Splendours of Iceland

Day 1 Newcastle Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to Newcastle, where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Balmoral (3T+) in preparation for a late evening sailing. Day 2 At sea Spend a relaxing day at sea. Day 3 Cruising Eyjafjallajökull, Elliðaey Island and Elephant Rock, Iceland Today we cruise through some of Iceland’s most dramatic and amazing scenery, with views that include the Eyjafjallajökull volcano - this mighty, 5,466ft high volcano gained notoriety from its eruption in 2010; the beautiful Elliðaey Island; and Elephant Rock - a remarkable rock formation resembling a giant elephant. Days 4-5 Reykjavik (overnight) Arrive in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, home to an abundance of impressive museums, galleries, fascinating exhibitions and an array of restaurants and cafés. We dock overnight, providing plenty of time to explore. Some of the country’s most incredible natural wonders are also within easy reach of the city including the geothermal Blue Lagoon, surrounded by an ancient lava field; the breathtaking Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the highly active Geysir hot springs (spouting up to 30m into the air). Another top attraction is the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the world’s oldest parliament once sat, and home to unforgettable natural features such as Lake Thingvallavatn and diverse flora and fauna. Day 6 Ísafjördur - Cruising Hornstrandir and Drangaskörd We spend the first half of our day in Ísafjörður, a small, pretty town of the beautiful Westfjords peninsula. Ísafjördur has been a trading post since the 16th century, and aspects have barely changed since the 18th century, when whaling crews and tall ships filled the harbour. Follow hiking trails to explore the surrounding area, or take a 30-minute boat trip to view the beautiful landscape of Vigur, ‘The Paradise Island’ home to thousands of birds of various species including puffins, arctic terns, eider ducks and black guillemots. Return to Balmoral for lunch and a cruise alongside Hornstrandir, the King and Queen of Cliffs. Perched along the rugged ledges of these 500m high cliffs you may spot fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills. We reach the remarkable Drangaskörd pinnacles late tonight. Day 7 Akureyri (overnight) Sail through the longest fjord in Iceland, Eyjafjordur, to reach Iceland’s second city, beautiful Akureyri, where we dock overnight. If you’re looking for culture then head to Listagil, the centre of arts, crafts and design in Akureyri. To discover the surrounding natural wonders, take a sightseeing tour to Godafoss, ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ and Lake Myvatn. A visit here also offers the rare chance to go whale watching and see these splendid creatures in their natural environment: look out for Blue, Fin, Humpback, Minke and Sei whales. Day 8 Akureyri - Cruising Eyjafjördur, Hrisey, Grímsey, the Arctic Circle and Skjálfandi Bay Enjoy more time in Akureyri this morning, before we cruise along the beautiful Eyjafjördur, where birdlife and whales are often spotted. Our voyage passes the contrastingly flat island of Hrisey, crosses the Arctic Circle as we navigate around Grimsey, an island of rock that is home to over a million seabirds; and glides through Skjálfandi Bay, regarded as one of the world’s best places for viewing whales and birds in their natural habitats. Day 9 Cruising Borgarfjördur Eystri - Seydisfjördur This morning we cruise along the Borgarfjördur Eystri, where the 1,136-metre-high Dyrfjöll Mountains create an incredible backdrop, and Seydisfjördur, which twists and turns between steep cliffs with thundering waterfalls. Visit Seydisfjordur, a small, remote town of picturesque wooden buildings at the base of a valley where 25 waterfalls plummet into the river Fjardara. The region is famous for its bird colonies. Our cruise then continues by four of the most impressive natural landmarks on Iceland’s east coast - the snow-flecked Dalatangi, Akurfell,Tóarfjall and Nipukollur mountains. Days 10-11 At sea Relax on board as Balmoral head back to UK shores. Day 12 Newcastle We disembark after breakfast and you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.