Portsmouth to Edinburgh - Silver Endeavour
Remarkable islands reveal cinematic scenery, throngs of calling seabirds, and monuments from antiquity. Hike, cruise and crunch through some of the UK’s finest scenery.
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ACTIVITY LEVEL
United Kingdom: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Silver Endeavour
A late spring spectacular of exquisite archipelagos, ocean-forged vistas, and deep historical roots. Discover a new perspective on these fabled isles, setting sail from England's south to the Channel Islands and beaches of the Isles of Scilly. Let the Scottish islands guide you north for adventures among golden-hued meadows and crumbling castles. Admire glass-smooth lochs set against mountain views and visit craggy islands cast far into the Atlantic. This voyage promises everything from regal pomp to historic islands and breathtaking natural beauty.
- • Witness the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin, and many other seabirds along the coast – a birdwatcher’s paradise!
• Amble along cobblestone streets, visit castle ruins, and kayak past rocky cliffs. This itinerary has excursions for every ability.
• Visit David Attenborough’s favorite place in the UK to see nature at its best, the Farne Islands.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Community
Educates and supports the local communities by financing projects related to youth empowerment
Waste
Waste undergoes a rigid segregation procedure on board before recycling as much as possible
Water
Utilizes freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water
Itinerary
Day 1: Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Portsmouth also known as Pompey, is home to three hugely important historic ships, HMS Victory, Nelson's famous flagship at the battle of Trafalgar, HMS Warrior the first ironclad warship and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's warship that sank in the Solent just off of Southsea Castle. These are all housed at the Historic Dockyard, home of the Royal Navy and also home to the world’s first dry dock. The Historic Dockyard is one of the top ten visitor attractions in the UK.
But Portsmouth is not just about history, the city is a cosmopolitan University city, with much to offer visitors and residents alike. Portsmouth has a Premier league football team, a superb seafront area, excellent shopping and a wide range of restaurants, pubs and bars. Portsmouth UK is home to the tallest publicly accessible structure in the UK, the Spinnaker Tower built right on the edge of Portsmouth Harbour at Gunwharf Quays. Portsmouth Harbour has been used in a number of films and television programmes such as Tomorrow Never Dies (James Bond), Oscar and Lucinda, Making Waves, Silent Witness, Mr Bean and Eastenders. The local area was used extensively in the filming of Tommy, The Who's rock opera.
Day 2: St. Peter Port, Guernsey
The picturesque capital of Guernsey proves that you don’t have to go to the Caribbean for white sand and crystal clear water. St Peter Port is both wonderfully pretty and atmospheric, full of blooming floral displays, tiny stone churches and brightly painted boats. What’s more, summers are mostly sunny and comfortable, making the weather something you don’t have to worry about.
As the capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port is where the “action” is found. This mainly takes the form of strolling the cobbled streets, stopping every now and then to admire, and perhaps photograph, the stunning views. Once French (original name: St. Pierre Port), the town is at least 800 years old, with the stone castle and maze-like streets to prove it. Once you have made your way up to the ancient castle, make like a local and find refreshment with a cream tea, washed down perhaps with a glass of cider!
If the weather is on your side, then surely there is no more invigorating pastime than hiking up to the spectacular Guernsey cliffs, taking in stunning views of wildflowers, sandy beaches and English Channel views. For those who want to spread their wings a little further, the tiny island of Herm is just a 20-minute boat ride away, and has no cars, one pub, a few cows, some puffins and about 50 people. Don’t be fooled by St Peter Port’s nostalgic exterior. The seaside town has made a name for itself as a foodie heaven, with everything from beach huts to Michelin starred restaurants offering sumptuous, locally sourced fare.
Included shore excursions:
Guernsey Cliff Walk & Cream Tea
Board your coach for a journey through the winding country lanes of Guernsey, making your way to the Jerbourg Peninsula where your walk along this inspiring coastline begins.
Start your cliff walk with views out to sea towards Jersey and France whilst your guide tells you the history of the area. This windy cliff path leads your curiosity through grassy hills that have been a haven for sea birds and wildflowers for many years. As with everywhere along Guernsey's cliffs, traces of ancient fortifications can also be found during the walk, marking the significance of the island during the World Wars. End your walk at a local hotel for your Guernsey Cream Tea and admire the stunning views across the coast.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Experience the locations featured in the best-selling book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Burrows.
