An Icelandic odyssey

Take a Cunard voyage to this legend-worthy realm and discover a world steeped in natural wonders and ancient history.

Viking sagas and ancient myths stir the imagination in this land of fire and ice. Dramatic snow-capped mountains, mirrored lakes and dense forests combine with thundering waterfalls, natural hot springs, bubbling lava pools and spectacular fjords to create an other-worldly landscape and provide a stunning backdrop to your trip to Iceland. After all, this is the place where much of Game of Thrones was filmed.

Our first port of call on your Iceland cruise is Akureyri, which is often known as the ‘Capital of the North’. Despite its proximity to the Arctic Circle, it enjoys a surprisingly mild climate and a wealth of attractions, including the beautiful Botanical Garden. From here, set off to explore some of Iceland’s most astonishing natural wonders, such as Lake Mývatn, which is formed by lava flows, the unique craters at Skútustaðir, and not least the spectacular 40-foot-high Godafoss Falls, which became known as Falls of the Gods after Icelanders converted to Christianity in 1000AD and their idols of Norse mythology were thrown into the cascading torrent. Less dramatically – but no less intriguing – is to learn how the Icelandic people traditionally lived in timber-framed turf roof houses at The Old Farmhouse Laufás in Eyjafjörður.

‘Go to the workshops and galleries of the local artisans in picturesque Akureyri – and be sure to pop into a local brewery to try an excellent craft beer or two.' - Laura Pothecary, Shore Excursion Assistant, Cunard.

Our 2020 and 2021 voyages of discovery continue to Ísafjörður via the country’s western fjords: keep binoculars at the ready for the thrilling tell-tale spout from a blowhole – these are prime whale-watching waters. A choice of excursions on your Iceland tour provides the opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the culture and history of this mountainous region. Visit the charming Flateyri fishing village (which became a major whaling center in the 19th century) where time seems to have paused, or explore the town of Ísafjörður itself and discover more about life through the centuries. At the open-air maritime museum of Osvor, a weathered fisherman will show guests the fascinating 19th-century fishing base within, while a chance to see the crystal-clear waters of the Buna River and Waterfall in Tunguskógur is not to be missed...

The world’s most northern capital city of Reykjavík makes a fascinating finale to your Iceland holiday. Here, you’ll be greeted by a mass of brightly coloured corrugated iron roofs – just one of the charming sights to enjoy here in the greenest of global cities – along with its vibrant shopping and culinary scene. On our breathtaking Golden Circle excursion, you can drink in the views of waterfalls and the spouting geysers along with a wealth of other natural beauty and geothermal wonders close by. These include the dramatic landscape of Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park – Iceland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site – where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet; the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall; and not least, the geothermal area of Geysir where you can watch the spectacular geyser Strokkur shoot out a 75-foot-high column of hot water every few minutes.

‘My favorite tour here is from Reykjavik to visit one of the natural ice caves. The drive there is stunning and so much fun, as you go on 4x4.' - Andressa Ricci Williams, Cunard Port Presenter.

To really get close to nature, don’t miss our spectacular excursion to the Blue Lagoon for a dip into its warm, aquamarine waters. Surrounded by a volcanic landscape of lava, this famous natural geothermal spa has been nominated by National Geographic as one of the wonders of the world. Feel yourself truly relax as your body absorbs the heat and the mineral-rich waters, while the cleansing white geothermal mud works its magic... other-worldly indeed and a fitting end to your Iceland break.

 
 

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Compiled by Sharon Parsons.