WILD & ANCIENT BRITAIN

Transcription

1 WILD & ANCIENT BRITAIN WITH IRELAND May 3-18, Days Aboard the Ocean Adventurer S HET L AND I SL ANDS Lerwick Isle of Noss Mousa Fair Isle ORKNEY I SL ANDS Visit Great Saltee Island to view Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, and Northern Gannets. F LANNAN I SL ANDS Kirkwall St. Kilda HEBRI DES AT L A N T I C OCEAN NORTH SEA Iona Isle of Islay NORT HERN IREL AND Aberdeen S CO T L AND Staffa Edinburgh Portrush Isle of Man I REL AND ENGL AND Ballinskelligs Saltee Islands Dunmore East WAL ES Falmouth Wildlife Highlights London Portsmouth View a Leach s Storm-Petrel colony on the grassy slopes of Eilean Mor. Cruise past the Isle of Noss, where spectacular cliffs support a large and diverse seabird colony, home to 80,000 seabirds Black-legged Kittiwakes, Northern Fulmars, European Shags, and more. Isles of Scilly GUILLEMOTS GIANT S CAUSEWAY Step ashore on remote Fair Isle, with 384 recorded bird species, including Whooper Swan, Common Eider, Pink-footed Goose, Common Redshank, Eurasian Blackcap, Northern Wheatear, and Common Cuckoo. Itinerary... page 2 > Flight Information... page 3 > Ship, Deck Plan & Rates... page 4 > Featured Leader... page 5 > Know Before You Go... page 5 >

2 ATLANTIC PUFFINS ST. KILDA NORTHERN GANNET Itinerary Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. Friday, May 3, 2019 DEPART USA Board your independent overnight flight to London. Saturday, May 4 LONDON, ENGLAND Check in to the Hilton London Paddington Hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Gather at the hotel this evening for a welcome reception and dinner. Sunday, May 5 LONDON / PORTSMOUTH / EMBARK OCEAN ADVENTURER After breakfast, depart via train for Portsmouth. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before a tour of this famous port city. This afternoon board the Ocean Adventurer. Monday, May 6 FALMOUTH / PENZANCE This morning take a stroll through Trebah Garden, a beautiful subtropical garden with a stunning coastal backdrop. After lunch on board, take a tour of the Eden Project in Penzance. This innovative complex of domes houses plants from around the world, with each emulating a natural biome. Or, take a walk through the expansive Trelissick Garden, noted for its impressive collection of camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas. The garden also offers glorious views of the Fal River and distant rolling hills. Tuesday, May 7 ISLES OF SCILLY Warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, the Isles of Scilly have given their fortunate inhabitants the luxury of turning a passion for growing flowers into a major industry. This morning board local boats and cruise to Tresco to visit the ruins and exquisite subtropical gardens at the medieval Tresco Abbey. Wednesday, May 8 BALLINSKELLIGS, IRELAND The Ballinskelligs Priory was founded in the 12th century by monks who moved to the mainland from Skellig Michael after numerous Viking attacks. A number buildings still survive, including a church, tower house, parts of the cloister, a large domestic hall, and cemetery, most of which date from the 15th century. On a clear day, views across the bay are simply spectacular. Thursday, May 9 DUNMORE EAST / WATERFORD / SALTEE ISLANDS From the village of Dunmore East, drive through scenic countryside to Waterford. Options today include a visit to the renowned Waterford Crystal glassworks to watch master craftsmen at work, or enjoy a tour of Mount Congreve, a magnificent estate with exquisite gardens. On Great Saltee Island search for Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Northern Gannets, and more. Friday, May 10 PORT ST. MARY, ISLE OF MAN Enjoy a leisurely morning on board, as the ship cruises to Port St. Mary on the Isle of Man. Board the Isle of Man Steam Railway, the single remnant from the extensive Victorian system that served the main centers on the island. Ride through quaint and picturesque villages to the southern resort of Port Erin. Saturday, May 11 PORTRUSH, GIANT S CAUSEWAY, NORTHERN IRELAND / ISLE OF ISLAY, SCOTLAND Disembark at Portrush and travel overland to the World Heritage Site of Giant s Causeway where some 40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns descend like a staircase into the sea. On the Isle of Islay tour the world-famous Lagavulin Distillery. Sunday, May 12 STAFFA, INNER HEBRIDES / IONA Weather permitting, spend the morning exploring the uninhabited island of Staffa by Zodiac and its most famous feature, Fingal s Cave. The wonderful echo of the sea from VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS WILD & ANCIENT BRITAIN WITH IRELAND < 2 >

