Arrive in Bergen, perched on a fjord and ringed by seven hills. After an overview of this beautiful city, embark National Geographic Orion in time for lunch and set sail into the heart of Norway's fjord country.

Norway's glacier-carved western coast boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Cruise deep into the sublime Sognefjorden, the third longest in the world, and launch kayaks and Zodiacs to explore its mirror-like waterways. In the picturesque village of Undredal, take a hike up the mountain for an amazing fjord view, see the town's 12th-century stave church, and sample its famous brown goat cheese, Brunost. 

Sail across the North Sea and glide past the cliffs of Noss to view nesting seabirds before arriving in Scotland's Shetland Islands, a rugged archipelago of about 100 islands and islets. Explore Lerwick, a town where Norse and Gaelic cultures intermingle, and see the countryside dotted with Shetland ponies. Then examine Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses at the extraordinary prehistoric settlements of Jarlshof and nearby Old Scatness—UNESCO candidates which are part of "The Crucible of Iron Age Shetland." Later, take in a cacophony of puffins, guillemots, and razorbills as you walk to the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head. Learn Shetland dancing, or watch your fellow guests learn!  A local dance troupe performs for you in Lerwick.

Zodiac in to the uninhabited isle of Mousa, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate and the third element in "The Crucible of Iron Age Shetland." Hike to an Iron Age broch, or stone tower, built circa 100 BC, looking for storm petrels along the way. The next landing is tiny and remote Fair Isle, situated between the Shetland and Orkney Islands. Visit the island's bird research station, and spot some of the roughly 250 species of flowering plants that grow here. Browse local handicrafts including intricately patterned Fair Isle knitwear, which is renowned worldwide. 

The Vikings held a strategic foothold in the Orkney Islands for hundreds of years, and their Norse heritage is apparent in local legends and traditions that endure today. Explore a treasure trove of Stone Age sites, including the megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stone-slab village of Skara Brae. Step inside the medieval St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, which took nearly 300 years to complete. This evening a musical event features Julie Fowlis, whose Gaelic voice is recognizable from the soundtrack of Disney Pixar's "Brave." For experienced scuba divers, join a fantastic dive in Scapa Flow (an added cost).

Along the wild, western coast of Scotland lies the Isle of Lewis, steeped in history and legend. Visit to marvel at the massive neolithic Standing Stones of Callanish, which rival Stonehenge in the majesty of their setting. "There’s a saying in these isles that if you scratch the surface, it bleeds archaeology."

Sail through the Sea of the Hebrides to the isle of Iona, the site of Scotland's first Christian settlement. Venture into an ancient nunnery and a 13th-century abbey. Explore St. Oran's Chapel and its royal burial grounds, where Celtic high crosses mark the graves of generations of Scottish kings. Then dock at Staffa, famed for its geometric basalt columns and deep-sea caves. A special treat is a Zodiac ride to the awe-inspiring Fingal's Cave for a close-up look at the place that inspired Felix Mendelssohn to write his "Hebrides Overture."

Arrive in Dublin and enjoy breakfast before disembarking and transferring to the airport for flights home.