From the Norwegian Sea to Spitsbergen – With National Geographic

Overview

Discover remote and wild islands. Aboard Le Boréal, you will sail on the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea during this cruise that will take you from Glasgow to Longyearbyen. Stunning scenery awaits you, from beautiful fjords and impressive glaciers to almost desert like landscapes formed from volcanoes. You will also see an abundance of wildlife including whales, arctic birds and if you’re lucky the endemic Polar bear.

In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotland’s biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The city’s chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Don’t miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.

In the afternoon you will Embark the Le Boreal.

Owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1986, Staffa Island is famous for the basalt columns that emerged 60 million years ago as a natural consequence of the lava flows fracturing into hexagonal blocks as they cooled down. The uninhabited island is home to a large colony of puffins. As majestic as any cathedral, Fingal’s Cave is an unforgettable experience and you’ll doubtless be as impressed as Mendelssohn was.

Capital of the Orkney archipelago, Kirkwall, which means “church bay”, is an ideal stopover before continuing on to the Northern Isles. Sheltered in a wide bay, the lively town welcomes the visitor with its charming paved alleyways edged by old houses and craft shops. Tankerness House, the oldest homestead in the town, is a must-see landmark. But the true architectural treasure of the aptly named Kirkwall is none other than its remarkable red and gold stone cathedral. And because whisky is inseparable from Scotland’s identity, stop at the Highland Park Distillery for a highly instructive visit.

This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption has experienced Heimaey in 1973.

Djúpivogur is a small town and municipality located on a peninsula in the Austurland in eastern Iceland. The coastline consists of three magnificent fjords, Berufjörður, Hamarsfjörður, and Álftafjörður which create a striking landscape to explore. On land, the town is shadowed by Búlandstindur, a pyramid-shaped basalt mountain peaking at 1069 m, making for an incredible sight. Numerous local legends surround this mountain, which is said to grant wishes during the summer solstice.

At the end of your journey through the heart of a very beautiful 17 kilomtere long fjord, discover Seyðisfjörður, on the north-east coast of Iceland. Its typically Scandinavian, colourful houses and small blue church stand in the middle of an enchanting setting, between rivers and waterfalls. The village, surrounded on all sides by mountains with snow-topped peaks, has around 700 inhabitants. This small fishing port with a very picturesque charm is not far from Skálanes, a nature reserve of more than 1,000 hectares that is home to about fifty bird species. This port of call combines nature and culture, with wonderment guaranteed.

The island of Jan Mayen, belonging to Norway, lies hidden off Greenland’s coastlines, lost between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. This small piece of land is inhabited by only a handful of Norwegian meteorologists. Tongues of ice descend from its volcanic summit, which culminates at 2,227 metres and is covered with a thick glacial coat. These tongues join the sea, between ranges of black volcanic rocks at times tinged with red. If the sky is clear, you will have the chance to glimpse the summit, decked out in magnificent light.

Nestling between millennial glaciers and carved mountains, and considered to be “the crown of Arctic Norway”, Spitsbergen is a place that never sees the night. Your ship will take you closer to this fascinating archipelago and, more particularly, the Hornsund fjord. Considered to be Svalbard’s southernmost fjord, it is especially reputed to be its most stunning: at the end of its vast bay, 8 great glaciers slowly make their way down to the sea before giving way to the many icebergs elegantly drifting along its cold and mysterious waters.

You will head to the Bellsund fjord to follow in the footsteps of the first explorers who came from the Norwegian coast, or those of the many fur traders seeking game and trophies. Boasting an astonishingly rich wildlife, the arms of the fjord separate to form two lush valleys. Give free rein to your imagination in the heart of this majestic natural environment where time seems to stand still.

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below -40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

After breakfast disembark the Le Boreal for your onward journey.