Hamburg to Reykjavík via North Atlantic Islands

Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. It’s crossed by hundreds of canals, and also contains large areas of parkland. Near its core, Inner Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city’s central Jungfernstieg boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like 18th-century St. Michael’s Church

Lysefjord or Lysefjorden is a fjord located in the Ryfylke area in Rogaland county in southwestern Norway. The 42-kilometre long fjord lies in the municipalities of Strand and Sandnes, about 25 kilometres east of the city of Stavanger

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland, is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated in the Northern Atlantic, between Great Britain, the Faroe Islands and Norway. It is the northernmost part of Scotland and the wider United Kingdom.

Tórshavn, on Streymoy Island, is the capital city of the Faroe Islands. It’s known for its old town, Tinganes, crammed with wooden turf-roofed houses on a small peninsula. Nearby is Tórshavn Cathedral, rebuilt in the 19th century. Local boutiques dot the main shopping strip, Niels Finsens gøta. To the north, the Nordic House cultural center offers theater, dance and music performances in a contemporary space.

Seyðisfjörður is a town and municipality in the Eastern Region of Iceland at the innermost point of the fjord of the same name. A road over Fjarðarheiði mountain pass connects Seyðisfjörður to the rest of Iceland; 27 kilometres to the ring road and Egilsstaðir.

Grímsey is a small Icelandic island, 40 kilometres off the north coast of the main island of Iceland, straddling the Arctic Circle. In January 2018 Grímsey had 61 inhabitants. Before 2009, Grimsey constituted the hreppur of Grímseyjarhreppur. In that year, island residents voted to join the municipality with Akureyri.

Akureyri is a city at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord in northern Iceland. In the center, the 1940 Akureyri Church has stained-glass windows portraying scenes from Icelandic Christian history. There are views of the fjord from the forecourt. Nearby, the Akureyri Art Museum displays contemporary art from Iceland and farther afield. To the south are the Botanical Gardens, with specimens from across Iceland

Discover remote fishing villages, spectacular bird colonies and the picturesque fjords, lakes and mountain peaks of Iceland, the land of ice and fire.

Smoky Bay
Your expedition starts in Reykjavik, Iceland’s quirky and laidback capital. Known as ‘Smoky Bay’ due to the rising steam from the surrounding geothermal features, you’ll be just hours away from geysers, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls. Sail on to the colourful and well-preserved houses of Stykkishólmur, your ticket to natural wonders in the Breidafjordur bay and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park. After, discover the peace and silence of a tranquil fishing village in Patreksfjördur.

Iceland’s northern capital
Explore a lovingly repurposed Herring factory in Djupavik nestled in the stunning beauty of northwest Iceland, with its deep blue water, crisp, clear air, and verdant green hills. At the base of Iceland’s longest fjord lies Akureyri. This youthful ‘Northern Capital,’ stands out from the more rural destinations on your journey with plenty of top-notch eateries and museums to enjoy.

Whale watching and historic volcanoes
Husavik looks out over the Skjálfandi Bay which enjoys regular visits from whales. You’ll have the chance to scan for various species including humpback, minke, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and the elusive blue whale. In Heimaey, you’ll discover the fascinating history of a people who fought against a volcano and won, before ending your epic expedition right where it started in Reykjavik.

Heimaey, literally Home Island, is an Icelandic island. At 13.4 square kilometres, it is the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, and the largest and most populated island off the Icelandic coast. Heimaey is 4 nautical miles off the south coast of Iceland.

Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik.