10 BEST CRUISING DESTINATIONS FOR CITY BREAKS
Many of us think cruising homewaters is about escaping the crowds to quiet anchorages and harbours, but to avoid the coastal cities of the British Isles would be to miss out on history, culture and much more.
Cities with a strong maritime heritage are dotted around the UK and Ireland. Arriving by sea allows sailors to get right to the heart of these metropolitan areas, giving you a unique perspective as you sail in the wake of seafarers of old, past historic dockyards, fortifications and landmarks. Many are located up rivers and estuaries, offering great shelter so you can leave your boat and explore the notable buildings, galleries, museums and nightlife with peace of mind.
From Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, to Liverpool, city of culture, and Britain’s ocean city, Plymouth, our experts have chosen some of the best places to cruise to this season. So set your sails and point your bow towards these urban areas and discover the buzz of the city.
NEXT MONTH: CRUISES FOR TV AND FILM BUFFS
1 Inverness, Scotland
RECOMMENDED BY Sarah Brown
To think of Inverness simply as the gateway for sailing to Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle or as the departure point for exploring the Scandinavian coast, or even just as the starting location of the Caledonian Canal, misses the full beauty and enjoyment that the Moray Firth and the city has to offer. From the world class sandy beaches to the stunning bottlenose dolphins who hunt the salmon throughout the Firth, there is much more to Inverness than just a gateway destination. The dolphins congregate to feed and play (often with their food!) in the tidal narrows off Chanonry Point so watch out for them there especially. Land-based day
