Cruising the British Isles: Scotland, Ireland & England - Le Laperouse
Natural and human history will come alive as you explore windswept vistas and tiny villages with this award-winning luxury operator's high-energy expedition staff.
SPECIAL OFFER
7.7*
ECO SCORE
148
PASSENGERS
12
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
British Isles: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Le Lapérouse
Voyage beyond mainland England, Ireland and Scotland for a completely unique experience exploring spectacular coastlines, natural landscapes and historic treasures. Joined by this operator's famed Expedition Team, discover the ravishing cliffs of Donegal and Moher, the wild Hebrides, and the velvet-green Orkney archipelago. Then, enjoy a luxurious post-cruise stay at The Balmoral, a long-celebrated Edinburgh landmark.
- • Go behind the scenes via this operator's special insider access.
• Savor culinary excursions, like guided whisky tasting at the legendary Glenmorangie distillery in the Scottish Highlands and lunch with a former executive chef to the Royal family in London.
• Before and after your cruise, experience a night in Edinburgh with a dinner celebrating the Royal Military Tattoo as well as two days in London, each complete with luxury hotel stays and guided excursions.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Rates:
From $20,995 per person
May and June are ideal for exploring England, Ireland, and Scotland, with mild temperatures, longer daylight hours, and blooming landscapes. The weather is generally more stable, offering pleasant conditions for countryside strolls, castle visits, and coastal exploration. It’s also before the peak tourist season, ensuring a quieter experience at iconic landmarks and historic sites. This is the perfect time to enjoy the region's charm in full bloom.
Inquire for specific dates.
May – June;
Hover here for more information.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Conservation
Supports habitat conservation efforts across the globe
Local Community
Funds healthcare projects in local communities
Education
Provides schooling opportunities for local children
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive London, England
Arrive in London, where you meet your fellow guests and Expedition Team. Transfer to Dover to board your expedition vessel this afternoon. Later this evening, enjoy a welcome briefing and reception aboard.
Day 2 - At Sea, Cruising the Celtic Sea
Relish a day at sea, relaxing with new friends and attending lectures to enrich your upcoming discoveries in Ireland.
Day 3 - Cork, Ireland | Blarney Castle
Go ashore in Cork, the Republic of Ireland’s second-largest city. Explore the city center’s renowned university area, as well as Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, an impressive example of Gothic Revival architecture. Continue a few miles inland to Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s most iconic sites. Here, you might choose to ascend the parapet to see the Blarney Stone, said to bestow "the gift of the gab” on all who kiss it.
Day 4 - Galway | The Cliffs of Moher
Today, arrive in Galway, a lively cultural enclave renowned for its vibrant lanes, colorful houses and thriving arts scene. You might enjoy a culinary walking tour and Irish whiskey tasting, explore the Burren’s vast karst landscape with a botanist and visit a local sheep farm, or spend the day amid Connemara’s rugged shoreline. Later, take in iconic vistas from a scenic lookout atop the Cliffs of Moher.
Day 5 - Donegal | Unspoiled Coast
Today, your Captain charts a course past Ireland’s Killybegs to County Donegal, a rugged enclave of deep-sea inlets, sandy beaches and spectacular mountains. Once ashore, you may opt for a scenic tour of Donegal Town, a drive through the countryside to the Slieve League Mountains, or a visit to Northern Ireland’s walled city of Londonderry to reflect on the legacy of “Bloody Sunday” and “The Troubles.”
Day 6 - Inner Hebrides | Jewels of Mull & Staffa
Come ashore in Mull, a remote island enclave of grand mountains, seaside villages, sandy beaches and some of the wildest coastal scenery in Europe. Here, you might visit Duart Castle, sample fine gins and whiskies at a local distillery, or tour the charming coastal burgh of Tobermory and a nearby farm. Afterward, cruise past great basalt columns flanking deep caves as you make your way to Staffa. Conditions allowing, enjoy a Zodiac experience near Fingal, a sea cave formed by hexagonally jointed basalt.
Day 7 - Oban | Gateway to the Islands
Continue cruising toward Oban. Set on the doorstep of the Scottish Highlands, this former fishing town became the “Gateway to the Islands" at the dawn of the steamship era. Once ashore, explore the town’s distillery, McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill. Other options may include a visit to the standing stones of Kilmartin Glen, a tour of Inveraray and Kilchurn castles, or a six-mile hike of the West Highland Way.
