Лиссабон, столица Португалии, — город, открытый к морю и тщательно спланированный в духе элегантности 18-го века. Его основателем считается легендарный Одиссей, но оригинальные финикийские поселения, вероятно, более реалистичны. Известный в Португалии как Лиссабон, город был населен римлянами, вестготами, а начиная с 8-го века, маврами. Большая часть 16-го века была периодом большого процветания и зарубежной экспансии Португалии. Трагедия в виде разрушительного землетрясения поразила город в День всех святых в 1755 году, в результате чего погибло около 40 000 человек. Разрушение Лиссабона потрясло континент. В результате чего началось строительство Байша (нижнего города), которое осуществлялось менее чем десятилетие королевским министром, Marques de Pombal. Его тщательно спланированное расположение идеальных неоклассических объектов сохранилось до наших дней и остается сердцем города. Свидетельства землетрясения в Лиссабоне все еще можно увидеть в пригороде Белен и старом мавританском районе Alfama, который раскинулся у подножия замка Святого Георгия. Лиссабон — компактный город на берегу реки Тежу. Посетители легко обойдут многие достопримечательности, которые находятся в непосредственной близости от центра города. Существует удобная автобусная и трамвайная системы, а также многочисленные такси. Площадь Россио, в самом сердце Лиссабона, находящаяся здесь со времен средневековья, является идеальным местом для начала прогулки. После пожара, уничтожившего в 1988 году часть исторического района за Россио, многие из восстановленных зданий были построены с современным интерьером за первоначальными фасадами. В городе очень много памятников и музеев, таких как монастырь Иеронима, башня Белен, музей Royal Coach и Музей Гюльбенкяна. Высоко над Байша находится Байру Альто (Верхний город) с его изобилующими ночными клубами. Самый простой способ сообщения между этими двумя областями осуществляется через общественный лифт, разработанный Гюставом Эйфелем. Причалив по реке Тежу к городскому причалу, Вы уже можете определить три известных достопримечательности Лиссабона: Памятник открытий, башню Белен и статую Христа, который приветствует посетителей на вершине холма, над самым длинным висячим мостом в Европе.

For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. View less Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Scattered 30 miles offshore from England’s most south-westerly point – Land’s End – the Isles of Scilly are home to rich wildlife, and green land sloping to powdery white beaches. The Isles of Scilly’s biggest island harbours around 1,600 people – roughly three-quarters of the total population — and is one of five occupied islands. Isolated and serene, life here hums along at its own pace in this archipelagos bubble, which enjoys the UK’s mildest climate, and some of its most spectacular beaches. View less Hugh Town is the centre of St Mary’s, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by the incredibly tight-knit local community. A peaceful place, watch out when the waters are suddenly parted by the competition of gig racing – the island’s sporting pride and joy — which sees teams competing in colourful rowboats. Elsewhere, catch sight of Atlantic seals and seabirds like puffins and fulmars, along nine miles of coastline. You can also spot the ghostly shipwrecks strewn around the island’s waters, and the 140 islands and skerries that have made treacherous sailing historically. Theres a dense collection of historical sites that belies the islands’ small size – from a former prime minster’s grave to star-shaped fortresses. Tresco Abbey Garden is one of the UK’s most vibrant gardens, with diverse plants bathing in the warmer climate and over 300 species on display. Taste the rewards of the mild weather with a glass of wine from England’s most south-westerly vineyard.

Once a major defence point against Irish invaders Holyhead now extends the hand of friendship across the Irish Sea and is a major ferry port connecting the two countries. Discover a scenic and spectacular place whatever the weather – whether the sun’s bouncing off the blotched blue sea or the waves are swelling moodily as rain thrashes down.

Skomer Island has been designated a National Nature Reserve, Ancient Monument and Full Maritime Nature Reserve. The old name for Skomer Island is Skalmeye –the Isle of the Sword or Cleft/Cloven Isle, possible referring to the island being nearly cut into two. Skomer is approximately one kilometer off the Pembrokeshire coast and part of a Marine Conservation Zone. There is evidence of human occupation going back some 2,000-5,000 years with a farming community of up to 250 residents. View less Rabbits were introduced in the late 1200s and Skomer became a rabbit warren. Today it is better known for the Skomer vole, its bird life and the spring flowering of the bluebells -giving the whole island a blue touch. The island offers excellent habitats for seabirds nesting in the cliffs and ground nesting birds. The largest concentration of Manx Shearwaters worldwide is found on Skomer and neighboring Skokholm and more than 25,000 Atlantic Puffins have been counted here in one season. Access to the island is limited to 250 visitors per day, but Zodiac cruises permit to appreciate the seabird colonies in the cliffs much better. 172 bird species have been recorded, with Black-legged Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Northern Fulmars and several gull species showing the largest numbers. Northern Gannets visit from a neighboring breeding site and harbor porpoises and dolphins are occasionally seen, while grey seals can be seen year-round.

