Dublin to Edinburgh (Leith)

Dublin, Ireland's capital, is a city of literary legends, historic landmarks and vibrant street life.

Belfast, the dynamic capital of Northern Ireland, blends a rich historical tapestry with a vibrant contemporary pulse.

If tiny islands that resonate with peace and tranquillity are your idea of travel heaven, then welcome to Iona. Almost 200 miles east of Edinburgh, set in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this magical island has a spiritual reputation that precedes it. And luckily, more than lives up to. The island is miniscule. Just three miles long and only one and a half miles wide, this is not a place that hums with urban attractions. View less 120 people call Iona home (this number rises significantly if the gull, tern and Kittiwake population is added), although residential numbers do go up (to a whopping 175) in summer. The beautiful coastline is lapped by the gulf stream and gives the island a warm climate with sandy beaches that look more Mediterranean than Scottish! Add to that a green field landscape that is just beautiful, and you’ll find that Iona is a place that stays with you long after you leave. Iona’s main attraction is of course its abbey. Built in 563 by Saint Columbia and his monks, the abbey is the reason why Iona is called the cradle of Christianity. Not only is the abbey (today an ecumenical church) one of the best – if not the best – example of ecclesiastical architecture dating from the Middle Ages, but it also serves as an important site of spiritual pilgrimage. St. Martin’s Cross, a 9th century Celtic cross that stands outside the abbey, is considered as the finest example of Celtic crosses in the British Isles. Rèilig Odhrain, or the cemetery, allegedly contains the remains of many Scottish kings.

The stunning Isle of Lunga is the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago. With volcanic origin the isle was populated until the 19th Century, and remains of black houses can be seen around this magnificent coastal jewel. Abundant plant life and exotic birdlife are now the main inhabitants of the area. Fortunate visitors view the magnificent array of birds, especially the great puffins that breed on the islands plateau. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. View less The 81 hectare island is home to many rare and endangered plants such as, primroses and orchids. Views over the landscape and across the ocean can be seen from the 300 foot high cliffs.

Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of seas birds call these craggy cliffs home, clinging to the sheer faces as if by magic. Not only is St. Kilda home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin (almost 1 million), but also the world largest colony Gannets nests on Boreray island and its sea stacks. View less The islands also home decedents of the world’s original Soay sheep as well as having a breed of eponymously named mice. The extremely rare St. Kilda wren unsurprisingly hails from St. Kilda, so birders should visit with notebook, binoculars and camera to hand. While endemic animal species is rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been peopled since 1930 after the last inhabitants voted that human life was unsustainable. However, permanent habitation had been possible in the Medieval Ages, and a vast National Trust for Scotland project to restore the dwellings is currently being undertaken. The islands even enjoyed a status as being an ideal holiday destination in the 19th century. Today, the only humans living on the islands are passionate history, science and conservation scholars. One of the caretakers even acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda. It should be noted that St. Kilda is the UKs only (and just one of 39 in the world) dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance.

A day aboard Silver Endeavour is a celebration of exploration and indulgence, where every moment has been designed to balance adventure with comfort. Begin the morning with breakfast in the privacy of your suite, perhaps a pot of freshly brewed coffee accompanied by warm pastries, enjoyed on your private veranda as the horizon stretches endlessly before you. For those who prefer a more energetic start, the Fitness Centre awaits with its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the vast ocean, while personal training sessions and expertly guided classes ensure an inspiring beginning to the day. If tranquillity is what you seek, ease into the morning with a visit to the Otium Spa, where restorative rituals and soothing treatments awaken the senses. As the day unfolds, the ship offers countless opportunities to indulge both body and mind. Take time to unwind by the glass-enclosed pool, a tranquil retreat that invites you to soak in the panoramic views or bask in the warmth of the whirlpool. Guests in search of enrichment may head to the Library, where destination-focused texts and captivating novels make for a thoughtful companion, or join the Silversea Expedition Team for an engaging presentation that brings the day’s destination closer, even while at sea. The Boutique provides a touch of retail indulgence with carefully curated collections of fine jewellery, fashion, and souvenirs, while the Observation Lounge offers one of the best vantage points on board – a serene setting to sip coffee, enjoy afternoon tea, or simply watch the ever-changing seascape unfold. When it comes to dining, Silver Endevaour ensures every meal is an occasion. The Restaurant offers refined international cuisine in an elegant setting, while Il Terrazzino serves authentic Italian flavours prepared with the freshest ingredients. For a more relaxed affair, The Grill tempts with casual international favourites in a light-filled venue, while the Arts Café is the perfect stop for gourmet sandwiches, delicate pastries, and speciality coffee throughout the day. Guests wishing to indulge in fine dining can look forward to an evening at La Dame, where French gastronomy is celebrated in exquisite surroundings with impeccable service. As evening draws near, the atmosphere shifts into one of understated glamour. Retreat to your suite to refresh, perhaps with a glass of Champagne on your veranda as the sun sets, before heading out to enjoy the ship’s sophisticated social spaces. Connoisseur’s Corner, with its inviting armchairs and glowing fireplace, provides the perfect backdrop for premium spirits and fine cigars, while the Observation Lounge transforms into a lively venue for pre- or post-dinner cocktails accompanied by live entertainment. Conversations linger, stories of adventure are exchanged, and the excitement of voyages yet to come fills the air. However you choose to spend it, a day aboard Silver Endeavour is an invitation to embrace the art of expedition in luxurious style. Whether indulging in spa treatments, learning from experts, or simply gazing out at the horizon with a cocktail in hand, every detail has been designed to ensure that time on board is as enriching, relaxing, and unforgettable as the destinations that await.

