Embark the MS Serenissima this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time. Sail this evening.

This morning we visit Foula, one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands. Apart from a narrow coastal strip of more fertile croftland, Foula is an expanse of peat and moorland rising steeply to five dramatic peaks. In the early summer Foula’s wildflowers provide a glorious burst of colour. Translated as “Bird Island” from Old Norse, the island is designated as a Special Protection Area for birds and is home to the world’s largest colony of Great skuas, known locally as bonxies, which compete fiercely with Arctic skuas for breeding territories. Kittiwakes and Arctic terns return annually to nest whilst the cliffs team with puffins, shags and fulmars. Over lunch we will sail the short distance to Papa Stour where we will use our Zodiacs to explore the stunning cliff scenery, sea stacks, arches, blowholes and coastal caves which are home to Arctic skua and large numbers of Arctic terns.

After a morning at sea we arrive in the Faroe Islands and the island of Borooy in the north of the group. On our afternoon excursion we will learn more about the Faroese and Viking traditions as we make our way via a three mile long tunnel, 500 feet under the sea to Leirvik on the island of Eysturoy. Here we will see the archaeological excavations of a thousand year old Viking farm before continuing to Gota, located at the head of the broad Gotuvik fjord. This historic area was the home of the famous Viking chieftain, Trondur i Gotu, who defended the old Viking ways against the desire of the Norwegian king and the Faroese chieftain, Sigmundu Brestisson, to convert the Faroese to Christianity. Ruins of his farm are found in Gota, whilst the Blasastova Museum provides an insight into the culture and way of life in the Faroe Islands in past centuries.

From our berth this morning we will join a guided tour through Torshavn over the hills to Kirkjubour, the island’s oldest cultural centre, where we see the ruins of the 13th century St Magnus Cathedral and the 11th century church, still in use. We also visit the 900 year old ‘Roykstovan’, the old bishopric, considered to be the oldest wooden house in Europe. For those feeling active we will arrange a hike in the hills surrounding the town to discover the local flora and fauna. After lunch on board, we will drive to the beautiful village of Saksun, an isolated settlement situated beneath steep majestic mountains. We will visit Duvugaroar, an old farmhouse that is now a museum, and a traditional Faeroese wooden church in Kollafjord.

Vestmanna is our base this morning as we explore the northwest corner of Streymoy and the nearby cliffs. We will board local boats to explore the vertical cliffs that climb almost 1500 feet, sailing into grottos carved by the surf over the years and watching the thousands of seabirds including puffins, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes that nest here each summer. Return to the ship for lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon on board sailing towards Iceland.

As we approach Iceland we will see the shimmering white Vatnajokull Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier, sometimes called an icecap. The 600 metre thick ice surmounts active volcanoes, one of which erupted in 1996 creating a crater on the surface of the glacier, a most unusual phenomenon. From our berth in Hofn we will drive to the otherworldly glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, a dramatic drive through some of the finest scenery that Iceland offers. Once we reach Jokulsarlon, the 100 metre deep glacial river lagoon which is full of large icebergs, carved from the glacier Breioamerkurjokull, we will embark on a cruise on the pristine water, sailing in between the blue, white and black ice.

Enjoy the benefits of our small ship as we spend the day exploring the lesser-known fjords in the east of Iceland. We hope to land at the small town at Neskaupstadur for a chance to visit the excellent museum which features the local art gallery, Museum of Natural History and Maritime Museum. Those feeling active can hike to the avalanche barriers behind the town, offering great views of the surrounding areas. Cruise through Mjoifjordur where we can enjoy the wilderness of this remote area.

Be on deck this morning as we sail into Husavik, known as the whale capital of Iceland. From our berth we will head inland to visit the Lake Myvatn-Krafla area, a fine example of the volcanic world with lava fields, boiling and steaming mud pools, steam vents of sulphur and craters. The area illustrates the sheer magnitude of Iceland’s forces at work. The lake itself, with beautiful natural rock formations and hot springs, is also a unique ecosystem and the largest migratory bird sanctuary in Europe. We will offer time in the natural baths before returning to the ship via the spectacular Godafoss Waterfall where water from the Skjalfandafljot River falls from a height of 12 metres over a width of 30 metres. Enjoy some free time in Husavik this afternoon to explore the town and maybe visit the excellent whale museum.

Spend the morning on Grimsey Island. The Arctic Circle bisects this island which is known for its tiny community, basalt cliffs and the large variety of birdlife. On arrival join our expedition team members for a nature walk on the island. Over lunch we sail to Siglufjordur, a picturesque town that enjoys an idyllic setting in a small fjord backed by mountains. Here in the early 1900s, a booming economy due to the herring industry resulted in a prosperous town with some marvellous Icelandic architecture. Stroll through the town and visit the Herring Era Museum.

Cruise overnight into Skagafjordur where we berth in the small town of Saudarkrokur. Established as a market town in 1868 for the local farmers, the town grew in the early 20th century as an important fishing port and trading centre for the region. We will drive inland to Glaumbaer and visit the museum, built within turf-roofed farmhouses, which showcases the region’s heritage and we will also see the tannery, the only one in Europe that makes fish leather. Over lunch we sail to Drangey Island, situated in the fjord it is a colony for thousands of seabirds including puffins, guillemots, gannets and fulmars who nest on the steep cliffs that rise 180 metres. Our guide will tell us the ancient stories of Grettir the Strong who lived on the island in exile over 1000 years ago.

Awake this morning in the West Fjords, an isolated but spectacular area of Iceland. We will cruise into Isafjordur and, depending on local weather conditions, we hope to use our fleet of Zodiacs to explore further. We also plan to visit the village of Thingeyri, one of the oldest settlements in the West Fjords and the location of the area’s first trading post. Return to the ship via the thunderous Dynjandi, the highest waterfall in the West Fjords falling 100 metres and 30 metres wide.

Sail this morning into Stykkisholmur, located in Breidafjordur Bay and surrounded by an archipelago of islands. The town is famed for its beautiful and well-preserved old houses and is also the gateway to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula which is dominated by the Snaefellsjokull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland and known as the setting for Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. Our tour will include a drive through the lava landscape to the glacier visiting pretty fishing ports and beaches along the way. Afterwards, there will be the opportunity to spend some time at leisure in the town.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to London.

This voyage is a combination of both expedition style cruising and small ship destination cruising. Whilst we will be alongside in most of the ports, on some days we will be at anchor and the vessel’s Zodiacs will be utilised to transport passengers ashore and for Zodiac cruising to explore the more remote regions we will be visiting. The use of the Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.