Today, you’ll board an overnight flight to Bergen, Norway. Or, depart earlier for your pre-trip extension to Oslo.

Welcome to Norway! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a representative will meet you at the airport to assist with transfers to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to spend as you wish. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel today, then head out to explore Bergen and Troldhaugen aboard a private motorcoach. The centuries-old city of Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, has a vibrant, colorful waterfront. With its abundance of wooden homes, narrow lanes, and cozy cafés, Bergen has a lovely small-town feel and welcoming atmosphere. Built after the Great Fire of 1702, the traditional wooden houses and unusual street patterns inspired UNESCO to declare the city a World Heritage Site in 1979. Then you’ll learn about Norway’s musical legacy with a visit to Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg’s summer home. As one of the most influential Romantic composers of the 19th century, his work helped launch the country into international musical prominence. During a tour of Grieg’s home — now a fascinating museum — we’ll delve further into his cultural contributions.

Included Feature:

• Bergen and Troldhaugen motorcoach tour

Today, you’ll embark the Ocean Odyssey. Get settled in your luxurious stateroom, then take time to acquaint yourself with the ship's many amenities. Enjoy a cocktail at the panoramic Observation Lounge, pop into the fitness center, or visit the Destination Manager to book a spa treatment. Tonight, enjoy the first of many delicious meals prepared by your skilled onboard chefs.

Enjoy a day at sea as the Ocean Odyssey makes its way to Stavanger. Visit the spa, get in a workout at the gym, relax on the sun deck with a great book, and enjoy the fabulous cuisine the chefs are creating just for you!

Onboard Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional onboard experience. Enhance your time on board with one of our Vantage-exclusive activities, including wine and whiskey tastings, a multicourse Chef’s Table Dinner, or an exclusive wine-pairing dinner. Learn More

Floating between the Atlantic and the North Sea, the Shetlands are as far north as you can go and still be in Scotland. But at the same time, centuries of Norse rule make these spectacular green jewels a unique cultural hybrid. If you are on deck, perhaps a flock of northern fulmars or gannets will herald our arrival as our ship makes its way towards Mainland, the largest of the archipelago’s 16 inhabited islands. Your ship will drop anchor in Scalloway, and from here you will have two choices for exploration — An exploration of Scalloway and Lerwick, or a tour that brings you to important Viking sites.

Your first tour choice introduces Shetland's past and present capitals on a Lerwick tour. The name Scalloway derives from an Old Norse phrase that means “bay with the large huts” and in this case, the huts were the ancient shelters built here for delegates to Tingwall, the parliament for Orkney and Shetland. In 1608, those huts were overshadowed by Scalloway Castle, the ruins of which still stand. You'll go on a guided walk of Lerwick and a trip to Clickimin Broch, where you'll visit a farm to learn about Shetland ponies. You’ll also visit Clickimin Broch, a defensive Bronze Age round tower. Before returning to ship, enjoy a guided walk around Lerwick and stop at a local farm that breeds the island’s iconic, stout Shetland ponies.

Your second and more active tour choice invites you to explore “In Viking Footsteps.” You’ll start with a motorcoach ride across the stunning countryside to Old Scatness on the southern tip of the island. It was here in the 1970s that an airport expansion project revealed the heretofore unknown presence of an ancient mound that was inhabited for nearly 2,000 years since the Iron Age. It includes a broch (round tower) and a village that was occupied by Iron Age, Pictish, and Viking people. Many of the Pictish houses were reused by the Vikings, who left many soapstone artifacts behind. From here you’ll head to Sumburgh and visit Jarlshof, which was occupied from about 2500 BC to AD 1500. It features rectangular Viking longhouses, and a 16th-century, fortified manor house.

Back on board, your afternoon will be at your leisure, and we welcome you to visit the Scalloway museum on your own, if you like. If conditions permit, perhaps this evening one of our expedition team members will host a stargazing session.

Included Feature:

• Your choice of tours: Shetland's Past and Present or ”In Viking Footsteps” tour of Old Scatness and Jarlshof

Enjoy another day to fully relax aboard your 5-star ship. Throughout the day, your light expedition team will be conducting different presentations on topics relevant to your destinations, and you’ll also have a moment to take advantage of your ship’s other amenities to refresh and restore yourself, perhaps visiting the sauna or enjoying a soothing massage in the spa.

