Gullfoss waterfall
Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot
8 days from $6,320* / June 6–13, Aug. 8–15, 2022 & Aug. 13–20, 2023 Encounter Iceland’s thrilling geological extremes—from glaciers to still-warm lava fields—on a voyage to remote fjords, waterfalls, volcanic islands, and dramatic landscapes imbued with mythology. Itinerary Day 1 — Reykjavík, Iceland: Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital. Board the ship this evening and cruise north under the midnight sun towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Day 2 — Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Get an up-close view of the cone-shaped Kirkjufell peak as the ship approaches the village of Grundarfjördur. Discover the natural wonders of Snaefellsnes, from the black-pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur to the mystical glacier Snaefellnesjökull, made famous by Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Or board local boats for a whale-watching excursion for a chance to see minke, humpback, pilot, and sperm whales, as well as orcas and dolphins. Day 3 — Grimsey: Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, Grimsey is bisected by the Arctic Circle yet enjoys mild weather year-round. From its only village, Grimseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its lush, emerald hills. Encounter thriving populations of seabirds, including auks, and, with luck, puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. 24
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT I 877.338.8687
Day 4 — Akureyri and Lake Myvatn: Dock in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, and travel to Lake Myvatn, home to fascinating geological phenomena. See the bubbling, steaming geothermal field of Námaskard, and stroll among the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the mythic source of Icelandic folklore. Watch for migratory birds and 14 species of duck on the shores of Lake Myvatn. After lunch in Skútustadir, explore the town’s distinctive pseudo-craters formed when hot lava flowed over the wetlands 2,300 years ago. On the return to Akureyri, stop at Godafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Alternatively, enjoy the Icelandic tradition of soaking in natural thermals baths. Day 5 — Isafjördur: Awaken in the stunning Westfjords, a rugged peninsula that juts out of Iceland’s northwest coast. Drive along the coast to the tiny town of Bolungarvík and learn about life in this remote outpost at the Osvor Fisherman’s Hut and Hólskirkja, the “Church on a Hill.” Hear a local group sing traditional Icelandic folk songs before continuing to Isafjördur for a visit to the Isafjördur Maritime Museum and a tasting of local specialties. Day 6 — Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar: Sail to the Westman Islands off the southern coast, arriving at Heimaey at midday. Then tour the
