NEW! Iberian & Mediterranean Odyssey

Step back in time as you embark on a journey through the historic city of Portsmouth and its nearby villages. Board your motor coach and set out for Portsdown Hill. Pass by Fort Nelson, a 19th-century stronghold built between 1860 and 1870 to guard against the threat of French invasion, then continue your drive to Portsea, home of the Spinnaker observation tower. The design of this impressive landmark, intended to symbolize the town’s maritime heritage, is inspired by a spinnaker sail. In the old town, view naval landmarks and glimpse Southsea Castle, built by Henry VIII. Pause to view the exterior of Portsmouth Cathedral, then begin the journey back to your ship. Along the way, you will hear stories about some of Portsmouth’s most famous residents: Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle penned his first Sherlock Holmes story here.

Enjoy a scenic excursion combining coastal views, historic landmarks and Second World War heritage. Board your motor coach and journey up Portsdown Hill as you enjoy panoramic views across the city, the Solent, and surrounding coastline. Pass Fort Nelson, part of Portsmouth’s historic hill fort defenses, and descend towards the waterfront. Continue through Portsea Island, passing the iconic Spinnaker Tower, a modern symbol of Portsmouth’s maritime history, and enter the atmospheric old town. During your drive, your guide will point out interesting landmarks, including Portsmouth Cathedral, the Square Tower and surviving sections of the old sea walls. At the Southsea seafront, pause to visit LCT 7074, the last preserved D‑Day Landing Craft Tank. You will also enjoy a walk to Southsea Castle and free time to explore the historic grounds before returning to your ship.

Discover timeless grandeur and beauty at two of Southern England’s most historic and picturesque locations. Begin your journey with a scenic drive through the English countryside to Highclere Castle. This grand country estate, family seat of the Earls of Carnarvon and home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon, is best known today as the setting for television’s Downton Abbey. Meet your guide and be captivated by stories about the estate’s past as you explore the opulent rooms and stunning architecture. Enjoy free time to stroll the beautiful gardens before continuing to Winchester, the former seat of King Alfred the Great, where you will indulge in a delectable two-course lunch at a boutique hotel. After, take a stroll along Winchester’s ancient streets, marveling at the majestic Winchester Cathedral and the Great Hall, before returning to your ship.

Witness one of England’s great spiritual mysteries and marvel at one of its grandest cathedrals. Meet your guide and journey to Stonehenge, the world’s most recognized stone circle. The purpose of these monolithic blocks of stone, and the method by which they were erected by ancient hands, remains unknown. Marvel at the ingenuity behind them, and see the famous doorframe-shaped rocks positioned to direct the rays of the winter and summer solstice sun through the circle on the central heel stone. Continue to Salisbury, where the spire of its magnificent cathedral soars 404 feet into the air. This cultural treasure is celebrated as the finest early English Gothic cathedral in England. Inside, you will see the best preserved of only four original Magna Carta manuscripts, dating to 1215 AD, and Europe’s oldest working clock, telling time since 1386. Explore the square around the cathedral, lined with historic houses and museums, before returning to your ship.

Delight in the blooms and untouched beauty of two of England’s most celebrated natural preserves. Meet your guide and drive to Exbury Gardens, the largest privately owned gardens in the country. These lush 200 acres were created by Lionel de Rothschild in the 1920s, and are still renowned for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias and rare trees and shrubs. A resident horticulturalist will introduce you to the gardens; then, board a narrow-gauge train for a delightful journey through the Summer Lane Garden, planted with bulbs, herbaceous perennials and grasses. After lunch, continue to Lyndhurst, “capital” of the New Forest. This protected reserve has a historic building at its center that was founded as a royal hunting lodge for kings and queens; today, it is the headquarters of the Forestry Commission that oversees the park. Enjoy time exploring the grounds before returning to your ship.

See a vast family estate by a national park, and explore a renowned car and motorcycle museum. The picturesque village of Beaulieu lies on the edge of the New Forest National Park and has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. The majority of the village is part of this immense 7,000-acre estate, which you may choose to tour either with your local guide or at your own pace. The estate features the Beaulieu Abbey ruins, which date back to the 13th century; Palace House, a fantastic example of a Victorian Gothic-style house complete with its own Victorian kitchen garden; and the National Motor Museum, which boasts one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motor memorabilia in the world. Experience a relaxing scenic drive through the pretty town of Lyndhurst and the New Forest, one of England’s finest national parks, before returning to your ship.

