Icelandic Mosaic

Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, sits along a wide bay in the western part of the country. One of its highlights is Perlan, a museum on Öskjuhlíð hill that offers sweeping views of the green landscapes below. Not far from there, visitors can see signs pointing to the striking Hallgrímskirkja church and the historic city center. There, you can enjoy a walk along Skólavörðustígur and Laugavegur, two lively streets filled with charming shops. For a relaxing escape just outside the city, the Reykjanes Peninsula is home to the famous Blue Lagoon, known for its warm, mineral-rich waters.

Surtsey is a small volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Iceland near the Westman Islands. It was formed by an underwater eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To protect its untouched ecosystem, landing on the island is not allowed. Only a few scientists are permitted to visit for research on how plants and animals naturally colonize new land. Mosses, fungi, and lichens were the first to appear, followed by flowering plants. Over time, about 300 types of invertebrates and 90 bird species have made the island their home. While sailing around Surtsey, you can admire its unique and dramatic shape from the water.

Located off Iceland’s southern coast, Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands and the only one with a permanent population. The island’s landscape is a striking mix of steep volcanic slopes, like those of Eldfell, and the green meadows of Herjólfsdalur valley. Driving along Stórhöfði road, you’ll see dramatic grey sand beaches and rugged cliffs shaped by the Arctic Ocean, with views of bronze-colored mountain peaks in the distance. A visit to Eldheimar, a modern and interactive museum, offers insight into the powerful volcanic eruption that reshaped Heimaey in 1973.

Included Excursion

• Circumnavigation of Heimaey
• Heimaey, Pompeii of the North

This secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjörður 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 Breiðafjörður. Scattered with its emerald-colored lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, most certainly wins your favor.

Included Excursion:

• Caves, Craters & Coves
• The Snaefellsnes Peninsula

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 Eyjafjörður 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 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.

Included Excursion:

• Godafoss & Laufas Museum
• Charms of Myvatn Region
• Thermal Bath & Godafoss

Your ship takes 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 find the Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjörður, 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.

Included Excursion:

• Maritime Culture & Traditions
• Flowers & Fjords

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 ’Oskjuhlið 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 Skólavördustígur 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.

Included Excursion:

• Volcanic Landscape & Viking History

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.