Northern Legends: Ireland, Scotland & Iceland

Dublin is making a comeback. The decade-long "Celtic Tiger" boom era was quickly followed by the Great Recession, but The Recovery has finally taken a precarious hold. For visitors, this newer and wiser Dublin has become one of western Europe's most popular and delightful urban destinations. Whether or not you're out to enjoy the old or new Dublin, you'll find it a colossally entertaining city, all the more astonishing considering its intimate size.It is ironic and telling that James Joyce chose Dublin as the setting for his famous Ulysses, Dubliners, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man because it was a "center of paralysis" where nothing much ever changed. Which only proves that even the greats get it wrong sometimes. Indeed, if Joyce were to return to his once-genteel hometown today—disappointed with the city's provincial outlook, he left it in 1902 at the age of 20—and take a quasi-Homeric odyssey through the city (as he so famously does in Ulysses), would he even recognize Dublin as his "Dear Dirty Dumpling, foostherfather of fingalls and dotthergills"?For instance, what would he make of Temple Bar—the city's erstwhile down-at-the-heels neighborhood, now crammed with cafés and trendy hotels and suffused with a nonstop, international-party atmosphere? Or the simple sophistication of the open-air restaurants of the tiny Italian Quarter (named Quartier Bloom after his own creation), complete with sultry tango lessons? Or of the hot–cool Irishness, where every aspect of Celtic culture results in sold-out theaters, from Once, the cult indie movie and Broadway hit, to Riverdance, the old Irish mass-jig recast as a Las Vegas extravaganza? Plus, the resurrected Joyce might be stirred by the songs of Hozier, fired up by the sultry acting of Michael Fassbender, and moved by the award-winning novels of Colum McCann. As for Ireland's capital, it's packed with elegant shops and hotels, theaters, galleries, coffeehouses, and a stunning variety of new, creative little restaurants can be found on almost every street in Dublin, transforming the provincial city that suffocated Joyce into a place almost as cosmopolitan as the Paris to which he fled. And the locals are a hell of a lot more fun! Now that the economy has finally turned a corner, Dublin citizens can cast a cool eye over the last 20 crazy years. Some argue that the boomtown transformation of their heretofore-tranquil city has permanently affected its spirit and character. These skeptics (skepticism long being a favorite pastime in the capital city) await the outcome of "Dublin: The Sequel," and their greatest fear is the possibility that the tattered old lady on the Liffey has become a little less unique, a little more like everywhere else.Oh ye of little faith: the rare ole gem that is Dublin is far from buried. The fundamentals—the Georgian elegance of Merrion Square, the Norman drama of Christ Church Cathedral, the foamy pint at an atmospheric pub—are still on hand to gratify. Most of all, there are the locals themselves: the nod and grin when you catch their eye on the street, the eagerness to hear half your life story before they tell you all of theirs, and their paradoxically dark but warm sense of humor. It's expected that 2016 will be an extra-special year in the capital, as centenary celebrations of the fateful 1916 Easter Rising will dominate much of the cultural calendar.

Your epic voyage begins in Dublin, where you’ll be greeted at the airport and escorted to your 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. 

Upon boarding Scenic Eclipse, you’ll be warmly greeted by the expert crew. With just up to 228 guests on board, get ready to experience an immersive, engaging voyage through this fascinating part of Europe. Ask your butler to bring a glass of Champagne to your suite and toast the start of your journey from your private verandah. Then, join your fellow guests on the Observation Deck and admire Ireland’s capital’s lights from afar as we start sailing away.

Please book your flight to arrive into Dublin prior to 02:00 PM.

Portrush is adjacent to the stunning North Antrim coastline. Here lies the medieval Dunluce Castle ruins. Perched picturesquely at the edge of a rocky outcropping high above the sea, the castle is dramatically surrounded by terrifyingly steep drops, which the early Christians and Vikings would have considered a very important security feature. The castle and surrounding areas have been frequently used for the filming of “Game of Thrones”. Another attraction reached from Portrush is the Giant’s Causeway -40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that descend in a kind of pathway to the sea. Formed over 50 million years ago, visitors have marvelled at its majesty and mystery for centuries, and UNESCO has recognised this site with World Heritage status.

