Odyssey at Sea: The Best of England, Ireland & Scotland

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 1 mile from aircraft through airport to passport control and customs with baggage; standing could be up to 1 hour or more depending on flights at the time. From port check-in to boarding ship, steps and ramps with handrails; potentially up to 1/2 mile of corridors to reach cabins.

Morning: Transfer from the airport to the Port of Dublin. Meals aboard ship will begin with dinner; a light lunch will be available from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for those who arrive in time.

Afternoon: Embark the Aegean Odyssey. Complete boarding procedures, get your cabin, unpack, and freshen up. Then begin to explore this comfortable ship that will be our floating home. The ship’s courteous and friendly staff are scrupulous about hygiene and you will find numerous dispensers with hand-sanitizer we are encouraged to use. Along with everyone on board, we will meet at muster stations when called for the ship’s safety drill. Orientation: We will gather late afternoon when the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. During succeeding evenings aboard ship, there will be activities to choose from such as a guest speaker, a performance by talented musicians, and opportunities for interaction with fellow Road Scholars. There is also a well-stocked library with daily newspapers received via satellite. Most mornings will begin with a group stretch session. On each full day, the Group Leader will give a “port talk” about what’s ahead. Each evening, we’ll get a briefing memo in our cabins with highlights of the next day’s activities. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In each port, we will have shuttle busses running from/to the ship during the day for your convenience if you wish to explore independently. The extent and duration of elective walking and other free time activities depends on personal choice. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Aboard ship, enjoy a welcome dinner in the venue of your choice: the a la carte Marco Polo restaurant, open for dinner as well as lunch on full days at sea; and the Terrace Café with its extensive buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals feature fresh local ingredients in tasty preparations including healthy choices. Both restaurants offer open-seating dining. All meals aboard ship — as well as afternoon tea and late night snacks — are included. Non-alcoholic beverages and select wines at dinner are included; other beverages are available for purchase upon request.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; total driving about 8 miles, approximately 1 hour. Trinity College and Book of Kells: step-free access available in all areas visited, campus walk is mostly on paved paths with occasional cobbled areas. Port shuttle buses available in afternoon and evening.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — there are hot and cold dishes to choose from such as eggs, breakfast meats, cereals, fruits, breads, pastries, and a variety of healthy choices as well as milk, juice, coffee, tea, water. Meals feature fresh local ingredients in tasty preparations.

Morning: Once ashore, we’ll board a motorcoach for a panoramic journey that will take us to Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. The College, sometimes referred to as the University of Dublin, dates back to 1592 and is one of the seven ancient Universities of Britain and Ireland. It is also home to the Book of Kells, one of the finest examples of manuscript illumination in the world. The artistry and attention to detail in its spellbinding calligraphy and illuminations truly is a sight to behold and the book, dating back to 800 CE, is considered Ireland’s finest national treasure. Local experts will lead us through the exhibition dedicated to this famed codex, and on an informative walk through Trinity College’s grand campus to admire the historic architecture and learn about the Irish higher education system.

Lunch: At a Dublin restaurant, we’ll be joined by a local storyteller/singer. If you prefer, you are welcome to return to the ship for lunch at your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship or take advantage of the shuttle bus available for independent exploration. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll gather with our Group Leader for our daily port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; total driving about 10 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles, walking and standing for up to 3 hours on field trips. St. Patrick’s Cathedral: step-free access available to all areas visited. Dublin Castle: step-free access available to all areas except Viking Excavation. Kilmainham Gaol: step-free access to ground floor only. Port shuttle buses available in afternoon and evening.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach and ride to the city centre for an expert-led field trip that will explore two iconic Dublin venues, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle. St. Patrick’s, constructed between 1220-1260 CE, is one of only a few remaining medieval buildings in Dublin. It was built in honour of the national saint and is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. We’ll learn more of its 800-year history and place in the heritage of the country from local experts. Author Jonathan Swift was Dean of the Cathedral in the 1700s and lies buried there. We’ll continue on foot to Dublin Castle in the heart of the city, the seat of English-British rule from 1204-1922. Rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1684, it was transformed from a medieval stronghold into a palatial residence. The castle now houses major government offices and is a treasure trove of history and culture. An expert will lead our exploration as we trace the chronicle of events from the Vikings through medieval Dublin to the Gothic Royal Chapel and the splendid State Apartments — a virtual timeline of Dublin’s history in one place! We’ll then return to the ship by motorcoach.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Afternoon: Those who wish to return to the ship are welcome to do so. Our Group Leader will lead a field trip via port shuttle bus trip to Kilmainham Gaol, symbolic of Irish nationalism and rebellion. Exhibitions in this former jail cover the defining moments of Ireland’s struggle for independence and place on the world stage, from the late 18th century to after World War I. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll gather with our Group Leader for our daily port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will leave Dublin for our journey to Greenock.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles, walking and standing up to 2 hours on trips. In Luss, paved streets, gravel and grass paths. At Stirling Castle, cobbled paths and courtyards, some sloping areas; step free access to all areas except Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Great Kitchens, Elphinstone Tower. Port shuttle buses available afternoon and evening.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café and Lido Deck.

