12 nights · Portugal · Departs Lisbon (Portugal) · Visiting Porto-Leixoes, Santander, Donostia-San Sebastian, Bordeaux, Falmouth UK, Cobh-Cork, Dublin, Holyhead, Belfast · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Dawn
Image courtesy of Silversea Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Silversea Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Silver Dawn |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $14,300 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 691 |
| Cabins | 288 |
| Crew | 408 |
| Length | 213 m |
| Beam | 26 m |
| Cruising speed | 20.0 kn |
Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.
Porto is a city best approached on foot, where steep lanes descend towards the Douro and the Atlantic beyond. Across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia’s historic port-wine lodges offer tastings and views back to the old town. Between them, the Ribeira waterfront, tiled churches and iron bridges tell the story of a trading city shaped by water. Taste tawny port, then linger over market halls, intimate museums and unhurried meals.
Set on a sheltered bay on Spain’s Cantabrian coast, Santander pairs maritime life with elegant seaside streets. Renzo Piano’s Centro Botín anchors the waterfront with exhibitions and bay views. Nearby, the old quarter rewards an unhurried stroll through market halls and cafés. Across the peninsula, the Magdalena Palace overlooks the Bay of Biscay, while El Sardinero invites a bracing walk. Order Cantabrian anchovies or seafood before returning to the ship.
San Sebastián rewards visitors who look beyond its famous beach. In the Basque Country, this elegant coastal city pairs Belle Époque architecture with a fiercely local food culture. Walk La Concha’s crescent promenade, then cross the old town for pintxos at its busy bars. For a sweeping panorama, climb Monte Urgull or ride the funicular to Monte Igueldo, where the bay unfolds below.
Bordeaux is best approached through its river: the Garonne leads into a city shaped by trade, wine and ambitious architecture. Along the UNESCO-listed Port of the Moon, eighteenth-century façades frame broad quays and the Place de la Bourse. Beyond the centre, renowned wine estates and the Médoc’s château-lined roads invite a longer excursion. Stay in town for a market, a riverside walk and a glass of local claret. Venture farther for vineyard landscapes that explain Bordeaux’s global reputation.
Falmouth puts Cornwall’s maritime history within easy reach of a lively working harbour. Set beside the Fal estuary, it offers access to Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend the coast. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall explores the region’s seafaring past through engaging collections. Take a ferry to St Mawes, or follow the coast to beaches, gardens and sweeping sea views.
Cork is Ireland’s most independent-minded city, built on islands in the River Lee and shaped by its maritime past. Most cruise ships berth at Cobh, a handsome harbour town about 15 miles from Cork. A direct railway connects the two. Browse the English Market, visit St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, or seek out the city’s cafés and pubs. Allow time for Blarney Castle, a short drive away.
Dublin is a city best explored on foot, where Georgian squares, lively lanes and centuries of history sit close together. From Dublin Port, the centre is a short drive away, making a day ashore easy to shape. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College, then trace the Liffey through the city centre. A pint in a traditional pub is an invitation to linger.
Holyhead is more than a ferry port. It opens the way to Anglesey, an island of cliffs, castles and quiet roads. Walk Holy Island’s coast to South Stack Lighthouse, or climb Holyhead Mountain for views across the Irish Sea. The town itself is a working gateway, with regular sailings linking Wales and Ireland. Further east, Beaumaris Castle offers a striking lesson in medieval ambition.
Belfast pairs a proud maritime past with a lively, walkable centre. At Titanic Belfast, the story of the famous liner unfolds beside the shipyard where she was built. Nearby, grand City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter reveal different sides of the city, from civic confidence to café-lined lanes. Across west Belfast, political murals offer a vivid perspective on its recent history. With the Giant’s Causeway within reach, Belfast also makes a compelling starting point for Northern Ireland’s dramatic coast.
Published September 28, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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