Iceland

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Founded in the 17th century, the city was one of the world’s leading industrial names, home to Harland and Wolff – the shipbuilders who built the ill-fated Titanic. Despite its more recent political troubles, Belfast is today an alluring destination. Amidst its majestic Victorian buildings, shop in stylish boutiques, sip a Guinness, or take a scenic stroll in Barnett Demesne park. The city’s centrepiece is the City Hall, completed in 1906, with its domed roof and grand Italian marble staircase. Must-sees include the Crown Bar. Owned by the National Trust, it’s still a vibrant drinking venue, with an amazingly rich and ornate interior of brightly coloured tiles, carvings, stained and etched glass, period gas lighting and cosy snugs.

Stornoway is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. The town’s population is around 8,000, making it by far the largest town in the Hebrides, as well as the second largest island town in Scotland after Kirkwall in Orkney.

The name means ‘Smoky (or Steamy) Bay’ but these days the Icelandic capital Reykjavik is even hotter than that. Its reputation now as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination. Another big attraction is the opportunity to swim in open-air pools heated by the very geothermal springs that inspired Reykjavik’s name. Not that Reykjavik – or most of Iceland for that matter – is actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 5,000ft below the earth’s surface.

The name means ‘Smoky (or Steamy) Bay’ but these days the Icelandic capital Reykjavik is even hotter than that. Its reputation now as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination. Another big attraction is the opportunity to swim in open-air pools heated by the very geothermal springs that inspired Reykjavik’s name. Not that Reykjavik – or most of Iceland for that matter – is actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 5,000ft below the earth’s surface.

The Icelandic fishing port of Isafjordur is the perfect starting point for those who want to experience the magnificent natural beauty of the West Fjords, and its two valleys of Tungudalur and Engidalur lend themselves well to outdoor pursuits. Surrounded by steep sloping mountains you can indulge in a spot of skiing, golfing, or hiking – just some of the activities on offer. The town is also rich in art, culture and historical significance. Main points of interest include the Slunkariki Art Gallery and the West Fjords Folk Museum which houses a remarkable collection of traditional tools and relics. Nearby Neostikaupstaour consists of the oldest buildings in Iceland, including four from the 18th century, which belonged to Danish merchants. The town centre is interesting to walk around as it has a selection of old streets, small shops and a unique array of houses. Known for its quirky peculiarities don’t be surprised to see the barber playing his accordion, the baker training for the marathon or see the goldsmith paddling around in his kayak!

Το λιμάνι κρουαζιέρας Akureyri, ένας γνήσιος προορισμός “Midnight Sun”, είναι μια γοητευτική ισλανδική πόλη με εκπληκτική τοποθεσία στο μεγαλύτερο φιόρδ της χώρας, το Eyjafjordur. Υπάρχουν αρκετά ενδιαφέροντα μουσεία και εκκλησίες, αλλά το πιο εκπληκτικό χαρακτηριστικό του Ακουρέιρι είναι ο βοτανικός κήπος του – ο βορειότερος στον κόσμο. Το γεγονός ότι αυτή η υπέροχη έκθεση λουλουδιών και φυτών ευδοκιμεί είναι φόρος τιμής στο τοπικό μικροκλίμα, το οποίο είναι εξαιρετικά ήπιο για ένα μέρος τόσο κοντά στον Αρκτικό Κύκλο. Λιγότερο εκπληκτικό είναι το εύρος των εκδρομών που απευθύνονται στους λάτρεις της φύσης, από την παρακολούθηση φαλαινών (έχουν εντοπιστεί 18 είδη, από μινκ μέχρι όρκες) μέχρι τον εντυπωσιακό “Καταρράκτη των Θεών” στο Godafoss. Κατά μήκος της διαδρομής, θα δείτε επίσης αιωνόβιους παγετώνες, όμορφες λίμνες, λασπόλακκους με θειάφι που αναβλύζουν, κρυφές σπηλιές και όρμους, αδρανή ηφαίστεια και λάβα που έχει μετατραπεί σε γλυπτά με παράξενο σχήμα.

Επειδή ανοικοδομήθηκε πλήρως μετά την καταστροφή της από πυρκαγιά το 1904, η Alesund μοιάζει αρκετά διαφορετική από άλλες νορβηγικές πόλεις κατά μήκος της δυτικής ακτής της χώρας, που είναι πλέον περισσότερο γνωστή ως “Fjordland”.
Εκτεινόμενη σε τρία νησιά στις εκβολές του μαγευτικού Geirangerfjord, η αρχιτεκτονική του Alesund είναι σήμερα ένα εκλεκτικό μείγμα γοτθικού και νεοκλασικού με πινελιές Art Nouveau. Πύργοι και πυργίσκοι κοσμούν τον ορίζοντα και μπορείτε να παρακολουθήσετε την εξέλιξη του στυλ της πόλης στο Κέντρο Art Nouveau, ένα από τα πολλά συναρπαστικά μουσεία της πόλης. Η επιλογή είναι το υπαίθριο Sunnmre, ενώ αξίζει επίσης να επισκεφθείτε το Atlantic Sea-Park, ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα ενυδρεία της βόρειας Ευρώπης.

Surrounded by steep hills with spectacular falls, Skjolden is located at the head of the longest navigable fjord in the world – Sognefjord. As well as being situated in a breathtaking location, the town itself is host to a number of activities and attractions. Once home to the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951), he wrote some of his most important works here.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.