Expedition Circumnavigation Of Iceland And South-West Greenland: Premiere Between Fire And Ice

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.

Mysticism and adventure characterise the Westman Islands off the south coast of Iceland. Heimaey is not only the largest and only inhabited island in the archipelago, but also the one with the most known volcanic eruptions. In 1973, the Eldfell volcano erupted and buried most of the village under itself. Thanks to a quick evacuation, mostly by fishing boats, all residents could be brought to safety in time. The lava landscape and the Eldheimar Museum bear impressive witness to the event. Your on-board expedition team offers hikes of various lengths. Take the opportunity, for example, to climb Eldfell or marvel at the lava formations on the cliffs.Tip for ornithologists: The harbour entrance offers good opportunities for sightings of common murres, kittiwakes and northern fulmars. Meadow pipits and grey wagtails can usually be observed on the meadows outside the village. Those who make it to the southern cape will be rewarded with the first puffins.

It’s hard to imagine, as you stroll Heimaey’s idyllic streets of white wooden houses, that this island was literally torn apart by a spectacular volcanic eruption, just over 40 years ago. The fact that you can visit incredible Heimaey at all is something of a miracle – because the oozing lava of the Eldfell volcano threatened to seal the harbour off completely. Fortunately, its advance was halted by gallons of seawater, pumped onto it by the plucky islanders, who saved their fishing industry in the process. Iceland's famous for its scenery, and the huge castles of volcanic rock that rise out of the sea's waves here are some of the country's most dramatic.

Fjords, fishing villages and a sense of freedom: the east coast of Iceland is characterised by impressive mountain ranges, large forests, fertile valleys and deep-blue inlets. A world of discovery, also geologically, as your experts on board will tell you. The region is known for its magma chambers with colourful minerals and its bizarre rhyolite formations.The fishing village of Seydisfjordur lies in an idyllic setting at the end of a fjord of the same name, surrounded by mountains that reach heights of up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) and are almost always capped with snow. In the town centre, there are many historic wooden buildings in the style of the 1920s that bear witness to the wealth of the herring boom. Small art galleries, cafes and shops invite you to stay and explore during your individual shore visit. You can explore the surrounding area with its waterfalls on your own on numerous trails directly from the boat.Tip for ornithologists: In the Skalanes* nature reserve, Arctic terns, redshanks, black-tailed godwits and redwits can be easily observed. Great black-backed gulls like to perch on the coast, and snipes are usually mating in the air at this time of year. The larger streams that flow into the bay should be searched for the beautiful ruffed duck, which only breeds in Iceland in Europe.

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The community owes its origins to foreign merchants, mainly Danes, who started trading in the fjord in the mid-19th century. But the crucial factor in the evolution of the village was the establishment of the Icelandic herring fishery by Norwegians in 1870-1900. The Norwegians built up a number of herring-fishing facilities, and in a matter of years the little community grew into a boom town. Today, about 800 people live in Seyðisfjörður. The local economy has long been based on the fisheries, while light industry also flourishes. Tourism is playing a growing role, as the picturesque town in its spectacular surroundings attracts more and more visitors. The car/passenger ferry Norrøna, which plies between continental Europe and Iceland every summer, docks at Seyðisfjörður every Thursday. Seyðisfjörður has been a cosmopolitan community from its foundation, and the ferry service has contributed to ensuring that it remains so.

The fjords and the sea create a natural canvas that is at once remote and soul-stirring on the north coast of Iceland. Here you are close to the Arctic Circle, and a passionate spirit of discovery surrounds the ship. Off the beaten track, the route takes you to the most beautiful destinations on the peninsula and the islands.The oldest settlement in Iceland is the fishing village of Husavik, known as one of the best places in Europe for whale watching. You may even spot the sea giants from on board. You will also be mesmerised by nature on land when you hike up the local mountain Husavikurfjall and to Lake Botnsvatn with your experts. Husavik is also the starting point for tours* in the surrounding area – for example, to the Dettifoss waterfall, which falls from a height of 45 m (148 ft) and the Asbyrgi Canyon – according to legend, a giant horse of Odin (the father of the gods) created this massive rock basin.The expedition route takes you on to a magical destination: the northern Arctic Circle on Grimsey, 40 km (25 mi.) north of Iceland. This makes the island the only inhabited place in Iceland where the midnight sun can be seen. Millions of birds breed on the cliffs and beaches and find plenty of food in the waters that are full of fish. Enjoy the sights on hikes with your experts to the polar circle monument, the bird cliffs and the lighthouse.A true pearl of the north, Akureyri sits on a long fjord. Take your time to explore the charming town centre with its wooden houses from the late 19th century and stroll through the lively alleys. A visit to the botanical garden is also worthwhile: the unique plant collection includes almost all native and several hundred foreign plant species. The home of author Jon Sveinsson is also your gateway to the majestic nature in the surrounding are, which is best explored on an excursion*.The people of Djupavik used to come and go with the shoals of herring. The story begins in 1917, when a herring salting plant was founded here. The plant soon became the largest employer in the region, so that a modern herring factory was built in the 1930s, the largest of its kind in Europe at the time. After just 20 years, the catch quotas were so low that production had to be discontinued. A tour of the abandoned buildings with disused machines and huge tanks is like travelling back in time. Explore this ghost town independently. Alternatively, hike with your experts along the shore of the fjord and up the surrounding mountains.Tip for ornithologists: Many bird species can be seen on the north coast of Iceland: common species include eider ducks and Arctic terns. On the water, puffins are usually joined by razorbills and common murres. With a bit of luck, you may spot a short-eared owl, a merlin or even a gerfalcon. The graceful red-necked phalarope can usually be observed at close range here, and the meadows are home to golden plovers.