The estuary of the River Cleddau forms a natural harbor which had already been used by Vikings in the Middle Ages -as the Norse origin of the name Milford implies. The area surrounding Milford has been used as a staging ground and harbor for invasions coming from France or going to Ireland, but surprisingly it was Quaker families brought from Nantucket that were settled here and the town was founded in the late 18th century as an intended whaling center and navy dockyard. View less Whaling and ship-building declined, yet with the advent of the railway, the proximity to good fishing grounds, the sheltered harbor, and direct access to markets in London Milford Haven again prospered. Oil was important from the 1960s onward and the port rose to be one of the leading ports in the UK. Since 2009 it has one of the largest LNG plants in Europe. The Milford Waterfront has converted old structures for modern social and cultural use in a bid to revive the old port and Milford Haven can be used as a gateway to see several castles and prehistoric sites in Pembrokeshire and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. As one of the smallest UK National Parks it has one of the most diverse landscapes and includes parts of Milford Haven’s estuary.

Situated on the south-west coast of England, it seems that Dartmouth is a town that time forgot. Pretty pastel painted houses dating from the medieval times flank the idyllic port, while the enchanting jumble of streets only add to the quiet authenticity of this, very English, seaside town. The surrounding 120 miles of stunning coastline and acres of rural countryside are any adventurer’s dream, so if your enjoy beach combing, hiking or simply just admiring the view,this sleepy little Devonshire village will not disappoint. Known for its cream teams (an absolute must), ice cream, as well as the obligatory fish’n’chips, Dartmouth’s local speciality is fresh Devon crab. Best served with a pint of local beer and a bowl of home-made mayonnaise, this local speciality is simply delicious.

St. Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 37,540 – roughly one-third of the total population of Jersey – and is the capital of the island. The town of St. Helier is the largest settlement and only town of Jersey.

Sark is a part of the Channel Islands in the southwestern English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France. It is a royal fief, which forms part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament. It has a population of about 500. Sark has an area of 2.10 square miles.

Резмером двадцать пять квадратных миль (40 кв км), Гернси является вторым по величине из Нормандских островов, которые лежат в Английском канале к западу от полуострова Шербур. Вместе с его сестрой — островом Джерси, Гернси является частью Британии с 1066 года, хотя и сохраняет свою собственную культуру.

Лондон, несомненно, является одним из величайших городов мира. С населением почти восемь миллионов, это на сегодняшний день крупнейший город в Европе, занимающий площадь более 620 квадратных миль. В дополнение к многочисленным памятникам прошлого, будучи мировой империей, Лондон в равной степени известен своими зрелищами и традициями. Хотя город был сильно поврежден во время Второй мировой войны, на удивление большое количество памятников было чудесным образом избавлено от уничтожения. Вскоре после окончания войны, столица Англии начала процветать как никогда раньше. Лондон имеет что-то особенное для каждого — широкие бульвары, гудящие от волнения до глубокой ночи, а также тихие скверы и переулки, по которым можно блуждать часами. От магазинов Вест-Энда всего за несколько минут можно добраться до таких больших просторов зелени, как Гайд-парк, Грин-парк и Сент-Джеймс Парк. Музеи и галереи здесь столь же разнообразны и богаты, как и в любом другом крупном городе. Памятники охватывают весь диапазон времени, от римских руин до роскошных замков и общественных зданий, представляющих архитектуру триумфальной Британской империи. Многие из этих зданий были построены в 18 веке и во времена правления королевы Виктории для того, чтобы отразить статус города, как финансового и административного центра великой империи. Сегодня, Лондон несет свою 2000-летнюю историю с достоинством. Наряду с современными небоскребами здесь сохранились остатки стены римского города. Нормандский Лондон проявляется в одной из самых известных достопримечательностей города, Лондонском Тауэре, возникновение которого восходит к Вильгельму I Завоевателю. Старейший паб, несколько средневековых церквей и бревенчатый елизаветинский фасад Staple Inn напоминают Лондон до Великого пожара 1666 года. А величественные грузинские кварталы 18-го века сохранились в модном Уэст-Энде.

