Europe: Iceland, Greenland & Canada from New York

Everyone loves New York and there are a million reasons why. Here are but a few: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, the Ellis Island National Monument, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Times Square, Broadway, Greenwich Village, 5th Avenue and Central Park.

Admire the rugged coastline that surrounds Halifax, the world’s second-largest natural harbour. This beautifully preserved city is Nova Scotia’s capital and was founded in 1749. Take steps through history and climb to The Citadel to witness the Old Town Clock.

The coal industry brought immigration from many parts of the world, giving Sydney a multicultural mix of over 50 ethnic backgrounds and a global flavour to its history. Located on Cape Breton Island, Sydney is also an ideal jumping-off point for scenic adventures.

This corner of the world has been visited by many, beginning with the Maritime Archaic Indians 3,500 years ago. Since that time Eskimos, Portuguese, Basques and Captain James Cook have frequented the area. Today, Corner Brook is a modern, city nestled among scenic hills near the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The largest city in Greenland, Nuuk is the cultural and economic centre of the country. Explore the picturesque colonial harbour with its quaint old buildings and the newly renovated market where locals sell their daily catch. Greenland’s history comes alive in the National Museum, and its culture thrives in the Nuuk Museum of Art and the Katuaq Cultural Centre. Nuuk’s extensive fjord system is home to many whales, and the area is also populated by seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hares and ravens.

As the largest town in Iceland’s remote Westfjords’s region, Ísafjörður is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Boasting an enchanting fjord ideal for watersports and a mountainous landscape brimming with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Originally a church site and a 16th century trading post, the town of Ísafjörður is home to wonderful museums and historic sites for those wishing to learn about the region’s rich heritage and local culture.

Nestled along the shores of one of the most breathtaking fjords in Iceland, Akureyri is the nation’s second largest urban area and a centre of Icelandic folk culture. Visit the museums, hike along the extraordinary vistas or explore the botanical gardens. Shop in one of the charming boutiques and then catch a glimpse of the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the world. After you’ve worked up an appetite, feast on some Nordic specialties like smoked lamb and fresh fish and then indulge in an Icelandic fried pastry.

Situated in West Iceland on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Grundarfjörður is a small fishing village boasting big outdoor adventures. Hike in the surrounding mountains, explore lava fields and visit picturesque waterfalls. Or take to the water on a boating or kayaking tour. And in the summer months, enjoy Viking age re-enactments in a reconstructed Viking village.

There’s a good reason that Iceland is considered a photographer’s dream destination. Its terrain is visually stunning, offering views of lava flows, hot springs, unspoiled nature – and colourful, fascinating cities like Reykjavik. The world’s most northerly capital brings together quaint villages, exciting museums, a flourishing music scene and restaurants that rival Europe’s finest. Explore more of Reykjavik on a European cruise!