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This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a walking tour of the city. You’ll see some of London’s major landmarks, such as St Paul’s Cathedral which was built after the Great Fire of London and survived the Blitz during World War II. If you don’t mind heights, climb to the top of the dome for views over central London and the River Thames. Your tour will end at Shakespeare's Globe, where you can experience what it would have been like to watch a performance in Elizabethan England.

After checking out of your hotel, you’ll be taken by private transfer from London to Southampton, on England’s south coast. Before boarding your Silversea ship, you might like to stroll around the city’s historic old town, or explore its maritime heritage in the SeaCity Museum. Once on board, you’ll have plenty of time to settle into your suite and enjoy dinner in one of the many superb restaurants — all meals are included on your cruise — before setting sail.

This morning, you wake up on the tiny island of Portland, which is attached to the Dorset coast by a strip of shingle beach. You could spend the day exploring landmarks like the red-and-white striped Portland Bill Lighthouse and 16th-century Portland Castle built by Henry VIII. Alternatively, you might like to join a hiking tour along the majestic Jurassic Coast to Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch jutting out over the waves beside a curved beach of sand and shingle.

Your next port of call is Falmouth, an arty seaside town in Cornwall. Your specialist can help you choose the activities that most closely match your passions here. That might mean tucking into a classic Cornish cream tea, heading out to explore the 12th-century castle that crowns rocky St. Michael’s Mount, or strolling the seafront with an ice cream in hand. You could also take a guided tour of the gardens at Tregothnan, the first tea plantation in the UK.

Overnight, you sail west to Ireland and the waterfront town of Cobh (pronounced ‘cove’), where brightly painted Victorian houses sit beneath the soaring bell tower of the country’s tallest cathedral. Here, you could take a guided tour of Spike Island to hear about its past as a monastery, fortress, and notorious prison. Alternatively, head out into the Cork countryside to explore the battlements of Blarney Castle, or enjoy a tour and tasting at the historic Jameson whisky distillery.

Today, you arrive on the cobbled streets of Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant capital. Your specialist can recommend ways to get to know the city better, from touring the Gothic grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to wandering Trinity College’s elegant grounds. To see a different side of Dublin’s culture, head to one of its many characterful pubs or visit the Guinness Storehouse to find out more about this renowned stout and learn how to pour the perfect pint.

Sailing north overnight, this morning you arrive in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. You’ll have the entire day to explore, whether you’d prefer to stroll around the world-class Kelvingrove Art Gallery, leafy Botanic Gardens, or the medieval cathedral and Victorian necropolis. Alternatively, escape to the countryside on a tour of Loch Lomond and the village of Luss. Here, you can wander past neat rows of stone-and-slate cottages and admire the views over the deep blue lake to the peak of Ben Lomond.

Today, you have a whole day at sea as you cruise north along the Scottish coast. As you travel, you might like to indulge in a spa treatment, take a dip in the on-deck pool, or curl up with a book in the Observation Library. You’ll also find a well-equipped gym on board, plus a jogging track that loops around the top deck so you can enjoy the ocean views during your workout.

As dawn breaks, you dock in Stornoway, the largest town in Scotland’s wild and windswept Outer Hebrides archipelago. During your day on the islands, you could tour Lews Castle, taste award-winning gin made with local sugar kelp seaweed at the Harris Gin Distillery, or view the mysterious, 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones. Alternatively, you might like to head out on a small boat wildlife tour, in search of dolphins, minke whales, and diving gannets.

Today, you reach Shetland, the most northerly part of the UK. While on these islands, you could hike across heather-blanketed hills and salt-sprayed sandy beaches, or visit the remains of a Bronze-Age smithy and Viking longhouses to discover the area’s ancient heritage. Alternatively, join a catamaran wildlife tour for a chance to spy seals and seabirds along soaring volcanic cliffs. Or, remain on dry land for a meet-and-greet with the islands’ small yet hardy Shetland ponies.

The next destination on your cruise is Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. Located just off the northern coast of Scotland, these islands are awash with Viking heritage, squawking seabird colonies, and pristine, wave-lashed beaches. You’ll spend the whole day here, discovering Neolithic stone circles, sipping whiskey at a local distillery, visiting the striking Romanesque St. Magnus Cathedral, or peering into the chasm of a collapsed sea cave.

This morning, your ship docks in Aberdeen, on Scotland’s east coast. You’ll find plenty to do in this compact and historic city. You might like to stroll the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen, immerse yourself in greenery at the Winter Gardens, or gaze up at the soaring towers of Marischal College, the second-largest granite building in the world. Alternatively, head to the Highlands for a tour of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the British Royal Family.

Your final stop in the UK is Edinburgh, Scotland’s charming and culture-filled capital. Your specialist can help you decide which of the many activities on offer here best suit your interests. It could be strolling down the cobbled Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle which perches on a huge chunk of volcanic rock, exploring the opulent rooms of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or hiking to the summit of Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views over the city.

As you spend the day sailing east across the North Sea to Denmark, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some of your ship’s entertainment options. That might mean attending a talk by an expert speaker, viewing an exhibition in the Arts Café, or unwinding on the pool deck. As night falls, you could sip a drink in one of the many luxurious bars or watch a stage show in the Venetian Lounge.

Your ship arrives in Denmark this morning, docking in Skagen on the northern tip of the Jutland peninsula. Here, you can wander the undulating Råbjerg Mile — the largest expanse of migrating sand dunes in the country, where you’ll find a buried church with only its tower visible. Or, take a guided tour of the town to see its distinctive yellow houses before visiting the Skagen Museum to discover the area’s artistic heritage.

The final port of call on your cruise is Copenhagen, Denmark’s stylish capital. The best way to explore this compact city is on a private bicycle tour. Your guide will lead you on a route that takes in all the major sights, from Amalienborg and Rosenborg castles to the Little Mermaid statue, plus peaceful leafy parks and scenic canals. Alternatively, we can arrange for you to learn how to make smørrebrød — traditional Danish open-faced rye sandwiches — with a local chef.

Today you will make your own way to Copenhagen Airport to catch your flight home.