Лондон, несомненно, является одним из величайших городов мира. С населением почти восемь миллионов, это на сегодняшний день крупнейший город в Европе, занимающий площадь более 620 квадратных миль. В дополнение к многочисленным памятникам прошлого, будучи мировой империей, Лондон в равной степени известен своими зрелищами и традициями. Хотя город был сильно поврежден во время Второй мировой войны, на удивление большое количество памятников было чудесным образом избавлено от уничтожения. Вскоре после окончания войны, столица Англии начала процветать как никогда раньше. Лондон имеет что-то особенное для каждого — широкие бульвары, гудящие от волнения до глубокой ночи, а также тихие скверы и переулки, по которым можно блуждать часами. От магазинов Вест-Энда всего за несколько минут можно добраться до таких больших просторов зелени, как Гайд-парк, Грин-парк и Сент-Джеймс Парк. Музеи и галереи здесь столь же разнообразны и богаты, как и в любом другом крупном городе. Памятники охватывают весь диапазон времени, от римских руин до роскошных замков и общественных зданий, представляющих архитектуру триумфальной Британской империи. Многие из этих зданий были построены в 18 веке и во времена правления королевы Виктории для того, чтобы отразить статус города, как финансового и административного центра великой империи. Сегодня, Лондон несет свою 2000-летнюю историю с достоинством. Наряду с современными небоскребами здесь сохранились остатки стены римского города. Нормандский Лондон проявляется в одной из самых известных достопримечательностей города, Лондонском Тауэре, возникновение которого восходит к Вильгельму I Завоевателю. Старейший паб, несколько средневековых церквей и бревенчатый елизаветинский фасад Staple Inn напоминают Лондон до Великого пожара 1666 года. А величественные грузинские кварталы 18-го века сохранились в модном Уэст-Энде.

Резмером двадцать пять квадратных миль (40 кв км), Гернси является вторым по величине из Нормандских островов, которые лежат в Английском канале к западу от полуострова Шербур. Вместе с его сестрой — островом Джерси, Гернси является частью Британии с 1066 года, хотя и сохраняет свою собственную культуру.

For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. View less Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Scattered 30 miles offshore from England’s most south-westerly point – Land’s End – the Isles of Scilly are home to rich wildlife, and green land sloping to powdery white beaches. The Isles of Scilly’s biggest island harbours around 1,600 people – roughly three-quarters of the total population — and is one of five occupied islands. Isolated and serene, life here hums along at its own pace in this archipelagos bubble, which enjoys the UK’s mildest climate, and some of its most spectacular beaches. View less Hugh Town is the centre of St Mary’s, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by the incredibly tight-knit local community. A peaceful place, watch out when the waters are suddenly parted by the competition of gig racing – the island’s sporting pride and joy — which sees teams competing in colourful rowboats. Elsewhere, catch sight of Atlantic seals and seabirds like puffins and fulmars, along nine miles of coastline. You can also spot the ghostly shipwrecks strewn around the island’s waters, and the 140 islands and skerries that have made treacherous sailing historically. Theres a dense collection of historical sites that belies the islands’ small size – from a former prime minster’s grave to star-shaped fortresses. Tresco Abbey Garden is one of the UK’s most vibrant gardens, with diverse plants bathing in the warmer climate and over 300 species on display. Taste the rewards of the mild weather with a glass of wine from England’s most south-westerly vineyard.

It may be small, but Ireland’s personality packs a big punch. Ask any local to explain why Ireland is the most beautiful county in the world and you’ll be chatting like old friends in no time. And rightly so; rich heritage dating back to the 5th century includes castles, the book of Kells and craggy coastline, so why not talk about it? Famously quirky cities are everywhere – think Galway on the west, Cobh to the south and Dublin to the east. Add fabulously beautiful landscapes – from the sheer splendour of the Cliffs of Moher to the wildness of Skellig Islands and you’ll understand why an Ireland cruise is a bit of adventure. As the Irish proverb goes, “May the road rise up to meet you”, (good luck on your travels), get ready to enjoy your Ireland luxury cruise where the music, cheer and yes, the Guinness, flows freely. Just don’t forget your umbrella.

