THE ICELANDIC CRUISES 2017
7-NIGHTS/8-DAYS · from REYKJAVIK TO AKUREYRI, ICELAND

Day 1 – Reykjavik, Iceland

Embarkation at 3-4 pm. sailing at 5pm & overnight at sea to Heimaey / Westmann islands.

Day 2 – Heimaey Westmann Islands, Iceland

We reach Heimaey island in the morning and discover a community which almost disappeared during a 1973 eruption that buried 400 homes and create a mountain. Heimaey is also known as the Pompeii of the north and our optional half excursion will take us to 2 volcanoes and the Eldheimar geological museum to understand what happened in 1973 and to other sites around the island. We leave Heimaey in the afternoon and cruise west to AKRANES. Overnight at sea.

Day 3: Husavik – Siglufjordur, Iceland

In the morning we reach Akranes for our optional full day excursion to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful thermal spring, to the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls area. We will stop in Reykholt which was at one time one of the intellectual centers of the island and had for many years one of the most important schools of the country. Here lived and died in the middle ages one of the most important persons in Icelandic history: Snorri Sturluson, a famous poet and politician whose records of the old Norse language and mythology of medieval Iceland are invaluable to modern scholars. Remains of his farm and a bathroom with hot pot and a tunnel between the bath and the house can still be visited. In the afternoon we rejoin the ship and sail to the west fjords. Overnight at sea

Day 4: Bildudalur – Isafjordur Iceland

We sail past the latrarbag cliffs which rise 450 m over the sea and reach Bildudalur. Our afternoon optional excursion will take us to the dynjandi waterfall and we will walk around Bildudalur and visit the sea monsters museum. In the afternoon, we cruise around the Westfjords to Isafjordur. Evening arrival in Isafjorfur. Overnight in port

Day 5: Isafjordur, Iceland

Isafjordur is a large fishing port in Wesfjords. Our afternoon optional excursion will take us to Bolungravik and then to Osvor town where we will visit a restored fisherman’s hut. Back in town we will visit the maritime museum and walk around the town known for its rich cultural heritage and merchant’s homes dating from the 18th century. In the afternoon we sail to Siglufjordur. Overnight at sea

Day 6: Siglufjordur Husavik , Iceland

This morning we reach Siglufjordur, Iceland’s northernmost city, very close to the arctic circle and possibly the most picturesque port of Iceland. Once known as the capital of herring fishing. The optional walking tour through the city will take you to the port, the herring museum, the folk music center housed in Madame house, the oldest house in the city. After lunch we leave for nearby Husavik port. Late in the afternoon we sail in the Skjafandi Bay and reach Husavik, Europe’s capital of whale watching. We will have time to stroll around this charming fishing village and visit the wooden church, the best preserved church in Iceland. Overnight in port.

Day 7: Husavik – Akureyri , Iceland

This morning our full day optional excursion will take you from Husavik to Akureyri (where you will meet the Callisto in the evening). You will visit the lake Myvatn, namarksard and dimmuborgir, all fine examples of the volcanic world with lava fields, boiling and steaming mud pools, steam vents and craters. After lunch we continue on the ring road to reach Godafoss waterfall – the falls of the gods – and will hear about the kristni saga, recounting the arrival of Christianity and the end of paganism. We rejoin the Callisto in Akureyri the capital of northern Iceland and we will spend some time walking around this colorful city visiting in particular the art alley. Overnight in port.

Day 8: Akureyri, Iceland

Disembarkation 6 am-10 am.