3 June to 4 June - At sea

5 June

France: Cherbourg

An important naval base and major commercial port, Cherbourg is the gateway to the many attractions of Normandy, including the Bayeux Tapestry and the beaches where the D-Day landings took place. Cherbourg’s excellent Cité de la Mer maritime museum is also well worth a visit.

6 June

United Kingdom: Plymouth

Plymouth has a fine seafaring heritage, and it was here that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World on board the Mayflower. The city was badly damaged during the Second World War, but an ongoing regeneration project is breathing new life into the waterfront, and nearby attractions include Buckfast Abbey and Dartmoor National Park.

7 June

United Kingdom: Lundy

8 June

United Kingdom: Skomer Island

The wildlife haven of Skomer Island sits just off the coast of Pembrokeshire, and is best known for its large population of breeding seabirds, including puffins, Manx shearwaters, guillemots and razorbills. You may also spot peregrine falcons, grey seals, harbour porpoises and the endemic Skomer vole.

9 June

Ireland: Bantry

Bantry Bay is one of the most picturesque spots on County Cork’s west coast, sandwiched between the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas. Local highlights include the 18th-century Bantry House, with its elegant gardens and intriguing links to the United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798.

10 June

Ireland: Schull

11 June

Ireland: Cape Clear Island

12 June

Ireland: Kinsale

Colourful Kinsale is situated on a sheltered natural harbour, guarded by a brooding 17th-century fortress. The winding streets are a delight to explore, and the town is home to some excellent restaurants, galleries, pubs and shops. For sublime coastal views, take a trip out to the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse.

13 June

Isle of Man: Calf of Man

14 June

United Kingdom: Belfast

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement was a watershed moment for Northern Ireland, and its rejuvenated capital is enjoying a surge in popularity. The new Titanic Belfast museum is the star attraction, while the city centre boasts some handsome Victorian architecture and a lively pub scene.

15 June

Isle of Man: Calf of Man

15 June

Isle of Man: Douglas

Rugged and unspoilt, peaceful and perhaps a little parochial, the Isle of Man is proud to be different. The island has its own government, the Tynwald, which is said to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world, as well as its own language and even its own currency, the Manx pound.

16 June

United Kingdom: Rothesay

The peaceful isle of Bute boasts surprisingly varied landscapes for an island of its diminutive size, from rugged moors and fertile hills to sandy beaches. Highlights include the beautiful gardens of Mount Stuart House and the imposing castle at Rothesay.

17 June

United Kingdom: St Kilda

The St Kilda archipelago is a remote and rugged collection of sea stacks and rocky islands, some 40 miles to the west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. The islands constitute the largest nesting site for seabirds in the North Atlantic and are home to over a million birds, including puffins, gannets, fulmars and petrels.

18 June

United Kingdom: Eigg

The Isle of Eigg is part of the Inner Hebridean archipelago known as the Small Isles, and is easily recognisable thanks to An Sgurr, the dramatic pitchstone lava ridge that dominates the island. Climb the rock if you’re feeling fit, and enjoy fantastic views of Skye and Ardnamurchan from the summit.

19 June

United Kingdom: Lerwick

Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.

19 June

United Kingdom: Fair Isle

Fair Isle is the UK’s most remote inhabited island, lying roughly halfway between Shetland and Orkney. The island is tiny, just 3 miles by 1½ miles, and is renowned for its traditional knitwear. It’s also a birdwatching hotspot, serving as both an important breeding ground for seabirds and as a stopping-off point for migrant species.

20 June

United Kingdom: Lerwick

Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.

20 June

United Kingdom: Isle of Noss

The little Isle of Noss, part of the Shetlands, is a nature reserve that hosts over 150,000 seabirds during the breeding season, a truly spectacular sight. Species you can expect to see include gannets, puffins, guillemots and razorbills, and the island is also home to otters, seals, whales and dolphins.

21 June

Faroe Islands: Tvoroyri

22 June

Faroe Islands: Tórshavn

Tórshavn, named after the Norse god Thor, is one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a population of just 20,000. The brightly coloured facades and turfed roofs lend the harbour an attractive, storybook quality, and the narrow streets are home to some atmospheric pubs and cafés.

23 June

Faroe Islands: Klaksvík

Klaksvík is the second largest town in the Faroe Islands, a bustling fishing harbour of around 5,000 inhabitants and the gateway to the Northern Isles. The sheltered bay is surrounded by vivid green mountains flecked with wildflowers, and the region is rich in seabirds including puffins.

24 June - At sea

25 June to 26 June

Iceland: Heimaey

Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands, just off the south west coast of the Icelandic mainland. The jagged landscape is a reminder of the island’s volcanic origins; the most recent eruption, back in 1973, created the volcano now known as Eldfell, which looms over the island.

26 June

Arriving in Reykjavik

Capital of Iceland and gateway to this extraordinary volcanic island, modern Reykjavík is home to an impressive collection of interesting attractions and places of historic significance. Visit the impressive Hallgrímskirkja church, relax in a thermal pool, potter around the old harbour, and enjoy 24 hour daylight in the summer months.