From Scotland to Spitsbergen

In the heart of the Clyde Valley, Glasgow offers a striking contrast between the energy of Scotland's largest city and the surrounding scenic countryside. Discover a city rich in artistic heritage and renowned for its impressive architecture. Its easy-to-navigate grid layout makes exploring on foot simple, leading you along lively pedestrian streets lined with elegant Victorian landmarks. Along the way, visit the city's many museums and art galleries, including the renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, home to an outstanding collection of art and historical treasures.

Among the islands of the Inner Hebrides, Iona offers a peaceful setting that has inspired reflection for centuries. It was here that St Columba arrived from Ireland in 563, establishing Christianity in Scotland. At the heart of the island stands the abbey, built on the site of the ancient monastery founded by the Irish missionary. Nearby, the historic cemetery is the final resting place of many Scottish kings, including the legendary Macbeth. Arriving on Iona in clear weather reveals the island's tranquil beauty, with its scenic coastline and timeless atmosphere.

Included:
The sacred island of Iona and its abbey - Duration: 2h 30

Iona has been of special significance to Christians for many centuries. Columba and his followers arrived here in AD563 from Ireland with the task of spreading the gospel in Scotland and the north of England.

Today, accompanied by your local guide, you explore on foot the sacred island of Iona and its 13th-century abbey, long revered as a place of pilgrimage and considered the origin of the Book of Kells. Several Scottish kings, including the real Macbeth, are buried in the island's royal cemetery.

This excursion involves walking approximately 2h, approx. 2km, on a mix of surfaced roads, and grass. There is a 15-minute walk from the pier to the abbey over smooth terrain and minimal walking at guest’s discretion. Warm, comfortable clothing and flat shoes are recommended. Toilets are available at the tender jetty and near the Abbey itself. The inside visit of the abbey is not garanteed as it still hold services, especially on Sundays. Order of visits may vary.

In Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, on the legendary Isle of Lewis, Callanish dazzles and surprises, fascinates and questions. On the eastern coast of the island, where land and sea rub shoulders and clash in the tumult of wild nature, discover the Callanish Stones megalithic site. No fewer than 51 stones stand in the middle of the peat fields. Deliberately arranged about 5,000 years ago, they are a mysterious testimony to the Stone Age. There are many theories as to the purpose of these stones — a place of worship, a lunar calendar, an astronomic observatory or a healing center — but they remain an enigma. The singular atmosphere of this site lends itself to all sorts of interpretations, to all sorts of dreams and musings.

Included:
Callanish standing stones - Duration: 1h 45

Walk among the megaliths at one of Scotland’s most magnificent and best-preserved Neolithic monuments. The Callanish Standing Stones are a remarkable cross-shaped grouping of stones that were constructed 5,000 years ago. They predate England's famed Stonehenge monument by at least 2,000 years and were major sites for ceremonial activity for at least 2,000 years.

No one knows why the standing stones at Callanish were built, but the best assumption is that they were used as an astronomical observatory.

Enjoy a visit to the Stones with your knowledgeable guide, which is in walking distance from the tender pier.

This excursion involves walking approximately 1h30. Guests walk approx 3km over even paved ground on walk to & from the Stones and grassy uneven paths at Standing Stones.You are recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing. Bring water et a wind-proof and water-proof jacket. Please note the Visitor Center is currently closed for redevelopment until 2026 - the Standing Stones are still accessible but there is no toilets onsite.

A conical dry stone tower dating back to the end of the Iron Age, the Broch of Mousa is one of the many buildings constructed in the Highlands and in the Hebrides, Orkney , and Shetland archipelagos to fend off invaders. Constructed circa 100 BC, it is the tallest broch still standing, at 13 meters (almost 43 feet), and the best-preserved in Europe. Its excellent state of preservation can be explained, among other factors, by its isolated location and its massive construction: it has a single entrance passage and thick walls, with a diameter that is smaller than that of other brochs. The building was used over the centuries and is mentioned in the Norse sagas, Egil's Saga and the Orkneyinga Saga.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call is also an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they are able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Way beyond the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands are truly considered to be in “another world”. A jewel of nature in its most pristine state, this archipelago with its jagged coastline offers you majestic settings of high alpine summits, sandy beaches, green prairies, and fjords of a deep blue, where countless bird colonies make their nests. Whether you visit Å or Nusjford, listed by UNESCO, enjoy authentic and memorable moments.

Located on the island of Austvagoy, in the county of Nordland, Svolvær is your ideal entry point for discovering the Lofoten islands. An important stopover to the north of Norway, fishing is one of the town’s main features. And its specialty is? Cod. A picturesque white Lutheran church rests atop a hillside ridge, overlooking the town's multi-colored houses. Still higher, the “The Solvær Goat” mountain looks over the town from its rocky heights. Topped with two peaks like the horns of an animal, it is one of the region’s must-see natural attractions.

Included:
Skrova by hybrid-electric boat - Duration: 4h

After a short walk, board your boat for a panoramic cruise. Experience the magnificent landscapes and views of the island of Skrova, in complete silence and comfort onboard a hydro-electric boat. 

Discover white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and the rich wildlife living side-by-side with ancient fishing communities, with your onboard local guide. Thanks to the hybrid-electric engine, there is minimal noise and vibration that interfere with nature and marine life. Don't forget your binoculars! Skrova dwells many of Lofoten’s majestic white-tailed eagles. 
Another advantage of your modern boat: the underwater drone is deployed to bring you closer to the marine life that inhabits the Skrova pristine waters. 

Then, disembark at Skrova harbor and visit the small, but lively village surrounded by mountains. Explore its galleries, history and nature on foot. Inaccessible by car, Skrova is home to an ancient fishing community. Here you find just below 200 locals, but also an active industry including salmon-farming, fishing, and whale-hunting as the primary sources of income.

Finally, re-embark your boat for your return trip to Svolvær.

You are recommend to wear comfortable shoes and bring a windproof jacket. This tour is weather dependent. Refreshments can be purchased onboard. Please note that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Tour operation is subject to weather conditions.

In the north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll discover Tromso, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic Cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you sail not far from the coastlines of Bjornoya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjornoya shelters a meteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds: skuas, guillemots, puffins, Tridactyl gulls, petrels, gulls, and little auks all coexist here.

Set sail for southwest Spitsbergen, immerse yourself in this environment unlike any other and explore its unexpected riches. In this natural sanctuary, the polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea. Follow in the footsteps of the first explorers and admire the majestic fjords and glaciers sculpting the breathtaking landscapes, their icy waters shimmering beneath the midnight sun. The fjords, veritable cathedrals of ice, reveal their millennial secrets, while the glaciers, like sleeping giants, move slowly towards the sea, setting free sparkling icebergs. On the water, you might spot belugas and rorquals, while on the shores, seals and Arctic foxes add a touch of mystery to this living tableau, where the steep cliffs become breeding grounds for thousands of seabirds, like guillemots. Southwest Spitsbergen is an ode to nature in its rawest and purest form.

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

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