The capital of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, Portrush is set on a mile long peninsula with some of Ireland’s best beaches on either side. Discover why it’s been a popular seaside destination since Victorian times as you stroll along sandy beaches and walk past historic buildings and arcades.  

In the evening, enjoy up to 10 extraordinary all-inclusive dining experiences on board your Discovery Yacht, including contemporary French fine dining at Lumière, Italian-inspired cuisine, steak and seafood at Elements, and Asian fusion at Koko’s.

Oban, "little bay" in Gaelic, today has a resident population of 8,500 and is the unofficial capital of the West Highlands - the "Gateway to the Isles." The panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic Scots. It is no surprise to find Oban in the 21st-century remains a magnet for travellers from all over the world. The town's present day popularity owes much to the Victorians, and as early as 1812, when the Comet steamship linked Oban with Glasgow, the town played host to intrepid travellers touring Staffa - the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebridean Overture - and Iona - home of Scottish Christianity since St Columba stepped ashore in AD563. Indeed once Oban had the royal seal of approval from Queen Victoria, who called it "one of the finest spots we have seen," the town's destiny as an endearingly enchanting holiday destination was as firmly set as the lava columns of Fingal's Cave in Oban is justifiably known as the “gateway to the Isles.” The town's south pier is the embarkation point for car ferries to Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist, Colonsay, Lismore and Islay. From these islands you can travel further a field to Iona, Staffa and to many of the smaller less well known isles.

The gateway to the Hebrides, Oban is an elegant seaside town surrounded by dramatic shores. Today could be the day you go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on sheltered shores, or learn about the Clan MacDougal at the Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds, where the green spaces include the Faerie Garden and World of Trees. 

Older than the town itself, the Oban Distillery dates to 1794 and offers tours and tastings of their single malt scotch whisky. Continue your tasting experience on board at the Scenic Lounge Bar, where you can indulge in over 100 varieties of aged whiskey, including a 25-year-old Glendullan single malt.

Join fellow guests on the Observation Deck or have drinks for two on your private verandah as we cruise through the romantic Sound of Mull. Look for golden eagles, porpoises, seals and otters as we make our way to the Isle of Skye.

The Isle of Skye ranks near the top of most visitors' priority lists: the romance of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, combined with the misty Cuillin Hills and their proximity to the mainland all contribute to its popularity. Today Skye remains mysterious and mountainous, an island of sunsets that linger brilliantly until late at night and of beautiful, soft mists. Much photographed are the really old crofts, one or two of which are still inhabited, with their thick stone walls and thatch roofs. Orientation on Skye is easy: follow the only roads around the loops on the northern part of the island and enjoy the road running the length of the Sleat Peninsula in southern Skye, taking the loop roads that exit to the north and south as you please. There are some stretches of single-lane road, but none poses a problem.

Start your day with a class in the PURE: Yoga & Pilates studio, where sessions include Aerial Yoga, TRX suspension training and Tibetan sound bowl healing, or work out in the fully equipped state-of-the-art gym, where one-on-one fitness coaching sessions are available. 

Skye’s capital is an attractive fishing port with brightly painted houses around a natural harbour. Once a MacLeod stronghold, the beautiful Isle of Raasay boasts the extinct volcano of Mt Dun Caan, which rises 443 metres high. Stroll through the colourful fishing port at your own pace, visiting local craftspeople and cafes.   

See the Isle of Skye’s jagged mountains and cliff faces from above in one of our two helicopters^. The Airbus H130-T2 features wrap-around windscreens, wide windows and Bose® headphones and are some of the quietest helicopters in the sky.