Depart the pier by coach with views of Castle Cornet and Havelet Bay, continue up the Val des Terres and proceed to the Jerbourg area of La Bouvee. Walk to a panoramic viewing point where, on a clear day the other Channel Islands and France are easily spotted. Listen to the guide recount real-life tales of heroism, triumph over adversity, and sheer determination shown by the people of Guernsey during the long period of German occupation.
Re-board the coach and drive to the Little Chapel that Dawsey took Juliet to see before continuing the drive to the west coast for a local refreshment of tea or coffee and a piece of Guernsey Gache. Continue to White Rock Pier opposite a nearby memorial dedicated to local residents who perished in a German bombing raid on June 28, 1940. En route, see the many German fortifications as well as the Witches' Stone and Les Trepieds Dolmen that Dawsey showed Juliet.
Guernsey Coast by Bike
Depart the pier on a minibus for a short drive to the west coast area of Perelle where your cycling experience begins. Cycle through the internationally protected area of the Shingle banks, Lihou Island and the Colin Best nature reserve before reaching the magnificent beaches on L'Eree bay. Continuing your route along the quiet seafront, pause at the fine sandy beach to explore the numerous bunkers built during the Second World War. Enjoy coastal views out to the Hanois lighthouse, Guernsey's sentinel, guarding the Hanois reef that has claimed countless ships passing the West Coast.
Head back inland through the 'Ruette tranquilles', tiny lanes where horses and bicycles take priority over motor traffic. The route winds past meadows full of wildflowers and quaint cottages that dot the country lanes on the gentle return to Perelle, where the cycle tour ends, and a minibus waits for your transfer back to the pier.
German Occupation Museum
Explore Guernsey's military past and discover the hardships of life under German Occupation with a half-day discovery of German Occupation Museum.
The museum tells the history of Guernsey's German Occupation years. Be immersed in the past on a self-guided visit of the museum, home to a private collection of artifacts and boasting the most extensive and authentic assemblage of Occupation items and documents in the Channel Islands, originating from the personal passion of Richard Heaume, who began his collection as a schoolboy by salvaging relics from the war.
Afterwards, drive towards the west coast before visiting the infamous Little Chapel, originally built in 1914 and decorated with in a style known as "Picassiette," a French term used to describe a mosaic of seashells, pieces of china, ceramics and colored glass.
Day 3: Tresco, Isles of Scilly
For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.
Included shore excursions:
Exotic Tresco Gardens
Tresco is best known for its Abbey Gardens, laid out by the remarkable Augustus Smith, a wealthy merchant banker who purchased the islands from the Duchy of Cornwall in the mid-1830s. Work on the gardens commenced in 1834 on the site of the old Benedictine Abbey.
Tender ashore to the island of Tresco and walk to Tresco gardens. Enjoy walking through this incredible place accompanied by our Expedition Team Experts or explore independently.
Day 4: Calf of Man, Isle of Man
There is no calf on the Calf of Man. The name of this small island adjacent to the Isle of Man has nothing to do with cows. It is a mispronunciation of the Old Norse word kalfr, meaning a small island near a larger one. The Isle of Calf is only 250 hectares (618 acres) and is separated from its larger neighbour by a narrow stretch of water. Four lighthouses were built on the island and nearby rocks to warn seafarers.
Ships hate rocks but Grey Seals love them for resting upon or swimming amongst. While there are no calves, there are a few sheep of the Manx Loaghtan variety, descendants of primitive sheep once found throughout Scotland and nearby islands. Manx means ‘pertaining to the Isle of Man’. Once a private sheep run, the island was donated as a bird sanctuary and is now owned by the Manx National Heritage. Wardens live in the island’s old farmhouse over summer to protect the wildlife, research birds, tend the sheep and look out for introduced Brown Rats. The rats arrived after fleeing a sinking ship in 1871 and became effective killers of seabird chicks. Seabird numbers have surged following a recent rat eradication program.
Manx Shearwaters breed from about March to August. They are named after their presence at the islands and seas surrounding the Isle of Man. The birds only visit their island nesting burrows at night and so are easier to spot from the deck of a ship. They glide ever so close to the surface of the sea as if they are ‘shearing’ the water. A sheer delight to watch.
Included shore excursions:
Zodiac Cruise with Expedition Team
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Day 5: Lunga / Iona
Lunga
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 island's plateau. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. 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.
Included shore excursions:
Zodiac Cruise with Expedition Team
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Hiking with Expedition Team
Iona
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 it. 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. 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.
