Legendary Northern Isles: Scotland, Faroes, & Iceland

Bergen is one of the major cities of the powerful Hanseatic League. Hansa merchants operated in the historic Bryggens Wharf area, filled with wooden buildings from the Middle Ages. (Day 2: D)

Enjoy a morning at sea, then see the standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and the stoneslab village of Skara Brae. Step into the world of the Vikings at the red sandstone cathedral of St. Magnus, built in 1137. (B,L,D) 

Our ship glides past the towering bird cliffs of Noss for views of murres and kittiwakes. Visit the Jarlshof archaeological site and see the famous Shetland ponies. (B,L,D) 

The rugged Faroese are proud of their Viking ancestry, reflected in their ancient language and love of the sea. In Tórshavn, wooden boats bob at anchor in the harbor and harken back to Viking times. Visit the natural history museumand the Kirkjubøur archaeological site, a medieval farming and religious center.  (B,L,D)  

Today we continue our explorations of the Faroe Islands by visiting northern Streymoy, with its historic settlements and Viking graves. (B,L,D)  

Tranquil Mykines is known for its overwhelming number of puffins. Visit the nesting grounds, where thousands of birds take off and land. Continue to the tiny lighthouse, then stroll through the village of turf-roofed houses. (B,L,D)

Dock in Djúpivogur and drive down the coast to explore the vast Vatnajökull icecap. Get close views of the deep blue icebergs in Jökulsárlón ice lagoon. (B,L,D)  

Enjoy a morning at sea as we sail northward to the land of the midnight sun, going ashore in the evening at the tiny island of Grimsey. Home to nesting sea birds, it lies exactly on the Arctic Circle. (B,L,D)

Drive to Lake Mývatn, the most geologically active area in Iceland. See the mud pools at Hverarond and the unforgettable sight of Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods. Visit the explosion crater at Viti. Drive to Akureyri with its beautiful period houses, backed by snow-capped mountains. (B,L,D)  

Located in the Westfjords, the tiny town of Ísafjördur is surrounded by water on three sides and is a great place to view the stunning fjord landscape and photograph tiny flowering plants. (B,L,D)  

Cruise past the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, the westernmost point of Iceland and home to a huge population of razorbills. Continue to Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries. Walk around the charming hamlet that grew here. (B,L,D)

The Westman Islands were formed by undersea volcanoes and are among the youngest of the world’s archipelagos. Surtsey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was created in 1963 and 10 years later, Heimaey was threatened by lava flows that nearly closed off its harbor. Visit the crater where the earth is still hot and see areas that were engulfed by lava. (B,L,D)

Today we disembark in Reykjavík with options to visit either the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths or the hot springs, geothermal power plant and a horse farm, prior to our flight home. (B,L)