Through the North Atlantic

Itinerary

Day 1

Aberdeen - Embarkation
Our journey begins in Aberdeen, Scotland's famous Granite City. The city of Aberdeen is one of the wealthiest in the UK with a long and illustrious history. The modern city grew out of a rich fishing and shipbuilding tradition, and has since become the UK's main port serving the oil and gas industry. The glittering granite buildings for which the city is nicknamed demonstrate the prestige and power of northern Scotland's economic hub. MV Ocean Albatros awaits embarkation in the city's bustling harbour, with comfortable staterooms ready to welcome our guests. After our mandatory safety briefings and lifeboat drill, Ocean Albatros will sail out of Aberdeen and chart a course for the ancient Isles of Orkney.

Day 2

Kirkwall, Orkney
During the night we will sail along the northeast coast of Scotland to arrive at the town of Kirkwall capital of windy Orkney off the mainland of Scotland. Orkney is old Norse for the "seal islands", and like many other North Atlantic islands, Orkney has a rich Viking story. Orkney has a fascinating history, and contains one of the highest concentrations of Neolithic remains anywhere in the world, preserved in the islands' softly blowing sands. These sites range from the dramatic stone circle of Brodgar to the touchingly intimate Neolithic houses of Skara Brae, preserved so perfectly they could almost still be inhabited. Unlike the Scottish mainland, Orkney and nearby Shetland were colonised by Norse settlers, and were a part of the Kingdom of Norway until the late 1400s; the islands' language, culture and architecture is subsequently distinct to the rest of Scotland. Locals are proud of their Nordic heritage, which is evident almost everywhere you go in the city, from the magnificent St Magnus' Cathedral (the founding of which is detailed in bloody sagas; it is also one of the only churches in the world to have its own dungeon), to street names, to the world-renowned Highland Park distillery. More recently, the islands were of huge military importance to the British state, and an entire German fleet lies scuttled at the bottom of Scapa Flow, just outside the city. The barricades between several of the islands were constructed after a daring U-Boat raid in the Second World War. Along with the magnificent Italian Chapel (built by Italian prisoners of war), the barricades bear testament to the islands' complex military history. Today, the islands have again reinvented themselves; visitors are warmly welcomed, and the bustling port is littered with equipment and parts devoted to tidal and wind power as Orkney seeks to capitalise on its abundant green energy. Optional excursion: “Highlights of Orkney”: We depart Kirkwall and head to the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. Along the way we will pass through gentle rolling landscapes into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeological sites. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, we will stop at the 5000-year-old ceremonial circle: the Ring of Brodgar. We continue to the pretty fishing village of Stromness. After a briefing and orientation, enjoy free time to explore the picturesque harbour and stroll along the quirky flag-stoned streets. Maybe visit the beautifully refurbished Pier Arts Centre with exhibitions by both local and international artists and relax with a hot beverage in a café or explore the craft shops selling local knitwear, pottery and art work. Finally we return to the coach and continue our circular route following the coastline of Scapa Flow, the famous British Naval Base used in both World Wars. (The excursion is part of the optional excursion package and not included in the price of the trip). For guests wishing to stay in Kirkwall, a short walking city tour will be arranged, passing by St. Magnus Cathedral as well as the picturesque ruins of the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces.

