Loved the overall feel of the country... really liked seeing the geological contrasts, the geysers and
waterfalls...provided wonderful knowledge and insights... super organized and well-chosen excursions... loved being immersed in the culture of Iceland... fell in love with the puffins! – Excerpts from guest comment cards
(weather permitting). The volcanic eruption of Mt. Eldfell in 1973 spewed lava over the island landscapes, creating the youngest mountain in the world and the new “Pompeii” of the north. A walk around the crater rewards with spectacular views and a cruise to an island cliff may see puffins, weather permitting. Meals BLD
4. GRUNDARFJORDUR’S SHAPES & SAGAS Dock today in Grundarfjordur, nestled on the banks of a fjord and ringed with mountains, for a scenic drive along the rugged coast. Pass through fishing villages bustling with daily life on the way to Djúpalónssandur, a pebbled beach with a series of strange rock formations emerging from the ocean. The intriguing shapes towering over the Atlantic shores here have become the basis for many of Iceland’s time-honored sagas; learn more about the traditional stories that tell tales of the country’s early settlers, trials and tribulations during your visit, including how these rocks were used in strength competitions between local fishermen. Your journey continues to the tiny hamlets of Arnarstapi, home to an arctic tern colony, and Budir, set against a landscape of extinct volcanoes, glaciers and lighthouses. Join us this evening at the Captain’s dinner aboard Le Boréal or Le Soléal. Meals BLD
3. HEIMAEY, A WESTMANN ISLAND Welcome to Westmann Islands, the “islands of the western men,” so named for a group of rebellious slaves whose daring, albeit short lived, escape from captivity in ancient Iceland is still the stuff of legends on these volcanic shores. Come ashore on Heimaey for a day of exploration that includes a visit to Sprangan cliff, where young islanders are taught the sport of rope-swinging and cliff-side egg-collecting, and a stop at Storhöfdi, home to the island’s largest colony of puffins and an incredible vantage point for breathtaking views of the island and the massive glaciers of the mainland
See what it’s like to be at the top of the world at the Arctic Circle; learn about the hardy lifestyles of Iceland’s fishermen and its Viking maritime heritage; and enjoy the soothing waters of a geothermally heated spa.
5. EXPLORE GRÍMSEY ON THE ARCTIC CIRCLE Remote and weather-beaten, the tiny island of Grímsey – just 2½ miles by 1¼ miles – is the northernmost inhabited part of Iceland. Cliffs cover most of the island, providing ideal breeding sites for huge colonies of seabirds. The island’s scant population of hardy residents, said to consistently number about 100, make their living from the bounty of the sea and limited farming. Step ashore for a walking tour to see arctic terns, the longest-distance migrating birds on Earth, and whimsical puffins, with penguin-like markings and beaks that bloom with color in the spring. You’ll be able to walk across the Arctic Circle, the imaginary line which marks the southern limit of the Arctic Region. North of this latitude, periods of continuous daylight or night last up to six months at the North Pole. Meals BLD
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