The British Isles should need no introduction. Most of us believe we are very familiar with our home region.

We have some acquaintance with the vast, sprawling areas of picturesque countryside, long stretches of rugged coastline, and some of most the dynamic, multicultural cities in the world.

We've poked our heads into Anne Hathaway's Cottage, gazed at the paintings in the National Gallery, pottered up Mount Snowden, lingered over Cornish cream teas and even kissed the Blarney Stone.

But how many of us have seen the Isle of Canna, Fair Isle or the Treshnish Isles? The British Isles, including the Hebrides, Ireland and over 6,000 smaller islands offers a world of travel right on our doorsteps.

Now may be the perfect time to really discover the British Isles beyond the familiar and the perfect way to do so is on a small ship cruise.

Sail far from the usual tourist crowd to explore the unique beauty of the British Isles directly from Dover or embark on small ship cruise through the Scottish Isles.