Join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Elizabeth Pierce on this exploration of ancient settlements, remote islands, magnificent landscapes, and idyllic villages from Inverness, Scotland, to the Orkney Islands and along the Norwegian coast above the Arctic Circle. Cruise during the peak of spring, with long days of bright green scenery speckled with blooming flowers and rushing waterfalls from snow melting in the mountains. Dr. Pierce will be part of a team of onboard experts who together will offer a series of lectures and informal discussions.

This varied and balanced itinerary combines the wonders of the natural world with the historical and cultural highlights of the area. Our cruise is bookended with time in some of the region’s most remote and inaccessible island groups—Scotland’s Orkney Islands and Norway’s Lofoten Islands—and offers rich opportunities for bird and whale watching.

In Scotland, visit Clava Cairns, a group of three Bronze Age burial mounds and, in the UNESCO Site “Heart of Neolithic Orkney,” marvel at the Neolithic standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae. In Norway, visit the 12th-century Hopperstad Stave Church, the oldest stave church in the country; and the distinctive pagan Moahaugane Burial Mounds, which were constructed between A.D. 200-400.

Enjoy several days inside Norway’s iconic fjords, including the awe-inspiring Sognefjord, Norway’s longest, as well as the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. Step ashore at peaceful, picturesque fjord-side towns and fishing villages off the beaten track—splendid Art Nouveau Ålesund, set on myriad islands stretching out into the ocean; BrØnnØysund, from which one can access Torghatten, a legendary mountain with evidence of five different Neolithic settlements that were inhabited for millennia; and tiny villages of Å, Reine, or Nusfjord in the Lofotens. A pre-cruise extension in the Scottish Highlands and a post-cruise extension in Oslo are also available.

Delight in cruising for eight nights aboard the elegantly appointed and newly renovated Exploris One, designed to navigate demanding waters safely while offering the highest level of service and comfort. Each of its 72 suites and spacious staterooms offers breathtaking ocean views, some with private balconies. The program is co-sponsored by other organizations, so I encourage you to contact us today at (800) 748-6262 or aia@studytours.org to reserve your preferred suite or stateroom.