Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice with Smithsonian Journeys

Reykjavik, Iceland's vibrant capital, hugs the edge of a vast bay in the west. Perlan, a striking museum on Oskjuhlid Hill, offers breathtaking panoramic views of lush landscapes. Nearby, the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church rises above the city, leading to the historic center where you can wander lively streets like Skolavordustigur and Laugavegur, dotted with charming boutiques. For a tranquil escape, head to the Reykjanes Peninsula to experience the soothing, world-famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths.

A tiny basalt gem in the North Atlantic, Surtsey is a volcanic island born from a submarine eruption between 1963 and 1967, located near the Westman Islands south of Iceland. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Surtsey is strictly off-limits to visitors to preserve its untouched ecosystem. Only scientists can study its remarkable natural colonization, where mosses, fungi, and lichens paved the way for vascular plants. Today, the island hosts around 300 invertebrate species and 90 bird species. As you sail around Surtsey, marvel at its dramatic contours and the fascinating story of nature’s resilience.

This land, seated off the southern coast of Iceland, is the largest of the Vestmann islands and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjolfsdalur offer a rich contrast to nature. On the Storhofdi road, look over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic Ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum that traces the volcanic eruption experienced by Heimaey in 1973.

This secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you can get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjordur lies sheltered behind this cone-shaped rock. A stone's throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters, tundra, and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of Breidafjordur. Scattered with its emerald-colored lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, will most certainly win your favor.

Grimsey is the northernmost island of Iceland, surging from the Arctic Ocean, with the Arctic Circle running through the island. Its contrasted contours are surprising. From Grimseyjarhreppur, the island's only town on the west coast, heading south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.

The elegant city of Akureyri is close to the Arctic Circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjordur fjord. It displays a stunning palette of colors: blue waters in the harbor, bronze mountain ash on the squares, and brightly-colored houses in the historical center. Walking along the cobbled streets, you come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. The very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate offers the opportunity to discover Icelandic flora and plants worldwide.

Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wild land of lost valleys and cliffs where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region, you find the Isafjordur fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many ancient basaltic flows. Isafjordur, which nestles at the back of its fjord between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.

Iceland's capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the country's west. Perlan, the "Pearl of Reykjavík," a museum on' Oskjuhlid hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrimskirkja church and to the historical center, where one can stroll along the Skolavordustigur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. Visitors can visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon for some relaxation just outside the city.

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking.