Iceland Intensive

Copenhagen is known as a city of spires: the skyline of its medieval core is punctuated only by the steeples of churches and towers of palaces, though a modern building boom has overtaken other parts of the city. Todays Copenhagen is known for its excellent quality of life and environmental consciousness – with many parks, it is green both literally and in todays sense of the word. It is also bicycle-friendly, with bike paths lining almost every major street. After a ride or wander through the old town, stop for a local repast of Smørrebrød, traditional open-face sandwiches, or a mouthwatering Danish pastry.

Arendal is a city in Agder county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality of Arendal and the seat of the County Governor of Agder. The city also includes a small area in the neighboring municipality of Grimstad as well.

This remote and little known fragment of Europe is an archipelago of 18 hilly islands, and a self-governing region of Denmark. Towns and villages cluster along the shores of fjords, and brightly painted houses in a rainbow of colors stand out against the deep green of fields and hillsides. It is a fine place to be outdoors and ideal for a hike amidst the superb scenery. Viking settlers are said to have established their parliament here in 825 with Torshavn as the capital, which it has remained ever since. The collection of impressive medieval ruins of Kirkjubour is also of interest, especially the striking Magnus Cathedral.

Nestled within a deep fjord and surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains lies Seyðisfjörður—a quirky, charming enclave on Iceland’s eastern coast. Built on the back of the Icelandic herring fishing industry, there’s nowhere on Earth quite as picturesque, peaceful, or peculiar as Seyðisfjörður, and, with Azamara®s smaller ships, we think we fit right in.

Akureyri is considered a city, in fact Iceland’s second largest, even though its total population is only about 18,000. Set on the shores of one of Iceland’s most spectacular fjords, with a backdrop of countryside earth tones and greens and perennially snow-capped mountains, it is quite a sight to behold. Weather patterns here are a bit of a puzzle – only 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, summer temperatures can soar to the high 60’s. No surprise then that a main attraction is the Botanical Gardens, where over 2000 species of native and non-native plants flourish without benefit of a greenhouse.

On a voyage with Azamara®, guests see a night-and-day difference. And when we take you on a dramatic journey across Ísafjarðardjúp Bay to Ísafjörður, Iceland, you’ll experience a lot more day, thanks to long summer days with nearly 24-hours of sunlight and longer stays in port. Nestled in the northwest region of Iceland, tucked away in the North Atlantic, the towering peaks of this unspoiled wilderness welcome you.

Domain of the Norse thunder god, Thor, and shaped by fire and ice, Iceland’s volcanic landscape is a spectacular collage of lava fields, craters, waterfalls, and imposing mountain ranges. Vast geothermal springs power the spray of geysers, provide residents with the hot water that heats their homes, and fills the warm public pools where locals go to relax and catch up with friends. Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun. Reykjavik itself is a 21st century European city, with fine restaurants, cozy cafes, and intriguing museums and galleries.

Born from volcanoes and forever at their mercy, Heimaey is a small fishing village with a history as rocky as it is intriguing. In January 1973, Eldfell volcano erupted in the middle of the night and forced the evacuation of the entire island. The eastern portion of Heimaey, where 400 homes and buildings were buried, is now an active archaeological excavation known as “Pompeii of the North.” Discover firsthand the results of the eruption and the process of unearthing homes in a truly unique project.

This seaside town is one of Denmark’s main fishing ports, a cute little get-away destination with lovely beaches. In the late 19th century the wild landscape and quality of light drew the attention of artists, who came to paint and take a break from the city. They became quite famous as the Skagen School, and some of their work is featured in the local art museum. Each July the town hosts a major folk festival, with performances by bands from around the world – folk, folk rock, jazz, ballads, blues, and perhaps some never before heard new variations on the theme.

Copenhagen is known as a city of spires: the skyline of its medieval core is punctuated only by the steeples of churches and towers of palaces, though a modern building boom has overtaken other parts of the city. Todays Copenhagen is known for its excellent quality of life and environmental consciousness – with many parks, it is green both literally and in todays sense of the word. It is also bicycle-friendly, with bike paths lining almost every major street. After a ride or wander through the old town, stop for a local repast of Smørrebrød, traditional open-face sandwiches, or a mouthwatering Danish pastry.