Included shore excursions:
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey is one of Scotland's most sacred and historical sites. The original structure was Columba's monastery established in approximately 563 CE and surviving through the end of the 12th century, despite repeated Viking raids. At the turn of the 13th century a Benedictine abbey was founded at this site.
Meet your local guide at the pier and start your exploration on foot. Receive a guided tour of Iona Abbey, one of Scotland's most sacred and historical sites and afterwards, enjoy some time to explore the area at your leisure.
Day 6: Inverie, Scotland
On the northern shore of Loch Nevis, you’ll find a charming highland village of widescreen views, beautiful scenery, and a curious claim to fame. The undulating backdrop of the Scottish Highlands sweeps you up, and a sense of remote wonder looms large here in Inverie. Isolated from the rest of the country, little Inverie’s tiny road network - which serves its approximately 100 local residents - peters out beyond the outskirts of the community-led village, so almost all visitors arrive by boat or by foot. Inverie is the largest village not connected to the main road network, and the faraway setting means it’s fair to say that nobody reaches these shores by accident.
Indeed, as the only village on the beautiful Knoydart peninsula, visitors literally hike for miles to reward themselves with a prized pint at Inverie’s star attraction. The village revolves around its pub, the UK mainland’s most remote and a World Record holder. Inverie may be distant, but that only strengthens the sense of community spirit that permeates everything here. The pub binds the tightly-knit locals together with a steady stream of overflowing glasses and free-flowing stories. Enjoy a drink and a bite to eat outdoors on one of the grassy shore’s picnic benches. Here, you can toast the tranquil beauty of Inverie’s sweeping sea loch and earthy highland colours while plotting your return to this far-flung haven.
Included shore excursions:
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Hiking with Expedition Team
Day 7: Shiant Islands + Dunvegan, Scotland
Shiant Islands
Cliffs of tall hexagonal columns create a sensational landscape at the Shiant Islands, especially when viewed from the sea. The cliffs of six-sided rock columns look like the cross-section of an enormous honeycomb. The rock formations were formed when molten volcanic magma cooled very slowly underground. Millions of years of erosion has exposed the six-sided columns to the sea, and to us. The tallest of these formations is 120 metres (390 feet) high. During spring and summer, flights of seabirds near the Shiant Islands catch the eye. Many long-winged seabirds wheel and soar gracefully. Others are more shaped for underwater swimming and fly in direct lines, beating stubby wings to resemble flying potatoes. Some birds nest in burrows while others, like Black-legged Kittiwakes, nest on cliffs. Rather than build nests, guillemots lay eggs on bare rock ledges. The pointed shape of the eggs ensures they roll in a tight circle, not off the ledge to the sea below.
The Shiant Islands are part of the Outer Hebrides and located between the Isles of Lewis and Skye. Historically, they have supported families of sheep grazers who could tolerate a lonely island outpost. The Shiants were known as the last place in Britain where the Black Rat occurred in substantial numbers. Originally introduced to Britain from Asia in Roman times these rodents caused problems, eating eggs and chicks of seabirds. A successful eradication program eliminated the rats in 2016, giving the seabird colonies well-earned peace.
Included shore excursions:
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Zodiac Cruise with Expedition Team
Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
Skye epitomizes Scotland's wild celtic appeal. A turbulent geological history has given this beautiful, rugged island some of Britain's most varied and dramatic scenery. Steeped in mystery, romance and adventure, the Isle of Skye is perhaps the most well-known of Scotland's many islands. Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, escaped here from the mainland disguised as a maidservant of a woman by the name of Flora MacDonald. The north of the island is dominated by a rugged volcanic plateau, the south by the Cuillins mountain range, whose peaks were sculpted by the glaciers of the Ice Age. Skye is divided by numerous sea lochs allowing continuous proximity to the sea. The limestone grasslands of the south are the home of sheep and cattle. Scattered about are ruins of crofts, small holdings used for grazing; they were abandoned as their owners fell into poverty due to lack of income.
Dunvegan is situated in a sheltered sea loch, or fjord, on the northwestern coast of the island on the Waternish peninsula. The small settlement is dominated by Dunvegan Castle. The oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, it has been the seat of the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod for the past 700 years. It offers insights into Scotland's clan spirit with paintings and relics from the MacLeod Clan. The gardens were originally laid out in the 18th century and are of considerable interest with the woodland glades, shimmering pools and a multitude of rhododendrons. Loch Dunvegan is home to a seal colony; the two main varieties are the brown seal and the great gray Atlantic seal. Small local boats depart from the jetty at frequent intervals throughout the day enabling close observation of these playful sea mammals.
