An Extended Journey of Viking Legends, Irish Heritage & Scottish Culture

Overview

A 21-night voyage aboard EXPLORA IV, departing Southampton on 4 Aug 2028 and returning to the same port, calling at 15 destinations along the way.

Cabin prices

Live prices per person based on two sharing. Select a grade to see its fare options.

1. 1

   Day 1 ·Southampton, UKEmbark

   4 Aug 2028

   Depart 18:00

   Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England’s green and pleasant lands.
   
2. 2

   Day 2 ·At Sea

   5 Aug 2028
3. 3

   Day 3 ·Mandal

   6 Aug 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00
4. 4

   Day 4 ·At Sea

   7 Aug 2028
5. 5

   Day 5 ·Trondheim, Norway

   8 Aug 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

   Inspiring adventures await within seafood-rich fjords and fertile mountain ranges. Once the Viking capital, Trondheim continues to reign with its vibrant, academic city life. Discover the stylish Bakklandet, vast Nidaros Cathedral, the Gamle Bybro bridge and the river Nidelva where rainbow-coloured huts align. Venture through an abundance of wildlife and forests, gently sail, fish or seek a thrilling RIB adventure. Head for the skies; take the world’s northernmost tram to marvel at champion ski jumps, then return back to earth with a private organ concert. Sip spirited Norwegian aquavit at an elegant tasting as you connect with Trondheim’s fusion of history, adventure and innovation, surrounded by beautifully rich nature.
   
6. 6

   Day 6 ·Brønnøysund

   9 Aug 2028

   Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00

   Visit a pretty little town where even the ducks have homes built for them. Stroll through coastal street life taking in the bustling marina and a medieval church. Fly high to admire bobbing fishing boats and lighthouses in the shadow of rugged islands. Surprise at the bespoke duck houses and, when you sink into bed, be grateful for your own feathered nest.
   
7. 7

   Day 7 ·Leknes (Lofoten Islands), Norway

   10 Aug 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 16:00

   Brindisi's historic heart is rich in multi-layered monuments and finds from the days of Spartacus. Farther afield, the gleaming white villages of Ostuni or the slightly smaller and possibly even quainter, Cisternino. Head east to the Baroque Town of Lecce or west to witness the traditional conical huts (trulli) in and around World Heritage Site, Alberobello. Lecce, or 'Florence of the South', is rife with art, history and culture. If peace and quiet appeal, waft through rural Torre Guaceto's nature reserve and empty beaches or take a jaunt on the Adriatic to Polignano's sea caves. Puglia's 'little ear' pasta and squid's ink gnocchi are must-try delicacies, and with 60 million olive trees, they are rich in liquid gold. Brindisi serves up the best of Puglia.
   
8. 8

   Day 8 ·At Sea

   11 Aug 2028
9. 9

   Day 9 ·Flåm

   12 Aug 2028

   Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

   Nested deep between towering mountains are narrow valleys, a mile-deep fjord and a little village called Flåm. Surrounded by breathtaking beauty, visit the Borgund Stave Church museum or board the astonishing Flåmsbana train, often titled the world's most beautiful rail journey. Climb aboard and witness waterfalls, fjords and farms so remote you wonder how they got there. Fish, cycle or experience a RIB safari through the slender Nærøyfjord - part of the UNESCO world heritage - as you appreciate the surreal landscape. Head into the abyss on the dramatic Stegastein, or - for the less adventurous but no less curious - sip homemade specialties at the local brewery.
   
10. 10

    Day 10 ·Nordfjordeid, Norway

    13 Aug 2028

    Arrive 07:30Depart 16:30
11. 11

    Day 11 ·Sandnes

    14 Aug 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 16:00
12. 12

    Day 12 ·At Sea

    15 Aug 2028
13. 13

    Day 13 ·Southampton, UK

    16 Aug 2028

    Arrive 07:00Depart 19:00

    Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England’s green and pleasant lands.
    
14. 14

    Day 14 ·At Sea

    17 Aug 2028
15. 15

    Day 15 ·Cork

    18 Aug 2028

    Arrive 08:00Depart 19:00
16. 16

    Day 16 ·Dun Laoghaire

    19 Aug 2028

    Arrive 08:00Depart 20:00
17. 17

    Day 17 ·Greencastle (County Donegal)

    20 Aug 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

    The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whiskey at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”. Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland’s royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delver deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!
    
18. 18

    Day 18 ·Greencastle (County Donegal)

    21 Aug 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 19:00

    The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whiskey at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”. Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland’s royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delver deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!
    
19. 19

    Day 19 ·Oban, United Kingdom

    22 Aug 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 19:00

    Explore the majestic horseshoe bay of the Scottish seafood capital. Built around a former distillery, you'll discover the town's trade history, homemade chocolate, a bustling seafront, small galleries before embarking on a blended malt whisky tasting. Stroll to forests, beaches, colourful villages, Inveraray Castle and the romantic harbour. Inhale aromas of salty sea air as you view an array of wildlife over the misty peaks of nearby Mull and Kerrera. And as your time in this magical sanctuary nears an end, sit back and let the best quality seafood in the country cast another spell over you.
    
20. 20

    Day 20 ·Greenock (for Glasgow), UK

    23 Aug 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 19:00

    Arrive in style to the haunting hum of a piper. Bursting with colourful character and a cutting-edge arts scene, this vibrant city merges history and heritage with architecture and design. Visit Medieval spires, Victorian gems, Art Nouveau icons at art galleries and the museum at Kelvingrove. Set forth out of town to experience mythical landscapes; romantic yet rugged countryside where glacial lochs rest, small islands skirt and wildlife runs free. Known for courage, Glaswegians welcome with wee tales of clans, kilts and crests.
    
21. 21

    Day 21 ·At Sea

    24 Aug 2028
22. 22

    Day 22 ·Southampton, UKDisembark

    25 Aug 2028

    Arrive 07:00

    Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England’s green and pleasant lands.
    

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