Arrive at Keflavik International Airport and head to the hotel via the group transfer to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

In the morning, join the group and transfer to the port. Afterward, embark on SH Vega for your adventure.

Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do in this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building, Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbor – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometers outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.

Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive, this thunderous waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads its tumbling waters down a series of ever-growing cascades. Dynjandi is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland. Walking up to it takes 15 minutes, passing five smaller waterfalls. Nearby, Hrafnseyri is the birthplace of Jon Sigurdsson, the 19th-century leader of the Icelandic Independence movement. The museum includes an Icelandic turf house.

Included Activities

WALK TO DYNJANDI WATERFALL WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM

• Your onboard expedition team, experts in all things Icelandic, will guide you to this hidden treasure.
• Awaken your spirit of adventure as you witness nature's raw power firsthand
• Discover the secrets of Dynjandi and providing a deeper understanding of its geological significance and cultural importance.

Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Isafjordur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colorful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in the old town of Neskaupstadur. Isafjordur was one of the largest fisheries in Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Center. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox, lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.

Included Excursions

ARCTIC FOXES & AVALANCHES

• Get to know the history of Sudavík and the avalanche that struck the small village in 1995
• Your journey begins with breathtaking views over one of Iceland’s largest fjords, Ísafjardardjup, punctuated with the majestic Snæfjallaströnd mountain chain
• Enjoy an exciting live performance from a local musician during your visit to Súðavík’s church

WESTFJORDS LIFE AND CULTURE

• Discover the time-honored local methods of salting fishing
• Go back in time as you enter the turf-and-stone fishing shacks, greeted by a local dressed in a traditional sheepskin fisherman's outfit
• Visit the Maritime Museum, housed in some of Iceland's oldest buildings, to delve into the history of the fishing industry that has sustained the area for centuries

The island of Vigur is a real pearl of the Western Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two kilometers by 400 meters, is a significant seabird colony that is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots, and eider ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for generations. During your time on the island, you might see Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest post office, and its oldest boat, which was built hundreds of years ago and was in regular use until relatively recently.

Included Excursions

VIGUR ISLAND WALKING TOUR

• Spot eider ducks nesting in great numbers, you might even see the majestic birds plucking down from their chests to make a warm shelter for their eggs
• Get up close with a 200-year-old, eight-oar rowing boat and the oldest windmill in Iceland
• See the charming houses that dot Vigur's landscape including Viktoria House, built in 1862 and restored by the National Museum of Iceland in 1993, as well as a house established by a young priest in 1884

VIGUR ISLAND VISIT BY SHIP ZODIACS

• Spot eider ducks nesting in great numbers, you might even see the majestic birds plucking down from their chests to make a warm shelter for their eggs
• Get up close with a 200-year-old, eight-oar rowing boat and the oldest windmill in Iceland
• See the charming houses that dot Vigur's landscape including Viktoria House, built in 1862 and restored by the National Museum of Iceland in 1993, as well as a house established by a young priest in 1884

Grimsey is a remote island located 40 kilometers off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can do so. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation (there are no rats or mice on the island) and the rich, well-stocked surrounding seas. Grimsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.

Included Activities

LIFE IN ARCTIC CIRCLE

• Enjoy your stay on Iceland’s northernmost inhabited territory
• Be prepared for an exhilarating physical challenge that will take you across approx. 7.5km of invigorating nature walk with some inclines towards the Arctic circle artwork
• Stop at the bird cliffs where, depending on the time of the season, you’ll be able to spot several species of birds including puffins, guillemots and gulls

Hrisey Island is a small island in the Eyjafjordur fjord in northern Iceland. It is home to various wildlife, including puffins, seals, and whales. Hriseyjarfjall Mountain is the highest point and offers views of the surrounding landscape and the vast expanse of Eyjafjordur fjord. Despite its size, Hrisey Island possesses a rich cultural heritage. Traditional Icelandic crafts, such as hand-knitting and woodworking, preserve the island's identity.