Reborn as a cool, modern city, Belfast has successfully left its troubles behind, emerging as a hotbed of culture and architecture, where the comfort of a cosy pub is never far away. Take a voyage of discovery in its maritime quarter, home to a celebrated museum dedicated to the most famous ship ever built, which was constructed right here in the city’s shipyards. A walk across the Lagan Weir Footbridge brings you to Belfast’s fascinating Titanic District – an area of the city devoted to its rich ship-building heritage. The state-of-the-art Titanic Museum brings the story of the doomed vessel to life, and is the largest museum dedicated to the infamously ‘unsinkable’ ship. Wind up a nautical-themed ramble along the Maritime Mile with a visit to SS Nomadic, the smaller cousin of the Titanic, and a ship which serves as a fascinating time capsule back to the pomp and grandeur of the Titanic, while also telling its own stories of service in both World Wars. There’s just enough time to give the 10-metre long Salmon of Knowledge sculpture a quick peck for luck, before continuing to explore. A stark barbed wire and graffitied sheet metal barrier marks an abrupt scar through the city’s residential areas. The Peace Line was constructed during the height of the Troubles, when Belfast was plagued by sectarian divisions between Protestants and Catholics. Nowadays, you can jump in a black taxi tour to see the colourful murals and living history of the walls, which stand as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. After exploring the city’s historic divisions, a reminder of Belfast’s uniting creativity can be found at the Metropolitan Arts Centre – a seven-storey tall building, which invites light to gloriously cascade inside. The Cathedral Quarter is a cobbled blend of flower-adorned pubs, restaurants and theatres, and venues where music spills out onto the streets at night, and many a pint is cheerily shared.

Великобритания

The stunning Isle of Lunga is the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago. With volcanic origin the isle was populated until the 19th Century, and remains of black houses can be seen around this magnificent coastal jewel. Abundant plant life and exotic birdlife are now the main inhabitants of the area. Fortunate visitors view the magnificent array of birds, especially the great puffins that breed on the islands plateau. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. View less The 81 hectare island is home to many rare and endangered plants such as, primroses and orchids. Views over the landscape and across the ocean can be seen from the 300 foot high cliffs.

Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of seas birds call these craggy cliffs home, clinging to the sheer faces as if by magic. Not only is St. Kilda home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin (almost 1 million), but also the world largest colony Gannets nests on Boreray island and its sea stacks. View less The islands also home decedents of the world’s original Soay sheep as well as having a breed of eponymously named mice. The extremely rare St. Kilda wren unsurprisingly hails from St. Kilda, so birders should visit with notebook, binoculars and camera to hand. While endemic animal species is rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been peopled since 1930 after the last inhabitants voted that human life was unsustainable. However, permanent habitation had been possible in the Medieval Ages, and a vast National Trust for Scotland project to restore the dwellings is currently being undertaken. The islands even enjoyed a status as being an ideal holiday destination in the 19th century. Today, the only humans living on the islands are passionate history, science and conservation scholars. One of the caretakers even acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda. It should be noted that St. Kilda is the UKs only (and just one of 39 in the world) dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance.

Youll always receive a welcome to remember, as the colourful cafes, houses and shops that line Tobermorys picturesque harbour salute your arrival. Located on the craggy Scottish Inner Hebrides, Tobermory serves as the capital of the Isle of Mull. Theres a high chance youll recognise the town’s colourfully-daubed buildings, as their charming exteriors have featured in countless TV shows — most notably in the children’s favourite, Balamory.

Великобритания

Керкуолл, расположенный на материке, является основной гаванью и столицей Оркнейских островов. Каменные дома с отвесными крышами лежат вдоль улиц, которые вьются вокруг средневекового собора Св. Магнуса. Музей с Оркнейскими историческими артефактами находится в Tankerness House 16-го века. Другие достопримечательности острова включают Maes Howe, место лучше всего сохранившейся мегалитической гробницы Британии, а также деревню каменного века Скара-Брей. Скапа-Флоу служит напоминанием о более поздних временах, когда во время обеих мировых войн, здесь была расположена военно-морская база Великобритании.

His favourite place in the UK to see nature at its best, is how David Attenborough described the Farne Islands. The scatter of small islands begins 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) off the Northumberland Coast. The islands are dolerite which formed from liquid rock cooling underground. Softer overlying rock has eroded to leave hard rounded columns and fissured dolerite cliffs. The treeless landscape makes viewing of the island wildlife and history easy, even from a boat. The Farnes are cared for by the National Trust.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the worlds stateliest cities and proudest capitals, its built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthurs Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburghs character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 «for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge,» remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the worlds best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you havent earned your porridge until youve climbed Arthurs Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburghs highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.