Tour description Stornoway, Scotland The Isle of Lewis and Harris is the northernmost and largest of the Outer Hebrides-the Western Isles in common parlance. The island's only major town, Stornoway, is on a nearly landlocked harbor on the east coast of Lewis. It's the port capital for the Outer Hebrides and the island's cultural center, such that it is. Stornoway has an increasing number of good restaurants. Lewis has some fine historic attractions, including the Calanais Standing Stones-a truly magical place. The Uists are known for their rare, plentiful wildlife. Stornoway. Besides being the island's main entry point for ferries, Stornoway is also Lewis's main arts center. You'll find some good restaurants in town if you want to have lunch off the ship. The town can be explored by bicycle if you are so inclined. Local rental shops can give you advice on where to ride, including a route to Tolsta that takes in five stunning beaches before reaching the edge of moorland. An Lanntair Arts Centre. The fabulous An Lanntair Arts Centre has exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art, as well as a cinema, a gift shop, and a restaurant serving international and Scottish fare. There are frequent traditional musical and theatrical events in the impressive auditorium. Kenneth St.. Black House. In the small community of Arnol, the Black House is a well-preserved example of an increasingly rare type of traditional Hebridean home. Once common throughout the islands-even into the 1950s-these dwellings were built without mortar and thatched on a timber framework without eaves. Other characteristic features include an open central peat hearth and the absence of a chimney-hence the soot and the designation black. On display inside are many of the house's original furnishings. To reach Arnol from Port of Ness, head south on the A857 and pick up the A858 at Barvas. Off A858, 21 mi southwest of Port of Ness. Admission charged. Calanais Standing Stones. These impressive stones are actually part of a cluster of several different archaeological sites in this area. Probably positioned in several stages between 3000 BC and 1500 BC, the grouping consists of an avenue of 19 monoliths extending northward from a circle of 13 stones, with other rows leading south, east, and west. Ruins of a cairn sit within the circle on the east side. Researchers believe they may have been used for astronomical observations, but you can create your own explanations. The visitor center has an exhibit on the stones, a gift shop, and a tearoom. On an unmarked road off A858. Admission charged. Dun Carloway. One of the best-preserved Iron Age brochs (circular stone towers) in Scotland, Dun Carloway dominates the scattered community of Carloway. The mysterious tower was probably built around 2,000 years ago as protection against seaborne raiders. The Dun Broch Centre explains more about the broch and its setting. Off A857. Gearrannan. Up a side road north from Carloway, Gearrannan is an old black-house village that has been brought back to life with a museum screening excellent short films on peat cutting and weaving. For a unique experience, groups can rent the restored houses. Leverburgh. At Leverburgh you can take the ferry to North Uist. Nearby Northton has several attractions; St. Clement's Church at Rodel is particularly worth a visit. MacGillivray Centre. Located in a round building overlooking the bay, the MacGillivray Centre gives insight into the life and work of William MacGillivray (1796-1852), a noted naturalist with strong links to Harris. MacGillivray authored the five-volume History of British Birds. This is a great location for a picnic (there are tables for just such a purpose). A walk to a ruined church starts at the parking lot. A859, Northton. Seallam! Visitor Centre and Co Leis Thu? Genealogical Research Centre. The center is where you can trace your Western Isles ancestry. Photographs and interpretive signs describe the history of Harris and its people. The owners organize guided walks and cultural evenings weekly between May and September. Off A859, Northton. Admission charged. St. Clement's Church. At the southernmost point of Harris is the community of Rodel, where you can find St. Clement's Church, a cruciform church standing on a hillock. This is the most impressive pre-Reformation church in the Outer Hebrides; it was built around 1500 and contains the magnificently sculptured tomb (1528) of the church's builder, Alasdair Crotach, MacLeod chief of Dunvegan Castle. Rodel is 3 mi south of Leverburgh and 21 mi south of Tarbert. A859, Rodel. Port of Ness. The stark, windswept community of Port of Ness, 30 mi north of Stornoway, cradles a small harbor squeezed in among the rocks. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse. At the northernmost point of Lewis stands the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, designed by David and Thomas Stevenson (of the prominent engineering family whose best-known member was not an engineer at all, but the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson). The structure was first lighted in 1862. The adjacent cliffs provide a good vantage point for viewing seabirds, whales, and porpoises. The lighthouse is northwest of Port of Ness along the B8014. Shopping Harris tweed is available at many outlets on the islands, including some of the weavers' homes; keep an eye out for signs directing you to weavers' workshops. Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative. The Harris Tweed Artisans Cooperative sells stylish and quirky hand-crafted tweed clothing, hats, accessories, all made by artists belonging to the cooperative. 40 Point St., Stornoway. Borgh Pottery. At Borgh Pottery, open from Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 6, you can buy attractive hand-thrown studio pottery made on the premises, including lamps, vases, mugs, and dishes. Fivepenny House, A857, Borve.