Day 3

Lerwick and the Isle of Noss, Shetland
On the morning of the third day of our voyage, Ocean Albatros will arrive at Lerwick on the Mainland of Shetland. The Shetland Islands consist of over a hundred islands, of which only sixteen are inhabited year-round. The islands form the northernmost part of the United Kingdom, located approximately 300 km north of the Scottish mainland. Like Orkney, the heritage of Shetland dates back to the Neolithic period, and Shetland was part of the Kingdom of Norway until the late 1400s; the Norn language, derived directly from Old Norse was spoken on the islands until the 1850s, peppering the placenames and slang of Shetland with Viking heritage. Norse connections are strong here, from the Shetland flag to the Up Helly Aa Fire Festival, held every year in midwinter. Modern Lerwick is a prosperous, bustling town, which thrives on the oil, gas and green energy industries, and increasingly on tourism. Enjoy a stroll through the town's busy high street, lined with independent shops selling local products, immerse yourself in history at the Shetland Museum and Archives, or watch the local ferries come and go from the busy harbourfront. Optional excursion: "Clickimin Broch and Shetland sightseeing": Once securely docked at the port, we depart on a short scenic drive through Lerwick towards Scalloway. From the elevated position we can enjoy the view of the charming village and the imposing Scalloway Castle. After a short photo stop, we continue eastwards through the area that is locally known as the “Black Gates” – an area where peat is still cut and used as fuel. Following the road northwards, our main destination of Clickimin Broch is only a short drive. There will be free time to discover this well preserved and restored Broch and learn more about life in the Iron Age. (Please note: The coach excursion is part of the optional excursion package and is not included in the price of the voyage). Afterwards, we will return to Lerwick and after some time at leisure in the port town, we reboard around lunchtime. During a delicious lunch onboard, our vessel repositions the short distance to the nearby Isle of Noss. Depending on the weather, we hope to be able to offer a Zodiac cruise beneath the bird cliff, one of the largest and most spectacular in Britain, thronging with gannets, guillemots and razorbills.

Day 4

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
We arrive after lunch at Tórshavn, one of the smallest capitals in the world, ruling the scattered eighteen islands that make up the Faroes. An autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are situated roughly equidistant from Norway, Iceland and Scotland. 'Føroyar' (as the islands are locally known) is a corruption of the Old Norse roughly meaning 'Sheep Islands', hinting at the island's long sheep farming tradition and Norse roots. The local Faroese language is closely related to Icelandic and Old Norse, and indeed to the Norn language once spoken in Shetland and Orkney (with which the Faroes share ancient historical ties). While not as cold as nearby Iceland, the Faroe Islands are nonetheless known for their challenging weather, largely due to their isolated location in the North Atlantic - here, the frigid sea rules life, and experiencing four seasons in the same day (or even hour!) is not uncommon. Nonetheless, their northerly location creates long light summer days, and while the weather is rarely warm, the climate is perfect for exploring! Centred around the grass-roofed Parliament on Tinganes (one of the oldest in the world), Tórshavn - or simply 'Havn' as the locals call it - has a fascinating history. Originally a trading post established by Norwegian kings and operated as a monopoly by the Danish crown, Tórshavn was proclaimed a town in 1866 and has been the capital of the islands ever since. In the aftermath of British occupation during the Second World War, a narrowly contested referendum almost resulted in Faroese independence, after which the islands were granted autonomy. Today, the Faroes operates as its own nation, excluding foreign affairs, defence and policing (which are handled by Denmark), and is a modern bustling city in miniature. Explore Skansin, the 16th century fort which found a modern use as the British garrison during WWII, experience Faroese culture at the Listasvn Føroya Art Museum, or shop for snuggly woollen goods in the city's many boutique shops. Explore the old Faroes in the city Cathedral, or the new Foroes in the architectural marvel of the Nordic House cultural centre. Alternately, unwind on a sunny terrace on Bryggjubakki (the waterfront area modelled on Copenhagen's famous Nyhavn) and indulge in a fresh local seafood lunch with a view of Tinganes- perhaps with a crisp local beer to match! Optional excursion: Historical Kirkjubøur By mid-morning you can participate in an optional bus excursion where we will try to look in history. We drive out of the capital and over the mountains to the south. As the climate on the Faroe Islands is ‘stably unstable’ it is not unlikely that we will drive through the cloud base and experience some fog on the way - though as the local saying goes: "don't like the weather? Wait ten minutes!" We soon arrive in Kirkjubøur, which was in medieval times the Episcopal capital of the Faroe Islands, and its undisputed cultural centre. We visit the ruins of the impressive Magnus Cathedral, and the St. Olav church – the only remaining medieval church on the Faroe Islands. (The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). Upon our return to ‘Havn’ – as Tórshavn is often just called – you can go for a leisurely stroll through the old citadel near the harbour. A visit to the Art museum and the Nordic House is also very recommendable. With around 18,000 inhabitants it is the island nations largest. Torshavn is a wonderful mix of modern metropole and thousand year old traditions. The vast history is particularly visible in the old quarters of Tinganes, with its beautiful buildings with grass covered roofs and cobbled streets.

