Journey along Celtic Shores

The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.

The capital city of Northern Ireland is located on the very tip of Belfast Lough, in the north-east of the Emerald Isle. Along the waterfront, the building shaped like a fragmented liner is non other than the Titanic Belfast, a homage to the famous transatlantic liner, with full-scale reconstructions making for an insightful experience of the Belle Epoque. In the historical centre, you’ll also travel back in time when you see the majestic Edwardian columns of the City Hall, and the imposing neo-gothic towers of Queen’s University for example. The carved wooden façades of the Victorian pubs will certainly entice you in for a pint of beer or chilled cider.

A port town on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is sometimes described as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK." Because it sits at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, and is in close proximity to the dramatic landscape of Glencoe, it is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers. For those looking for a less adventurous experience, the nearby Ben Nevis Distillery offers tours and tastings, and Old Fort and Old Inverlochy Castle are interesting historical sites.

Discover Lewis, the largest island of the Hebrides, considered to be the cradle of Gaelic culture. Here, the peat- and heather- covered valleys and lochs stretch on to infinity, and numerous bird colonies have taken up residence in the long, jagged coastlines where. Not far from Stornoway, the island’s main town, built by the Vikings in the 9th century stands one of Scotland’s most prominent prehistoric sites: The Standing Stones of Callanish. Dating back to more than 3,000 years B.C., these imposing stones placed in a cruciform pattern were laid out according to the moon and stars and their main purpose was to keep track of seasonal cycles, as this was essential for farmers at the time.

Capital of the Orkney archipelago, Kirkwall, which means “church bay”, is an ideal stopover before continuing on to the Northern Isles. Sheltered in a wide bay, the lively town welcomes the visitor with its charming paved alleyways edged by old houses and craft shops. Tankerness House, the oldest homestead in the town, is a must-see landmark. But the true architectural treasure of the aptly named Kirkwall is none other than its remarkable red and gold stone cathedral. And because whisky is inseparable from Scotland’s identity, stop at the Highland Park Distillery for a highly instructive visit.

Invergordon is a charming small town in the Cromarty Firth, on the north-eastern shores of Scotland; like all the Highlands, it invites you to share a suspended and magical moment in a lush and preserved setting. From deep forest to immaculate moors via majestic cliffs and wooded glens, this is nature in its wildest form. A gateway to the mythical and legendary Loch Ness, the village is particularly renowned for its whisky distilleries and its proximity to some of the region’s most famous castles: Cawdor Castle, Inverness Castle, the ruins of Urquhart Castle…

In the Aberdeenshire region, Aberdeen is Scotland’s third most populous city and Britain’s third largest fishing port. It is known as the Granite City due to its grey-coloured granite buildings. It becomes the Silver City when the sun shines upon the building façades. You will love the charm of its many flowers, the source of yet another moniker, the Flower of Scotland. The city once prospered thanks to whale hunting, herring fishing and shipbuilding. The Tolbooth, on the corner of Union Street and King Street, is a magnificent 17th century building that is worth the detour. Today, it is a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

Scotland’s capital since the 15th century, Edinburgh concentrates the soul of this very special nation. There are countless reasons to stop in the city. Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, can be visited via their historic sites. The Royal Mile, the main artery of the medieval old town made up of a jumble of picturesque streets, links Edinburgh Castle perched on its hill to Holyrood Palace via the Presbyterian St Giles' Cathedral. The Georgian New Town whose development began in the 18th century is endowed with such harmony that it has exercised a profound influence on European town planning. Visiting Edinburgh also means being immersed in rich culture, between museums, live shows, literature and the working-class and multicultural districts such as Leith. To round off your stay, don’t hesitate to push open the doors of one of its famous pubs to try a haggis and taste a whisky.

Itineraries are subject to change.