AIA Tours: cruise

Cruising from Scotland to the Faroe Islands & Iceland

Tour Dates: May 26 - June 4, 2023 (10 days)

Tour Leader(s): Mary MacLeod Rivett ,

The earliest records of the Vikings arriving in Gaelic regions of Scotland dates from the 8th century, as legions of seafaring warriors sought their fortunes in a new part of the world. Our new, specially curated 10-day program explores the mighty Norse-Gael kingdom’s legendary impact on Scotland, Iceland, and beyond.

Join us for this unforgettable journey to discover the myths and stories of the Nordic Vikings and the Gaels of Scotland, from the misty peaks of Scotland to the rarely visited Faroe Islands and on through the “fire and ice” of Iceland. Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean from Glasgow, Scotland, to the remote Faroe Islands and then to Reykjavík, Iceland, you will enjoy the luxuries of the exclusively chartered, five‑star Le Bellot—featuring only 92 suites and staterooms, each with a private balcony.

Admire the austere beauty of the Inner Hebridean Isles of Iona and Mull and the ancient treasure of Iona Abbey en route to the picturesque port of Tobermory. Learn more about the Standing Stones of Callanish on an excursion to explore the 5,000-year-old Neolithic ruins on the Isle of Lewis.

Visit breathtaking Tvøroyri and Tórshavn on the archipelago of the Faroe Islands before continuing to Iceland, calling at Djúpivogur. Enjoy an excursion to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and tour Heimaey Island, which records the largest sea catches in Iceland since the days of its first settlers. Learn about “Pompeii of the North” and the historic Eldfell volcano eruption on a visit the Eldheimar Museum to complete your journey with a cruise along Iceland’s UNESCO‑inscribed Surtsey, one of Earth’s youngest islands.

This exclusive travel program is expected to sell out quickly, so book now while space and early booking savings are still available.

Le Bellot

Tour Prices (7 nights)

Book with confidence! No cancellation fees for new bookings.
Early booking savings up to $4,500 per couple, if booked by October 21, 2022

Per person, double occupancy

Tour prices start at $5,995 double occupancy with early booking savings through October 21, 2022, starting at $6,895 after October 21, 2022.

Single supplements apply across all categories at 160% of the per person double price (limited availability). Taxes are an additional $515 per person.

For detailed pricing information, download the brochure.

To reserve your space using the online form, click here. For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).

Itinerary


Friday, May 26: Depart Home

Saturday, May 27: Arrive Glasgow, Scotland/Embark ship

Sunday, May 28: Isle of Iona/Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Monday, May 29: Stornoway for Callanish Standing Stones/Isle of Lewis

Tuesday, May 30: Tvøroyri, Faroe Islands, Denmark

Wednesday, May 31: Tórshavn/Vestmanna

Thursday, June 1: Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean

Friday, June 2: Djúpivogur, Iceland, for Jökulsárlón

Saturday, June 3: Heimaey, Westman Islands/Cruise along Surtsey Island

Sunday, June 4: Reykjavík/Disembark ship/Return to home city


Pre-Program Option: Edinburgh/Glasgow
May 23 to 27, 2023

Post-Program Option: Reykjavík and the Golden Circle
June 4 to 7, 2023

View Detailed Itinerary

 

Home city/Glasgow, Scotland/Embark ship
Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27: Depart home on May 26 and arrive in Glasgow on May 27, famed for its elegant Victorian homes, public buildings, and a storied trade and ship building history, and embark the Le Bellot.

 Isle of Iona/Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Sunday, May 28: Cruise to the Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, and stroll through the serene, restored abbey and see the churchyard’s intricate Celtic crosses. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in the picturesque port of Tobermory. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening.

Stornoway for Callanish Standing Stones/Isle of Lewis
Monday, May 29: Call at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and continue on an excursion to the 5,000-year‑old Neolithic ruins of the Standing Stones of Callanish. Among Scotland’s best-preserved ruins, the stones form a cross shape and predate Stonehenge. Although no known reason for their existence remains, historians and archaeologists speculate that the Standing Stones were once a setting for ritual activities and astronomical observances. Discover Dun Carloway Pictish Broch, one of the best-preserved of its kind in the Hebrides, and continue north to see the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. After lunch on board the ship, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Stornoway, or choose to visit Lews Castle.

Tvøroyri, Faroe Islands, Denmark
Tuesday, May 30: Arrive in Tvøroyri and visit the black wooden Faroese church, built in 1847 with a traditional turf roof. Continue to the village of Sumba and the Akraberg lighthouse to look for puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, and migrating warblers.

Tórshavn/Vestmanna
Wednesday, May 31: In Torshavn, explore the historic neighborhood of Tinganes. Transfer to Kirkjubour to visit the ruins of St. Magnus Cathedral and the 900-year‑old Roykstovan, the oldest wooden house in Europe. Continue to Kollafjordur to visit a traditional Faroese church and see the Duvugardar national heritage museum in the remote village of Saksun.

Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean
Thursday, June 1: Enjoy five-star amenities on board or attend an enriching lecture as you cruise the North Atlantic Ocean.

Djúpivogur, Iceland, for Jökulsárlón
Friday, June 2: On a drive from Djúpivogur, enjoy the beauty of the snow‑capped mountains that rise amidst the grassy plains. Continue to the legendary Jökulsárlón ice lagoon in UNESCO World Heritage‑designated Vatnajoküll National Park. Embark specially designed boats for a private cruise and the chance to touch ice blocks broken from Breidamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajoküll’s glacier outlets.

Heimaey, Westman Islands/Cruise along Surtsey Island
Saturday, June 3: Visit Heimaey Island for a tour of the Herjólfsdalur valley and its Viking ruins. Continue to Stórhöfdi’s lava fields of Eldfell, known as the “Pompeii of the North,” and tour the Eldheimar Museum. Cruise past Surtsey Island and attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception this evening. 

Reykjavík/Disembark ship/Return to home city
Sunday, June 4: Following breakfast, disembark and continue on the Reykjavík Post‑Program Option or transfer to the airport for your return flight home.


Pre-Program Option

Edinburgh/Glasgow

May 23 to 27, 2023

Explore two of Scotland’s great cities intertwined with Celtic history. In Edinburgh, tour the medieval Old Town and Neoclassical New Town—both UNESCO World Heritage sites. See the Crown Jewels of Scotland on a visit to the legendary Edinburgh Castle and enjoy a special viewing at the renowned Museum of Scotland. Explore Glasgow’s 12th-century cathedral and the St. Mungo Museum, named after a patron saint who brought the Christian faith to Scotland in the 6th century. Spend two nights in the five-star Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.


Post-Program Option

Reykjavík and the Golden Circle
June 4 to 7, 2023

The captivating city of Reykjavík and its surrounding natural wonders provide you with the perfect conclusion to Iceland. Tour the legendary Golden Circle—UNESCO World Heritage‑designated Þingvellir National Park, the thundering terraced cataract of Gullfoss and Strokkur, possibly the world’s most iconic fountain geyser. Enjoy a full-day excursion to The Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark and natural marvel with an array of lighthouses and the famous Blue Lagoon. Accommodations are for three nights in the deluxe Hotel Borg.


For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884). To reserve your space using the online form, click here.

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