Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen and mountain peaks Your Arctic adventure begins in the charming city of Bergen. Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, Norway's old capital is also one of its most picturesque cities. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Across from Bryggen, you'll find the city's famous fish market. Take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen for amazing views of the city, and the mountains and sea beyond. Our optional Pre-Programme is a great way to see all the main sights before you embark on your expedition cruise.

Explore Scotland's northernmost town Built on the herring trade, Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, lands more fish than England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. The town has deep Norse roots. You’ll hear it in the dialect and from the Viking stories told by the impressive stained-glass windows of Lerwick Town Hall. Find out more at the Shetland Museum – and see the Pictish carvings and delicate Shetland lace shawls. Don't forget your binoculars – grey and common seals are a frequent sight along the waterfront. The islands’ famous birdlife includes Red-throated Divers, redshanks and curlews.

A visit to Streymoy in the Faroe Islands On Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands, is Tórshavn. Founded by Norsemen in the 10th century, Tórshavn – ‘Thor’s Harbour’ – is one of Northern Europe’s oldest capitals. Your included walking tour winds through cobbled alleyways and colourful, turf-roofed houses. In the local museums, you’ll learn about the city’s origins and the flora, fauna and geology of the Faroe Islands. Just over a mile north of the town, Svartafoss Waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks. And as you walk along the seafront, look out for the Eider Drake and the distinctive Faroese Starling with its beige-tipped wings.

Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature Your expedition cruise arrives in the Faroe Islands, part of the Kingdom of Denmark. We'll stop to explore the tiny village of Elduvík with just 23 inhabitants. Set in the Funningsfjordur inlet in the Faroe Islands, Elduvík is split in two by the river Stórá. While small, it comes complete with a school, church, dock and pier. From the pier, enjoy the view across the sparkling waters to the nearby island of Kalsoy. It is astonishingly peaceful here–only the seabirds and sheep break the silence. As you walk through the village's charming streets, you'll notice that many of the small, rustic houses' roofs are covered in grass instead of slate, offering much-needed insulation and protection against the weather.

Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise towards Iceland As we sail to Bakkagerði, you'll have time to sit back and swap stories of your adventures so far. Keep your eyes peeled while on deck for some wonderful marine life and seabirds – you can even relax in the hot tub up there at the same time. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center as they set the scene for the next leg of your expedition in North Iceland. Learn about the island's stunning landscape, culture and beliefs – such as the Icelandic Elves. You may even get the chance to join one of our knitting workshops.

Look for elves in staggering natural beauty Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny settlement off the beaten track. Your included excursion takes you on a living walk around town to learn about the area from local people. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of elves. It's also a popular hiking spot. You can hike through lush green valleys and pristine wilderness among colourful rhyolite rocks. The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, Kittiwakes, Eiders and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic Puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi – a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Iceland's best whale watching spot Discover Húsavík on today's included walking tour – a fascinating small town that's one of the best places in the world to see whales. We'll head to Skjálfandi Bay to look out for humpback, minke, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and, maybe even the elusive blue whale. Learn more about them at Husavik’s Whale Museum. There's even a space exploration museum here; NASA thought Húsavík's geology resembled lunar rocks and sent astronauts from their Apollo space missions here to train. You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at GeoSea overlooking Skjálfandi Bay, and then refresh with a beer at the local microbrewery.

See dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls Gaze at snow-capped peaks as we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord. It's one of the best places in Europe to spot humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. You may see orcas, blue and fin whales too. Iceland’s 'Northern Capital’, Akureyri, sits at the fjord base. You'll enjoy the oasis of a botanical garden, top-notch eateries and museums. A city walk is included. Join optional excursions to visit impressive Goðafoss Waterfall where turquoise water pounds against black rocks. Spot Eider and Harlequin Ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's more active volcanic areas.

Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead As your Arctic cruise continues towards Jan Mayen, enjoy a day at sea. There's plenty to do onboard. Scan for marine wildlife from the deck, enjoy the panoramic sauna or a soak in the hot tub. Visit the Science Center for insights into the destinations ahead on your island-hopping expedition. Enjoy a fascinating lecture from the Expedition Team or help collect important data for our Citizen Science projects. Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers from our onboard photographer on how to capture wildlife and landscapes. You'll find the comfort of the Explorer Lounge a great place to read or watch the world glide by.

Visit an active volcano that's a haven for birdlife Jan Mayen has no permanent residents and visits to the island are rare. In fact, we're one of the few to attempt landings here. If conditions allow, you’ll be setting foot on one of Earth’s most remote places. Jan Mayen’s surreal, moss and lichen-streaked landscape is dominated by the volcanic cone of Mount Beerenberg. It's the world's northernmost active volcano and last erupted in 1985. You won’t see land mammals, but the island is designated an Important Bird Area, supporting large populations of Northern Fulmars, Brünich’s Guillemots and Little Auks. Look out for abundant marine life in the waters too, including whales and seals.

Time to absorb your new memories Spend the day at your leisure as we sail on to Svalbard. Enjoy taking the quiet moments, simply appreciating the peaceful, awe-inspiring scenery all around you. This is a rare opportunity to disconnect and detox from the modern world. Enjoy a workout in the gym or simply relax in the panoramic sauna while gazing out at the view. You may have unanswered questions about things you've seen so far. As ever, our Expedition Team will be on hand with lectures and insights about these Arctic islands. The Science Center will keep enquiring minds busy.

A land of spectacular beauty and prowling polar bears Spitsbergen showcases Arctic beauty in its untouched glory, a wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and eerily beautiful islands. You’ll visit some of the world’s most dramatic fjords, immense U-shaped valleys and glaciers preparing to calve icebergs into the sea. You might also spot the region’s apex predator, the magnificent polar bear. They trek the ice along the coast, hunting for seals. We’ll take advantage of every opportunity to land, taking expedition boats ashore for hiking and other activities. If we can, we’ll launch our kayaks to enjoy the scenery in near-perfect silence.

A last day at the top of the world Your Arctic expedition cruise ends back in Longyearbyen. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience. Before your flight back to Oslo, you'll have time to discover more of Longyearbyen and do a spot of shopping – perhaps a warm Svalbard sweater. If you’re ready for more exploring, why not join our optional Post-Programme and experience a walrus safari.

Itineraries are subject to change.