This speedy five-night trip, Autumnwatch,
is perfect for those wanting to dip a toe
into the adventure cruise scene — at prices
significantly lower than destinations further
afield. On the Hjalmar Bjorge you’ll explore
Scotland’s west coast mainland and the inner
Hebrides. The boat calls in on old favourites
such as Skye, Mull and Jura, but shows them
from a different perspective — floating into
sea caves you can’t reach from the land, and
getting up close to the local otter population.
It’s a journey that focuses on wildlife, so as
well as otters you should hopefully see eagles,
red deer, beavers and dolphins, too.
The Hjalmar Bjorge has stabilisers, which
makes for a much smoother ride, even on a
close-to-land trip like this.
Northern Light Cruising Co Ltd offers a five-
night Autumnwatch trip from £1,4 25 per person,
including locally sourced meals, afternoon tea
and excursions, but excluding travel to Scotland,
soft drinks and alcohol. Departs 5 October 2022.
northernlight-uk.com
This Great Lakes Explorer offering from the
new Viking Expeditions division dips between
the US and Canada. Over eight days, you’ll
tick off all five of the Great Lakes, calling at
the underrated city of Milwaukee, crossing
the Soo Locks and visiting car-free Mackinac
Island. So far, so standard — but here comes
the adventure part. You’ll see these well-known
destinations from a completely new viewpoint
as you kayak along the Mackinac shoreline, or
take a RIB into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
of Georgian Bay.
The Viking Octantis, the first of the
company’s new expedition ships, sleeps 378
in 189 staterooms, so it’s at the larger end of
the spectrum, with a balcony for every room,
plenty of outdoor observation space (some of
it covered) and two in-ship submarines.
Viking Cruises offers the eight-day Great Lakes
Explorer from £6, 496 per person, including return
flights from select UK airports, all on-board
meals, wi-fi, gratuities and use of expedition gear.
Departs 13 or 27 August and 10 September 2 022,
or May to June 2023. vikingcruises.co.uk
INTRODUCTION
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BEST FOR
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158 NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.CO.UK/TRAVEL
