The UNESCO-listed Surtsey Island is only open to scientists, so very few expeditions get the chance to navigate around it. As your Captain sails around the island, you may spot flocks of puffins on land and seals and orcas in the water. Traverse the volcanoes, lava fields, caves, and mountains of Heimaey. Views of lush cliffsides and classic Icelandic architecture will take your breath away. From Fort William, make your way to the famous Loch Ness and keep an eye on the lake for the legendary creature. Take in a bucolic landscape, where hills, glens, rivers and the sea coastline all offer something to do while enjoying peace and tranquility. Steeped in history and culture ranging back thousands of years, the Isle of Lewis holds priceless treasures such as the Neolithic standing stones at Callanish that are older than Stonehenge.
Please note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions and they will try their best to folloew this itinerary. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.
Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is bustling, cosmopolitan, ancient, and young at heart all at once. It is one of Europe’s liveliest cities, where medieval and 17th-century buildings stand comfortably amid all the trappings of a 21st-century community. Marvels like the incredible Book of Kells, one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world, call out to the curious. A gentle and relaxing cruise along the River Liffey immerses you in the capital’s colorful history, from the first arrival of the Vikings to the rapid development of the city during the 18th and 19th centuries. When in Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse, located in the heart of St. James’ Gate Brewery, invites you to raise a glass at the Gravity Bar with a 360-degree view of the city skyline.
The historic west end of Greenock boasts impressive Victorian buildings, in particular the 245-foot Victoria Tower which remains incomplete. From there, journey to Glasgow to view the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for a glimpse of its world-class art collection. Toast to the world’s friendliest city with a Tennent’s lager at the historic Wellpark Brewery, where you can learn about the brand’s 450-year history and its passion for Scottish football. From Glasgow, discover the beauty of the Scottish countryside on a journey toward magnificent Stirling Castle, the home of the Stuart kings and birthplace of James II.
The Fort William area boasts the widest choices of active explorers with a penchant for the outdoors. Take in a bucolic landscape, where hills and glens, rivers and lochs, and the sea coastline all offer something to do while enjoying peace and tranquility. Enjoy an outing to Loch Ness for your chance to spot the famous Nessie in Scotland’s lake. For stunning views of one of Scotland’s most iconic lochs, get away from the crowd and head to the more scenic and wild south side. You can also find a moment of respite with a round of golf on one of the spectacular Lochaber golf courses.
The harbor town of Stornoway is your gateway for an unforgettable adventure. Steeped in history and culture, ranging back thousands of years, you’ll find that Gaelic is spoken alongside English, and eagles and otters are as much residents as the locals. For a complete account of the social, cultural, archaeological, geological, and economic history of Stornoway, head to Museum nan Eilean. A drive along the west coast of the Isle of Lewis reveals the Neolithic standing stones at Callanish that are older and more impressive than Stonehenge. Comprising 19 monoliths, ending in a circle of 13 stones with rows of other stones radiating out in the shape of a cross, this site is fascinating.
In Lerwick, explore Stone Age ruins, heather-covered moors, and the rugged Scottish Highlands. With its dramatic cliffs, Grand Victorian houses, charming Shetland ponies and Nordic heritage, Lerwick will leave a lasting impression. Beginning in the town center, Commercial Street, or ’Da Street’ as it’s known, is the hub of Lerwick life. For a better understanding of the history of this strategic port city, look no further than Fort Charlotte, a fort that has served as accommodation to the town’s bachelors and has also been a prison, coastguard station and armory. Expand your knowledge of the town’s strong ties to Norway with a visit to The Shetland Museum and Archives, an extensive collection that encapsulates the fascinating story of Shetland’s heritage and culture.
The 18 major islands making up the archipelago of the Faroe Islands lie between the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway. Here, a mix of Nordic and Danish architecture amid lush, grass scenery creates a quaint image of a picturesque destination. Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands capital city, holds a competitive tradition and spirit of sporting events, including housing the largest football stadium in the district. But the city also contains an artsy energy with the annual Tórshavn Jazz Festival that takes place every August. Among the many natural treasures of the Faroe Islands is the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, a cascade that flows from the Sørvágsvatn/Leitissvatn lake into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a glassy surface amid the rugged cliffs of the falls
Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore
Say halló to volcanoes, lava fields, caves, and mountains in the fascinating island of Heimaey – literally translated as Home Island. Part of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago (Westman Islands), this destination offers views of lush cliffsides and classic Icelandic architecture that will take your breath away. Built around the remains of an excavated home buried by ash during Eldfell’s eruption you’ll find the Eldheimar Museum, which offers an excellent audio guide that takes you through the home and describes the history and events before, during and after the eruption. One of the most iconic landmarks of Vestmannaeyjar, Elephant Rock, lies just off the south coast of Iceland. And there’s no need to squint to see it, because from every angle, you can see a gargantuan elephant in the middle of the sea.
Newly formed from volcanic eruptions in the 1960s, the island of Surtsey’s pristine environment has earned a place among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Only open to scientists as a natural laboratory to study plants and animals, few expeditions get the chance to navigate around the young island. Summer brings flocks of puffins to the island, as well as other migratory birds like eiders. Seals consistently make their home on Surtsey throughout the year, which brings orcas to the nearby waters. The flourishing wildlife around the region makes this a dream destination for the explorer spirit.
In the southwest of Iceland near Faxaflói Bay lies the capital of the country, Reykjavík, simultaneously cosmopolitan and charming. The colorful houses on the horizon create a quaint scene that will make you want to stay forever.Kaleidoscopic views await you at the Harpa Concert Hall, a glittering, glass structure that perfectly exemplifies Iceland’s modern design and will fascinate your inner architect. One of Iceland’s most prominent landmarks is Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks that was converted to a building that now hosts an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck, located atop Öskjuhlíð hill..
My voyage was great. All of the logistics worked out perfectly, right down to the correct size of allocated wellington boots!
I enjoyed Spitsbergen. The wildlife was like nothing I have ever seen before (polar bear, puffins, reindeer, birdlife). I still get a thrill every time we cruise around in Zodiacs and the glaciers were quite spectacular. Looking back at my photo’s reminds me of how astonishing the scenery is in Spitsbergen. The crew were great, and it was nice to meet up again with some familiar faces on board.
June 23, 2018
My trip in June to Svalbard was one of the high spots of my life. I am a wildlife devotee and green supporter so for years I have had a huge conflict about pursuing the former without transgressing the latter too much. Somehow, this cruise felt right – Ice Tracks and the entire ship’s crew are really conscientious about their environmental impact and told us about it – very reassuring. I loved the zodiac trips out right up to huge glaciers – one of which we saw calving – and onto the land where we trekked and got a real sense of the presence of polar bears – their tracks and where they’s scrambled out of the water onto the snow. We saw all 3 land mammals of the Arctic – wonderful birds including King Eiders – a bird high up on all birders’ ‘must see’ list, and whales including a Beluga with two calves, swimming so close to us!
I was travelling on my own – but everyone was very sociable and I was never on my own for long. The on board staff were always kind, helpful and hugely knowledgeable. A brilliant trip.
June 20, 2018
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