Viking Oceans Cruises – In the Wake of the Vikings (Canada, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom) 15 Days

Step on board your ship to begin your journey. Encircled by majestic mountains, fjords and glaciers, Bergen was home to Viking sagas. With your ship berthed next to Bryggen wharf, a UNESCO Site, easily stroll along its waterfront. This evening mingle with the locals and dine ashore, as we will be spending the night in port.

Awake in Bergen and further explore this Norwegian treasure. See the beautiful 18th-century wooden houses, and visit the Hanseatic Museum on your included tour. Perhaps take an excursion to Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard Grieg, Norway’s famous composer. Or take a trip to the top of Mt. Ulriken, where you can savor an Ulriken bun, a cinnamon pastry, with a view that is equally as indulgent. Gain an insider’s view of Norway’s shipbuilding culture and fish farming industry on our optional excursion.

Admire the rugged beauty of one of Scotland’s remote island outposts today. You’ll set out to explore the main island’s southern reaches on an included tour. After a panoramic drive through charming Lerwick, the Shetlands’ only burgh, stop at the limestone hamlet of Fladdabister, the crofting town of Aithsetter and a 2,000-year-old castle. Or, visit the remarkable archaeological site of Jarlshof instead, stunning evidence of a thriving Viking presence.

Explore the legacy of Vikings in the scenic Faroe Islands, located halfway between Norway and Iceland. Once home to the Viking Parliament, the island’s capital of Tórshavn occupies the archipelago’s most historic peninsula. During your visit, a scenic drive reveals the breathtaking fjords of Kaldbak and Kollafjørdur, magnificent island vistas and a rich salmon fishing culture . . . all infused with a welcoming Nordic spirit.

Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Explore Reykjavík, one of the cleanest and most eco-friendly cities in the world. Vikings settled here in 870 AD, and today Reykjavík is home to endless charms, watched over by the majestic Esja mountain range. You will see the city’s highlights up close, including the charming cathedral. And admire the cityscape from the Perlan, a hilltop, glass-domed landmark offering spectacular city views. Alternately, you may venture farther afield to take in the country’s breathtaking natural beauty, from towering waterfalls and soaring mountains to blue thermal springs.

Cruise coastal Greenland today, taking in the splendid views from your ship. During your day at sea, you might indulge in a massage or facial or take a sauna in The Spa. Find your inner calm with yoga on the Sports Deck. Tonight, try some food and wine pairings at The Chef’s Table.

Take in the natural beauty of Nanortalik. This “place of the polar bears,” as its name translates, is spread over a small island in a splendid setting on the shores of the Labrador Sea. Like in much of Greenland, the lack of trees here lends a stark and pristine beauty. You will learn about the city’s seafaring history, rich culture and colorful customs during your stay, visiting the open air Nanortalik Museum to learn how Vikings were among the first, and the Inuit among the last, to settle here.

Visit the small village of Qaqortoq today, located within its namesake fjord. This simple seaside town relies on fishing, fur production and ship repair and also has a brisk local arts scene, as you will see in its 30 “Stone and Man” sculptures in town. Your self-guided walking tour leads you along inviting streets lined with Inuit stone-and-peat houses, the 1832 Old Church and the Mindebrønden fountain.

Trace the route of Leif Eriksson today as you sail from Greenland to Canada. Perhaps you will swim in the Infinity Pool or mingle with newfound friends over tea in the Wintergarden. This evening, enjoy soft piano music in the Living Room or lively jazz in Torshavn.

Step back 500 years before the days of Columbus, to the late 10th century, when Viking Leif Eriksson led the first European landing on American soil at L’Anse aux Meadows, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The archaeological site’s beautiful seaside setting on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland boasts millennium-old remains, including a Viking sod longhouse. You will explore a village reconstruction or, if you prefer, follow Newfoundland’s scenic coastline and view marine animals in their natural habitat.

Today you will make your way toward the St. Lawrence River via the Gulf of St. Lawrence. As you sail, you might attend an illuminating enrichment lecture in the theater. This evening, enjoy cocktails in the Explorers’ Lounge.

Discover the history of Saguenay today, a once-disparate region of boroughs established as one city as recently as 2002. Built on a rich fur-trading and timber industry, it is a quintessential Quebecois town proud of its rural roots. You can witness the story of its growth during a lively stage show created specifically for English-speaking visitors, with privileged backstage access. Alternately, you can head into the countryside to visit two family businesses that embody the region’s French heritage with their cheese and wine production.

Quebec City is by many accounts the most French city in New France. The Old Town’s centerpiece, the magnificent Château Frontenac, seems transported from the palatial landscapes of the Loire Valley, and its French-accented streets lead past white-stone buildings that evoke old-world medieval villages. The only remaining walled city in North America outside of Mexico, Quebec City was fortified in the 17th century soon after its founding in 1608. Its strategic setting on the rocky promontory of Cape Diamond gave troops a close view of the St. Lawrence.

Vieux-Montréal, or Old Montreal, preserves the rich character of an old colony. Archaeological remains from the city’s first settlement are preserved in the Pointe-à-Callière museum. The silver dome of the Bonsecours Market, a splendid Renaissance Revival building, sheltered Montreal’s main market for over a century and briefly hosted the Parliament of United Canada in 1849. Adjacent, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours is one of the city’s oldest churches, and the historic Château Ramezay once hosted Benjamin Franklin as he sought to recruit troops against the British. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.