Included shore excursions:
Dunvegan Castle
Take a Zodiac and land on the shores of the Castle of Dunvegan; seat of the Clan MacLeod chiefs since the 13th Century. One of the greatest and most renowned among the Hebridean strongholds, Dunvegan Castle is the only one to have been continuously owned and occupied by the same family over a period now spanning 8 centuries.
Meet your local guide at the pier and after a short stroll through the gardens, proceed to the castle. Explore the castle on your own with staff at hand to answer questions.
Day 8: St. Kilda & Boreray Island Cruising
St. Kilda
Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of sea 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. The islands also home descendants 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 are rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been inhabited by people 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.
Included shore excursions:
Zodiac Cruise with Expedition Team
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Hiking with Expedition Team
Borerary Island Cruising
Erupting out of the Atlantic waters like a mythical beast, Boreray Island captivates all those who lay eyes upon it. As we approach, listen out for sharp intakes of breath - the abrasive and immense form of this staggering island never fails to astound. Few locations command such awe as uninhabited Boreray, left to the seabirds since the last residents of the St Kilda Islands departed in 1930. Watch as vast numbers of Northern Gannets glide overhead before attempting skilful landings at tucked-away nest sites or plunge into the sea, seeking food for their new chicks. Northern Fulmars also make their homes on the volcanic cliffs, while Atlantic Puffins dart in and out of burrows on the slopes.
The rugged, rocky island is also well known for the hardy sheep who cling to its shores. You might be able to pick out the rare Boreray Sheep, unique to the island, grazing on the hilly slopes as we cruise alongside the island and the attendant rock stacks that stand tall against the Atlantic onslaught. Boreray forms a part of the dramatic St Kilda World Heritage Site and is a rare example of a site recognised for both its outstanding natural and cultural values.
Day 9: Fair Isle, Scotland
Lying mid-way between Shetland and the Orkney islands, Fair Isle is a tiny jewel in the sea. Famous for birds, knitwear and historic shipwrecks, the island offers a warm and friendly welcome to visitors. With a population of only around 70 people this island is truly a beautiful setting and is one of Britain’s most successful communities. View the cloudy light turquoise water as it drifts out to sea beneath the breath-taking Sheep Rock, rising over 100 metres, which is almost an isle of its own.
Fair Isle's oceanic climate brings stormy but fairly mild winters, in summer, you can expect rapid changes in the weather, sparkling sunshine can be followed by a thick blanket of mist and fog, and this makes the isle a truly inspiring area. Over the centuries the island has changed hands many times and was named the island of peace by Norse settlers. The isle has been a useful landmark for shipping but in storms and fog it is highly dangerous creating over 100 known shipwrecks such as the Spanish armada flagship “El Gran Grifon”.
Included shore excursions:
Fair Isle Exploration
Situated approximately halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is perhaps best known for the intricate and distinctive knitting patterns which originate here. It is also home to over 200 flowering plants and its own sub-species of wren and field mouse. However, it is the birds which rule here - over 345 species of birds have been recorded on Fair Isle - more than anywhere else in Britain. The island is home to large breeding colonies of seabirds, including great and arctic skua, and is often visited by rare migrants.
During your visit you will be welcomed by islanders and you will have the opportunity to visit the museum and have tea and home-baking with the islanders in the community hall.
Day 10: Farne & Lindisfarne Islands
Farne Islands
His favourite place in the UK to see nature at its best, is how David Attenborough described the Farne Islands. The scatter of small islands begins 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) off the Northumberland Coast. The islands are dolerite which formed from liquid rock cooling underground. Softer overlying rock has eroded to leave hard rounded columns and fissured dolerite cliffs. The treeless landscape makes viewing of the island wildlife and history easy, even from a boat. The Farnes are cared for by the National Trust. In Medieval times the Inner Farnes were home of the famous hermit bishop Saint Cuthbert. In 676 CE he introduced laws to protect the Eider Ducks—one of the earliest written bird protection laws in the world. Locally, Eider Ducks are known as Cuddy’s in honour of the saint. Historic buildings that can be spotted include St Cuthbert’s Chapel, a stone Pele lookout tower and two standing lighthouses.
