From Leith (Edinburgh) to Reykjavik · Northern Europe · 14 nights
From Leith (Edinburgh) to Reykjavik
Seabourn has become the latest ultra-luxury cruise line to enter the expedition market with the launch of Seabourn Venture in 2022, followed by sister ship Seabourn Pursuit in 2023.
Seabourn Venture and Pursuit bring the trademark Seabourn style
and sophistication to the world of expedition cruising, with
interiors by designer Adam D Tihany, sumptuous veranda suite
accommodation and immersive adventure activities.
Edinburgh - what a city! The capital city of Scotland has some striking and varied architecture, an imposing Castle, memorable museums and galleries and some wonderful restaurants. And what we love best about this buzzing city is that you can always look up, and there's the beautiful countryside - the Seven Hills - surrounding you. It's a city of inexhaustible delights; in one day alone you could see the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny, follow the Royal Mile to explore narrow closes steeped in history, and go to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Edinburgh Dungeon and the Scottish Parliament.
Invergordon’s deep natural harbour makes it a popular jumping off point for the Scottish Highlands, and most cruise ship visitors will head inland on excursions to Loch Ness, Culloden battlefield or the nearby city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands.
The flat, windswept Orkney Islands, just off the northeast coast of Scotland, have a distinctive Scandinavian heritage that’s discernible in everything from the unusual place names to the ancient Norse architecture of the capital, Kirkwall. Don’t miss the Ring of Brodgar, a fascinating Neolithic stone circle.
Fair Isle is the UK’s most remote inhabited island, lying roughly halfway between Shetland and Orkney. The island is tiny, just 3 miles by 1½ miles, and is renowned for its traditional knitwear. It’s also a birdwatching hotspot, serving as both an important breeding ground for seabirds and as a stopping-off point for migrant species.
Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.
The little Isle of Noss, part of the Shetlands, is a nature reserve that hosts over 150,000 seabirds during the breeding season, a truly spectacular sight. Species you can expect to see include gannets, puffins, guillemots and razorbills, and the island is also home to otters, seals, whales and dolphins.
Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.
Tórshavn, named after the Norse god Thor, is one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a population of just 20,000. The brightly coloured facades and turfed roofs lend the harbour an attractive, storybook quality, and the narrow streets are home to some atmospheric pubs and cafés.
Tórshavn, named after the Norse god Thor, is one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a population of just 20,000. The brightly coloured facades and turfed roofs lend the harbour an attractive, storybook quality, and the narrow streets are home to some atmospheric pubs and cafés.
Klaksvík is the second largest town in the Faroe Islands, a bustling fishing harbour of around 5,000 inhabitants and the gateway to the Northern Isles. The sheltered bay is surrounded by vivid green mountains flecked with wildflowers, and the region is rich in seabirds including puffins.
Seyðisfjörður is one of the highlights of Iceland’s Eastfjords, a cute collection of colourful houses at the head of a dramatic fjord. The backdrop of snowy mountains and cascading waterfalls makes this one of the most picturesque ports in Iceland, and the town is surprisingly cosmopolitan.
Siglufjörður is the most northerly town on the Icelandic mainland, a remote little fishing port backed by imposing mountains. You can learn about the town’s history at the herring museum, explore the local culture at the Folk Music Centre or head out on one of the scenic hiking trails around the fjord.
Patreksfjörður is the largest village in the southern part of the Westfjords, and was named after St Patrick of Ireland. From here it’s easy to visit attractions including the famous Látrabjarg cliffs, home to thousands of nesting seabirds, and the dramatic Dynjandi waterfall.
The spectacular Dynjandi waterfall is one of the highlights of Iceland’s Westfjords, cascading down for 100 metres into the bay. The waterfall is often likened to a bridal veil because of the way the water spreads out across the rocks, and the thundering noise of the falls is intense.
The little fishing town of Grundarfjörður enjoys a picturesque setting on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, surrounded by dramatic volcanic peaks and gushing waterfalls. The nearby Snæfellsjökull volcano, capped by a glacier, was made famous by Jules Verne in ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.
Capital of Iceland and gateway to this extraordinary volcanic island, modern Reykjavík is home to an impressive collection of interesting attractions and places of historic significance. Visit the impressive Hallgrímskirkja church, relax in a thermal pool, potter around the old harbour, and enjoy 24 hour daylight in the summer months.
