New World Exploration I I - 6257A

Dover, the world’s busiest ferry port, is located in the county of Kent, England, at the extreme SE corner of Britain. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, 35 km away across the Straits of Dover. Possibly best known for its lyrically famous ‘White Cliffs’, archaeological finds have revealed that the area has always been a focus for peoples entering and leaving Britain, and this continues to this day. This goes some way to explaining why this region in Kent has more than its fair share of castles, stately homes and museums than any other coastal region in the UK. Read more about Dover, Great Britain

Cowes is an English seaport town on the Isle of Wight. It is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank. The two towns are linked by the Cowes Floating Bridge, one of the few remaining chain ferries. Cowes is a gateway town for the Isle of Wight. Read more about Cowes (Isle of Wight), Great Britain

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, and is currently experiencing a successful tourist boom. One of the most visited cities in the UK, Belfast has plenty of attractions and is a good base from which to visit virtually anywhere else in the North. In the city centre concentrate on the glories resulting from the Industrial Revolution – grandiose architecture and magnificent Victorian pubs – and the rejuvenated area from Ann Street to Donegall Street now known as the Cathedral quarter. Among the fascinating places that tourists visit is the Belfast Castle with its restaurants, small heritage centre, and beautiful views of the whole city. Read more about Belfast, Great Britain

Holy Loch, in the Scottish county of Argyll, is a small Sea Loch (lake, firth or fjord), one of many small lochs that open to the 130 km major water way the Firth of Clyde. Holy Loch is about 1 km wide and 3 km long, depending on the tide. The loch is lined with small settlements which back onto the Highlands that rise from 400 to 700m. In the region are remains of old churches from as early as the 6th C; and by the 15th C Holy Loch received its name, and it became the spiritual home of the powerful Clan Campbell. Read more about Holy Loch, Great Britain

The tiny uninhabited Staffa Island, aka Pillar Island, famous for its fascinating pillar- like rock formations, lies in the inner Hebrides, Scotland. With its coastline displaying columnar basalt such as those on Am Buchaille, amazing sea cliffs, The Colonnade perhaps being the most outstanding, makes the effort of visiting - the island lacks a genuine anchorage - extremely worthwhile. Read more about Staffa Island, Great Britain

Tobermory, the core area of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, is part of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada - a strip of land separating Lake Huron from Georgian Bay. With its frame houses and twin harbours of "Big Tub" and "Little Tub" the atmosphere is one of a quiet urban village. With many unique wildflowers, it boasts the largest concentration of orchids in North America, and is a perfect getaway spot for naturalists, photographers, divers, hikers, and kayakers looking for that special place. Read more about Tobermory, Great Britain

Stornoway is an attractive town and the administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The shape of the town is defined by the harbour, and is home to a beautiful, rugged landscape of rolling grassy hills and crinkly inlets of the sea. Take a leisurely stroll round the harbour and see everything from the ferries to cargo boats and small visiting yachts, as the harbour is definitely an asset to the town. Interestingly, several streets in the centre are pedestrian areas with good access to an interesting range of shops. Read more about Stornoway, Great Britain

Heimaey is the largest island (13.4 sq.km.) in the Westman Islands or Vestmannaeyjar cluster, 7.4 km off the south coast of Iceland. The Landnáma Icelandic record states it was first settled in about 900. It is the only island in Vestmannaeyjar that is populated, with around 5000 inhabitants. One night in January 1973 a volcanic eruption of the mountain Eldfell began on Heimaey. Read more about Heimaey, Iceland

Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland, is the gateway to Iceland's stunning natural wonders, which range from ice fields to boiling thermal pools. The landscape on the island seems to be in a continual process of transformation much like its society, which blends Nordic tradition with sophisticated technology. On the waterfront see the open-air history of shipping disasters. In town walk past parliament building, city hall, Tjörnin pond, Höfði House(where Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986 to end the Cold War), Hallgrímskirkja (the largest church in Iceland), and Laugavegur (the main shopping street) Read more about Reykjavik, Iceland

Vigur is an island in the Ísafjardardjúp fjord in Western Iceland, offshore from villages such as Hamar, Kobleinseyri and Trod. It is the second largest island in the fjord, and it is filled with bird life, being a nesting ground for Puffins, terns, guillemots and several other species. There’s an historic building on the island known as the Viktoriuhus that acts as a small museum of items from the Westfjords Folk Museum. To reach Vigur there are trips by boat from Isafjordur during the summer months. Read more about Vigur Island, Iceland