With 100,000 breeding seabirds and thousands of seals, the natural reputation of the Farnes is clear. Atlantic Puffins are the most common bird during their April to July breeding season when they raise their pufflings. The puffin is called the Tommy noddy in Northumberland. Other birds include Common Guillemots and Arctic Terns. Grey Seals drop pups here in winter, while in the summer you can see them in and on the islands. Common now, the seals were once hunted for food by monks. Birds were special to monks, but seals were classified as fish (not mammals) and thus fair game. Not now!
Included shore excursions:
Zodiac Cruise with Expedition Team
Kayaking with Expedition Team
Lindisfarne Island
The island of Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, was a destination for religious pilgrims. It was perhaps the holiest site in Anglo-Saxon England. Now, many visitors are more interested in history and recreation. Most arrive by driving on a causeway from the Northumberland mainland, but only at low tide. The island has an intertidal boat harbour, a castle, a ruined priory and a village of less than 200 folks. A priory (small monastery) was established on Lindisfarne in 635 CE by Aidan, an Irish monk based at Iona Island in Scotland. The priory was a base for Christianity for northern England. Cuthbert joined the monastery and became abbot and, after death, a saint and subject of pilgrimages. An account of him residing at Lindisfarne is the oldest known piece of English writing.
Vikings raided the wealthy Linisfarne monastery in 793 CE in their first major attack on western Europe. Fear spread throughout the land. The monks abandoned the island for 400 years, before returning to revive the religious center post-Vikings. The stone ruins of Lindisfarne Priory can be observed near the island’s village. Lindisfarne Castle is small compared to other castles, but you can see how it dominates the island from all directions. It was built in 1550 using some of the stones of the priory and is in good condition. The castle, with adjacent gardens and lime kilns, is cared for by the National Trust. Lindisfarne mead made on the island is touted as an aphrodisiac. What would the monks think?
Included shore excursions:
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The island played a significant part in the development of Christianity in England. In AD 635, the Irish evangelist, St Aidan, founded a monastic community here that became one of the most important centers of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.
Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, to give it its Anglo-Saxon name, is renowned for its medieval religious heritage and its more recent 16th century castle. Many are attracted to the peace and tranquility which pervades the island.
Visit Lindisfarne Castle. Perched atop a rocky crag the Castle is an intriguing structure. Although it looks like a classic medieval castle, it was originally a Tudor fort which the architect Edwin Lutyens converted to a private residence in 1903. The magnificent island setting creates an unmistakable landmark. After your Holy Island adventure, return to the ship via zodiacs.
Day 11: Edinburgh (Leith)
Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.
Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.
Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.
Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.
Please note: The May 3-13 itinerary runs in reverse, from Edinburgh to Portsmouth.
Silver Endeavour
Sailing to both poles, this operator's newest ship redefines the meaning of ultra-luxury expedition cruising. Her PC6 ice-class rating is one of the highest in the industry, while her state-of-the-art equipment and exploration technology offer one of the most advanced expedition experiences ever. Silver Endeavour introduces a new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising and brings the remote and remarkable to you in hallmark comfort. Enjoy endless possibilities both onboard and on land aboard Silver Endeavour, the most luxurious expedition ship at sea.
• Capacity: 200 guests
• Cabins: 100 cabins
• Specialists: Highly credentialed naturalists & guides, nearly 1:1 guest to staff ratio.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 Cruise Critic "Best Luxury Cruise Line"
2023 Travel Weekly "Best Luxury Cruise Company"
2022 Food & Travel Awards "Best Boutique/Adventure Cruise Company"
"The Silver Endeavour was built to be the most luxurious expedition ship in the world and and she lives up to this vision with her 4 Relais & Chateaux restaurants including French, Italian, international cuisine and a casual café, plus her stunning interior design and spacious, all-suite accommodations. Her education program will be very good offered by top experts, yet not too overwhelming, and your shore visits in remote destinations will be even sweeter knowing you are returning to your floating 5-star hotel after your day of adventure. If high luxury is your style, the Silver Endeavour will not disappoint."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
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Questions?
Rates
This expedition to tiny islands off the coast of Scotland will have you standing on rocky cliff sides, walking on windy, deserted beaches, visiting tiny chapels, and dreaming of a life far away from it all. Explore rugged landscapes by day and return to one of the most luxurious expedition ships in the world by night. This is a trip out of dreams.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the Expeditions Team
Parka; Enrichment lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team; Spacious suites; Butler service in every suite; Unlimited Free Wifi; Personalized service; Choice of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining; Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits; In-suite dining and room service; Onboard entertainment; Onboard gratuities.
NOT INCLUDED
Travel insurance (recommended), some alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature not listed above.
