Travel Scandinavia Baltic Tours Antarctica Expedition Cruises

Categories Arctic Cruises Adventure & Eco Travel Cruises Small Ship Cruises

This new program takes you on a voyage of discovery of one of the most unusual and unique islands in the world. This island in the north Atlantic borders on the Arctic and was volcanically created. In fact it is part of the same underwater sea ridge that the Azores is situated on. This island provides a unique historical, cultural, geological and oceanographic experience.

Itinerary

Embark in the afternoon.

Early morning we arrive at Stykkisholmur with time to explore this town’s traditional architecture. Back onboard we cruise Breidafjorđur, more a bay than a fjord, strewn with islands and shallows that create a flourishing and diverse ecosystem. We plan to land at Flatey Island to walk and explore the charming but largely abandoned village with its brightly colored houses and remarkable church murals. Late in the day we cruise along Latrabjarg, the largest bird cliffs in the world.

Isafjrđur is an interesting contrast of isolation and worldliness set in a small fjord with a mountainous backdrop. The town of about 4000 features historic houses and a worthwhile heritage museum. Later the same day, steam out of the fjord with distant views of Drangajokull Glacier, and along the coast of Hornstrandir Peninsula with mossy tundra, wildflower meadows, sandy bays, abandoned houses and rugged sea cliffs.

The Arctic Circle bisects Grímsey Island known for its tiny community, basalt cliffs and large variety of bird life. From Grímsey we head to Siglufjordur an unbelievably picturesque town where we stroll the town and visit the Herring Era Museum.

From Husavík at the coast we travel by bus to Lake Myvatn-Krafla area, a fine example of the volcanic world with lava fields, boiling and steaming mud pools, steam vents of sulfur and craters. The lake itself with beautiful natural rock formations and hot springs is also a unique ecosystem and largest migratory bird sanctuary of the European countries. Our route will also take us by Godafoss (falls of the Gods), an imposing sight.

This duck’s head shaped Langanes Peninsula is truly out of the way and largely a wilderness moorland. With some bird cliffs, abandoned houses, driftwood beaches, wispsof fog and remote lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, this coast isideal for a day of “gunkholing”.

At the head of the 17 km Seyđisfjordur (fjord) this settlement presents a concentration of historic buildings (both for colour and variety of architecture) and is a magnet for Icelandic artists. In the afternoon we steam out of the fjord and head along the southeast coast.

Late morning as we cruise the coast, expect to see Dyrholaey (Door Island) with its distinctive arch and perhaps have views of Myrdals Glacier in the background. In the afternoon begin exploration of Vestmannaeyjar (Westmann Islands).

As part of our exploration of Vestmannaeyjar we circumnavigate Surtsey Island created volcanically in 1963 and a closed nature reserve, visit the community, Vestmannaeyjar on the only inhabited island of Heimaey where half buried houses can be partially seen peeking out through the lava and ash, and cruise amongst the islands and sea cliffs by Zodiac or ship.

Disembark after breakfast