Morning: Once docked at Greenock, Glasgow’s port, we’ll set out by motorcoach on an expert-led field trip to Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle and experience the tranquility of the Scottish Highlands. In the pretty village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond, we’ll encounter a thousand years of history at sites including Mackessogs Church and Viking graves. We’ll move on through dramatic Dukes Pass into the Trossachs — exceptionally beautiful, but with a past littered with outlaws such as Rob Roy. We’ll continue through countryside associated with popular culture such as “Outlander” and “Game of Thrones” to Stirling Castle. It sits on a huge rock above the River Forth where the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands meet that has been occupied from time immemorial. Stirling was once the key to the kingdom of Scotland. The castle itself is thought to have originated in the late medieval era. We’ll learn about some of the most famous figures in Scottish history including Mary, Queen of Scots; William Wallace (Braveheart); Robert the Bruce; and Bonnie Prince Charlie as we delve into the bloody and turbulent past of a nation and its adversaries.

Lunch: At a local eatery, we’ll have a 2-course plated lunch with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Returning to the ship, those who prefer to remain aboard are welcome to do so. For those who wish to see and do more, we’ll set out with our Group Leader on an excursion via port shuttle bus to Glasgow’s city centre for an afternoon of independent exploration. The Group Leader will suggest highlights of the city to visit, then return to the ship on your own. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll gather with our Group Leader for our daily port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will leave Greenock for our journey to Kirkwall.

Activity note: Extent and duration of free time activities dependent on personal preference.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: We will gather for a lecture on topics relevant to the program.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship. At the end of the afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. We'll continue our journey to Kirkwall.

Activity note: Getting on/off tender vessels to reach shore. Walking up to 2 miles, walking & standing for up to 2 hours. Paved streets, some uneven flagstones. Step-free access to St Magnus Cathedral is available.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: We'll arrive this morning in Kirkwall, the largest town in Orkney — the archipelago close to the north coast of mainland Scotland. After reaching shore via tender vessels, we’ll take a field trip on foot to the town’s medieval St Magnus Cathedral, the most northerly cathedral in Britain. Kirkwall’s name comes from the Old Norse Kirkjuvagr, meaning “Church Bay”. The church that gave the town this name was the 11th-century St Olaf’s, of which little now survives, but St Magnus Cathedral is also a Viking foundation. St Magnus Erlendsson was Earl of Orkney in the early 12th century, and his story is told in three Norse sagas including the Orkneyinga saga. Much of the cathedral is constructed from contrasting red and yellow Orcadian sandstone. We’ll have some free time in Kirkwall before returning to the ship via tender vessels.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Afternoon: We will gather for a lecture on topics relevant to the program. At the end of the afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will leave Kirkwall on our journey to Leith.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 6 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking up to 4 miles; paved streets, cobbled areas, hilly, steep terrain; walking/standing up to 3 hours. Edinburgh Castle: steep cobbled areas; steps with handrails to vaults and One o’Clock Gun. Royal Apartments, David’s Tower, and Prisons accessible only by steps. Step-free access at National Museum. Royal Yacht: step-free access to all areas; maximum width for wheelchairs/mobility scooters 26 inches.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: Once docked at Leith, the old maritime center of Edinburgh, we’ll travel by motorcoach into the heart of Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town for an expert-led field trip that will include Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St. Giles Cathedral. The oldest part of Edinburgh Castle dates from the 12th century. Among its highlights are Scotland’s crown jewels — called The Honours — and the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, an ancient symbol of monarchy that legend says was the “pillow” of the biblical Jacob. Relaxed pace groups will visit the National Museum of Scotland instead of Edinburgh Castle. The museum’s Scotland galleries chart the country’s story from prehistory to the present day. The Discoveries galleries pay homage to the many inventions and innovations that the Scots took around the world. The Natural World galleries and the World Cultures galleries look at the story of our planet and people across the globe. The motorcoach will return to the ship for lunch. You are welcome to remain ashore and dine out on your own if you prefer.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant. Or, dine independently in Edinburgh.

