A Journey Through Rugged Scottish Islands & Scenic Celtic Coastlines

Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England.

Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England's green and pleasant lands.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whisky at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”.

Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland's royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delve deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!

Life unfolds to a gentle tempo in County Donegal, where seafaring heritage and Irish tradition are wrapped in the rugged landscape of Ireland's northern frontier. From the boatyards of Killybegs to the historic heart of Donegal Town, this is a land steeped in Gaelic culture and folklore. Atlantic views reward hikers atop the dramatic Slieve League Cliffs, while Glenveagh National Park and its lakeside castle present a rolling expanse of woodland and mountain trails, where golden eagles soar and red deer roam.

Pastel-painted houses line the harbourside in little Portree, portal to a land of myth and legend. Shaped by Atlantic waves and primordial forces, the Isle of Skye rises from battered coasts and windswept cliffs to the ancestral castles of warring clans and the dark ridges of the Cuillin Hills. Hike the cascading Fairy Pools and explore the folded slopes of the Quiraing, pay your respects to the Old Man of Storr and taste the terroir in award-winning restaurants and the hallowed halls of Talisker Distillery.

Viking roots and Celtic heritage run deep in the Orkney Isles, the Scottish archipelago where ancient ways live on. Feel the power of the past in the neolithic remains of Skara Brae and the enchanted Ring of Brodgar, whose monolithic stones have stood sentinel for 4,000 years. Taste the essence of the isles with a dram at Highland Park Distillery, trace the legacy of British naval heritage at Scapa Flow and feel the salt spray of Eynhallow Sound among the Iron Age ruins of the Broch of Gurness.

Legends run deep in the waters of Scotland's northeastern Highlands, from the depths of Loch Ness and her elusive monster to the fabled treasure of Urquhart Castle, whose ruins rise above the loch. Taste the richness of Scottish Highland whisky at Glenmorangie Distillery, fed by the mineral-rich waters of Tarlogie Spring, listen for stories of shape-shifting kelpies in the taverns of Inverness and watch for seals and bottlenose dolphins in the tides of Cromarty Firth, carved by Ice Age glaciers.

Wander through this striking city within stone walls and the imposing towers of Edinburgh Castle. Explore narrow passageways and hidden staircases that lead to stately Georgian terraces and historic landmarks; museums, tall townhouses, art galleries, fabulous shopping, iconic festivals and the crown jewels. Listen for the one o'clock gun fire and then head for some haggis.

Tread the royal mile to Arthur's Seat, taste whisky at a distillery, visit the royal chambers and a city zoo, take a ghost tour, have your own kilt made and listen to the emotive Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Head out to the Scottish Highlands for wild beaches, highland cows, deep lochs and rugged castles. And as night falls, watch the city come alive from traditional inns, underground bars and sophisticated whisky lounges. There's no escaping the history, romance, culture and art at the core of the enchanting Scottish capital.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England's green and pleasant lands.