The capital of the Westfjords of Iceland is Isafjordur. The landscape is majestic, with fjord after fjord towering above shore and sea, but each and every fjord has its own distinctive character. Tiny fishing villages nestle at their foot. On arrival take a stroll through the streets of the town. Read more about Isafjordur, Iceland

Located on the southernmost tip of Greenland, the largest island in the world, is Prins Christian Sund (Danish), 500m wide and 100 km long, with mountains either side rising 1000m above sea level. A scenic cruise through this channel is one of the world’s best day-scenes from a cruise ship. It is awe-inspiring, with its rugged beauty of narrow passages, dramatic rock formations, steep fjords, drifting ice floes, and towering glaciers marking the southern tip of the massive Greenland ice field. Passage through this channel may reveal white-beaked dolphins, and four species of whales. Read more about Prince Christian Sound, Greenland

Qaqortoq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. It is the most populous town in the region and the fourth largest town in the country. The oldest standing building of Qaqortoq is a black-tarred log building from 1797. The building was designed by royal Danish architect Kirkerup, pre-assembled in Denmark, shipped in pieces to Qaqortoq, and then reassembled. Read more about Qaqortoq, Greenland

Nanortalik is Greenland's southernmost town and is located in a scenic area with some of Greenland's most picturesque fjords, small woodlands and steep mountainsides. The town's name means ‘place of polar bears’, which refers to the polar bears that occasionally pass through the town in summer, together with the pack ice from the Arctic Ocean. It is a small town where everyone knows everyone else, and visitors appreciate meeting a friendly population of hunters who live in beautiful natural surroundings. A walk along the main street takes you past Nanortalik's tourist office, which is one of the most attractive tourist offices in South Greenland and features many souvenirs, books and handicrafts made by local artists. Read more about Nanortalik, Greenland

St Anthony - aka St Anthony Haven - is a town on the northern reaches of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador. The history of European settlement of St Anthony reaches back to the early 1500s, when French and Basque fishermen used the well-sheltered harbour as a seasonal fishing station. Tourism has become an important industry to the town as fishing stocks dwindled. Tourists come to visit historical sites related to Grenfell, to see the nearby Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows, or to see natural attractions such as icebergs and whales. Read more about St Anthony, Canada

St John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located on Canada's SE Atlantic Seaboard, where the Bay of Fundy meets the mouth of the St. John River. The architecture of St. Read more about St John's, Canada

The 96 km Saguenay River is a major river of Quebec, Canada. It is bordered by steep cliffs and has a very high flow rate. The river drains into the Saint Lawrence River at Tadoussac, where its cold waters merge with the warmer waters of the St. Lawrence River, creating a krill-rich feeding ground that draws marine mammals and birds. Read more about Saguenay River, Canada

Quebec, capital of the Canadian province of the same name, is so ‘French’ it is said that to visit Quebec is to experience France without crossing the Atlantic. French must be the predominant language on signs, retail or food service employees always greet customers in French, and there are even laws dictating whether parents can send their children to English or French school. The architecture, ambience and mostly French-speaking citizens are proof that some of France has been permanently ingrained in North America. In addition to its European flair, Quebec City is the only remaining walled city north of Mexico. Read more about Quebec, Canada

Trois Rivieres is French for three rivers, and is so named for the fact that the Saint-Maurice River - which is divided by two small islands at the river's opening - has three mouths at the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada. The city's main street is Boulevard des Forges, an area several blocks long in the heart of the Old City that is composed of century-old buildings, housing, a great variety of cafés, restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops, which are appreciated by all visitors. In the warmer months, the area - due to various festivals - is turned into a pedestrian mall. Read more about Trois Rivieres, Canada

Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, Canada, and is also the largest inland port in the world. Situated between a majestic mountain and the sparkling St Lawrence River, sailing into the port with its impressive skyline of grand 19th century grey stone buildings never loses its fascination for passengers. Old Montreal is one of the main attractions, where visitors can travel by horse-drawn carriages, stroll along the cobble stone streets, visit museums, art galleries, chic boutiques and vintage coffee shops. It is regarded as one of the most well-preserved ‘Old Towns’ west of Europe, which makes it a truly different North American city. Read more about Montreal, Canada

Trois Rivieres is French for three rivers, and is so named for the fact that the Saint-Maurice River - which is divided by two small islands at the river's opening - has three mouths at the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada. The city's main street is Boulevard des Forges, an area several blocks long in the heart of the Old City that is composed of century-old buildings, housing, a great variety of cafés, restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops, which are appreciated by all visitors. In the warmer months, the area - due to various festivals - is turned into a pedestrian mall. Read more about Trois Rivieres, Canada