3 LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS within served as the inspiration for Mendelssohn s Hebrides Overture. In 563 AD the Christian missionary St. Columba built a monastery on Iona and spread Christianity throughout Scotland. Though it suffered repeated attacks by Vikings over the centuries and the original was destroyed, the monastery was rebuilt each time, and some of these later buildings still stand. Visit the monastery site; the nearby cemetery of St. Oran; and the 12th-century Iona Abbey while Corncrakes call from the grass. Monday, May 13 ST. KILDA, OUTER HEBRIDES / FLANNAN ISLANDS Spend the morning at St. Kilda, once home to a small community, evidenced by abandoned houses and cleits, beehive-shaped cells where goods were stored. Cruising among the Flannan Islands this afternoon, puffins, fulmars, murres, and kittiwakes should be plentiful. Of special interest to birders is the Leach s Storm-Petrel colony on the grassy slopes of Eilean Mor beneath the lighthouse. Tuesday, May 14 KIRKWALL, ORKNEY ISLANDS Arrive in the capital city of Kirkwall on Mainland Island in the Orkneys today for visits to the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral and some of the island s major archaeological sites. Visit the enigmatic Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and Skara Brae, a remarkably well-preserved Stone Age village buried in sand some 4,500 years ago. Return to Kirkwall for an afternoon walking tour of this charming city. Wednesday, May 15 CORNCRAKE colony, home to 80,000 seabirds Guillemots, Razorbills, Northern Gannets, Shags, and more. This evening go ashore at Mousa to view one of Britain s finest Iron Age ruins, an unusually well preserved 40-foot broch, a dry stone structure, dating from about 200 AD. Thursday, May 16 FAIR ISLE One of the most isolated settlements in the British Isles, this island is renowned for the quality and intricacy of its handmade sweaters. It is also famous as a haven for seabirds including Northern Gannets, Black Guillemots, Black-legged Kittiwakes, numerous gull species, and a colony of Atlantic Puffins. Friday & Saturday, May 17 & 18 ABERDEEN / DISEMBARK / EDINBURGH / USA Disembark in Aberdeen this morning, and enjoy a scenic train ride to Edinburgh. Check in to the Caledonian Hotel for a special farewell dinner and overnight. Depart on your independent homeward flight on May 18, arriving in the USA the same day. Flight Information You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/london and Edinburgh/home city. Please call VENT (8368) or to learn more about air arrangements. LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS / ISLE OF NOSS / MOUSA This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, which are steeped in Norse heritage. After lunch on board, cruise to the Isle of Noss, where spectacular cliffs support a large and diverse seabird VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS WILD & ANCIENT BRITAIN WITH IRELAND < 3 >

4 The Ocean Adventurer Deck Plan The 120-guest Ocean Adventurer is a superb oceangoing vessel that was completely refurbished in 2017, boasting new engines, several new suites, updated public areas, and brand-new bathrooms for all staterooms. Each stateroom has an ocean view, individually controlled heat/air conditioner, an in-room music system, and en suite bathroom. A fleet of Zodiac landing craft permits us to land anywhere nature or curiosity dictates. BRIDGE DECK CAPTAIN S DECK 512 Doctor Library Bridge UPPER DECK 304 Club Restaurant Main Lounge Reception MAIN DECK Zodiac Boarding Room Zodiac Boarding Room LOWER DECK CATEGORY 1 CATEGORY 2 CATEGORY Rates CATEGORY 1 $10,980 CATEGORY 4 $13,380 CATEGORY 7 $16,780 CAT 2 / SOLO $11,780 CATEGORY 2 $11,780 CATEGORY 5 $14,480 SUITE $19,280 CAT 3 / SOLO $12,680 CATEGORY 3 $12,680 CATEGORY 6 $15,580 OWNER S SUITE $21,380 CAT 5 / SOLO $14,480 Solo Travelers: No solo supplement in select categories (limited availability)! INCLUDED: Daily activity options including cultural tours, nature walks, and Zodiac cruises All gratuities All accommodations World-class lecture and expedition team All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges Arrival and departure transfers on group dates Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance NOT INCLUDED: Airfare from your home city/london and Edinburgh/home city Excess baggage charges Airport arrival and departure taxes Transfers for independent arrivals and departures Passport and/or visa fees Travel insurance Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages (other than listed at left), and other incidentals /Internet/fax/telephone charges A 25% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure. Visit to view the details and terms and conditions for this expedition. VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS WILD & ANCIENT BRITAIN WITH IRELAND < 4 >

5 Featured Leader Our leaders have visited this region numerous times and will provide valuable insight and commentary on the history, culture, and wildlife of the region. Fascinating lectures, photo presentations, daily recaps, and informal discussions will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the wonders you will see. Leaders from additional fields of study will join the leader featured below. ANDREW WHITTAKER ( VENT LEADER) Andy was TRESCO GARDENS For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs for excursions ashore and walk one to three miles over sometimes rough terrain such as cobblestones and uneven, rocky beaches. We have designed shore excursions to accommodate both those who wish for moderate strolls and those who prefer more active hikes. In May, temperatures will range from the low 50sºF mid-60sºf, cooling slightly as you travel north. Flexibility is a must, as itineraries are subject to change, and landings may be tidal or weather dependent. NORTHERN GANNETS Know Before You Go ST. MAGNUS CATHEDRAL born in England, but considers himself to be Brazilian, having moved to this biodiverse country in 1987 to work for the Smithsonian Institution, banding and studying Amazonian rainforest birds in Manaus. Andy has worked around the world studying (through banding) bird migration at observatories in Israel, Borneo, Canada, and the UK. He was also a consultant for the prestigious Life of Birds series by David Attenborough, and is a research associate of the Museum Goeldi, in Belém. As a senior leader for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, he has led tours throughout most of South and Central America, Europe, and the Antarctic for over 30 years. (800) (512) FAX (512) Wallingwood Drive #1003 Austin, TX info@ventbird.com To reserve, visit < 5 >