Spectacular Svalbard & Greenland 2024 | Venture

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city that effortlessly combines ancient history with a vibrant modern energy. Its streets are steeped in stories, from the cobblestones of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian avenues of the New Town, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Edinburgh Castle, majestically poised atop an ancient volcanic rock, and stroll the Royal Mile leading to the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse. Discover world-class art at the Scottish National Gallery and find serenity in the Princes Street Gardens. Marvel at the contemporary Scottish Parliament building, tour the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, and when night falls, immerse yourself in Edinburgh's thriving cultural scene.

Nestled in a narrow valley along the enchanting shores of Adventfjorden, Longyearbyen emerges as the administrative heart of Svalbard. This exceptional town is framed by the stunning Isfjord, a fjord system that stretches 100 kilometers into the depths of Spitsbergen. With nine tidewater glaciers and numerous hanging glaciers contributing to a combined ice-front of 21 kilometers, the views are truly breathtaking. Home to 2,100 residents, Longyearbyen stands as one of Earth's northernmost settlements, where residents thrive through coal mining, education, and tourism. Established in 1906 by American industrialist John Longyear, the town not only bears witness to human resilience but also serves as a gateway to unparalleled natural beauty.

Svalbard stands as a remote, expansive, and untamed expanse, largely undisturbed by human presence. When exploring this destination, our plans and itinerary remain flexible, allowing the ever-changing weather, conditions, and wildlife to shape each day's adventure. If a polar bear emerges on the horizon, we may halt the ship or Zodiacs to better observe it. In the presence of ice obstructing our path, we might leisurely navigate along its edge, marveling at its colors and forms while searching for wildlife, or redirect our course to an alternate destination. Should storms challenge our intended site, we may seek refuge in a sheltered bay, unveiling a different facet of exploration. Regardless of our actions, Svalbard harbors numerous beauties and mysteries, promising exhilarating discoveries for those with open eyes and hearts.

Make the most of the upcoming two days at sea while en route to Greenland by indulging in the ship's facilities. Take in the vast expanse of the ocean and get to know your fellow travelers.

The small Greenlandic town of Ittoqqortoormiit sits at the entrance to Scoresby Sund, the longest fjord on Earth. Although founded in 1925, the original colonists to the area were Palaeo-Eskimo peoples 4,000 years ago.

Housing 500 people, Ittoqqortoormiit derives its name from Greenlandic meaning ‘Big-House Dwellers’. A walk through town, reveals a vibrant Greenlandic culture. Seal, muskox and even a polar bear skin can be seen drying on racks outside of private homes. Greenlandic sled dogs sit patiently on their leashes in front yards, awaiting winter, their wooden sledges propped against buildings. In the local food store seal and whale meat are among the regular traditional foodstuffs laid out beside common western items. Ittoqqortoormiit has a post office where you can purchase Greenlandic stamps and mail your postcards as well as a quaint church, its gabled interior painted in white and sky-blue. The entire community, in fact, is a picturesque kaleidoscope of color, each building painted in bright hues of red, blue, yellow and green.

Scoresby Sund, the longest fjord in the world, cuts into the East Greenlandic Mountains 350 kilometers (216 miles), is 50 kilometers (30 miles) wide and occupies an area equivalent to the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined. This is one of the most remote and wildest regions on Earth. It was named in honor of English explorer William Scoresby who mapped the fjord in 1822.

Wildlife, including muskox, foxes, Arctic hares, short-tailed weasels and lemmings are commonly seen in the large river-valleys. Near Hekla Haven, large areas of expansive tundra dotted with hundreds of freshwater ponds have transformed into the brilliant reds and yellows of Arctic autumn.

Rødefjord is world-famous for its iceberg graveyard. Three large tidewater glaciers including three kilometer (2 mile) wide Rølige Brae glacier drain into fjord. Hundreds of icebergs, having calved from the glacial faces, are trapped in the shallows of the bay. Elegantly sculpted by wind and water into a blue-ice wonderland of picturesque forms, they are one of the most dramatic landscapes imaginable.

Entering the broad Scoresby Sund in northeast Greenland, and bearing to starboard, we trace the northeastern coast of the fjord at its broadest reach, before it splits into three smaller fjords. Just there we come upon a headland intruding beyond a small bay. This is Sydkap, or South Cape. The slopes are rounded, made up of glaciated floors of stone interspersed with colorful tufts of tundra vegetation. On the headland stand two huts, one sturdy-looking red one, and another ruinous and bleached. This is a likely place to inspect the hut, still used by people hunting musk oxen or fishing the nearby rivers for arctic char. The slopes offer places to contemplate the majestic parade of icebergs, including some tabular specimens as large as two kilometers long, proceeding out of the Nordvestfjord and passing our review point bound for the Greenland Sea. The scenic scale of the panorama, the colors of the sky, the sea and the tundra plants, and the patient parade of ice giants in the sound comprise another perfect Greenland experience.

At the head of Øfjord is a scenic group of low lying rocky islands known as the Bear Islands. Sydkap (South Cape) situated at the north end of Scoresby Sund is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Stauning Alps. Here colossal icebergs, some in excess of 100 meters (330’) high and 1 kilometer (.6 mile) wide, have run aground in the shallow water.

Expansive areas of lowland are carpeted in the reds and yellow hues of autumn foliage. On many of the barren rocky outcrops sit huge solitary boulders, delicately balanced as if carefully placed by a giant. Known as erratics, they were carried here great distances by moving ice, and are a testament to a time when all of the land was buried deep under glaciers. Early peoples known as the Thlish culture established a small settlement here. The stone ruins of their houses are silent reminders of these pre-historic whale hunters. Whale bones can still be seen as well as the occasional muskox skull.

Seize another day at sea to marvel at the endless expanse of the ocean, all while taking advantage of the onboard facilities.

Heimaey Island is the largest in the Westman Islands located four miles off the south-west coast of Iceland. One of the most visually impressive islands in Iceland, it is ringed by tall, vertical sea cliffs many hundreds of feet high. Heimaey is also the home to over eight million Atlantic puffins, more nesting puffins than anywhere else on earth. A local story tells that puffin chicks, taking their first flights at night, often become stranded in the village streets, where the local children rescue them and set them free the next day.

After two weeks aboard, say your goodbyes to the ship and its crew as you disembark in Reykjavik.

Established by Viking settler Ingólfur Arnarson around 870 C.E., Reykjavík, Iceland's first permanent settlement, housed 69 residents in 1703. Today, with about 200,000 people, it serves as the northernmost national capital globally, renowned for its cleanliness, greenery, and safety. Reykjavík offers a dynamic city life with rich culture, history, music, shopping, and vibrant nightlife.

Please note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.