Explore the beautiful, historic city of Winchester and visit the magnificent cathedral. Embark on a scenic drive to Winchester and set off on foot to explore. This ancient city was once the heart of Alfred the Great’s Kingdom of Wessex, and the original home of William the Conqueror’s great Domesday Book. Your guide will lead you on a tour of the cathedral, which traces its origins to the 7th century. The Romanesque structure, built in 1079, is considered to be one of the world’s great buildings. Step outside and walk through Cathedral Close and pass some of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Winchester College as well as the house where one of England’s literary giants, Jane Austen, spent her final days. See the banks of the Itchen River and pause to view the striking statue of King Alfred the Great before boarding your motor coach back to your ship.

View Stonehenge, an ancient stone structure that has captured imaginations for centuries, up close. You will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site whose origins go back as far as the Pyramids. Its purpose has been subjected to speculation, ranging from human sacrifice to astronomy. It is a fascinating spectacle, especially when you consider the tools available at the time of construction. Stonehenge to this day plays a role as a sacred place and remains of cultural significance for many, inspiring a strong sense of awe and humility for thousands of visitors each year. A shuttle bus from the visitor center takes approximately 10 minutes and travels all the way to the stones. You can choose to disembark halfway and walk to the stone circle if you wish. Spend time visiting the exhibition and archaeological gallery, then board your coach for the return journey through the splendid English countryside before returning to your ship.

See Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest occupied castle and an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III. Drive with your local guide to Windsor and tour the 900-year-old castle with a personal audio guide. Explore the State Apartments, suites and other rooms that form the heart of this working palace. These magnificent chambers are furnished with some of the Royal Collection’s finest works, and are where the King entertains visiting heads of states. See St. George’s Chapel, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. Within lie the tombs of past sovereigns, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II. The marriage of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to Meghan Markle also took place here. After lunch, you may join a guided walk or enjoy free time to further explore Windsor or nearby Eton, home to one of England’s most exclusive independent schools, Eton College.

Visit the historic town of Arundel in the beautiful English countryside and visit its 11th-century castle. At the foot of the South Downs on the River Arun sits Arundel Castle, majestically overlooking the town. It has served as the residence of the Dukes of Norfolk since the 16th century and is still occupied by their descendants. Explore the castle’s exquisite interiors and discover the grandeur of the English aristocracy that has graced its halls for several hundred years. See well-preserved pieces of furniture, tapestries and a rare collection of paintings by renowned artists such as van Dyck and Gainsborough. After your tour, enjoy free time to explore the castle’s grounds. Next, stroll down the hill to the quaint town and meander along its narrow streets dotted with specialty stores before boarding your motor coach and returning to your ship.

Follow in the footsteps of men who led the Allies to victory at the D-Day Story Museum and Portsmouth. Drive by motor coach to the D-Day Story Museum where the dramatic events of June 6th, 1944 unfold. Learn how the largest invasion in history—landing 156,000 Allied troops in Normandy—was meticulously planned and executed to liberate Western Europe. The museum’s collection includes WWII landing craft as well as uniforms, maps and personal stories, offering powerful insight into the significance of D-Day. Next, drive along Clarence Parade and pass the Portsmouth Naval Memorial en route to the historic old town. Alight your coach at the statue of Horatio Nelson, one of England’s great naval heroes, then set out on foot. Stroll through Spice Island, see Portsmouth Cathedral and conclude at the waterfront district, home to the iconic Spinnaker Tower. After, return to your ship.

Gain insight into the enduring legacy of Salisbury Cathedral during a guided visit, followed by afternoon tea. Board your motor coach for the scenic drive to Salisbury Cathedral, where you will be warmly greeted by your guide. Join them for a tour of this historic site, constructed during the 13th century in the Gothic style. Gaze upon its distinctive architectural features, including pointed arches, vaulted ceilings and marble columns. You will also view the historic graffiti carved into the stonework, which provides a glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who visited, worked in and worshipped at the cathedral. Its greatest treasure is one of only four original copies of the Magna Carta, which you will see and learn about during your visit. After, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea on the cathedral grounds before returning to your ship.