Reader Holidays - British Isles Discovery Cruise from The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

Reader Holidays - British Isles Discovery Cruise from The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

BOOK BEFORE 31ST JULY 2012 AND ENJOY STUNNING SAVINGS ON ALL OUR CABIN PRICES!*

Discover Life on board Marco Polo

Stornoway, on the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis, and pretty Tobermory, on Mull, as well as the sub-tropical paradise of the Scillies, are among the highlights of this cruise, which also features Invergordon, Dublin, Guernsey and Honfleur.

There's far more to life on board Marco Polo than we could possibly fit on one page. Click here to find out more about her fantastic facilities and welcoming atmosphere.

What The Price Includes

• Nine nights' accommodation in your choice of cabin
• Full-board arrangements including full breakfast, luncheon, dinner, afternoon tea and midnight snacks
• On-board entertainment as arranged
• Calls at ports as detailed in the itinerary
• The services of a friendly, professional crew and cruise staff
• Port charges and taxes

Single and upgrade cabins are available for a supplement*A GBP5 per person per night fuel supplement applies

Ship Information

In an age of vast, impersonal, floating hotels, 22,000-tonne Marco Polo, her profile marking her out as the epitome of sea-going elegance, is a beautiful ocean-liner in the classic tradition. Offering high levels of comfort, sumptuous dining and a genuinely warm welcome from the crew, Marco Polo will offer everything you'd expect of such a high-class vessel.

Deck-plans

Click here to display the deck-plans for this cruise.

Cruise Information

The greatest pleasure of a cruise holiday is the knowledge that as each day dawns, there'll be a new adventure to enjoy, a new experience to savour.

Ports of call

• Day One - Depart London, Tilbury 1800hrs
• Day Three - Invergordon
• Day Four - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
• Day Five - Tobermory, Mull
• Day Six - Dublin, Ireland
• Day Seven - St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
• Day Eight - St Peter Port, Guernsey
• Day Nine - Honfleur, France
• Day 10 - Arrive London, Tilbury 0800hrs

N.B. All days not listed are spent at sea enjoying the excellent facilities aboard Marco Polo. Please see the Full Itinerary for details.

Full Itinerary

Day One

Make your way to Tilbury and the Marco Polo, which sails this afternoon. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board, get to know the staff and some of your fellow passengers, and look forward to the exciting days ahead.

Day Two

Today is spent at sea, with a host of diversions and entertainment to enjoy.

Day Three

This morning we'll tie up in the great natural harbour at Invergordon on Scotland's rugged East Coast. Step ashore to explore, or join a shore excursion, perhaps to Inverness in search of Nessie. Golfers may head to the fine course at nearby Dornoch, while whisky connoisseurs can make a pilgrimage to the celebrated Ord Distillery!

Day Four

After cruising the scenic waters of Scotland's Western Isles, we'll arrive in Stornoway, capital of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. These beautiful, unspoilt islands, inhabited continuously for over 6,000 years, retain a rich, timeless culture. Explore, or join the excursion to the mysterious and ancient standing stones at Callanish, thought to be nearly 4,000 years old.

Day Five

The beautiful island of Mull offers breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and a spectacular coastline. The small town of Tobermory, familiar to many, with its picturesque, multicoloured houses encircling the waterfront, is a delightful place to explore, as is nearby famous Duart Castle, seat of Clan Maclean.

Day Six

Today finds us in Dublin - great city of culture and learning; home to Joyce, Yeats, Wilde and Swift, birthplace of Shaw; and one of Europe's most engaging capitals. Grafton and O'Connell Streets teem with shoppers, and the famous bars and pubs buzz with the energy of locals and visitors alike.

Day Seven

This morning finds us in the fabled Isles of Scilly. Marco Polo anchors in still blue waters, giving you the opportunity to go ashore to explore Hugh Town on St Mary's and the flower-strewn byways beyond, and stunning Tresco, where the world famous Abbey Gardens house Britain's finest subtropical plant collection.

Day Eight

Guernsey's delightful St Peter Port welcomes Marco Polo this morning, and the day can be spent enjoying the pleasures of this beautiful Channel Isle. Don't miss 800-year-old Castle Cornet, which guards the entrance to the harbour, nor the medieval, cobbled central quarter of St Peter Port, where countless shops and colourful stalls offer tax-free gifts.

Day Nine

Exquisite Honfleur, with its picturesque harbour surrounded by terraces of gabled houses, lies at the mouth of the Seine, and is the gateway to the stunning Normandy countryside. Explore this favourite retreat of French Impressionists, or venture further afield, perhaps to the famous Normandy beaches or to the historic 'Joan of Arc' city of Rouen.

Day 10

This morning Marco Polo makes her way back up the Thames, and you disembark in Tilbury at the end of a wonderful voyage.

Further Information

Voyager Fares

On selected cruises, a limited number of Voyager Fare Inner and Ocean-view cabins are available. Choose these and depending on your choice, you will be accommodated in at least a Standard Twin Inner or Ocean-view cabin, but will pay only the reduced Voyager Fare price. Availability is limited, so book now to secure your discount!

*All cabin prices shown when booking include the discount listed beside them. Discounts apply to all cabin categories except Voyager Fare cabins. Offer ends midnight 31st July 2012.

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)