The largest town in the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is home to around 6,000 people and a unique Gaelic culture. Delve into Stornaway’s fascinating history and unusual landscape with your expert historians and geologists on an engaging lecture in the state-of-the-art theatre or enjoy a Discovery excursion to experience it first-hand.  

As we sail in the afternoon, take a seat in the Observation Lounge and sip specialty Kusmi teas and aromatic illy coffee or opt for a cocktail with a view in one of the cabanas near the Panorama Bar. 

Named after Thor, the Norse god of weather, strength, and growth, Tórshavn is one of the world’s smallest capital cities and Europe’s least travelled destinations. Towering cliffs, craggy fjords and powerful waterfalls create a wild landscape best explored on an excursion led by the expert Discovery Team. Wander down cobbled alleyways between colourful buildings with grassy roofs and imagine life in Viking times.  

Tonight, you may like your butler to set up dinner on your private verandah after perusing the comprehensive 24-hour in-suite dining menu. Alternatively, meet your new friends for dinner and raise a glass of Champagne before an extraordinary French fine dining meal paired with world-class wines at Lumière.  

Spend the morning exploring the Vágar Island village of Miðvágur. The Kálvalíð museum in an old stone house where the widows of priests lived around the year 1600 and learn about Faroe Islands family life.  

In the afternoon we will cruise around Mykines Island, where most of the Faroe Islands’ 500,000 strong puffin population nests. Use your in-suite binoculars and the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Lounge and Deck to take a closer look. Your Discovery Team will provide commentary and be able to answer any questions you may have about the puffins and baby pufflings you see. 

The World’s First Discovery YachtsTM uses Azipod propulsion systems to deliver the lowest noise and vibration levels possible, ensuring minimal disturbance to wildlife and birdlife. Join the Captain on the bridge to learn more about the technical abilities of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht while enjoying one of the best viewing areas on the ship. 

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The community owes its origins to foreign merchants, mainly Danes, who started trading in the fjord in the mid-19th century. But the crucial factor in the evolution of the village was the establishment of the Icelandic herring fishery by Norwegians in 1870-1900. The Norwegians built up a number of herring-fishing facilities, and in a matter of years the little community grew into a boom town. Today, about 800 people live in Seyðisfjörður. The local economy has long been based on the fisheries, while light industry also flourishes. Tourism is playing a growing role, as the picturesque town in its spectacular surroundings attracts more and more visitors. The car/passenger ferry Norrøna, which plies between continental Europe and Iceland every summer, docks at Seyðisfjörður every Thursday. Seyðisfjörður has been a cosmopolitan community from its foundation, and the ferry service has contributed to ensuring that it remains so.

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The community owes its origins to foreign merchants, mainly Danes, who started trading in the fjord in the mid-19th century. But the crucial factor in the evolution of the village was the establishment of the Icelandic herring fishery by Norwegians in 1870-1900. The Norwegians built up a number of herring-fishing facilities, and in a matter of years the little community grew into a boom town. Today, about 800 people live in Seyðisfjörður. The local economy has long been based on the fisheries, while light industry also flourishes. Tourism is playing a growing role, as the picturesque town in its spectacular surroundings attracts more and more visitors. The car/passenger ferry Norrøna, which plies between continental Europe and Iceland every summer, docks at Seyðisfjörður every Thursday. Seyðisfjörður has been a cosmopolitan community from its foundation, and the ferry service has contributed to ensuring that it remains so.

In a country with an abundance of natural drama, Seyðisfjörður may steal the show. Set at the mouth of a beautiful fjord, this is East Iceland’s heart of culture, heritage, and hospitality – and then there’s the architecture. The centre of town is known for 19th-century timber houses perched on the side of the lagoon, built by fisherfolk when the region was booming. There’s plenty of culture to go with the small-town country charm, not to mention plentiful wildlife, including reindeer and porpoises, drawn by the verdant setting of cascading waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

After taking in the fjord views as we sail out in the afternoon, join fellow guests for dinner and an engaging show in the state-of-the-art theatre, or dine in and watch a movie on your suite’s HDTV with Bose® speakers.