The town of Húsavík sits below Húsavíkurfjall mountain on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi bay. Just above the town is lake Botnsvatn, a popular place for outings. The lake is just the right size for a nice hike around it. The lakes surroundings are rich in vegetation and bird life and trout is said to be abundant, though small. Húsavík harbour lies below the bank right in the heart of town. The harbour once boasted a large fishing fleet, bustling with the activity of fishermen. It still serves as a fishing harbour but today's activity revolves more around the successful whale watching businesses. The first organised whale watching excursions in Iceland started from here in 1995. Since then, whale watching has become a major attraction and Húsavík continues to be the leading destination for whale watching. In addition to the tours, a fascinating whale museum is located right by the harbour. Húsavík is considered to be the oldest settlement in Iceland. The Swedish explorer, Gardar Svavarsson, spent one winter there in 870 AD during which time he built himself a house from which the settlement derives its name.

Natural wonders lie ahead in the south coast of Greenland. The crew – experienced in polar voyages – react flexibly, always with the aim to offer you the greatest possible experience.In Skjoldungen Sound, they take you deep into a fantastic fjord landscape. On both sides of the ship, the mountains rise up steeply several hundred metres into the air. Glaciers and waterfalls line the route. The Zodiacs are put to water for a landing in Dronning Marie Dal. Dramatic mountains, wild and untouched nature – experience Greenland’s rugged beauty in its purest form on a hike. Always accompanying you will be your experts, who will tell you all about the vegetation, animal kingdom and geology.The ice-dependent passage through Prince Christian Sound – one of the most beautiful passages in Greenland, 64 km (40 mi.) long and in some places barely 500 m (1,640 ft) wide – offers an intoxicating monumental view of nature. Waterfalls and glaciers that reach into the turquoise-coloured water as well as colourful fishing huts will pass by you. A cry of “Whale up ahead!” could sound from the bridge at any time, and the many open deck areas provide the best opportunities for sightings.Arsukfjord is also a gem. In Greenlandic, “Arsuk” means “beloved place” – and you will soon see why on a hike along the fjord. Together with your experts, you will hopefully be able to see musk oxen in the expansive tundra. In the abandoned town of Ivigtut, in contrast, you will gain an insight into the era of mining – perhaps you will find yourself some cryolite and siderite souvenirs, which were mined here.Tip for ornithologists: In July, Greenland is an ideal place for birdwatching, as many Arctic bird species breed during this time and the region is teeming with migratory birds. Among the most common species you can see in Greenland are the kittiwake, northern fulmar and common murre.

In the magical Arctic light, the wonders of the west coast of Greenland will be illuminated north of the Arctic Circle. A vast and silent landscape, home to relics of a 4,500-year-old culture – seemingly almost forgotten by the world.Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is the heart of the nation. Here, history is reflected in the colonial harbour and modernity in its centre. Stroll through the pedestrian zone with its many shops selling arts and crafts. The National Museum exhibits mummies that are about 500 years old and boats made of sealskin. Or you can visit the Art Museum with a collection of around 300 paintings and graphic works as well as 400 soapstone figures.Almost 100 km (62 mi.) long, Evigedsfjord is like an open-air stage with steep cliff walls rising up around it. Your day will be dedicated to the magnificent natural surroundings: the Zodiacs will take you along the blue-and-white glacier and land on a small beach. A sporty hike takes you very close to the glacier and to beautiful viewpoints with panoramic views over the fjord.An eternal scene can be found in Ilulissat when the glacier calves in the world-famous ice fjord. On a hike with your experts, enjoy the glittering, shimmering ice masses, which appear in many different towering formations. An incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site.Disko Bay will provide even more memorable moments: ice sculptures in all manner of forms drift slowly through the vast area. Enjoy this natural spectacle from your front-row seat on deck – or take a Zodiac ride to the centre of the action. Illuminated by the sunlight, the ice gleams in a fascinating play of colours from white to azure blue.In Sisimiut, where the remarkable old town seems like a museum village, the oldest settlement traces date back over 4,000 years, deep into the Saqqaq culture. Join your experts to hike over rocks and through tundra – to relics from the whaling era. A hike to Tele Island will also take you back thousands of years to see ancient ruins and graves, crowned by magnificent views of Sisimiut and the coast.Tip for ornithologists: Look forward to the surprises that await you once again. Perhaps you will see purple sandpipers, polar gulls, peregrine falcons and ravens – and in Disko Bay, with a bit of luck, the world’s largest falcon, the grey falcon.

The name Kangerlussuaq means "Big Fjord" in the local Kalaallisut language. The settlement of about 500 people is located in western Greenland on flat land at the head of a fjord with the same name. Kangerlussuaq is the site of Greenland's largest commercial airport and most of the economy here is dependent on the air transportation hub and tourism. The rugged lands around the settlement support terrestrial Arctic fauna including muskoxen, caribou, and Gyrfalcons.