VIKING ROUTES: CANADA TO ICELAND
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12 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Historic harbour, maritime culture, local sights, embark the ship |
| Day 2 | At Sea | Relaxation and onboard lectures, photography workshops, observation deck ocean views |
| Day 3 | Saint-Pierre | Enduring French heritage and culture in a unique North Atlantic setting |
| Day 4 | St John's, Newfoundland | Discover colourful maritime history of North America’s oldest city, local culture and seafaring legacy |
| Day 5 | St Anthony, Newfoundland | Experience rugged Newfoundland, nature and iceberg-filled waters of Iceberg Alley, regional heritage |
| Days 6 - 7 | At Sea | Extended ocean crossing with observation deck scenery, informal expedition talks and creative sessions |
| Day 8 | Qassiarsuk and Narsarsuaq, Greenland | Norse ruins of Brattahlíð, hiking, whale and seal watching, and sheep farming |
| Day 9 | Qaqortoq | Largest city in South Greenland, Norse / Viking ruins, colonial buildings, Qaqortoq Museum |
| Days 10 - 11 | At Sea | More time at sea with ocean views, onboard enrichment and new friends |
| Day 12 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Disembark in Iceland’s dramatic capital, blending culture, architecture and Viking history |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Swan Hellenic Vega
The SH Vega is a 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offering you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage. She made her maiden voyage in July 2022, and carries a maximum of 152 guest in 76 cabins. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. For the comfort of guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
Day 1 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax, the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia, is a bustling port city rich in maritime history and culture. With its picturesque harbor, historic waterfront, and lively neighborhoods, Halifax offers a dynamic blend of old-world charm and modern energy. Visitors can explore iconic sites like the Citadel, stroll along bustling boardwalks, and savor fresh seafood, all set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Embark the ship from here.
Day 2 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 3 Saint-Pierre, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French archipelago south of Newfoundland, offers diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The main island, Saint Pierre, serves as the capital and includes a cathedral and the Musée Héritage offering a glimpse into the region’s past. Marked trails traverse bogs, subarctic meadows, undergrowth, and coastal paths with chances to spot seals, dolphins, whales and rorquals. Over 300 bird species inhabit the archipelago.
Day 4 St John’s, Newfoundland
St. John’s, North America’s easternmost city and capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, traces its history to John Cabot’s 1497 voyage. Thriving in the 18th and 19th centuries with the cod fishing industry, the town’s architecture, like the row houses on George Street, echoes its maritime past. Water Street, once a bustling port, now hosts shops and galleries in converted warehouses. Signal Hill provides views of the city’s colourful houses.
Day 5 St Anthony, Newfoundland
Newfoundland’s former fishing village of St. Anthony, dating back to the 16th-century, brims with excitement despite its sleepy facade. This Arctic gateway comes alive in April to June, offering front-row views to a dazzling natural wonder – the flowing Iceberg Alley, where towering frozen giants glide past. Marvel at these glacial spectacles from Fishing Point. The Grenfell Museum chronicles the life of British Dr. Grenfell’s medical missions.
Days 6 – 7 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 8 Qassiarsuk and Narsaq, Greenland
Qassiarsuk’s Norse ruins of Brattahlíð, founded by Viking explorer Erik the Red, draw visitors to this Greenlandic village on Tunulliarfik Fjord. Erik’s 10th-century estate grew into a 5,000-person Viking settlement, once Greenland’s largest. Traces of Norse relics dot the landscape, accompanied by a statue of Erik. Qassiarsuk’s subarctic mix of Norse and Greenlandic farming on the Edge of the Ice Cap is part of UNESCO-listed Kujataa Greenland.
Tucked into southern Greenland along the tranquil Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsaq – which means “the plain” – lives up to its name with lush, flat terrain set against towering, snow-dusted peaks. Known for hiking, whale and seal watching, and sheep farming, the town offers scenic trails.
Day 9 Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq is the largest city in South Greenland and the perfect base to explore the Norse (Viking) ruins encompassed by the extensive UNESCO-listed Kujataa World Heritage Site, a sub-arctic farming landscape. The town is home to 18th-century colonial buildings and the oldest fountain in Greenland; completed in 1932, it depicts whales spouting water out of their blowholes. Qaqortoq Museum in the town’s oldest building focuses on early settlers.
Days 10 – 11 At Sea
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable onboard experts.
Day 12 Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavík, despite its small size, is the capital of Iceland. At the top of the town stands the distinctive Hallgrímskirkja church, designed by renowned Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson. The revitalised harbour area features the futuristic Harpa Concert Hall and the Maritime Museum, showcasing the city’s cultural heritage A trip to Reykjavík would be incomplete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon, famous for its therapeutic geothermal waters.