Column

27-10-2022

GREAT BRITAIN

I sit here on a very ‘mountainesque’ day, with rain pattering on the roof and the mist rolling in, the fire glowing in the hearth... anyone would think I was in Britain on a late October weekend. To the contrary, my cousin is celebrating a significant birthday, and the photos are flowing in from the banks of the Upper Thames River at Cliveden House, where they are for the weekend. The sun is shining, the Indian summer is lingering longer than usual and in late October, in typical British style, they are mucking around in boats, a la Wind in the Willows.

It reminds me of a trip I took about five years ago when I flew into Scotland in mid-April, anticipating cold wet weather when in fact the sun was shining, and I had to go out to purchase more suitable clothes than the winter woollies I had in my case. I boarded the delightful Caledonian Sky, a small expedition ship that cruised around the top of Scotland, calling into various islands, along the west coast of the Hebrides, through the Irish Sea, berthing in both Ireland and Wales before continuing on to the Scillies, and finally into Portsmouth on the south coast of England. Portsmouth was once home to the great naval ships of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. It was a remarkable fortnight exploring the coastline of Great Britain, hopping on Zodiacs and meandering up remote rivers or between windswept islands. To experience these islands from the sea, to escape to the remote areas of this land was a treat, and not a side that many of us have the opportunity to experience.

If this appeals to you, then I recommend smaller ships, ideally around 200 passengers, so that you can reach smaller ports and communities that have lived there for millennia. Australian expedition company Aurora are taking the Greg Mortimer into these waters in May next year. Silversea are taking two expedition ships and a small cruise ship into these waters, often combining the British Isles with the Shetlands, the Faroes and onto Iceland. Luxury cruise company Regent Seven Seas and adults-only cruise line Viking are also exploring the region.

Contact Travelling Places
P: 07 55451600  
E: travel@travellingplaces.com.au

Join us for our FREE TRAVEL EXPO
Friday 04 NOVEMBER starting at 2pm at Travelling Places, Main St
- 2.00 Viking Cruises – ocean river and expedition cruises
- 2.30 Viva Holidays – independent travel specialists
- 3.00 Ponant French small ship cruising specialists
- 3.30 Princess – everyone’s favourite cruise line near and far
- 4.00 Abercrombie & Kent – luxury independent and small group journeys globally

Join us for the afternoon and attend all of the presentations or join us for the ones that interest you.

RSVP: Travelling Places P: 07 5545 1600