Day 5

Klaksvík, Faroe Islands. Optional excursion: Explore Eysturoy with Gjogv
During the morning we will arrive in the little port of Klaksvík on the island of Borðoy, located on the eastern side of this island nation. The town is the second largest in the Faroes with around 5,000 residents, with history dating back to Viking times. The town occupies the isthmus between two deep fjords, offering access to the sea on two sides - vital for the fishing industry which is still the basis of the town's economy. Klaksik functions as the main hub for the northeastern part of the Faroe Islands, and as such offers a variety of services usually found in much larger towns. Subsea tunnels built into the basalt bedrock of the islands link Klaksvík to Esturoy and Stremoy (Tórshavn) opened in 2006, enhancing the town's economy and infrastructure hugely, allowing much easier export of catches. The town is particularly proud of its footballers - Klaksvík Football Club have defeated a number of much larger and better known European teams, and reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League - the first Faroese team to do so. Optional excursion: Explore Eysturoy with Gjogv Join an optional bus excursion where we explore the nearby island of Eysturoy with its wonderful nature, high peaks and wildlife. We depart by coach through a tunnel that connects Borðoy and Eysturoy and pass along the long Skalafjord. This leads us to the small harbour village of Gjogv, where we explore the area and maybe even walk the gorge that has given the village its name. We will have time to take some photos of some of the famous rock formations, cliffs and breathtaking views visible along our way. This roundtrip offers some insights of the Faroese lifestyle and the truly spectacular natural beauty that the islands hold. An excursion that lets us test the famous tagline for the country: Unspoiled, Unexplored, Unbelievable. (The excursion is part of the excursion package and not included in the price of the trip). Around lunchtime we leave Klaksvík and continue on our North Sea adventure towards Iceland.

Day 6

At sea, en route to Djúpivogur, Iceland
From Klaksvík, Ocean Albatros will head out across the North Atlantic towards eastern Iceland, following the course set by Norse explorers over a thousand years ago. Scholars still debate the origin of the first settlers of the Faroe Islands; whether the settlers were of Scandinavian or Norse-Irish origin, and whether they were preceded by Celtic settlers from Scotland and Ireland. What is certain is the islands were largely settled by around the year 800, after which Norse pioneers discovered and began to settle in Iceland. Between the Faroe Islands and Iceland lies a submarine ridge, formed during the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean approximately 50 million years ago. This ridge causes the warmer Norwegian Current (a branch of the Gulf Stream) to rise towards the surface, enriching these chilly waters. Seabirds, seals and whales thrive in these nutritious waters, so keeping binoculars close at hand is highly recommended! Days at sea are never dull. We will arrange a variety of activities onboard for our guests to enjoy to engage the mind, body and soul. Join your knowledgeable Expedition Team lecturers in the Theatre to hear specially-crafted lectures on local history, wildlife, geology, culture and more, unwind with a massage in the Albatros Polar Spa, or simply watch the seabirds gliding along the ship from our hot tubs as the Ocean Albatros flies across the North Atlantic towards Iceland.

