Scotland The Faroe Islands and Iceland North Atlantic Saga 2026

Stretch Your Legs

Be sure to take advantage of Glasgow’s best—there’s incredible street art, cathedrals, botanical gardens, whisky distilleries and hop-on and hop-off bus tours to bounce you around the city.

After a day of independent exploration in Glasgow, we will meet at our rendezvous point and take a bus transfer to the Greenock port to embark the Exploris One for our evening departure. Greenock has a deep maritime history and was once a major shipbuilding and import hub.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

A Bird’s Eye View

As we cruise the southwestern shore of this large Inner Hebrides island, keep your binoculars trained on the coastline for species like common sandpiper, oystercatcher, gannets and razorbills. 

The natural wow factor of Skye’s verdant landscapes are a magnet for photographers and hikers alike. There will be a few active options to choose from today—from casual walks to more demanding treks in the famed time-scraped Cuillin Hills. The island’s fairytale rock formations and blanket of jade green hills are unlike any other.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

A Modern and Ancient Juxtaposition

Tweed alert! The Isle of Lewis is synonymous with tweed. By law, all Harris Tweed must be produced in the Outer Hebrides and nowhere else—every bit of wool is dyed and spun in an island mill. The island is actually one of two names divided by a mountain that defines Lewis and Harris.

We will visit Stornoway, a Gaelic stronghold and the capital of the largest of the Hebrides. There will be time to browse the shops and tweed, of course. Our meandering route will include one of Britain’s most important Stone Age sites, the Calanais Standing Stones. Legend dictates that they are giants who were punished by St. Kieran for refusing to convert to Christianity.

Living history unfolds at the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where we learn about a typical crofting township of the last century. The blackhouses and traditional reenactments include a Harris Tweed weaving demo. We also visit Dun Carloway Broch, a distinctly ancient Scottish site that stands an impressive nine metres tall perched on a rocky mound. See this ancient structure, standing at an impressive nine metres (30 feet) tall

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

Chains to the Past

Today we visit Vágur and its small but mighty population of 1,300 residents. We have the opportunity to see Faroese chain dancing in action and hear the stories that are the lifeblood of Vágur‘s captivating past. The chain dance was originally a medieval ring dance set to dramatic ballads about kings and heroes often having several hundred verses. After witnessing, or joining in on the fancy footwork, we set off for the foothills of nearby Beinisvørð Mountain, which offers a spectacular panorama of the region.

Suðuroy’s towering west side is a moving scape of sheer cliffs and towering sea stacks with the looming hulk of Beinisvørð mountain in the distance. These cliffs are a magnet for European storm petrels and Atlantic puffins who find shelter and home in their pockets.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

The Small City with a Green Heart

Tórshavn or, “Thor’s Harbour” (in Danish), is the capital city and the largest city in the Faroes. With a population of 20,500, it’s one of the smallest capitals in the world. Boutique and indie shops tempt, as do the walking trails and treasured National Art Gallery at Nordic House. Blood red buildings with turf roofs and black timber façades are a charming remnant of traditional Faroese architecture.

Public transportation in Tórshavn is free of charge and the city buses have free Wi-Fi. The twin goal of this initiative was to reduce traffic in the town’s center, lower fuel oil use and CO2 emissions.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

Surf and Turf

Sandwiched in a scenic fjord and surrounded by mountains, the charming-as-all-get-out village of Oyndarfjørður is home to less than 200 residents. Located on the northeastern shore of Eysturoy Island, the small cluster of traditional Faroese homes and a photogenic turf-topped wooden church (built in 1838) sneak history to our walk. 

Learn about local life and the deep-rooted culture or take a walk with your camera at the ready. The salmon pens, boat houses and view towards the neighbouring hamlet Hellurnar (located on the same fjord) are picture perfect.

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

Wild Walks

Take in the rocky drama of Vágar, one of the 18 islands in the Faroe Islands archipelago. On this remote Western Island, soaring cliffs kiss the sea and near-neon green valleys cradle the small villages within its folds. It’s a trifecta of hiking, birding and photography and the stuff of inspirational posters and screensavers!

There is only one airport in the Faroe Islands and it’s located in Vágar. A brilliant and James Bond-like network of underwater tunnels connect nearby islands like Vágar to Streymoy (Tórshavn).

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

Atlantic Academia

Enjoy a day at sea as we sail toward the Westman Islands. Add depth to your journey by pulling up a seat in the “floating university.” There’s a full slate of dynamic presentations, workshops and documentary screenings on offer today. Or, take advantage of the ship’s amenities with your Wild Women crew!

On deck, the North Atlantic marine life, seabirds and ever-changing seascape are streaming 24/7. Lucky passengers have spotted Risso’s dolphins—they are easily recognized by their pale-grey bodies. Other cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises or even a minke whale may make a rare appearance. For the birders in the crowd, northern gannets, guillemots, Atlantic puffins, fulmars and skuas can be seen on cruise control.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

Land of Fire

Vestmannaeyjar is one impressive piece of fourteen islands that scatter off the south coast of Iceland. Only the largest island, Heimaey, is inhabited. In January 1973, a volcanic eruption on Heimaey sent villagers scrambling, with remarkable luck that saw minimal loss of life. The eruption buried parts of the town but the memories remain strong in the 4,500 people who still call the island home.

The volcanically active area has seen two major eruptions in recent times: the formation of the island of Surtsey in 1963, and the Eldfell eruption ten years later that destroyed much of Heimaey.

Countless seabird species that nest on the storm-beaten sheer rock faces. Between April and August, the puffins are omnipresent. Other frequent fliers include storm petrels, razorbills, skuas and several gull species.

Included Meals

All on-board meals 

Accommodations

Your cabin on the Exploris One

An Icy Farewell

We complete our journey in Reykjavík, Iceland’s groovy capital. After disembarking in the morning, we can hug and say “until next time,” or continue exploring the city independently.

Laugavegur is the main, buzzy street, with side streets like spokes in a wheel leading to the city’s landmark, Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur). From the top of the tower, there is a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city below and the surrounding mountains and sea. There are endless cafes, museums, galleries, vintage and vinyl shops to poke around in. The National Culture House (with original Norse Sagas manuscripts) and National Museum Iceland are must-sees for the history buffs. The adventure doesn’t have to end!

Included Meals

All on-board meals