Description
Here is a voyage for those who want to see nature in the raw and one which combines an in-depth exploration of the remote and little visited Faroe Islands with time spent exploring Iceland, one of the most extraordinary and dramatic lands on the planet.
We set sail from Oban, enjoying the opportunity to visit St Kilda before sailing north to the Faroe Islands. Once a stopping point for Viking explorers, this mysterious collection of 18 islands set in the North Atlantic, halfway between Norway and Iceland, is a paradise for walkers and bird watchers. The intriguing history of the islands can be traced back to the Irish monks who settled here in the 6th century and the 9th century seafaring explorers who traversed the North Sea and claimed Orkney, the Shetland Islands, Iceland and Greenland. Here, a highlight will be seeing the many puffins and other sea birds nesting and we will spend three days exploring the villages and rolling hills of these distant isles before venturing further north to Iceland.
Whilst in Iceland we will witness the immense scale of the landscape dominated by towering snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls and spontaneous erupting geysers as we learn of the centuries old legacies of a Viking and Norse heritage. Europe’s least populated country offers the visitor a truly unparalleled experience of elemental forces at work. We will visit some of its most dramatic areas and, whilst we sail its waters, will look out for humpback whales, orcas, white-beaked dolphins and observe the colonies of seabirds.
Such a journey can of course only be taken by a small ship and with the use of our nimble Zodiacs we can get up close to nature and explore some of the most remote and untouched places. With just under 100 travelling companions, the atmosphere on board is warm and friendly and ashore with our local experts we will divide into small groups thereby enjoying a more comprehensive and peaceful experience.