Day 8 - Outer Hebrides | Prehistoric Western Isles
Framed by wild, windswept beaches, Scotland’s Western Isles span the rolling moorlands of Lewis and the towering mountains of Harris. Today, you might opt for a drive through the moorlands, stopping to explore the Calanais Standing Stones and the island’s crofting traditions, or drive the Golden Road, pausing to visit a Harris tweed weaver and a local distillery.
Day 9 - Orkney Islands | Kirkwall & the Ring of Brodgar
Rich in Viking heritage, the landscapes of the Orkneys span rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and wave-swept sea caves. Today, you might explore historic Kirkwall; Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Stone Age settlements in Western Europe; or the spine-tingling Ring of Brodgar, a circle of standing stones dating to 2700 BC.
Day 10 - Scottish Highlands | The Place of the Gaels
Northern Scotland is legendary for its dramatic, windswept mountains, wooded hills and rich history. Today, explore the magnificent Highlands, choosing from excursions that may include a visit to Inverness, a private cruise on mythic Loch Ness and stop at Urquhart Castle, an exploration of Culloden’s battlefield, or a whisky tasting at Glenmorangie Distillery.
Day 11 - Edinburgh | Vibrant Capital
Bid farewell to your Captain and crew as you sail through the Firth of Forth and disembark in Edinburgh, a city that embodies the Scottish national heritage like few other places. Tour this vibrant capital, taking in Edinburgh Castle and inspiring city views. This evening, gather for a farewell reception and luxurious night's stay at The Balmoral, a longstanding Edinburgh landmark.
Day 12 - Depart Edinburgh
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on an extension touring Edinburgh and the historic Scottish Borders.
Please Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond this operator's control at the sole discretion of the Captain.
Minimum age is 7 years.
Le Lapérouse
Environmentally friendly, fitted with innovative equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, this new and intimately sized yacht offers a unique type of cruise experience. Onboard this ship sailing under the French flag, you'll experience the incomparable pleasure of a cosily intimate cruise offering the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic chic ambiance and with five-star service. The Blue Eye, a multi-sensorial underwater lounge offering a unique experience unlike anything else in the world. The cabins onboard Le Lapérouse offer complete and absolute comfort. Tastefully decorated, the ship's 92 cabins and suites combine light tones and touches of blue with a softly muted, refined atmosphere. With their private balconies and terraces, all cabins benefit from high levels of light and luminosity and offer breathtaking views out towards the horizon.
• Capacity: 148 guests (Ship carries 184)
• Cabins: 92 cabins
• Specialists: Highly Credentialed Naturalists & Experts, 1.1.3 Guest to Staff Ratio
ACHIEVEMENTS
Condé Nast Traveller's "Europe's Leading Luxury Tour Operator" - 2022
Travel Weekly's "Best Tour Operator - Luxury" (17 Years)
Afar Magazine's "Best Cultural Trips" 2020
"Le Lapérouse is one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea, and when operated by this world-class company, her voyages come alive with expert guiding and off-the-beaten-path itineraries. If you're looking for a way to see the world in comfort and style with expert service, enthusiastic staff, and a fantastic education program, we heartily recommend this lovely ship."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
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Questions?
Rates
The only way to fully experience these remote reaches of the UK is by ship. If you love breathtaking landscapes and the guidance of high-level experts, this trip is for you.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All accommodations, meals and fully guided sightseeing (including park and entrance fees) as noted in the itinerary; airport transfers to/from hotel/ship in the first/last published city regardless of day of arrival and departure (on Expedition Cruises, transfers may be shared and included on start and end dates only); services of Resident Tour Director or appropriate guide on Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions; coffee/tea/soft drinks/water at included meals; local wine and beer at all designated welcome and farewell dinners and with all lunches and dinners on Connections European River Cruise Journeys; local bottled water during sightseeing; porterage of up to two (2) pieces of baggage per person; complimentary Internet access (where available on cruises and at land accommodations; service levels are not guaranteed); hotel taxes; and gratuities throughout, except to the Resident Tour Director/Extension guide/East Africa safari driver-guides.
Luxury Expedition Cruises Additional Inclusions:
Complimentary select bar drinks, beer, house wine, soft drinks, coffee drinks, juices and bottled water (excluding premium wines, spirits and
Champagnes) while on board; complimentary local beer and wine for included meals on shore; complimentary room service on board; all shore excursions and lecture program while on board; Traveler’s Valet laundry service for eight (8) pieces per person once during cruise only (dry cleaning excluded); services of an Expedition Staff and local guides; gratuities for the ship’s crew and Expedition Staff and Pre- and Post-Tour guides; a complimentary expedition parka and backpack and use of waterproof boots, pants and trekking poles provided on board for all polar cruises.
