Early summer in the British Isles and Ireland is a spectacularly beautiful time. Colorful blossoms in the gardens, estates and national parks will be at their peak, the countryside lush and inviting. From Dartmouth, explore the rolling, wooded hills of Devon, Plymouth and Dartmoor National Park. The Isles of Scilly are said to be “the most fortunate” of all the islands around Britain’s coasts, and the gardens at Tresco will convince you this may be true. Visit Waterford in Ireland’s remarkably beautiful southeastern corner as well as Dublin and two of the country’s most beautiful gardens in the nearby Wicklow Mountains.

Along Scotland’s lovely Western Isles, the Andrea will navigate through the Inner Hebrides. On many of these small islands, go ashore via Zodiac landing craft and explore these soulful places that over the centuries have been the refuge of monks, Viking raiders, shepherds and exceptional whisky makers. Visit such gems as historic and spiritually uplifting Iona and Islay, and nearby Gigha—an island owned by the local residents—and its marvelous woodland paths and flower gardens. In the Highlands, sail into Loch Ewe to visit the beautifully sited Inverewe Gardens and the nearby Summer Isles.

These cruises also visit the Northern Isles and Kirkwall in the windswept Ork-neys, where prehistoric Neolithic sites will captivate your imagination. And in Portsmouth, on England’s southern shores, visit the birthplace of Charles Dickens, or the historic dockyard that launched one of the greatest navies
in history.