Southampton, home of Titanic's ill-fated departure, has a long maritime history: Henry V's Agincourt fleet sailed from here, as did the Mayflower, and the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary began their maiden voyages here. Today it's Northern Europe's cruise capital, with a charming old city, the Sea City Museum, green spaces, Tudor remains, and a walkable centre. Guildhall Square is the hub for culture, food and drink. Nearby: Stonehenge, Salisbury, and the peaceful New Forest.

Honfleur, in Normandy where the Seine meets the Channel, is one of France's most picturesque historic harbours. Its crammed timber-framed houses and Vieux Bassin have inspired Monet and Boudin, and it's also a port of great importance: Champlain's voyage that led to the founding of Quebec began here. Stroll cobbled streets, taste Calvados, visit the Boudin Museum and Église Ste-Catherine, France's largest wooden chapel. Nearby: the Pont de Normandie, D-Day beaches, and Bayeux.

Edinburgh is a dramatic, historic capital built on seven hills, crowned by Edinburgh Castle and backed by Arthur's Seat. Its neoclassical streets, gardens, museums, and Scottish Parliament mix old and new. A cultural hub, it hosts the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe, has strong food, nightlife, finance, and quality of life, and still evokes Scotland's past through its writers, legends, and views toward the Firth of Forth and beyond.

Aberdeen, the "Granite City," blends 8,000 years of history with a prosperous modern identity shaped by its granite buildings, maritime setting and North Sea oil industry. North of the British Isles and third in size only to Edinburgh and Glasgow, it offers cobbled streets, historic stone architecture, arts and culture. Highlights include Marischal College, the Town House, Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Old Aberdeen and the fishing village of Footdee.

Holyhead, once a key defence against Irish invaders, is now a major ferry port linking Wales and Ireland. On North Wales's windswept coast, South Stack Lighthouse offers dramatic sea views in all weather. Reach it via a small bridge, then face 400 steps down and 100 up inside. Nearby Ellin's Tower is ideal for seabirds and puffins. In Holyhead, visit the Maritime Museum or Breakwater Country Park for views over the Irish Sea to the Skerries and, on clear days, Ireland.

Cobh (pronounced Cove) is a picturesque seaside town with a magnificent natural harbour, the world's second largest. It was the final port of call for the Titanic, and the town has memorials including the Titanic Experience. From 1849-1920, over 2.5 million people emigrated through Cobh port. Nearby attractions include the Cobh Heritage Centre and Spike Island, "Ireland's Alcatraz." Walk the waterfront for views of colourful houses, pubs, and St Colman's Cathedral.

Falmouth, on Cornwall's coast, blends sandy beaches, seaside charm, community spirit and a modern arty edge. Recently named the UK's best town to live, it's a lively university town with galleries, independent bookshops, bars and restaurants. Its maritime past lives on at the National Maritime Museum and Prince of Wales Pier. Nearby, the Lizard Peninsula offers dramatic coastal walks, fishing coves and the Lizard Lighthouse. Finish with a Cornish cream tea.

Portland, a tied island on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, is linked to the mainland by Chesil Beach. This UNESCO World Heritage coastline offers limestone cliffs, bays, rock formations, pirate lore, castles and lighthouses. Highlights include the red-and-white Portland Bill Lighthouse, Durdle Door, a Tudor castle that hosted Olympic sailing, and Castletown D-Day Centre. Portland stone helped build St Paul's Cathedral and the UN HQ.

Southampton, home of Titanic's ill-fated departure, has a long maritime history: Henry V's Agincourt fleet sailed from here, as did the Mayflower, and the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary began their maiden voyages here. Today it's Northern Europe's cruise capital, with a charming old city, the Sea City Museum, green spaces, Tudor remains, and a walkable centre. Guildhall Square is the hub for culture, food and drink. Nearby: Stonehenge, Salisbury, and the peaceful New Forest.