Afternoon: Next, we will walk to the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former floating palace of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, now permanently moored close to where our ship will dock. From her maiden voyage in 1954 to decommissioning in 1997, Britannia logged more than a million nautical miles. The ship was transferred to Leith and opened to the public in 1998. We will have audio guides for a self-directed exploration as we walk through rooms where British royals and other notables lived, dined, and slept. At the end of the day we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will leave Leith on our journey to Tyne.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 2 miles, walking/standing up to 2 hours. At Alnwick Castle, paved paths, grass lawns, cobbled courtyard; steps in State Rooms and Guard Chambers, some without handrails, step-free access to upper floors by 1-person lift. At Alnwick Gardens, paved and gravel paths, grass lawns; step-free access to most areas, some paths include stepped ramps; alternative routes available.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: From the Port of Tyne in Northumberland, we’ll board a motorcoach and ride along a scenic coastal route to Alnwick Castle and Gardens, home to His Grace the 12th Duke of Northumberland and seat of the noble Percy family since 1309. We’ll encounter centuries of history as docents lead us through this grand residence, the second largest inhabited castle in the UK. We’ll explore the State Rooms decorated in lavish Italian Renaissance style with one of the finest private art and furniture collections in the country. We’ll also see the Artisans’ Courtyard, and film locations from “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey.”

Lunch: At Alnwick Castle and Gardens.

Afternoon: We’ll return to the ship after lunch, for free time to enjoy the activities of your choice. At the end of the afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. The ship will leave Tyne on our journey to Tilbury.

Activity note: Extent and duration of free time activities dependent on personal preference.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Afternoon: We will gather for a lecture on topics relevant to the program. At the end of the afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the briefing memo/daily bulletin placed in our cabins with highlights for tomorrow. We'll continue our journey to Tilbury.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 2 miles, walking/standing up to 3 hours. At Tower of London, paved and cobbled courtyards, grass lawns, uneven stone and wooden floors; most upper floors and basements accessed only by steps, including narrow spiral staircases. Jewel House has fully step-free access. White Tower basement can be accessed by elevator.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: From the Port of Tilbury, we'll board a motorcoach for a field trip to the nearby Tower of London where a Yeoman Warder, one of the Tower’s ceremonial guardians, will lead our exploration. The Tower was built in the 1070s as a fortress and symbol of royal power by William the Conqueror. When in residence, medieval kings and queens enjoyed apartments that were quite luxurious for their time. But by the Tudor era, the Tower had become a symbol of royal retribution and a place of execution, including one of the most notable victims, Queen Anne Boleyn. The Tower today is best known as the repository of the world-famous Crown Jewels, including the Koh-I-Noor and Cullinan Diamonds — two of the world’s most famous diamonds worn in the crown of Queen Victoria. The Crown Jewels were remade for Charles II after the originals were melted down in the Civil War. They provide a spectacular insight into the power of the Royal Family throughout history. We’ll explore the exhibition showcasing these treasures for ourselves in the Jewel House during our Yeoman Warder-led visit, and we can also expect to gain an understanding of the Tower’s rich and complex traditions, including why the ravens here are so well looked-after! We will return to the ship by motorcoach. Those who wish to remain ashore are welcome to do so.

Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant. Or, if you prefer, dine out independently ashore.

Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship or take advantage of the shuttle bus available for independent exploration. At the end of the afternoon, we will gather with our Group Leader for a port talk.

Dinner: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out, disembarkation, and departure in the morning. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Activity note: Disembarkation may begin as early as 6:00 a.m. depending on local schedules. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

Breakfast: In the Terrace Café or on the Lido Deck in nice weather.

Morning: After completing disembarkation procedures, we will transfer to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!