HURTIGRUTEN FEATURES NEW, ONE OFF DEPARTURE FROM GREENWICH – 1 May 2013.

This brand new voyage will for the first time, start from Greenwich and takes in some of the very best of the UK. After sailing down the Thames, MS Fram visits Portsmouth and then the Isles of Scilly with its miles of white sandy beaches. Cobh and Dublin are called at in Ireland before heading to Douglas on the Isle of Man, Iona and Staffa in the Hebrides, Portree on the Isle of Skye, Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, Leith (Edinburgh) and finally across the North Sea to Hamburg. This 12-day itinerary departing 1 May 2013 costs from £2498pp including full board. Based on two sharing.

Full itinerary here - http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/Europe-Cruise/European-Cruise/2013-Europe-Cruises/British-Isles-Explorer/
For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk  

From wild Scotland to the Norwegian Fiords

This voyage with Noble Caeldonia begins on the west coast of Scotland in the port of Oban. From here, the journey north includes magnificent St Kilda and calls in the Orkney and Shetland Islands where you can immerse in some of the mysterious ancient history. Reaching Sunnfjord, one of Norway's most stunning areas, you will make your way along the coast, visiting the vast swathe of fjord indented coast and through the chain of islands all the way up to the Lofoten group.
It is difficult to imagine a more relaxing setting than coastal Norway. Words cannot describe the awe-inspiring scenery as we take in views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, valleys and truly dramatic fjords. The immense size of the fjords and the timeless quality of scenes that have changed little in the past centuries create a unique atmosphere.

The voyage avoids the route of big cruise ships wherever possible and many of the ports of call will be tranquil hamlets of small communities and it will be fascinating to learn of their unique lifestyles. Such a journey can of course only be undertaken by a special vessel with the self-sufficient qualities of the MS Quest. With just 50 fellow passengers, you can enjoy the beauty of this region in small groups and from aboard a small, friendly ship and with  Zodiacs you will be able to land on remote beaches and explore shorelines with their prolific birdlife. The daily schedule will take advantage of weather conditions and possible sightings to achieve as much as possible from your voyage.

For more information visit http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/.

Ring o' Brodgar

If one olace has come to represent Orkney's ancient heritage, it must surely be the Ring o' Brodgar. Part of a the Orkney World Heritage Site, the Ring is found in the West Mainland. It stands on a thin strip of land separating two lochs.
It's an amzing place to go and must be one of the biggests stone cirlces anywhere. Originally it had a hugeditch around it too, It must have been an incredible site. Have a nice day now.

Scara Brae, Orkney

This is one of the houses in Scara Brae in the Orkneys. Incredible isn't it that over 4,000 years ago they had dressers in the kitchen too. I think the drystone walls are amazing and this picture does not do the place justice at all. Enjoy your day. I have two hundred plastic ducks to sort out!