British archipelagos and Celtic shores

Saint-Malo is a historic fortified port city in France, renowned for its maritime heritage and picturesque architecture. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like galettes and oysters while exploring its charming cobbled streets. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the city comes alive with vibrant festivals and outdoor activities.

Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency in the English Channel, where Norman French heritage, dramatic coastal cliffs, and Victor Hugo's literary legacy create a uniquely charming island experience. Must-dos include visiting Hugo's eccentric Hauteville House, tasting local crab and ormer shellfish, and exploring the German Occupation tunnels. May through September offers the mildest weather and longest days for clifftop walking and beach exploration.

Herm in Guernsey blends maritime heritage, dramatic coastal scenery, and the understated warmth of the British Isles into a deeply rewarding port of call. Essential experiences include walking the coastal paths and sampling the region's thriving artisanal food scene. The most reliable conditions arrive May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration, though the atmosphere is compelling in any weather. Cruise lines including Ponant feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Fowey (pronounced "Foy") is a captivating Cornish harbour town on England's south coast, steeped in medieval maritime history and the literary legacy of Daphne du Maurier, whose novel Rebecca was inspired by the nearby Menabilly estate. Visitors walk the spectacular South West Coast Path, feast on Cornish crab and proper cream teas, and explore narrow lanes cascading to a waterfront of bobbing sailboats. Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Ponant tender passengers here between May and September.

Saint Mary's, Isles of Scilly in United Kingdom blends maritime heritage, dramatic coastal scenery, and the understated warmth of the British Isles into a deeply rewarding port of call. Essential experiences include walking the coastal paths and sampling the region's thriving artisanal food scene. The most reliable conditions arrive May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration, though the atmosphere is compelling in any weather. Cruise lines including Ponant feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Skomer Island, United Kingdom is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Ponant. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is June through August, when summer months bring the warmest temperatures and longest days.

Kinsale is a picturesque harbor town in County Cork celebrated as Ireland's culinary capital, with a colorful Georgian streetscape, the magnificent star-shaped Charles Fort, and restaurants showcasing exceptional west Cork seafood and artisan produce. Must-do experiences include touring Charles Fort's ramparts, sampling Oysterhaven oysters and local crab, and walking the coastal Scilly Walk. May through October offers the warmest weather, with summer festivals adding particular vibrancy.

Youghal is a medieval port town on Ireland's southern coast with remarkably preserved town walls, a thirteenth-century collegiate church, and connections to Walter Raleigh, set along a broad sandy beach in East Cork's celebrated food region. Must-do experiences include walking the medieval walls, sampling artisan foods from the local food trail, and exploring the Clock Gate Tower museum. May to September offers the most pleasant weather for this history-rich coastal town.

Warrenpoint in United Kingdom blends maritime heritage, dramatic coastal scenery, and the understated warmth of the British Isles into a deeply rewarding port of call. Essential experiences include walking the coastal paths and sampling the region's thriving artisanal food scene. The most reliable conditions arrive May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration, though the atmosphere is compelling in any weather. Cruise lines including Ponant feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Dublin is Europe's most literary capital, home to four Nobel laureates in literature, the extraordinary Book of Kells, and Georgian architecture rivaling any on the continent. Visit May through September via Holland America Line or Windstar for Trinity College's Long Room, the definitive Guinness pint at St. James's Gate, and the spontaneous pub conversations that make this city one of the world's most immediately welcoming.