CMV Australia

Samson and Goliath are much-loved landmarks soaring above Belfast’s skyline. The two great, yellow-painted, gantry cranes are a reminder of the shipbuilding industry that put Northern Ireland’s capital firmly on the map. Housed in an iconic, state-of-the-art, 6-storey building, Titanic Belfast relives the city’s golden era and traces the story of the ill-fated liner built in the shipyards of Harland & Wolff. At the heart of today’s cosmopolitan city is Belfast’s elegant City Hall, which stands in Donegal Square. The extraordinary Giant’s Causeway is a popular excursion from this city with omnipresent Irish charm.

The capital of the Emerald Isle is, with its friendly locals, fascinating history, legendary literary tradition and charming mix of medieval, Georgian and modern architecture, a city of unforgettable character. It lies on the east coast of Ireland along the banks of the River Liffey. Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College and the beautiful square St Stephen’s Green lie south of the Liffey, whilst the glorious Custom House, majestic Four Courts and famous General Post Office add grace to Dublin’s Northside. Crossing the river the high-arched Ha’penny Bridge is one of Dublin’s most famous landmarks.

The capital of the amazing Orkney archipelago, the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall sits almost exactly in the centre of Mainland, dividing the island into East and West. The magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, a legacy of the town’s rich Viking heritage, dominates Kirkwall’s skyline. In its shadow, the town is a cluster of grey stone buildings lining narrow, flagstone streets. Excursions explore these beautiful islands whose history can be traced back some 6,000 years through Neolithic standing stones and the magnificent archaeological site of Skara Brae. Modern day Orkney is a hive of creative activity and its craft workshops are perfect for a special souvenir.

Lying some 75 miles from the Seine estuary, Rouen is the historic capital of Normandy. Victor Hugo called Rouen ‘the city of a hundred spires’. Its Old Town is a delightful maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with fine half-timbered houses and wonderful gothic churches including the magnificent Cathedrale Notre Dame and the Eglise St. Maclou. Rouen’s Place du Vieux-Marche is famous as the site where Joan of arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Further upriver is the village of Giverny and the home of Claude Monet, who captured the beauty of Rouen in many of his paintings.

For over 800 years Castle Cornet has stood guard over St. Peter Port. The attractive town is a delight with cobbled streets, steep stairways and alleyways winding their way down between the houses to a picturesque waterfront of grey and white stone buildings. Guernsey is geographically closer to France, yet loyal to the British crown, and this is reflected in the wonderful Anglo-French ambience around the town. The second largest of the Channel Islands has a wonderful coastline with beautiful bays, and pastoral scenery that includes the handsome, much-prized Guernsey dairy cows. The tax-free haven is perfect for duty-free shopping.