Before the advent of a commercial air travel, Greenock was the first sight that tourists would have of bonnie Scotland, situated as it is on the mouth of the River Clyde. Of course, aboard a transatlantic cruise, booked on Carefree Travel and Cruises, you will be seeing the town and the country just as it would have been one hundred years ago.

One of Greenock's first major industries was shipbuilding, and along with sugar and wool production, this attracted encouraged growth and transformed Greenock into a real city. Besides being the site, briefly, of the largest shipbuilding yard in the world, Greenock was well known for the quality of the ships produced here, including the historical Prince of Wales.

Greenock and World War II

Greenock's involvement in the war began with the explosion of the French Destroyer Maillé Brézé in 1940. Later, a large fleet of Luftwaffe airplanes attacked the city and much of the town was reduced to rubble.

The site provided much heavy industry before and after the war and was quickly rebuilt to exceed its earlier splendor.

Attractions

Greenock has truly transformed itself into a first class cruise destination. What was originally designed as a container yard has been miraculously re-classed into an amazing cruise dock, and a great place to get your bearings before setting off for Ireland again.

One of the best places to start is still the 19th century Municipal Buildings, especially the Campanile-style Victoria Tower, which stands above the city at 245 ft. tall. After a stroll around these buildings, it's back to the harbor for a closer view of the area that once made Greenock famous.

A walk along the gorgeous promenade means wonderful harbor views and plenty of opportunities to peek into the little quaint shops that make Scotland so famous for its antique shopping. Great food encompasses the range from hearty pub-fare to five star International restaurants and even a fair sprinkling of more modern "fusion" establishments, where the only things more inventive than the dishes are the glasses worn by the wait-staff.

Glasgow

No trip to Greenock would be complete without a trip up the Clyde, and with Glasgow as your destination you are sure to be rewarded.

The most striking thing about Glasgow is its misty, gothic architecture. Harkening back to the days when the world's great thinkers developed the medicine (Penicillin), technology, and economics that would literally remold the world. No other place has produced so many geniuses is so short a period, nor had such influence on the thinking of the intelligent classes or on worldwide policy making.

A days stroll through the lanes and alleys and along the Clyde will reveal a slightly different view of the home of modern thinking: it's teeming with culture! In fact, there is almost no better place to see a play or a music show, or just to watch a street performer. Glasgow is a hub of activity for the performing arts, and the music, movie, art, and theater scenes that have grown up around it are some of the most thought provoking in the world today.

No trip to Glasgow would be complete without a trip to The Counting Room, a pub in the grandest style-built inside an old bank, hence the name - where a pint won't cost you an arm and a leg. Brews here come from as far as the Orkney's, and island chain that you will soon be passing by, and as close as Glasgow itself. Try the Real Ales for a preservative-free version of your favorite Scottish beer.

All this beauty and so much more: the hills of Scotland are so easily accessible from a transatlantic cruise. By booking now with Carefree Travel and Cruises you can ensure that you get to see one of the most visually stunning countries that the world has to offer: Scotland.