, you'll journey past Queen's University, renowned for its world-class achievements in cancer research and environmental research. Marvel at the thoroughly modern Waterfront Hall , a concert venue , housing development and hotel. Just 12 miles from Belfast in the historic village of Hillsborough sits the distinguished Hillsborough Castle . Built in the 1770s, the mansion is the official residence of the British Royal Family when they're visiting Northern Ireland. You'll set out on a guided tour through this lovely 2-story late Georgian manor adorned with beautiful furniture and master pieces of art. Visit the State Room, where all visiting dignitaries are formally welcomed. Next door is Candlestick Hall where the panels around the room, made in the early 19th century, are made from hand-painted wallpaper and depict scenes from Cervantes' Don Quixote. Visit the castle's two dining rooms: the Red Dining Room, which looks out over what is claimed to be the largest rhododendron bush in Europe, and the State Dining Room where official state dinners are served. You will also visit the Throne Room, where citizenship ceremonies are held; the State Drawing Room, which overlooks the Jubilee garden; and Lady Grey's Sitting Room. At the conclusion of the tour, feel free to meander through the lovely gardens or stroll to Hillsborough village before rejoining your coach for the ride back to your ship. Please note : It is recommended that guests dress in warm, layered clothing and wear flat, comfortable shoes.