Iceland With Michel Roux

Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, enjoys a wonderful setting of high hills, sea lough and river valley. Founded in the 17th century, the city prospered becoming one of the world's leading industrial names. Despite its more recent political troubles, Belfast has emerged as a vibrant, alluring destination. Amidst its beautiful Victorian buildings you can shop in stylish boutiques, sip a Guinness in one its charming old pubs or take a scenic stroll in Barnett Demesne park.

Established in the mid-17th century, Akureyri is home to Iceland's largest fishing company and its biggest shipyard. Viking sagas, spectacular fjords, snow-capped mountains... Iceland's Capital of the North is also surprisingly mild and the so-called Green Town is made for those long summer days.

On your journey from Akureyri, experience the beauty of Eyjafjordur as your cruise through Iceland’s longest fjord. Enjoying a wealth of wildlife due to its fertile waters, it is one of the best places in Iceland for whale and puffin watching.

Journey past the remote island of Hrisey, widely hailed as “The Pearl of Eyjafjordur”, due to its beauty and tranquility. The island itself is about seven kilometres long and 2,5 kilometres wide yet is rich in birdlife and a haven for more than 40 species of birds.

The Westfjords in northwest Iceland is a remote and sparsely populated peninsula of steep, tall mountains cut by dozens of fjords. The raw and untamed natural landscape around Ísafjörður is characterized by a subarctic environment. A colourful show of blooming tundra wildflowers carpets the mountain slopes and valleys during the short, cool summer. Keep your binoculars handy. Iceland's western fjords are prime whale watching waters and, if your luck's in, you may just spot a tell-tale spout of water.

Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant capital and northernmost port city, is a gateway to stunning natural wonders and rich Nordic culture. Just minutes from the harbour, visitors can explore colourful streets, geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon, and dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, waterfalls, and glaciers. A perfect blend of modern charm and wild beauty, Reykjavík offers unforgettable adventures right from the dock. Join in a national pastime - shopping! Designer labels, local wool, gourmet treats, even a flea market, it's all right here.

Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant capital and northernmost port city, is a gateway to stunning natural wonders and rich Nordic culture. Just minutes from the harbour, visitors can explore colourful streets, geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon, and dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, waterfalls, and glaciers. A perfect blend of modern charm and wild beauty, Reykjavík offers unforgettable adventures right from the dock. Join in a national pastime - shopping! Designer labels, local wool, gourmet treats, even a flea market, it's all right here.

Stornoway, which is located in the Scotland Western Isles, is a place of harmony and diversity. Both Gaelic and English is spoken, eagles live close to otters, both hint at the unity of the community. If you’ve ever listened to the famous UK shipping forecast, you’ll have heard the name Stornoway mentioned in the cryptic but soothing relay of crucial information to sea-farers. Embark on a cruise to Stornoway and you will enter one of the most scenic natural harbours in the Outer Hebrides. The town on the Isle of Lewis has earned its reputation for having a particularly welcoming port as it is deep and sheltered, justifying its name, which means “steering bay.” The pier was built on the original site of Stornoway Castle, which was destroyed by Cromwell’s forces in 1653. The beauty of the harbour belies its bustling energy and thriving businesses of freight, ferry and leisure traffic, as well as a busy fishing industry. Because the majority of the islanders live in the centre of Stornoway, there are vast, sparsely populated areas with small rural communities hugging the coastline. In the summer you will still see people cutting and stacking the peat to burn in the winter when it delivers a fragrant scent as peat smoke drifts in the air. The beaches nearby Stornoway are vast and unspoilt, protected in the main by the shifting sand dunes. If it is a sunny day they sparkle but, even when it is stormy, they possess a dramatic and mysterious character that cleanses the soul. There are many opportunities for visitors to explore the wildlife of the region with sightings of seals, porpoises and dolphins being common in the area. Keen bird watchers are treated to huge colonies of gannets, shag, black guillemots and kittiwakes. From Stornoway, the west and north coast are both less than an hour’s drive away, and there you will find many opportunities for scenic walks and photographs of stunning, windswept terrain. The people of Lewis are very welcoming. Traditional values are at the core of communities and there is a strong observance of the sanctity of Sunday when most businesses close in favour of family and rest. Gaelic heritage is also important and the traditional arts and crafts are celebrated in the nearby Ness Museum. Exhibits demonstrate and explain crafting, wool working, and other folk crafts. Locally produced food is part of the region’s traditional culture, with perhaps the most famous of the local food being Stornoway’s black pudding. This delicacy of blood and oatmeal can be seen on the menus of some of the world’s best restaurants as far away as New York, and is certainly worth a try. Surrounded by the deep clear waters of the Atlantic it is no surprise that seafood, caught off the islands shores, is also a staple of the local diet. Stornoway town centre even has its own smokehouse producing delicious fresh smoked salmon and kippers.

Cobh, a charming seaside town in Cork Harbour, delights with colorful houses and Saint Coleman’s Cathedral. Just 20 minutes from Cork city, visitors can explore the Jameson Whiskey Distillery or visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.

Southampton, the UK’s top cruise port, is a vibrant waterfront city blending rich maritime heritage with modern charm. Discover the Titanic legacy at the Sea City Museum, explore the Cultural Quarter, or stroll through the medieval Old Town. Beyond the city, explore the beauty of The New Forest, Stonehenge, and the Isle of Wight. With a thriving craft beer and food scene, Southampton offers endless delights to explore!