Home to some 18,000 residents, Akureyri stands proud as the Land of Fire and Ice’s ‘Capital of the North’. It’s the gateway to some natural wonders, including the Myvatn region, Dettifoss waterfall, Godafoss waterfall, and Asbyrgi Canyon. But before you rush off, take some time to explore: Iceland’s winsome second city is colorful, cozy, and utterly enchanting—even the red traffic lights are cute. Instagrammers will adore heart-shaped stop signs. Enjoy the quaint harborfront; climb the steps to the towering Akureyri Church; stroll around Lystigardurinn, the city’s Arctic botanical garden; visit the Laufás Turf Houses; get in the festive spirit early at the Christmas House (Jolahusid); admire the exhibits at the Akureyri Art Museum or the Hof cultural center; or take a dip in the outdoor, geothermal swimming pool.

Included Excursions

LEISURELY AKUREYRI & GOÐAFOSS WATERFALL

• Let the town's storied past and architectural treasures fill your imagination as you drive through its picturesque streets
• Learn about pagan chieftain Thorgeir Thorkelsson’s dramatic declaration in the year 1000 that changed the course of history
• Your visit to the Botanical Garden will introduce you to every indigenous species that thrives in Iceland as well as an extensive collection of plants from around the world

Regarded as the East Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted wooden houses line Seydisfjordur’s port. With a lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size, Seydisfjordur has attracted many writers and artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival. Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is known for its diverse wildlife, with over 47 species of birds and over 150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.

Included Excursions

SKALANES NATURE RESERVE - INCL

• Enjoy this guided tour of Skalanes nature reserve where your guide will point nesting seabirds, like the large colony of Eiders and Arctic Terns, as well as stunning cliffs reaching up to 640 m
• Explore the landscape that still holds remnants of farms and turf structures that demonstrate the relationship of humans and nature since the settlement of Iceland
• This tour also includes a stop at an archaeological dig site, called Thorarinsstadir, to see the stave church and graveyard discovered by a team in 1998

ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORY AND HERITAGE WALK

• Fjordur archaeological excavation site under Mt. Bjolfur
• Explore the town of Seydisfjordur and enjoy refreshments at Skaftfell Bistro
• Visit the fascinating Technological Museum of East Iceland

Home to fewer than 500 residents, the quiet fishing village of Djupivogur dates back to the Viking era. Despite its formidable origins, the village is better known for its unhurried pace of life. Djupivogur’s most famous artistic offering may be the first thing you notice as you disembark. The 34 large granite eggs that line the road along the bay are not easy to miss. The art installation, named ‘The Eggs at Merry Bay’ (Eggin í Gleðivík in Icelandic), represents the 34 species of birds that nest locally. Immerse yourself further into the wild on a trip to nearby Vatnajökull National Park. Covering 14% of Iceland’s land mass, this vast area is home to giant ice caps, thundering glacial rivers, grumbling active volcanoes, and other geological wonders. Take a guided tour out onto Vatnajokull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap, and experience the glory of true Icelandic wilderness for yourself.

Included Excursions

CULTURAL WALK IN DJUPIVOGUR

• Let your imagination soar as you discuss the symbolism behind the intriguing “Eggs” sculpture with your guide
• Uncover the hidden story behind the repurposed Tank and marvel at the ingenuity that has transformed it
• Your exploration wouldn't be complete without a visit to a local craft museum and store to admire the craftsmanship and artistry that have been passed down for generations

A small 13-kilometer square island off the south coast of Iceland, Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the escape of 16th-century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent pirate invasions, the island was a place of danger and terror until the mid-18th century. Once these events subsided, for hundreds of years, the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometer wide snaked through the town, with the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only one person is thought to have died due to the eruption, with a quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent geological activity can be seen everywhere on Heimaey and is the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.

Included Excursions

POMPEII OF THE NORTH

• Visit a birdwatching house in Storhöfdi, providing a wonderful opportunity to see the largest puffin colony
• Drive between two incredible volcanoes, the 5,000-year-old volcano Helgafell (Holy Mountain) and the considerably younger volcano Eldfell (Fire Mountain)
• Brace yourself for the untamed power of nature with a stop at the windiest place on Earth, where the average wind speed reaches 11 m/s

The cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient time before you begin the journey home to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get the bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrimskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson, is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbor – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometers outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.

On this day, make your farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Head to the airport via the group transfer provided and catch your flight home.