Icelandic Mosaic

Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, lines a wide bay on the country’s western coast. Head to Perlan, a major environmental center on Oskjuhlíd hill, to take in sweeping views of the surrounding green scenery. Follow the signs to Hallgrímskirkja church and the historic downtown area, where you can walk along Skolavordustígur and Laugavegur. Browse the small stores that fill these busy streets. Outside the city, visit the Reykjanes Peninsula and unwind in the Blue Lagoon’s well-known geothermal pools.

The Westman Islands formed through a series of underwater volcanic eruptions and include 15 islands and about 30 small islets. Explore Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the group, known for its dramatic scenery and strong volcanic history. Eldfell volcano rises above the island, surrounded by steep cliffs, rocky reefs, sea caves, and crashing waves. Watch gannets dive into the ocean along the coastline.

Located off Iceland’s southern shore, Heimaey is the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The sharp slopes of Eldfell and the green fields of Herjolfsdalur create a striking natural contrast. Drive along Storhofdi road for views of dark sand beaches and cliffs shaped by the Arctic Ocean. From higher points, take in the rugged mountain landscape. Visit Eldheimar, a modern interactive museum that covers the 1973 volcanic eruption on Heimaey.

This secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you will get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjordur lies sheltered behind this cone-shaped rock. A stone’s throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters, tundra, and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of Breidafjordur. Scattered with its emerald-colored lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, will most certainly win your favor.

Grímsey is the northernmost island of Iceland surging from the Arctic Ocean, with the Arctic Circle running through the island. Its contrasted contours are surprising. From Grímseyjarhreppur, the island’s only town located on the west coast, then heading due south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.

The elegant city of Akureyri is located very close to the Arctic Circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjordur fjord. It displays a stunning palette of colors: blue waters in the harbor, bronze mountain ash on the squares, and brightly-colored houses in the historical center. As you walk along the cobbled streets, you will come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. The very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate offers the opportunity to discover the Icelandic flora as well as plants from all over the world.

Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region you will find the Isafjordur fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjördur, which nestles at the back of its fjord, between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlid hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical center where one can stroll along the Skolavordustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

After breakfast, disembark in Reykjavik.