Reykjavik, founded around 870 C.E. by Viking settler Ingolfur Arnarson, was Iceland’s first permanent settlement. In 1703, a census recorded only 69 residents centered around a small farm and church. Today, a statue of Leif Erikson in the town center honors Iceland’s Viking heritage, while the name “Reykjavik”—meaning “smoky bay”—reflects the geothermal steam rising from its surroundings.

Now home to about 200,000 people, Reykjavík represents 60% of Iceland’s population and has grown into a vibrant, sophisticated city. As the world’s northernmost capital, it’s renowned for its cleanliness, safety, and eco-friendly practices. Visitors strolling through its streets discover a lively mix of culture, history, shopping, and vibrant nightlife. Colorful rooftops and Hallgrimskirkja Church’s striking spire define its skyline. The city also celebrates the arts with internationally acclaimed festivals, such as Iceland Airwaves, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, and the Reykjavik International Film Festival.

From Reykjavik fly to Kangerlussuaq.

In October 1941, the U.S. Army Air Force built an airbase at Kangerlussuaq, using it as a refueling station for single-engine aircraft en route to Britain during World War II. Planes departed from Goose Bay, Labrador, and flew 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to reach Kangerlussuaq. The fjord, known as Kangerlussuaq or "Big Fjord," stretches 170 kilometers (105 miles) and is often obscured by fog, presenting navigational challenges for pilots.

Today, advanced technology has eliminated these navigation issues. With its expansive alluvial plain formed by glacial runoff, Kangerlussuaq's landscape provided a naturally flat site ideal for an airport. Greenland's largest commercial airport, Kangerlussuaq, now supports a community of around 500 residents. Interestingly, between 1971 and 1987, 33 missiles were launched from here for upper-atmosphere scientific research, adding a unique chapter to its history.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available.

Pangnirtung is an Inuit hamlet located in Nunavut, Canada, on the southeast shore of Pangnirtung Fjord, at the southern tip of Baffin Island. The community has a population of approximately 1,500 residents and is about 45 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. Pangnirtung is a gateway to Auyuittuq National Park, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and various outdoor activities, including hiking and climbing.

Kekerten Island is an uninhabited island located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. It is the southernmost of the Kikastan Islands and is situated in Cumberland Sound, off the southeastern coast of Baffin Island. The island is known for its historical significance, particularly related to the whaling industry of the 19th century.

 

Lady Franklin Island is truly breathtaking in its appearance! The rock here is some of the oldest on Earth, having been formed some 2.5 to 4 billion years ago. Barren, rocky, and exposed to the full wrath of the weather, the island is home to breeding seabirds, ducks, and walrus. With some luck, it's possible to see Atlantic puffins and even the rare Sabine's gull.

Monumental Island is home to nesting black guillemots and is a favorite resting spot for walrus, as they may be viewed at numerous haulouts around the Island. The elusive Polar bear patrols the ice-floes here in search of seals while various whales feed offshore.

In 1845, British Royal Navy explorer Sir John Franklin, on the most technologically advanced expedition to date, vanished in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Fellow Arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall named both islands as a tribute to the wife of Franklin and as a natural monument in memory of Franklin himself. 

The Lower Savage Islands are an uninhabited group of islands situated off the southeastern tip of Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada. Located in the Gabriel Strait, part of the Arctic Archipelago, these islands are marked by rugged terrain, rocky shores, and sparse vegetation that has adapted to the harsh Arctic climate. One notable feature of the islands is a V-shaped lake approximately 1.5 kilometers south of Savage Harbor.

Resolution Island is an uninhabited island located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada, situated in Davis Strait and approximately 1,015 square kilometers (392 square miles) in area. Historically significant, it was first encountered by English explorer Martin Frobisher in 1576 and later named by Sir Thomas Button in 1612 after his ship, Resolution.

 

Nachvak Fiord is a stunning and deep fjord located in northern Labrador, Canada, stretching approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) long and nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide. It features two distinct arms at its western end, known as the Tallek Arm and Tasiuyak Arm, which are the outlets of glacial valleys characterized by their U-shaped profiles. The fjord is surrounded by the majestic Torngat Mountains, the highest in Labrador, including notable peaks like Mount Razorback and Mount Caubvick.

Ramah Bay is an essential geographical feature in the Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador, Canada. Indigenous peoples have inhabited this area for over 7,000 years, and it is renowned for its rich cultural history and natural resources. Historically, Ramah Bay served as a summer site for hunting, fishing, and berry-picking for the Nunatsiavut Inuit, who valued the region for its abundant wildlife.

Rose Island, also known as Sallikuluk, is a significant historical and cultural site located in the Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador, Canada. This island serves as the final resting place for over 113 Inuit individuals whose remains were exhumed without consent between 1969 and 1971. In 1995, these remains were returned and reburied on the island, accompanied by traditional artifacts such as pots and lamps. This event marked a respectful acknowledgment of the Inuit heritage and history.

Hebron is a historic Inuit community located on the north coast of Labrador, Canada, within the Nunatsiavut region. Established in the early 19th century by Moravian missionaries, the Hebron Mission served as a religious, educational, and medical center for the local Inuit population until its closure in 1959. At its peak, Hebron was home to around 200 to 250 residents who practiced traditional hunting and fishing.

Nain is the northernmost permanent settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador, located in the Nunatsiavut region of Canada. Founded in 1771 as a Moravian mission by Jens Haven and other missionaries, Nain has evolved into a vibrant community with approximately 1,204 residents, primarily of Inuit and mixed Inuit-European descent. It serves as the administrative capital of Nunatsiavut and is one of the oldest continuous Inuit settlements in Canada.

Indian Harbor is a former settlement located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Established in 1894 by medical missionary Wilfred Grenfell, it became known for its cottage hospital, which provided essential medical services to the local population and fishing fleets.

At the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula is the first known evidence of European presence in the Americas. Over 1,000 years ago, Norse expeditions sailing from Greenland built a small encampment of timber-and-sod buildings. Known as L'Anse aux Meadows, from the French' bay of the grasslands,' it was rediscovered in 1960 and is one of North America's most celebrated archaeological sites. It is most noted for its connection to the legendary Vinland colony Leif Erikson established and Norse exploration in the Americas. Before 1960, it was believed that Christopher Columbus was the first European to land in America. Now, it is accepted that almost 500 years prior, Viking long-ships sailed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. L'Anse aux Meadows is the farthest known extent of Viking settlement in the New World. In 1978, the remains of its eight sod buildings were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available.

Arrive in St Johns and disembark after breakfast.