Fortresses and Fjords

Explore London’s well-known landmarks and cultural attractions as you travel along the River Thames. Pass Greenwich, the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, and other locations with connections to the city’s history and film industry. Your small yacht can dock near Tower Bridge, allowing you to sail beneath its structure and view HMS Belfast up close. Continue toward central London and stop near Westminster Bridge for views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye on opposite sides of the river. Discover the British Library’s collections, which include handwritten Beatles lyrics, Leonardo da Vinci notebooks, illuminated manuscripts, and important scientific works. If you prefer a break from busy streets, visit Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens for a walk through London’s green spaces.

Discover London’s historic landmarks, famous attractions, and lesser-known sights as you explore the English capital. Cruise along the River Thames past Greenwich, the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, and locations featured in films. Sail beneath Tower Bridge aboard a small yacht and get a closer look at HMS Belfast, a historic warship with a long naval history. Head toward Westminster Bridge to photograph Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye from across the river. Visit the British Library to view historic documents, including Beatles songwriting notes, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, illuminated manuscripts, and scientific collections. For a quieter break from the city streets, spend time in Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is dynamic, but small enough to walk almost anywhere. The streets are busy, narrow, and lined with towering buildings once described as, “a dream in masonry” by Edinburgh-born novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Edinburgh Castle has played an important role in the history of Scotland as both a royal residence and a military stronghold. It’s really two cities: Old Town and New Town, where Old Town is the network of medieval streets south of the castle and New Town is everything on the other side. What unites both and all of Scotland is its whisky, part of the true Scottish experience, as is a toast with scotch, of which you can partake in at Leith’s Kaleidoscope Bar and Dining Room on Queen Street.

Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, is a stunning place filled with history. As part of an archipelago of 70 islands off the tip of Scotland, the city is not among the more commonly visited destinations in the country, but it was the center of Norse culture near the end of the first millennium. Walk down the cobbled streets and be transported back to Norse times as you explore a 300-year-old medieval cathedral built by the Vikings where, according to local lore, miracles took place. Another great miracle is the preservation of the archeological sites in Orkney, like the World Heritage sites of the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.

Spend a leisurely day pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

The tiny, picturesque village of Seydisfjordur is the pearl of Iceland. A town of just 700 people, it is hidden at the innermost point of the fjord of the same name. In the valley above town, the river Fjardara cascades over the hill to create several, beautiful waterfalls, down to the lagoon at the head of the fjord. Throughout the scenic village you also find well-preserved, old wooden buildings, an enticing subject for photography as you walk down Rainbow Street..

The town of Husavik sits on the eastern shore of Skjalfandi Bay, which offers incredible bird watching opportunities. There you can observe an Atlantic puffin colony where thousands of these charming "clowns of the ocean" nest during the summer. Take the illustrious Arctic Coast route that winds through the incredible fjords along Iceland’s northern coastline. Unwind with a dip in the geothermal waters of the GeoSea Spa.

Home to about 100 people — the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland — and one million birds, Grimsey Island is a treasure in the Arctic Circle. The residents enjoy 24 hours of sun throughout the summer, as do the Puffins. Look for the stone sphere marking the edge of the Arctic Circle. Its design makes it easier to move as the Arctic Circle moves, always keeping the true demarcation. Grimsey Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, filled with various species, including razorbills, kittiwakes, auks and thick-billed murres. Amid the breathtaking landscapes are the island’s basalt columns. These geometric geological structures covered in lush moss dip into the water, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Imagine standing before the majestic Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland, where the world’s edges seem to touch the sky. As the cascading waters thunder down the rocky cliffside, nature hums an ancient song of exploration just for you. Dynjandi, often seen as the crowning jewel of the Westfjords, is an embodiment of raw beauty and untamed wilderness, inviting you to witness Iceland’s grandeur firsthand. With the possibility of a Zodiac safari, you don’t just see the falls; you immerse yourself in them. Navigate the serene waters at the base of Dynjandi, getting an unparalleled view from a genuinely unique angle. Feel the spray of the icy waters and the thrill of adventure as you glide closer, experiencing the symphony of rushing streams that echo the spirit of Viking explorers past. This is a chance to write your chapter in the epic saga of discovery.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE - Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

In the southwest of Iceland near Faxafloi Bay lies the capital of the country, Reykjavik, simultaneously cosmopolitan and charming. The colorful houses on the horizon create a quaint scene that will make you want to stay forever. Kaleidoscopic views await you at the Harpa Concert Hall, a glittering, glass structure that perfectly exemplifies Iceland’s modern design and will fascinate your inner architect. One of Iceland’s most prominent landmarks is Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks that was converted to a building that now hosts an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck, located atop Oskjuhlid hill.

In the southwest of Iceland near Faxafloi Bay lies the capital of the country, Reykjavik, simultaneously cosmopolitan and charming. The colorful houses on the horizon create a quaint scene that will make you want to stay forever. Kaleidoscopic views await you at the Harpa Concert Hall, a glittering, glass structure that perfectly exemplifies Iceland’s modern design and will fascinate your inner architect. One of Iceland’s most prominent landmarks is Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks that was converted to a building that now hosts an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck, located atop Oskjuhlid hill.