The journey begins in Aberdeen in North East Scotland, where MV Ocean Atlantic is moored. Board the ship in the afternoon, settle in to your cabin, then sail out through the mouth of the Dee River towards the North Sea. 

Sail out into the waters between Outer and the Inner Hebrides at night, and in the early morning, reach the town of Kirkwall on the windy Orkney off the mainland of Scotland. Orkney is old Norse for the "seal islands", and, like the other North Atlantic islands, Orkney has a rich Viking history. But history goes even further back to one of the oldest European civilizations.  

Skara Brae, Northern Europe's Pompeii, was hidden for almost 5,000 years before a massive storm revealed the ancient settlement. The 10-room homes are almost ready for moving into, fully furnished and with sanitation - all made in stone. After arriving at Kirkwall there is a bus ride to visit Skara Brae on a short excursion. Back in Kirkwall, visit Highland Park, considered by many to be the world's best distillers. On four occasions, the golden drops from Highland have been voted the world's best. It is also Scotland's northernmost whiskey. 

 

After breakfast, arrive at Tórshavn, possibly the smallest capital in the world, ruling the scattered 18 islands that make up the Faroes. Centered around the charming grass-roofed Parliament on Tinganes, Tórshavn is now an almost bustling modern city with shops, cafés, and even three traffic lights! 

By midmorning, you can participate in an optional bus excursion where you can try to look a bit back in history. Drive out of the capital and over the mountains to the south. As the climate on Faroe Island is ‘stable unstable’ it is not unlikely to drive through the cloud base and experience some fog on the way. But if you wait a moment, it also not unlikely that it clears up. Arrive in Kirkjubøur, the most important historical site on the islands. Kirkjubøur was in medieval times the Episcopal center of the Faroe Islands, and also its undisputed cultural center. Visit the ruins of the impressive Magnus Cathedral that perhaps never was completed, and the St. Olav church – the only remaining medieval church on the Faroe Islands. Upon your return to ‘Havn’ – as Tórshavn is often just called – you can go for a leisurely stroll through the old citadel near the harbor. A visit to the Art Museum and the Nordic House is also very recommendable. 
 

Listen to a lecture from the experienced expedition staff, see a film about Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of migrating birds and hopefully some whales. 

The Westman Islands were on the headlines of the world press in January 1973, when a volcano erupted in the Heimaey island. All 5,000 inhabitants evacuated, but most have now returned, and today the population is about 4,000. The Westman Islands are only 14 kilometers off the southwest coast of Iceland and consist of 15 green small islands and about 30 moorings. 

When you go sailing, you can see the islands' steep and grateful profiles in clear weather from a long distance. They are beautifully raised by the sea and looking at them, one understands why an Icelandic poet would compare them with the sapphires in a silver ring. 

The birdlife on these edges is unique and hosts, among other natural beauties, puffins and not least the "Queen of the Sea", the gannet. 

Start the day by passing close to one of the world's newest islands, Surtsey. The island rose from the sea in 1963 and arrived in 2008 on UNESCO's list of world natural heritage sites. The island is closed to the public and only researchers are allowed. 

In the morning, head to Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the archipelago where you can see the recently excavated houses from the 1973 eruption.  

In the morning Ocean Atlantic goes alongside in the port of Reykjavik. It’s time to say farewell to the crew and begin the homeward journey or extend your journey with days in Iceland.