Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga

After a day of independent exploration in Aberdeen, you’ll embark on an evening departure. Many of the historic stone buildings here are made of locally quarried granite; high in mica, they can sparkle like silver.

The city is also famed for its forty-five parks, gardens, and floral displays. Though it is now a modern city, Aberdeen retains its old-world charm.

Wander through the stone walls of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll find the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar. Tour the Hall of Clestrain, the childhood home of Arctic explorer John Rae. In Kirkwall, let yourself be captivated by the city’s sights, dominated by the massive St. Magnus Cathedral dating back to 1137.

Experience its lively pubs, vibrant music scene, fabulous shopping opportunities, and thriving artisan community. Step back 5,000 years to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Considered one of the most important Neolithic ruins in Europe today, wander the well-preserved stone houses and learn what daily life was like here.

Journey to charming Fair Isle, once a Viking hub and now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds. Keep your binoculars handy to spot some of the 350 bird species that the island boasts, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers.

Take a tour of the local museum, dedicated to preserving the island's heritage.

Visit Vágur, where the warm hospitality of its 1,300 residents awaits you. Relish in the opportunity to witness Faroese chain dancing and share stories of Vágur‘s captivating past. Enjoy the abundance of birdlife that the island boasts.

Let your senses feast on the view of Suðuroy’s towering west side. Admire majestic cliffs, stunning mountains, sea stacks, and the magnificent Beinisvørð mountain as it stands tall from afar.

See for yourself why the island is famed for its dramatic cliffs towering over the North Atlantic and enjoy this paradise for birds, including European storm petrels and Atlantic puffins.

Explore the splendid little city of Tórshavn (“Thor’s harbor”), the Faroe Islands’ capital and a former Viking trading center. Stroll through the enchanting streets of the old town, where you'll discover a treasure trove of galleries, charming shops, and restaurants.

Admire the buildings with their grass roofs and black timber façades, offering a glimpse into traditional Faroese architecture and culture.

Eysturoy and Streymoy islands are perfect for hiking, birding, and photography. Charming villages connected by high-tech tunnels through mountains and beneath the ocean floor are a unique and startling feature of Faroese life.

Explore remote Faroese villages Elduvik and Funningur via Zodiac. With a population of only 12 and 70 respectively, these villages offer a glimpse into Faroese island life. As you meander through the dramatic landscape surrounded by beautiful mountains, get to know the locals and enjoy exploring the picturesque bays these villages call home.

The spectacular waterfall at Gásadalur is reached through one such tunnel—but look for the old switchback trail over the mountain, once used by the local postman!

Deepen your understanding of the environment, cultures, and history of the region as we steam across the North Atlantic towards Iceland. Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck!

Vestmannaeyjar lies off the south coast of Iceland and comprises fourteen islands, numerous rocks, and skerries. Only the largest island, Heimaey, is inhabited. Numerous species of seabirds, including the famous puffin, nest in the steep rock faces along the ocean cliffs. The volcanically active area has seen two major eruptions in recent times: the formation of the island of Surtsey in 1963, and the Eldfell eruption ten years later that destroyed much of Heimaey.

Complete your journey in Reykjavík, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital that was established in the year 874 CE. Food, culture, and nightlife abound, while the National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts.

Disembark in the morning and say your farewells in what is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world.