Quebec, capital of the Canadian province of the same name, is so ‘French’ it is said that to visit Quebec is to experience France without crossing the Atlantic. French must be the predominant language on signs, retail or food service employees always greet customers in French, and there are even laws dictating whether parents can send their children to English or French school. The architecture, ambience and mostly French-speaking citizens are proof that some of France has been permanently ingrained in North America. In addition to its European flair, Quebec City is the only remaining walled city north of Mexico. Read more about Quebec, Canada

The 96 km Saguenay River is a major river of Quebec, Canada. It is bordered by steep cliffs and has a very high flow rate. The river drains into the Saint Lawrence River at Tadoussac, where its cold waters merge with the warmer waters of the St. Lawrence River, creating a krill-rich feeding ground that draws marine mammals and birds. Read more about Saguenay River, Canada

The 96 km Saguenay River is a major river of Quebec, Canada. It is bordered by steep cliffs and has a very high flow rate. The river drains into the Saint Lawrence River at Tadoussac, where its cold waters merge with the warmer waters of the St. Lawrence River, creating a krill-rich feeding ground that draws marine mammals and birds. Read more about Saguenay River, Canada

Charlottetown, Canada’s Birthplace, is the capital of Prince Edward Island, one of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. The downtown area with its heritage landscape of many Victorian-era houses and buildings has many walking trails. The boardwalk takes you along the shoreline from the shops and restaurants at Peake’s Quay to Victoria Park, as well as the parks along the waterfront redevelopment. Visitors are inspired by the architecture, which to-day is a perfect blend of the old and the new. Read more about Charlottetown, Canada

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, the Gateway to Atlantic Canada, is a lively and colourful combination of urban and rural living at its best. It is situated on the world’s second largest harbour, and the beautifully restored waterfront buildings recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage, which is also cleverly explained at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and the Halifax Citadel that explores the unique local heritage. Dine on the fresh seafood, taste the local award-winning wines, and then explore the Chapel Hill Gift shop at Spring Garden Road renowned for its great selection of dresses, purses, and gifts. Read more about Halifax, Canada

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, the Gateway to Atlantic Canada, is a lively and colourful combination of urban and rural living at its best. It is situated on the world’s second largest harbour, and the beautifully restored waterfront buildings recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage, which is also cleverly explained at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and the Halifax Citadel that explores the unique local heritage. Dine on the fresh seafood, taste the local award-winning wines, and then explore the Chapel Hill Gift shop at Spring Garden Road renowned for its great selection of dresses, purses, and gifts. Read more about Halifax, Canada

Bar Harbour, nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island in Maine New England, USA is said to be a magical mixture of romance, adventure. With its rock-bound coast and soaring granite cliffs, the stonewall-lined and tree-covered road leading you into our town, to the sweeping vistas from atop Cadillac Mountain, there is a special mystique to Bar Harbor that has welcomed visitors for over a hundred years. It is also worth noting that Bar Harbor is home to the USA's eighth oldest golf course which wraps itself between the mountains and the shore, and visitors can try to sink a putt through a waterfall. Read more about Bar Harbor, USA

Boston is the capital and largest city in Massachusetts, USA. Calling this quaint and delightful city the 'Athens of America' might seem a bit pretentious, but the city's 19th-century glory radiates through its grand architecture, and its world-renowned academic and cultural institutions. Disastrous 'urban renewal' projects in the 1950s provoked such a furious backlash that Boston now has some of the best preserved historic buildings and neighbourhoods in the country. Compact, walkable, historic and clean, the city blends old-world beauty and modern convenience. Read more about Boston, USA

Newport Island is located in Newport County, Rhode Island, just 48 km south of Providence in the United States. It is home to spectacular coastal scenery, awe-inspiring architecture, a thriving waterfront downtown, and welcoming hospitality. Newport is considered by many to be a shining gem in the coastal crown of New England. It contains among the highest number of surviving colonial buildings of any city in the United States as it was the playground of the wealthy till the early 20th century. Read more about Newport, USA

New York’s port on the Hudson River in Manhattan is four blocks from Central Park. New York is situated on the Atlantic coast of NE United States. With its world-class museums, big statues, even bigger buildings - certainly the Manhattan skyline with its many skyscrapers is universally recognizable - and being the most linguistically diverse city in the world, the Big Apple’s hyperactive rush keeps drawing more and more people to it. The City of New York is a densely packed mass of humanity and all this living on top of one another makes the New Yorker a special kind of person. Read more about New York (Manhattan), USA