Day 7

Djúpivogur, Iceland
Our first port of call in Iceland is the small, cozy port town of Djúpivogur. Located in East Iceland at the mouth of Berufjörður fjord, Djúpivogur is an enchanting village of just 456 inhabitants, standing beneath the dramatic Mount Búlandstindur, which reaches 1,069 m (3,510ft). Characterized by its calm lagoons, tranquil harbour, and flourishing bird population, particularly in the Búlandsnes Bird Sanctuary, the area allows visitors to enjoy an undisturbed natural paradise. The town's harbour is perfectly is sheltered but still easily accessible from the ocean, and among the oldest in Iceland due to its Europe-facing position, with records dating back to 1589. The people of Djúpivogur take great pride in preserving their town's heritage, and the town attracts creative folk and artists from around the world. The public art exhibitions of the town worth a visit, not least the permanent Eggin í Gleðivík, 34 oversized granite bird eggs representing the 34 species which breed in the area. The artwork can be reached with a short stroll from the town centre. The Cultural Centre is located in the beautiful red timber house, Langabúð, and opposite this on the other side of the small harbor is the beautiful old Hótel Framtíð. Residents have embraced a slower way of life which we can hope to soak up whilst visiting. Optional excursion: Vatnajökull, the largest icecap in Europe We board coaches in Djupivogur and drive to the "lobster town" of Höfn where we make a short break after the first 60 minutes of driving. Our next stop is the breathtaking Hoffelslón lagoon at the outlet of the largest glacier in Europe (Vatnajökull), where we will take time to walk on the glacial moraine and enjoy the unique nature and spectacular scenery. The vast Vatnajökull glacier covers around 8% of Iceland's total land mass. After the visit we return towards Djupivogur, with some photo stops enroute. (The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). After we embark our ship, we will sail along the southern coast of Iceland towards the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.

Day 8

Heimaey and Surtsey, Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago, Iceland
The Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago (Anglicised as the Westman Islands) is a cluster of isolated islands situated off Iceland's southern coast. These rugged outposts have a surprisingly turbulent history, being the site of thrall rebellions during the Viking age, and the site of Ottoman slave raids in the 1600s. But the modern history of the town of Heimaey (the only settlement of any size on the islands) is what really puts the islands on the map. Heimaey made headlines worldwide in January 1973, when a volcano erupted on the island. Almost all of the 5,000 inhabitants evacuated, but some opted to stay, and armed with little more than hoses managed to cool and divert the worst of the lava away from the town and it's vitally important harbour. Today, the cone-shaped hill of Eldfell (source of the 1973 eruption) looms over the town, a testament to the raw power of Icelandic nature. Heimaey is one of the few places where visitors can walk on a recent volcano, as well as on the extensive lavafield it left behind. Instead of forgetting or destroying the ruins left by the eruption, the enterprising islanders built a museum around them: the Eldheimar museum is one of the most fascinating in Iceland, showing in perfect detail the destruction even a comparatively tiny volcano can wreak. While the lava-battling locals are known worldwide, many visitors come to see the island's other local residents; the millions of seabirds which nest on this isolated outpost. Approximately 1.1 million puffins nest in burrows in the turf and sandy soil of the island, while kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots and razorbills also number in their thousands. Once a vital food source, locals are now fiercely protective of their feathered friends; local children even arrange patrols to collect and safely care of young birds which become disorientated at night, releasing them the following morning. When you go sailing, you can see the islands' steep and grateful profiles in clear weather from a long distance. They are beautifully raised by the sea, and looking at them, one understands why an Icelandic poet would compare them with the sapphires in a silver ring. We end the day by passing close to one of the world's newest islands, Surtsey. This volcanic island is named for a fire giant of Norse legend, and rose from the sea in 1963 during a submarine eruption. In 2008, Surtsey was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Natural World Heritage Sites. The island is closed to the public and only researchers are allowed - it is a vital means for scientists to understand how nature colonises newly formed islands - although the views of the island from the sea are spectacular.

Day 9

Reykjavík, Iceland
The rock-like columns of Hallgrímskirkja Church loom over the city of Reykjavik, a hip Scandinavian capital which needs little introduction. With new Nordic cuisine, excellent shopping, fantastic excursions and an easy relaxed vibe, Reykjavik is one of Scandinavia's most welcoming and exciting cities. Such a bustling capital may feel strange after the remote wilderness of the North Atlantic! After a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid a fond farewell to the Crew and Expedition Team of Ocean Albatros, and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime.