Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland

Arrive in Oslo and transfer to our centrally-located hotel. In the afternoon, our introduction to Norway begins with a tour of Oslo, including a visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian pole explorers such as Nansen and Amundsen. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner at your leisure. (L)

Take a charter flight to Tromsø, known as the “gateway to the Arctic” due to the large number of Arctic expeditions that originated here. Visit the Arctic Cathedral, where the unique architecture evokes icebergs; and peruse the Polar Museum, which showcases the ships, equipment, and seafaring traditions of early Arctic settlers. Embark our ship this afternoon. (B,L,D)

This morning, enter the long fjord of Tysfjorden, where only a few small villages cling to the rocky shores. Glide beneath the fjord’s steep walls on Zodiac and kayak excursions; and explore Hellemobotn Fjord, which reaches far inland, ending just a few miles from the border of Sweden. (B,L,D)

Start your day on deck as we glide into Trollfjorden, one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords. Continue to the Lofoten archipelago, which boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages framed by jagged, granite peaks that rise straight from the sea. Explore the many islets, and reposition to Værøy for walks and kayaking. Seek out Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots on a Zodiac cruise. (B,L,D)

Carved by glaciers over millions of years, Norway’s northern coast is laced with steep-walled fjords, mountainous islands, and chiseled peaks. Cruise in a Zodiac along vertical rock faces, kayak through serene fjords, or go ashore on a secluded sandy beach to hike amid verdant valleys and birch forests. (B,L,D)

Spend a relaxing morning at sea as we sail toward the Shetland Islands, an archipelago of about one hundred islands and islets located north of the Scottish mainland. Glide past the towering cliffs of Noss to view murres, puffins, kittiwakes, and other seabirds. This evening, dock overnight in Lerwick. (B,L,D)

Lerwick is a town where Norse and Gaelic cultures intermingle. Explore the town, delve into local culture and history at the Shetland Museum & Archives, or embark on a bird-watching or geology walk. Alternatively, venture to the prehistoric settlement of Jarlshof to examine its Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses. In the afternoon, continue to Foula, a stark but spectacular island edged with towering cliffs and blanketed with peat bogs, where people are drastically outnumbered by puffins. (B,L,D)

This morning, we arrive in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark. The legacy of the Vikings persists here, reflected in the language of the Faroese and their love of the sea. Visit Torshavn, the colorful capital of the Faroe Islands, where even the government buildings are crafted in the traditional design of wooden siding with a turf roof. Visit the 12th-century St. Olav's Church alongside the ruins of Kirkjubøur Cathedral, which was never completed. Explore one of the outer islands in this tiny archipelago to see some of the incredible, dramatic sea cliffs and deep fjords that characterize the coastline. Take Zodiacs to look for cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars. (B,L,D)

After a day at sea, we awake along Iceland’s rugged eastern coast, an unspoiled stretch of rocky outcrops, hidden coves, and hills that beckon hikers. We visit Seyðisfjörður , a colorful fishing village located in the mouth of a majestic fjords and surrounded by dramatic mountains. Choose to explore the town or visit Skalanes Nature Reserve to see its incredible wildflowers and bird cliffs. Continue to Grímsey on the Arctic Circle. (B,L,D)

Located in the Westfjords region, the town of Ísafjörđur lies on a tiny spit jutting out into the water against a backdrop of steep hills. Spend time hiking and watching for nesting seabirds in this remote setting. The next day, visit Flatey island, a fishing and trading post for centuries. Navigate the coast by Zodiac to see where Erik the Red is believed to have set sail around the year 982, bound for Greenland. (B,L,D)

Spend the day in the Westman Islands, one of the world’s younger archipelagos, formed by undersea volcanos some 11,000 years ago. In 1973, the isle of Heimaey was threatened by lava flows that nearly closed off the harbor. We’ll visit the Eldfell volcanic crater, where the earth is still hot, and take in views over landscapes engulfed in lava rock. We’ll also spy Surtsey, one of the world’s youngest islands, which was formed by volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1967. (B,L,D)

Disembark in Reykjavík and take a morning excursion. After lunch, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B,L)