British Isles Discovery

Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, distils the entire improbable beauty of Iceland into one compact, creatively charged city. The soaring basalt columns of Hallgrímskirkja dominate a skyline of primary-coloured rooftops, while the Harpa Concert Hall shimmers beside the harbour like a captured aurora. Day trips from the city unlock the Golden Circle's geysers and Geysir hot spring, the black sand beaches of Vík, and the ethereal glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Geothermal pools — from the legendary Blue Lagoon to intimate neighbourhood hot pots — offer warmth year-round. June and July bring the bewitching midnight sun.

Heimaey is Iceland's volcanic island where the dramatic 1973 eruption story, the world's largest puffin colony of one million breeding pairs, and the children's annual puffling rescue create one of the North Atlantic's most extraordinary port experiences. Visit May through August via Lindblad or Windstar for Eldfell volcano hikes, the Eldheimar Museum's excavated homes, and the harbor approach through a channel literally reshaped by eruption.

Seyðisfjörður is a remote artist colony and historic port tucked into a dramatic fjord on Iceland's eastern coast, renowned for its nineteenth-century painted timber houses, the iconic Blue Church, and a thriving creative scene anchored by the annual LungA festival. Visitors should not miss the fjord approach by sea and a day trip to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. The prime visiting season is June through August, when the midnight sun bathes the fjord in golden light and cruise lines including Viking, Celebrity, and Holland America call at this intimate harbour.

Kirkwall, the Norse-founded capital of Scotland's Orkney Islands, is a sandstone harbour town framed by UNESCO-listed Neolithic monuments, a twelfth-century cathedral, and some of Britain's finest coastal landscapes. Visitors should not miss the five-thousand-year-old village of Skara Brae and a tasting of North Ronaldsay seaweed-fed lamb paired with Highland Park whisky. The prime cruising season runs from May through August, when Orkney enjoys up to nineteen hours of daylight and the wild coastal light is at its most luminous.

Stornoway, the sheltered harbour capital of Scotland's Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, offers an extraordinary blend of Norse heritage, Victorian architecture, and raw Atlantic beauty. Visitors should not miss the twelfth-century Lewis Chessmen at Museum nan Eilean inside the restored Lews Castle, nor the chance to taste the island's PGI-protected Stornoway black pudding at its source. The sailing season from May through September delivers the longest daylight hours and mildest conditions, with late June offering near-endless twilight that bathes the ancient Callanish Standing Stones in an ethereal glow.

Killybegs is Ireland's premier fishing port on the wild Atlantic coast of County Donegal, gateway to the magnificent Slieve League sea cliffs and pristine Gaeltacht landscapes. Visit from May through September for dramatic coastal walks, traditional Irish music, and some of the finest seafood on the island.

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man, home to the world's oldest parliament (Tynwald), the legendary Tourist Trophy motorcycle races, and a Victorian promenade served by horse-drawn trams since 1876. Visit May through September via Azamara or Windstar for TT race excitement and the cultural distinctiveness of a self-governing island.

Dún Laoghaire is an elegant Victorian harbour town on Dublin Bay, renowned for its sweeping nineteenth-century granite piers, literary heritage tied to James Joyce, and vibrant artisan food culture featuring Dublin Bay prawns, boxty, and farmhouse cheeses. Visitors should walk the historic East Pier for panoramic bay views and explore the Sunday market at People's Park. The ideal season is late May through September, when long Irish summer evenings bathe the waterfront in golden light and outdoor dining comes alive along the seafront.

Liverpool, an historic port city, is renowned for its unique blend of vibrant culture and rich maritime heritage. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Scouse and exploring the Three Graces along the waterfront. The best season to visit is during the mild summer months, when festivals and events enliven the city’s atmosphere.

Holyhead is Wales's maritime gateway on Holy Island, offering dramatic cliff walks to South Stack Lighthouse with its puffin colonies, plus access to Anglesey's Neolithic burial chambers and Edward I's Beaumaris Castle. Must-do experiences include tasting Halen Môn sea salt and lobster at coastal restaurants, exploring Bryn Celli Ddu's ancient passage tomb, and walking the Victorian breakwater. May through September is best, with summer bringing puffins and the longest days.

Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, founded by Vikings in 914 AD, featuring a magnificently restored medieval quarter, the world-famous House of Waterford Crystal, and three museums housing the finest medieval collection in the country. Must-dos include Reginald's Tower, crystal-making demonstrations, and tasting the city's unique blaa bread rolls. May through September offers the warmest weather, with September often bringing surprise Indian summer days.

Southampton, England's storied ocean liner capital on the southern coast, carries an indelible maritime identity — this is the port from which the Titanic departed and from which the Queen Mary 2 still sails in grandeur today. The medieval Bargate and City Walls speak to a history stretching back to Roman times, while the SeaCity Museum tells the story of the great liners with moving intimacy. Day excursions reach Winchester's magnificent cathedral, the stately rooms of Beaulieu, and the primeval wilderness of the New Forest — where ancient ponies still roam freely. Spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the region.