British Isles Cruise: a true once-in-a-lifetime experience: the national review 2005

National Review, Nov 29, 2004

A spectacular way to celebrate NR's 50th Anniversary sailing July 10-21 aboard Crystal Cruise' stunning Symphony with

WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY JR., legal scholar ROBERT BORK, historian PAUL JOHNSON, author PEGGY NOONAN, economist LAWRENCE KUDLOW, and NREditors RICH LOWRY, KATE O'BEIRNE, JAY NORDLINGER, JOHN O'SULLIVAN and DAVID PRYCE-JONES, visiting

LONDON/DOVER, WATERFORD, DUBLIN, LIVERPOOL, BELFAST, LEITH/EDINBURGH, and ST. PETER PORT/GUERNSEY

Join us on an exceptional voyage helping mark the 50th anniversary of your favorite conservative magazine: the National Review 2005 British Isles Cruise. Featuring top conservative celebrities, and a truly spectacular itinerary--London/Dover, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Leith/Edinburgh, and St. Peter Port (on the Isle of Guernsey)--this special trip will take place July 10-21, 2005, aboard Crystal Cruise's stunning 5-star Crystal Symphony.

What an adventure it will be! Alongside National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. for eleven days of unrivaled conservative revelry will be Lawrence Kudlow, the happy supply-side warrior and star of CNBC's Kudlow and Cramer; Robert Bork, the acclaimed jurist and legal scholar; Peggy Noonan, author, essayist, and commentator supreme; Paul Johnson, the renowned historian (his Modern Times remains a classic); David Pryce-Jones--NR's Senior Editor and renowned Middle East expert (his essential books include The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs), as well as NR Editor Rich Lowry, Washington Editor Kate O'Beirne, Managing Editor Jay Nordlinger, and Editor-at-Large John O'Sullivan.

PHENOMENAL PORTS

The National Review 2005 British Isles Cruise launches July 10 from Dover, home of the famous White Cliffs. There you will board the luxurious Crystal Symphony and depart for ten days of unrivalled cruising, stopping at some of the most famous and must-visit ports in Europe.

After a first day at sea (when we'll hold two of our six planned, and always exciting and scintillating, seminar sessions, where our all-star cast of speakers will mix it up amongst themselves, and with you, as they tackle current events and trends), the Crystal Symphony will head to Ireland and make its first port stop at beautiful Waterford. Founded in the 9th century, this charming city on the banks of the River Sui is the perfect gateway for a host of sightseeing opportunities, from rolling green countryside to traditional villages, castles, and abbeys--and of course the renowned crystal works.

The next day we visit Dublin, Ireland's historic capital, and one of the loveliest settings in Europe. Craggy Howth Head shelters the natural harbor at Dublin Bay and the gurgling River Liffey flows through the center of town. Those of Irish heritage will know what to do when visiting this history-drenched city, and the rest can be Irish for a day (especially at a lively pub where an elbow can be bent and many a story appreciated!).

The following day the Symphony will cross the Irish Sea to visit Liverpool, so tied to our own nation's history, as the riches of the Americas and the West Indies flowed through this great city's docks and marketplaces. There's a full day to enjoy the Town Hall, the Walker Art Gallery, or the delights of the restored Albert Dock, with its classy shops and maritime museum. And Fab Four fans can visit the homes of local-boys-make-good music legends John Lennon and Paul McCartney!

The following day (July 15) we cross back to Ireland, and the northern capital of Belfast. While "the Troubles" are still troubling, they have settled down to the point that enjoyable visits to Northern Ireland are ... no trouble at all. Belfast is well worth the trip: Merely a village in the 17th century, it grew mightily during the Industrial Revolution, and with growth came beauty: Ornate Victorian homes and grand Edwardian civic buildings line the streets. The city also has many quaint lanes populated by pubs and boutiques dressed with overflowing window boxes and brightly painted doors.

After four full days of unrivaled sightseeing, another day "at sea" awaits, and with it come two more exciting seminar sessions while the Crystal Symphony sails past the Hebrides and Orkney, through the North Sea and into the famed Firth of Forth, destined for a day-and-a-half stop at Leith and stunning Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Dominated by a medieval castle on a towering crag, Edinburgh boasts more than a thousand years of vibrant historical heritage.

There is so much to see here, and you will be seeing it as National Review, as a special gift to you, will be providing a free and delightful Highlights of Edinburgh tour (including a sumptuous lunch at a traditional Scottish restaurant). Before leaving, make sure you have seen all the top attractions. The Exchange building, the Customs House, the Town Hall, and the Church of St. Mary's are only a few of the architectural masterpieces found here, and visits to the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society, and the Royal Yacht Britannia (docked in Leith), and the stunning Royal Botanic Garden are musts.