Our cruise to the legendary ‘Land of Ice and Fire’ and the rarely visited Northern Isles is a unique voyage of discovery traversing the Arctic Circle and circumnavigating Iceland, a remote island of vast ice caps, geothermal pools and bubbling hot springs, steaming geysers, lava fields and active volcanoes. Spectacular scenery, diverse natural wonders and abundant wildlife combine to make this wonderful cruising holiday a memorable experience to savour visiting four enthralling Icelandic ports of call.
New for 2010, the Marco Polo is adult only (16+).
Day 1: London Tilbury
Check in at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, Essex. Coach transfers from Victoria Station in downtown London may be pre-purchased or you may go by private car transfer, taxi or self-drive. Parking is available dockside for a fee. The M/S Marco Polo departs at 1800hrs.
Day 2: At Sea
Cruising the North Sea en-route to the Orkney Islands.
Day 3: Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)
The capital and administrative centre of the Orkney Islands, Kirkwall is set on the principal island known as Mainland. The Orkneys comprise 70 or so islands, rocks and skerries that cover an area of 376 square miles. You can still detect the Norse influence at the ancient Stone Age village of Skara Brae, older than either the Pyramids or Stonehenge. A visit is made to the famous British naval base at Scapa Flow.
Day 4: At Sea
Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, heading northwest to Iceland.
Day 5: *Heimaey (Iceland)
Your first port in the 'Land of Ice & Fire' is in the Westmann Islands, a collection of 15 islands and 30 reefs off the southern coast of the mainland. Heimaey has about 5,000 inhabitants and was the scene of an immense volcanic eruption by Mt Helgafell in 1973. A new landscape was created and the resultant lava mountain is still warm to the touch. Anyone born prior to 1973 really is "older than dirt" on this island!
In the early evening, Marco Polo will circumnavigate the volcanic island of Surtsey, named after the 'giant of fire' in Icelandic mythology, which emerged spectacularly following a series of explosive eruptions between 1963 and 1966. The island is now a nature reserve.
Day 6: Reykjavik (Iceland)
You continue northwest around the tip of the Reykanes Peninsula to
arrive at Reykjavik. Welcome to the world’s most northerly capital!
A modern, smokeless city with an old town, lovingly preserved, Reykjavik
lies close to an astonishing region of lava fields, spectacular geysers and
steaming geothermal springs. Attractions abound, including the famous
Blue Lagoon, with its warm mineral-rich waters and spa (try a relaxing
in-water massage). The magnificent Gulfoss waterfall should not be missed.
Day 7: Isafjordur
Next stop is Isafjordur, the main town on Iceland’s north west coast, a
region known as the Westfjords. This community provides a dramatic
starting point for a number of fascinating excursions into this sparsely
populated area, which, geologically, is the oldest part of Iceland. Here,
land meets sea in the most dramatic way imaginable. The sheer basalt cliff
of Latrabjarg is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the world and
a wonderful place to go puffin spotting. Elsewhere, the rugged beauty of
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve hides all manner of unusual vegetation, scenic
walking trails and wildlife that includes seals and Arctic foxes.
Day 8: Akureyri
The second largest city in Iceland, known as the "Capital of the North",
sits at the head of the country’s longest fjord. It boasts a thriving Botanical
Gardens and a fascinating museum that is well worth seeing. The real
attraction is the awesome landscape of volcanoes, waterfalls, canyons,
hot springs and lakes. Akureyri is the base for optional tours by plane
to the island of Grimsey, which sits on the Arctic Circle. Other tours
visit Husavik, the main whale-watching centre in Iceland; Godafoss
"Waterfall of the Gods" and the picturesque Lake Myvatn nature refuge
area.
Day 9: Seydisfjordur
You final stop in Iceland, Seydisfjordur is a period piece, late 19th
century town on Iceland’s East Coast or Eastfjords area. Nestled in a
bowl of mountains in the Seydisfjord, it is one of the country’s finest natural
harbours. Nearby attractions are the ‘reindeer territory’ of the eastern
interior, the Vatnajökull glacier and the Lagarfljot lake, said to be home
to a mythical monster that guards treasure thrown into the water in Viking
times.
Day 10: Torshavn (Faroe Islands, Denmark)
Capital city of the Faroe Islands, “The harbour of the god Thor”, is a
modern town that retains a unique character, with black-timbered buildings
and sod roofs. The islands - a verdant, green home to birds, sheep and
about 46,000 people - would still be recognisable to the early Viking
settlers who arrived on their transatlantic trail from Scandinavia to North
America.
Day 11: Lerwick (Shetland Islands)
Capital and county town of the Shetland Islands, Lerwick was settled
by the Norsemen in the 9th century but has prehistoric sites going back
thousands of years. Jarlshof, with its remains of Bronze Age, Viking and
Medieval settlements is believed by some to be the most remarkable
archaeological discovery in Britain.
Day 12: At Sea
Cruising the North Sea on a southerly course towards Tilbury.
Day 13: London Tilbury
Disembark after breakfast on board.
*Passengers land by launch or tender
Please note that in the event of adverse weather conditions that prevent the vessel from calling at one of the scheduled ports of call, alternative arrangements will be made where possible.
