From the Highlands to the High Arctic

Enjoy the morning and early afternoon at leisure. Each corner of Edinburgh’s old streets opens beautiful unexpected vistas of green hills or a blue flash of the distant sea. In the afternoon, be transferred from the hotel to the ship in the nearby Port of Leith. Before dinner, there’s time to explore the ship.

Kirkwall is a small, quiet town, with a gentle pace of life. The town is the capital of the remote and amazing Orkney archipelago. Kirkwall is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in 1046. Such a long history has left a rich heritage that will be explored today. The most famous are the sandstone St Magnus Cathedral—considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland—the Bishop’s Palace and the Earl’s Palace.

Enjoy an included tour of the ancient treasures of Orkney with St Magnus Cathedral. Depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. This tour passes through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, stop at the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years. Continue on to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, beautifully interpreted in the visitor center. See the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago. 

Enjoy stories from the guide today en route back to Kirkwall. Once back in the island capital, take a tour of St Magnus Cathedral, built by the Vikings during their 500-year reign over the islands. 

Fair Isle is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Numerous birds inhabit the lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs. Over 345 species have been recorded here—more than anywhere else in Britain. During the walk across the island, hope to see northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, puffins, and great and arctic skuas.

National Geographic Traveler had designated Faroe Islands as “authentic, unspoiled and likely to remain so”. It seems that the Nature spares no colors in “painting” the islands. Deep-green hills, bright blue sea, colorful houses and boats, and orangered puffins’ beaks make the scenery unforgettable. We stop at the capital of the Faroes—Torshavn. 

Enjoy an included tour of Kirkjubøur. During the Middle Ages, Kirkjubøur was the ecclesiastical and cultural center of the Faroes. Here was the Bishop’s residence until the Reformation, when the Faroese diocese was abolished. The imposing ruin of Saint Magnus Cathedral still dominates the site. Construction of the Cathedral is thought to have begun in the late-thirteenth century, as the style of the building is from the best period of Gothic architecture, common to West Norwegian church building of that time. Tradition has it that it was never finished; yet recent research has revealed that it was probably roofed at one time. 

The Roykstovan, standing on the wide, stone foundation of a portion of the Bishop’s palace, has been the home of the farmers in Kirkjubøur for centuries and occupied by the same Faroese family for 17 generations. Covered with a traditional turf roof, it is a large building made of logs, which are said to have come drifting all the way from Norway some 700 years ago. The farmhouse interior reflects the lifestyle of a large Faroese farm. On our way to and from Kirkjubøur, we have a magnificent view to the west of the islands of Koltur, Hestur, Sandoy, and Vágar. 

Presentations and workshops by the expert staff, as well as a range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Jan Mayen hosts the landscapes of breathtaking beauty and northernmost subaerial active volcano on the planet—the Beerenberg. The island is wild and uninhabited aside from members of the Norwegian weather station. The signboard at the entrance door says (translated from the Norwegian): “Theory is when you understand everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but nobody understands why. On this station, we combine theory and practice in a way that nothing works and nobody understands why”. Northern fulmars, kittiwakes, and Brünich’s guillemots breeding on steep cliffs and slopes represent the birdlife of Jan Mayen.

The lectures of invited speakers prepare you for meeting with the unique Arctic wildlife and awesome landscapes of Spitsbergen.

This is a real expedition in a true high Arctic wilderness. As such, the route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions encountered. The experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant; be assured that the best possible advantage will be taken. Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard.

The ship’s crew will take every opportunity for you to experience excellent wildlife viewing, discover incredible scenery and to walk in the footsteps of the historic polar expeditions that came before. Anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts and islands in the northwestern part of Svalbard. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. On ice floes and on fast ice several species of seals watch vigilantly for polar bears. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight. 

To complete the Arctic experience, also explore places rich with history. The area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole and even an abandoned polar research station. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. 

After breakfast, say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. Take provided transfer to the airport, or to the town center to spend more time here. If staying in Longyearbyen, then be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and take advantage of quality shopping and dining opportunities in this fascinating Arctic settlement.