Nordic region
The jewel in the crown when it comes to scenery up north is unquestionably Norway. Find yourself on a cruise through the Norwegian fjords on board one of the Hurtigruten ships, or traversing the mountain plateaus on foot with vistas only limited by the curving of the earth. Cliffs plummet more than 1000 meters into the fjords with small mountain farms clinging to the mountainside. Frolic through the back streets of Tromsø at 3 am when the sun is still on your face, or don your skis and go as far as you can see on pristine white snow, and then enjoy a hot chocolate in front of the fire at a mountain hut that appeared out of nowhere.
The Norwegian Coastal Voyages from Bergen to Kirkenes and vice verse is a classic voyage taking you all the way from the Hanseatic town of Bergen along the spectacular Norwegian Coast to the town of Kirkenes on the Russian border.
The people of Iceland were once some of the most daring seafarers around. They made extended tours in ‘Viking’ long ships across the Atlantic discovering Greenland and Vinland, today know as New Foundland. The country itself is tiny, with a population of mere ¼ of a million. It offers incredible scenery and unparalleled geological attractions that can bring a whole continent to a standstill. You can chose a comfortable touring option or you can go trekking, ice climbing, super-jeep riding, fly fishing or jump on the back of the infamous Icelandic horse. Without boundaries on skill levels and experience, our tours, treks and active adventures in Iceland give you a powerful experience of the island’s natural beauty and landscapes.
Sweden is the big brother among the Scandinavian countries. Modern, rich and known as a Social Democratic welfare state, always ranking high on the world’s best places to live. Take a cruise on the Göta Canal stretching from Gothenburg to Stockholm enjoying a sip of ice wine while you scan across a tranquil and lushly green countryside, or travel up north and stay in an ‘ice hotel’.
The facts about Finland are; Finlandia vodka, saunas, a thousand lakes, pesäpallo (Finnish baseball), reindeers and quirky ice hotels. The Finns may be the odd ones out in Europe, but they inhabit a country with some of the most beautiful natural scenery and untouched wilderness of Europe. There are thousands of lakes where you can go canoeing, camping, fishing and enjoying long summer evenings under a canopy of stars.
In winter Finland transforms into a fairytale landscape of whites and ice. Reindeer sledding is a favourite winter holiday highlight, and an ice cocktail and a sleepover on a reindeer skin in an ‘ice hotel’ is one of those not to miss life experiences.
Denmark is friendly and arguably the most hospitable of the Nordic neighbours. It is simply good to be a traveller in Denmark. Enjoy the exciting and modern cuisine of Denmark under the shades of a street side marquise in Copenhagen. Take a bike ride along the beautiful northern coast to Skagen. Take the kids and visit Legoland staying on site in one of the themed rooms, or take your group of designer friends on a tour of Denmark to savour some the style and modern design Denmark is known for.
Greenland, despite its name, is mostly covered by an enormous white ice cap covering 1,710,000 square kilometres making it the second largest ice body in the world. The cap was first traversed in 1888 by Norwegian explorer, zoologist and oceanographer Fridtjof Nansen. In 2010 Greenland closed the ice cap for the first time in known history for any expedition crew wanting to traverse it – all due to the melting ice. However, Greenland has far more to offer; from trekking in the southeast, kayaking, and dog sledding, or just cruising along its magnificent coastline. You can join us for one or all of these experiences, either aboard one of our expedition cruise ships, or in the company of our experienced Greenlandic travel partners.
Perched in the North Atlantic Ocean, only a short flight from mainland Europe, the jagged cliffs of the Faroe Islands will take your breath away. This is a true adventure destination, not necessarily for the active nature of a visit, but for the feeling of remoteness and isolation. To us, the Faroe Islands are a hidden secret not sought by many, and spending time here will give you an unforgettable experience of remote living at the edge of the open sea.
Scotland holds a special pull to those who know it and we invite you to experience Scotland through the pleasure of small ship cruises. There is no better way to explore the spectacular coastlines of Scotland, soaking in the scenery, wildlife and Scottish Heritage, whilst enjoying exceptional food and hospitality on board charming mini-cruise ships. Traditional wooden vessels, beautifully converted, provide you with an unique and 'up close' experience of Scotland's finest regions.
Scotland also lends itself to self drive holidays and walking tours and we have recently visited Scotland to sample the best on offer. Wonderful hideaway castles, small villages tucked away from the tourist routes and unique cottages welcome you in Scotland. We tailor make your itinerary adding the small finishing touches that comes with experience.
We also offer voyages that visit the distinct Islands of Shetland and Orkney. Mostly low-lying and treeless, they are very similar in geology to the Faroe Islands. Shetland and Orkney are British rather than Nordic, however, ask anyone about their origin and the answer will more often than not be ‘Norse’. These unique and remote isles of the North Atlantic are of volcanic origin where glaciers from the last ice age have transformed the landscape to an archipelago with high mountains, deep valleys and narrow fjords. Animal life is sparse, but there is a rich and varied bird life, with seabird colonies hanging onto every cliff.
Svalbard forms the northernmost part of Norway and combines as a station for Arctic research, climatology, and an adventure holiday destination. Dog sledding, glaciers, boat cruising, polar bears, the midnight sun and the beautiful northern lights are highlights on your travel to Svalbard.
Summer and winter are both excellent for visiting Svalbard, each with their unique characteristics - summer in perpetuity of light, and winter with the amazing Aurora Borealis.