British Isles Explorer

We are back from a wonderful trip on the Viking Vela!  The British Isles Explorer is a wonderful itinerary that we looked forward to and it was amazing.   Over the two week cruise we learned SO much, enjoyed so many great meals, and had a fabulous time.  

Here are some snippets of our trip - 

We started the trip in Bergen, Norway - such a beautiful city!

Next day found us in the Shetland Islands...

with the ponies!

Back on board for afternoon tea...

and I found the Book Exchange.  One of the things we love about Viking is that the ship never seems crowded, there are plenty of spots to sit and read and enjoy the scenery.

Off to Aberdeen, Scotland...

beautiful church and then a visit to Botanical Gardens.

So pretty - inside and out - a free to enter and enjoy!

Back on board for dinner...with a nice pour...

and delicious scallop dinner.

Edinburgh next, with a walk up to the castle.

Kilts and bagpipes...

and I had to buy a scarf with the Mackenzie clan as we are watching Blood of My Blood.

Delicious lobster dinner on the pool grill to end the day.

The next day we learned that we would miss two ports in the Scottish Isles due to Hurricane Erin coming across the sea...our captain wanted to get us into a protected area.  So we had a relaxing sea day, then went to Glasgow, Scotland.

Visited a great transportation museum...

learned a lot of history...

and could not resist taking a photo of my silver fox with our tour bus!

Lots of tragic history in Belfast

Stopped at the wall that divided the city during "the troubles"

and saw beautiful gardens.

That night we enjoyed dancing on the pool deck!

 We awoke the next morning in Liverpool and saw the 

"Ferry Cross the Mersey" from our cabin.

Lots of museums and libraries...

Very cool  display that you could participate in...

and a visit to a more modern cathedral, too.

Then off to our Magical Mystery Tour of the BEATLES!

Penny Lane and learning all about the things mentioned in the song...

"Forever"

Imagine composed on this piano...

John Lennon's Rolls Royce

Paul McCartney's house

Then off to the Beatles Experience - the original draft of Yesterday...

Such a fun visit!

Ended the day with dinner at one of the specialty restaurants - Manfredi's!  Love that Viking does not charge for this...

An amuse bouche...caviar tart.

Pasta

Nutella Panna Cotta

A sweet way to end the day.

That was the end of week one...one more to go!

Thanks for coming along on our journey...and for stopping by Our New Vista!