cruise-collection-2016-2017

Circumnavigation of Iceland ABOARD THE OCEAN DIAMOND

Explore Iceland’s fabled realm of soaring volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, and glittering glaciers. You’ll meet the residents of colorful fishing villages, stroll through archaeological sites that recall the heyday of Viking exploration, visit vast colonies of breeding seabirds, from kittiwakes to puffins, and set out on exciting Zodiac cruises to search for whales and other marine mammals that congregate here in the summer months.

DAYS 1-4 ICELAND’S GOLDEN CIRCLE / FLATEY / LATRABJARG Arrive in Reykjavík and explore Iceland’s scenic Thingvellir National Park, a World Heritage Site, spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center, with its huge geothermal field of bubbling mud pools. Board the Ocean Diamond and cruise to quaint Flatey Island and the Latrabjarg cliffs, a breeding ground for millions of seabirds.

DAYS 5-8 VIGUR ISLAND / ÍSAFJÖRDUR / GRÍMSEY ISLAND / MÝVATN Enjoy walks on Vigur Island, with its tiny community, and Ísafjördur, the trading and cultural center of the West Fjords. At Grímsey Island, which sits astride the Arctic Circle, cruise below cliffs to see incredible birdlife including razorbills, fulmars, and puffins, then discover Mývatn, one of Europe’s richest waterfowl breeding areas. On nature walks in stunning

mountains, with options to visit Skalanes Nature Reserve or hike to the magnificent Hengifoss Waterfall. Enjoy Hofn, gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, and at Heimaey Island, visit the Herjolfsdalur Valley, with its farmhouse ruins dating to 650 AD. Here you pass between two volcanoes, one 5,000 years old, the other born only in 1973, and visit a town known as the “Pompeii of the North.” Circumnavigate Surtsey Island, a fire-and-brimstone result of a 1963 undersea eruption, where seals haul out to breed on its shores. Nearly 90 species of migrating birds use the island for rest. Return to Reykjavík, with lunch at the famous Blue Lagoon, and disembark on Day 12. DATES Jun 1-12, 2017 TRIP COST From $8,980 Price is per person and depends on cabin type

Thistilfjord Bay, take in the views from the cliff tops. DAYS 9-12 SEYDISFJÖRDUR / HOFN / HEIMAEY / SURTSEY / REYKJAVIK Cruise along 11-mile- long Seydisfjördur, a showcase of cascading waterfalls and soaring

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