Today you can walk across the Arctic Circle on Grimsey Island, about 40km off the north coast of Iceland. This small island only has around 100 people living in a village by the harbour, and is a highlight for bird watchers with around a million seabirds nesting in the island’s cliffs. Use the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Lounge and Deck to take a closer look at the puffins, razorbills, black guillemot and other cliff nesting birds.   

As we sail towards our overnight stay in Húsavík, enjoy drinks in one of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht’s nine all-inclusive bars. Sip France's best at Lumière’s Champagne Bar, an aged whiskey at Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail in your cabana beside the Panorama Bar. Your in-suite mini-bar is fully re-stocked daily with premium beverages, so you can also relax with a drink in the privacy of your suite at any time.

The town of Húsavík sits below Húsavíkurfjall mountain on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi bay. Just above the town is lake Botnsvatn, a popular place for outings. The lake is just the right size for a nice hike around it. The lakes surroundings are rich in vegetation and bird life and trout is said to be abundant, though small. Húsavík harbour lies below the bank right in the heart of town. The harbour once boasted a large fishing fleet, bustling with the activity of fishermen. It still serves as a fishing harbour but today's activity revolves more around the successful whale watching businesses. The first organised whale watching excursions in Iceland started from here in 1995. Since then, whale watching has become a major attraction and Húsavík continues to be the leading destination for whale watching. In addition to the tours, a fascinating whale museum is located right by the harbour. Húsavík is considered to be the oldest settlement in Iceland. The Swedish explorer, Gardar Svavarsson, spent one winter there in 870 AD during which time he built himself a house from which the settlement derives its name.

Keep your in-suite binoculars with you today. Húsavík is the Whale Capital of Iceland, with up to 23 species of whale including orcas, humpbacks, fin and blue whales found in or around the bay. Join a tour to go whale watching and perhaps spot life-size whales, including the 22m long skeleton of a blue whale in the Whale Museum.  

On board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, you can curl up with a book in your private verandah or play board games in the Observation Lounge. Learn more about the places you're visiting through the on-board lecture and education program, or relax with a drink in one of the all-inclusive nine bars.

Iceland is well-known for its spectacular waterfalls. The iconic Dynjandi waterfall, located in the Westfjords region, is regarded as one of Iceland’s most impressive and majestic waterfalls. At the top, the cascading water is roughly 100 feet wide and tumbles down about 330 feet into the fjord. Its name Dynjandi means, “the thundering one” and its vast size, enormous sound, and sheer force is overwhelming. It has also been nicknamed, ‘The Bridal Veil’ because of the way the water sprays and spreads over the rocks.

On the last full day of your voyage, indulge in all of your favourite moments on board your Discovery Yacht. Perhaps start with breakfast al fresco at the Yacht Club or delivered to your suite by your butler. Follow it with a rejuvenating wellness session in the expansive Senses Spa. Be led through a meditation or crystal sound therapy beside large amethyst clusters in the PURE: Yoga & Pilates studio, enjoy the Scandinavian inspired plunge pools and infrared saunas, or book a reinvigorating facial or body treatment*.

Weather permitting, we will visit the jewel of the Westfjords, the Dynjandi waterfall, led by expert guides with an on shore excursion or simply stay on board and view these beautiful falls from the luxury comfort of the observation deck as Scenic Eclipse manoeuvres close by. Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yachts use GPS Dynamic Positioning, which allows the ship to maintain position without the use of an anchor, protecting this sensitive ecosystem.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.

Your journey ends this morning back in Reykjavík, where the city may be the same, but you'll feel forever changed by everything you have seen and done in the past 11 days. Savour one last breakfast in your suite before saying goodbye to your new friends and the crew who shared this voyage with you.

You'll disembark after breakfast and be transferred to the airport, where magical memories of Iceland and the Arctic will keep you company for your flight and many years to come.

Please book your flight to depart out of Reykjavik after 12:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.