Loch Ewe is the only north facing Loch in Scotland, with an interesting history and a fine scenic landscape this area has a true natural beauty. During WW2 the loch was a convoy collecting point with a strong naval presence; it was therefore protected by light and heavy aircraft guns, a boom net and mine defence system helped to shield this precious settlement

Adrift between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts, the craggy Shetland Islands form the most northerly point of the British Isles. Sprawling across 100 islands, connected by sandy bridges and crisscrossing ferries, explore the highlights of this scenic archipelago outpost. With incredible Neolithic history, spanning 5,000 years of human heritage, these islands, which sit just shy of the Arctic Circle, are an isolated and immense treasure trove of history and thrilling scenery. Look out over dramatic coastline from atmospheric Iron Age towers.

Exploring the sandstone cliff faces of the Isle of Noss will reveal ledges loaded with gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, kittiwakes, Razorbills, fulmars and Great Skuas. The island was recognized as a National Nature Reserve in 1955, and has one of Europe’s largest and most diverse seabird colonies. Sheep have grazed the inland hillsides of Noss since the late 1800s and early 1900s when around twenty people lived on the island to manage the sheep farm. Along with the sheep, shaggy Shetland ponies graze the windblown slopes of Noss.

Kirkwall, the vibrant capital of the Orkney Islands, stands as a captivating blend of history and contemporary life.

A day aboard Silver Endeavour is a celebration of exploration and indulgence, where every moment has been designed to balance adventure with comfort. Begin the morning with breakfast in the privacy of your suite, perhaps a pot of freshly brewed coffee accompanied by warm pastries, enjoyed on your private veranda as the horizon stretches endlessly before you. For those who prefer a more energetic start, the Fitness Centre awaits with its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the vast ocean, while personal training sessions and expertly guided classes ensure an inspiring beginning to the day. If tranquillity is what you seek, ease into the morning with a visit to the Otium Spa, where restorative rituals and soothing treatments awaken the senses. As the day unfolds, the ship offers countless opportunities to indulge both body and mind. Take time to unwind by the glass-enclosed pool, a tranquil retreat that invites you to soak in the panoramic views or bask in the warmth of the whirlpool. Guests in search of enrichment may head to the Library, where destination-focused texts and captivating novels make for a thoughtful companion, or join the Silversea Expedition Team for an engaging presentation that brings the day’s destination closer, even while at sea. The Boutique provides a touch of retail indulgence with carefully curated collections of fine jewellery, fashion, and souvenirs, while the Observation Lounge offers one of the best vantage points on board – a serene setting to sip coffee, enjoy afternoon tea, or simply watch the ever-changing seascape unfold. When it comes to dining, Silver Endevaour ensures every meal is an occasion. The Restaurant offers refined international cuisine in an elegant setting, while Il Terrazzino serves authentic Italian flavours prepared with the freshest ingredients. For a more relaxed affair, The Grill tempts with casual international favourites in a light-filled venue, while the Arts Café is the perfect stop for gourmet sandwiches, delicate pastries, and speciality coffee throughout the day. Guests wishing to indulge in fine dining can look forward to an evening at La Dame, where French gastronomy is celebrated in exquisite surroundings with impeccable service. As evening draws near, the atmosphere shifts into one of understated glamour. Retreat to your suite to refresh, perhaps with a glass of Champagne on your veranda as the sun sets, before heading out to enjoy the ship’s sophisticated social spaces. Connoisseur’s Corner, with its inviting armchairs and glowing fireplace, provides the perfect backdrop for premium spirits and fine cigars, while the Observation Lounge transforms into a lively venue for pre- or post-dinner cocktails accompanied by live entertainment. Conversations linger, stories of adventure are exchanged, and the excitement of voyages yet to come fills the air. However you choose to spend it, a day aboard Silver Endeavour is an invitation to embrace the art of expedition in luxurious style. Whether indulging in spa treatments, learning from experts, or simply gazing out at the horizon with a cocktail in hand, every detail has been designed to ensure that time on board is as enriching, relaxing, and unforgettable as the destinations that await.

The Isle of May in Scotland is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve and is an important breeding ground for approximately one-quarter of a million seabirds. In fact, over 40,000 puffin burrows have been counted as occupied. Not only kittiwakes, shags, eiders, and guillemots but also Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns and Common Terns, Lesser Gulls, Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls nest here. View less The island is located roughly four nautical miles off the coast of mainland Scotland and is used by biologists for surveying migrating passerines and for ringing breeding seabirds to better study their movements and breeding success. While hosting an impressive array and quantity of seabirds, the island itself is small at only 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) long, and less than half a kilometer (one-third of a mile) wide.

Leith, Edinburgh's vibrant port district, is a captivating blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy.