Nordic & Icelandic Wonders

From music and museums to quiet forest explorations to charming neighborhoods, Norway’s capital Oslo contains a dynamic array of experiences for every traveler. The city is filled with cutting-edge architecture, among them the iconic Oslo Public Library. As part of its status as a green city, Oslo has become easy to navigate by foot or bike, perfect for intimate explorations. The Historical Museum holds a vast array of artifacts from the Middle Ages and pre-historic times. Among the cities with the most concerts per capita in Europe, Oslo always has an event to immerse into local culture.

Along the pristine Skagerrak strait that separates Norway from Denmark, the stunning harbor town of Kristiansand awaits, emerging from rock-rimmed islets and picturesque hamlets. On land, stroll through historic Posebyen, the signature Old Town neighborhood well-known for its street grid laid out in a perfect, right-angle formation. Within the city limits, explore the Kristiansand Cannon Museum for a glimpse of the star attraction, the Vara Battery. Set out on a boat ride along Norway’s southernmost shoreline to see the tiny islands that dot the icy waters. Expect to see historical lighthouses clinging precariously to coastal rocks and forested mountains rising from the sea.

Spend a leisurely day pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, is a stunning place filled with history. As part of an archipelago of 70 islands off the tip of Scotland, the city is not among the more commonly visited destinations in the country, but it was the center of Norse culture near the end of the first millennium. Walk down the cobbled streets and be transported back to Norse times as you explore a 300-year-old medieval cathedral built by the Vikings where, according to local lore, miracles took place. Another great miracle is the preservation of the archeological sites in Orkney, like the World Heritage sites of the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.

Spend a leisurely day pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

The tiny, picturesque village of Seyðisfjörður is the pearl of Iceland. A town of just 700 people, it is hidden at the innermost point of the fjord of the same name. In the valley above town, the river Fjarðará cascades over the hill to create several, beautiful waterfalls, down to the lagoon at the head of the fjord. Throughout the scenic village you’ll also find well-preserved, old wooden buildings, an enticing subject for photography as you walk down Rainbow Street..

The town of Húsavík sits on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay, known around the world as the Whale Capital of Iceland. Skjálfandi Bay also offers incredible bird watching opportunities. There you can observe an Atlantic puffin colony where thousands of these charming "clowns of the ocean" nest during the summer. Take the illustrious Arctic Coast route that winds through the incredible fjords along Iceland’s northern coastline. Unwind with a dip in the geothermal waters of the GeoSea Spa.l.

A rich folklore culture abounds in Akureyri, Iceland, put on full display during the city’s festivals throughout the year. Inland, only 50 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, is the Akureyri Botanical Garden, a remarkable sight with brightly colored flowers and lush greenery. The iconic Akureyrarkirkja (or The Church of Akureyri) designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson resembles more a 1920s U.S. skyscraper, but within its walls stands an impressive 3,200-pipe organ. Among the local favorite eating spots is Greifinn, a modern restaurant serving a mix of fare from classic burgers to pasta to Tex Mex to salted fish pizza (to honor Iceland’s roots).

A rich folklore culture abounds in Akureyri, Iceland, put on full display during the city’s festivals throughout the year. Inland, only 50 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, is the Akureyri Botanical Garden, a remarkable sight with brightly colored flowers and lush greenery. The iconic Akureyrarkirkja (or The Church of Akureyri) designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson resembles more a 1920s U.S. skyscraper, but within its walls stands an impressive 3,200-pipe organ. Among the local favorite eating spots is Greifinn, a modern restaurant serving a mix of fare from classic burgers to pasta to Tex Mex to salted fish pizza (to honor Iceland’s roots).

Home to about 100 people — the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland — and one million birds, Grímsey Island is a treasure in the Arctic Circle. The residents enjoy 24 hours of sun throughout the summer, as do the Puffins. Look for the stone sphere marking the edge of the Arctic Circle. Its design makes it easier to move as the Arctic Circle moves, always keeping the true demarcation. Grímsey Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, filled with various species, including razorbills, kittiwakes, auks and thick-billed murres. Amid the breathtaking landscapes are the island’s basalt columns. These geometric geological structures covered in lush moss dip into the water, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Its remote nature makes Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in mainland Iceland, a popular setting for Nordic noir, from the TV show Trapped to Ragnar Jónasson’s detective novel series Dark Iceland. But this fishing village holds more life than at first meets the eye. Home to a lively Folk Music Center, there’s a wealth of culture to immerse yourself in. A maritime history can still be seen every day, from fishermen varnishing their boats to museums dedicated to the herring industry that once made the town thrive. From black-sand beaches to snow-capped mountains, the contrast of landscapes invites you and fellow explorers to hike paths that are a feast for the eyes. Keep your eyes on the sky for the plethora of birdlife that lives on Siglufjörður, including white-tailed eagles. The surrounding fjord beckons you and your expedition group to embark on a kayaking adventure through pristine waters, a serene experience that brings you closer to nature.

Amid the enchanting Westfjords of Iceland stands Ísafjörður, a fishing town thriving with local energy and culture. Summer months here are brisk, but it’s this cool climate combined with breathtaking and quaint scenery that makes the village feel like an undiscovered treasure. The massive depression among the flat-topped mountains called Naustahvilft – known colloquially as the troll seat – combines Iceland’s natural beauty with the town’s rich folklore. Make a stop at Dokkan Brugghús, the only brewery in the entire Westfjords, and sample the local beers, crafted with naturally filtered spring water from the nearby mountains. For those for whom the sea’s siren call beckons, you must visit the Westfjord History Museum, based on Ísafjörður’s maritime heritage and its rise in the fishing industry.