Quest, British Isles & Iceland ex Dover to Reykjavik

Details

15 Night cruise sailing from Dover to Reykjavik onboard Seabourn Quest.

15 Night cruise sailing from Dover to Reykjavik onboard Seabourn Quest.

Seabourn Quest is the third iteration of the vessel design that has been called “a game-changer for the luxury segment.” True to her Seabourn bloodlines, wherever she sails around the world, Seabourn Quest carries with her a bevy of award-winning dining venues that are comparable to the finest restaurants to be found anywhere. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge.

Highlights of this cruise:

Dover (London), England, UK
Crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Great Britain, the first view of England is the milky-white strip of land called the White Cliffs of Dover. As you get closer, the coastline unfolds before you in all its striking beauty. White chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint rise straight from the sea to a height of 350’ (110 m).

Bristol (Bath), England, United Kingdom
Known as ‘the city of the seven hills,’ Bristol’s characteristic landscape of rolling hills, softened by the curves of the Avon River, is easily recognizable. Its key landmarks include the Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the 878-year-old, 300’ (90 m) Bristol Cathedral towering above the old town. The stone structures of historic Bristol University with their awe-inspiring pillars, statues and fountains stand in stark contrast to the many ultra-modern buildings. Cabot Tower, built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s 1497 voyage to the New World, stands on Brandon Hill. Though Bristol sustained significant damage during WWII, it remains a unique mixture of Victorian, Georgian, and post-war architecture.

Skomer Island, Wales, UK
Surrounded by high dramatic sea cliffs, treeless Skomer Island is a National Nature Reserve and one of the finest wildlife sites in the country. This is truly a birders paradise! It’s best known for its large population of breeding seabirds, most notably some 600,000 Manx shearwaters and 20,000 Atlantic puffins, the largest puffin colony in Britain. Nesting razorbills, fulmars, Storm petrels and gannets, as well as the endemic Skomer vole are found here. It is surrounded by nutrient rich waters where harbour porpoises and magnificent whales come to feed.

Milford Haven, Wales, United Kingdom
The town of Milford Haven lies along the northern bank of the Milford Haven waterway in the region of Pembrokeshire in Wales. This area offers a wealth of Celtic and pre-Celtic historical sites, formidable castles and fascinating islands. Although it has been an active port since the Middle Ages, the town was founded in 1790 and was originally intended as whaling center.

Dublin, Ireland
Historic Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is rich in tradition and heritage. Founded in 841 as a Viking settlement, Dublin remained under Viking rule until the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.

Divided by the Liffey and Tolka rivers, Dublin is a truly quaint and picturesque city. Bridges, waterways, narrow alleyways, and beautiful Georgian architecture await discovery. Dublin’s 751 pubs support a traditional folk music scene second to none. Wandering along its streets, you cannot avoid noticing the city’s different faces -- its cobblestone streets next to modern and mid-century buildings, massive stone churches heavy with the weight of ages, and colorful storefronts with ornate woodcarvings.

Fort William, Scotland, United Kingdom
The second largest town in the highlands of Scotland, Fort William and is located in the very best of Highlands scenery. It is situated at the head of Loch Linnhe, a sea loch, with an inspiring view of the slopes of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The mountain stands like a sleeping giant, at 4,400’ (1,345 m) in height. Scotland’s most famous peak, its Gaelic language name translates as the ‘mountain with its head in the clouds.’ Landscapes of green, mossy hills, rocky cliffs, U-shaped, post-glacial valleys, and numerous lakes and waterfalls surround Fort William.

Invergordon (Inverness), Scotland, United Kingdom
A turbulent past of epic battles, clan rivalries and legendary monsters, combined with the many natural wonders of the Scottish Highlands, make this part of Scotland truly fascinating. Invergordon is an ideal jumping-off point for exploring the northern highlands. A trip to the region wouldn't be complete without a visit to legendary Loch Ness, reputed to be the home of ‘Nessie,’ the Loch Ness Monster. The loch contains the largest amount of freshwater in the British Isles, actually more than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined. Discover the quaint Victorian seaside resort of Nairn, and the secrets of the whisky-making process in the area’s many distilleries.

Seydisfjordur, Iceland
The remote town of Seydisfjordur is perched at the end of a narrow, twisting fjord in East Iceland. A very picturesque village of 700 people, it is known for its thriving arts scene and large number of resident artists. Tourism is on the rise, as well, since its natural setting of mountains and waterfalls is simply breathtaking. Surrounded by impressive, 3,560’ (1,085 m) snow-capped mountains, Seydisfjordur is home to the Technical Museum of Iceland, and the area hosts populations of both eider ducks and Atlantic puffins. Settled by Norwegian fishermen in 1848, the town quickly became an important center for trade between Iceland and Europe. It is known throughout Iceland for its colorful Norwegian-style wooden houses.

Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland
Heimaey Island is the largest in the Westman Islands located four miles off the south-west coast of Iceland. One of the most visually impressive islands in Iceland, it is ringed by tall, vertical sea cliffs many hundreds of feet high. Heimaey is also the home to over eight million Atlantic puffins, more nesting puffins than anywhere else on earth. A local story tells that puffin chicks, taking their first flights at night, often become stranded in the village streets, where the local children rescue them and set them free the next day.

Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is the northern-most national capital in the world. Its name translates as ‘smoky bay’, referencing the geothermal nature of the surrounding area. The city benefits from astonishing landscapes shaped by glaciers, earthquakes, and volcanic activity throughout the centuries. An amphitheater of mountains encircles the greater Reykjavik area, a coastline indented with coves, peninsulas and islands. Most of city’s growth came during the early 20th century, and the majority of its architecture is typical of that era. Colorful rooftops and the elegant spire of Hallgrímskirkja Church dominate Reykjaviks’s skyline. Known for its arts, Reykjavik hosts a number of internationally recognized festivals, most notably the Iceland Air music festival, Reykjavik Arts Festival and the Reykjavik International Film Festival.