Natural Wonders of Iceland

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Akureyri, Iceland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set on Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjördur, the self-titled ‘Capital of the North’ was settled by Vikings in the 9th century. Akureyri has since developed into Iceland’s most populous town outside of Reykjavik. Although just 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle, it is warmed by the Gulf Stream, lending it a relatively moderate climate. This is evident in the Botanic Gardens and the two-month-long annual Arts and Culture Festival’s outdoor summer events.

Included excursion

Admire Godafoss Waterfall on an included excursion.

Isafjördur, Iceland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Dwarfed by stark mountains on either side, the small town of Isafjördur is tucked away on an arm of the fjord of the same name. It boasts the largest harbour in Iceland’s Westfjord region, which saw it thrive as a trading hub from the 16th to 19th centuries. Wooden 18th-century merchant houses still stand along the harbourfront, including the oldest in Iceland, which now houses a folk museum. Another historic home is now the Maritime Museum, which further attests to Isafjördur’s close ties to the sea. Boat trips to the nearby island of Vigur are popular with birdwatchers as it has an array of birdlife.

Included excursion

Join this panoramic excursion for an introduction to Isafjördur before independent exploration.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive 0900 on Jul 10. Depart 1700 on Jul 11.

Reykjavik, or ‘Smoky Bay’, was named after the area’s numerous hot springs by its Viking founder,Ingólfur Arnason, in AD 874. Although Iceland’s oldest permanent settlement and capital, it retains a friendly small-town atmosphere. Glimpse Old Reykjavik’s colourful houses capped by corrugated roofs and the imposing Hallgrimskirkja church on an included panoramic excursion.

The city’s historic heart is full of boutiques, numerous museums and art galleries. Excavations have revealed many Viking artefacts in this area around city-centre Lake Tjörnin – known locally as The Pond. Find out more about the city’s development at the National Museum and Saga Museum or visit the famous Blue Lagoon.

Included excursion

Tour this quirky capital on a panoramic drive, highlighting the striking Hallgrimskirkja church built out of concrete.

Optional excursions

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous sites, where natural geothermal energy heats the artificial lagoon. The mineral-rich waters make it a favourite spot for a rejuvenating dip. Alternatively, join a full-day visit to a trio of natural wonders: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Strokkur and Gullfoss Waterfall.

Grundafjördur ⚓, Iceland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The small fishing town of Grundafjordur rests in the shadow of Kirkjufell, a distinctive wedge-shaped mountain. Set on the north side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or ‘Snow Mount’s Peninsula’, a region of immense natural wonder. Snaefellsjokull, a stratovolcano capped by a glacier, left such a lasting impression on Jules Verne that the novelist used it as a setting in his famous novel, ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’. In the summertime, a boat trip to Melrakkaey Island will reveal a large colony of Atlantic puffins.

Optional excursion

You can join a boat trip to the protected island of Melrakkaey, which is home to a large colony of Atlantic puffins in the summer.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Heimaey ⚓, Iceland

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

Cruise through the Vestmannaeyjar volcanic chicane to reach Heimaey, six miles from the mainland and the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The other 14 islands and skerries in the reserve are home to cormorants and millions of puffins in the summertime. In 1973, a volcanic eruption further shaped the island, giving rise to Eldfell, a volcanic cone that dominates the landscape. The main town and harbour survived thanks to the outstanding efforts of the townsfolk. Following modern-day excavations, a new museum opened in 2014 to tell the island’s story.

Optional excursion

Tour the island of Heimaey to view its volcanic landscapes and learn about its history.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Originally a Viking settlement, Stornoway is the bustling capital of the Outer Hebrides, set in a natural harbour overlooked by the Victorian gothic-style Lews Castle. The town is set on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, well-known for its Harris Tweed, a cloth hand woven by the islanders for centuries.

Optional excursions

Visit the famous Calanais standing stones which pre-date Stonehenge and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age.

Lerwick, Shetland Islands

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Fringed by unspoilt beaches, with a unique array of wildlife and a dramatic Viking past, the Shetland archipelago is made up of over 100 islands scattered in the North Sea. Lerwick, from the Norse word ‘Leirvik’ meaning ‘muddy bay’, is the main town and port, offering a quaint array of arts and crafts shops and a museum which charts the history of the islands.

Included excursion

Uncover the island’s highlights on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursions

Delve into the islands’ history further with a visit to Jarlshof, a settlement that spans 4000 years dating back to the Neolithic period.

Spend the day at sea.

Dover

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.