Onboard Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional onboard experience. Enhance your time on board with one of our Vantage-exclusive activities, including wine and whiskey tastings, a multicourse Chef’s Table Dinner, or an exclusive wine-pairing dinner. Learn More

If you’re an early riser, hit the deck as we approach the Faroe Islands, and perhaps you’ll spot some wildlife. The 18 Faroe Islands form an autonomous region within the Kingdom of Denmark. The islands’ main industry is fishing and the 50,000 or so inhabitants enjoy a high standard of living. Your ship will dock on the island of Streymoy, in Tórshavn. Tórshavn was founded in the 10th century, and many historians believe it to be the oldest (albeit smallest) capital in Europe. The name means “Thor’s Harbor” and it’s fitting that the town be associated with the god of thunder, since the Faroes can be quite storm-tossed.

Your tour showcases the main attractions of Tórshavn, plus some of the surroundings. In Tinganes, the narrow neck of land that divides Tórshavn’s two harbors, you’ll see a cluster of modest, red wooden houses that was one of the oldest parliamentary gatherings in the world. Vikings would convene here for regular “Thing” meetings to resolve conflicts and establish laws. Contrast this with the contemporary Løgting or “Law Assembly” that serves as the Faroese Parliament. The office of the prime minister is also located here. At the National Museum of the Faroe Islands, you’ll see various displays celebrating the islands’ natural and cultural heritage. One of the most important is the Kikjubøstólarnirlso which are pew ends from the ancient St. Olav’s church. Dating from the 12th century, these national treasures feature elaborate carvings depicting the apostles and other biblical lore.

For the rest of the day, you may choose to relax or embark on an independent exploration. Perhaps you’ll stroll the side streets and admire the pastel-colored houses with their turf roofs. Or maybe you’ll amble down Tórshavn’s main shopping street, Niels Finsens gøta, in search of some stylish Faroese knitwear.

Enjoy a little pre-dinner entertainment as a local Faroese folk troupe comes aboard to serenade us.

Included Feature:

• Panoramic coach and walking tour of Tórshavn

Cultural Discovery:

• Evening onboard entertainment

Indulge in the 5-star amenities aboard your luxurious small ship. Whether enjoying a pampering massage or savoring world-class cuisine, you’ll find everything you need to feel relaxed, pampered, and entertained today.

Onboard Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional onboard experience. Enhance your time on board with one of our Vantage-exclusive activities, including wine and whiskey tastings, a multicourse Chef’s Table Dinner, or an exclusive wine-pairing dinner. Learn More

Today’s included excursion will take you to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon bordering Vatnajökull National Park. Calm, bright blue waters are dotted with calving glaciers that are carried out to sea via currents along a small channel. You will have the opportunity to view these glacial icebergs from the shores of Diamond Beach. The stunning contrast of bright blue icebergs against the black volcanic sand of this beach is truly a sight to behold.

Included Feature:

• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach excursion

Following breakfast on board, head ashore with the Expedition Team for a guided walking tour of Seyðisfjörður. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Bjólfur and Strandartindur, this is a favorite destination for travelers. Just like many Icelandic ports-of-call, Seyðisfjörður’s history is deeply-rooted in its maritime industries. It’s easy to understand why, as this town boasts one of the best harbors in the country. You’ll stroll down a rainbow-tiled street, past colorful wooden houses, as you make your way to the Church in Seyðisfjörður. This powder blue structure is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks in Iceland. Following your tour of this picturesque village, you’ll have leisure time to continue exploring on your own.

Included Feature:

• Seyðisfjörður walking tour

Head ashore with your Expedition Team today and explore the quaint coastal village of Djúpivogur on a leisurely walking tour. You’ll stop at Langabúð, a late 18th-century warehouse that now serves as the town's cultural center and site of its Heritage Museum. Next, head to Audun’s Stone & Mineral Museum. This region of Iceland abounds with agate, quartz crystal, and zeolite, and you’ll see many of these unique stones and geodes on display at this museum. Proceed to the Old Harbor area and view the unique granite artwork on display around the lovely waterfront, including the Eggs of Merry Bay sculpture. Almost three dozen large, granite eggs line the road along the bay in Djúpivogur as a tribute to the native birds of eastern Iceland. At the conclusion of your guided walk, you’ll have time to continue your explorations at your leisure.

Included Features:

• Djúpivogur walking tour

Located off the southern coast of Iceland, the Vestmannaeyjar Islands were formed by submarine volcanic eruptions 10,000 years ago. We’ll step ashore in Heimaey, the only one of these islands that is inhabited, and explore this unique landscape on a guided bus tour. You’ll see half-buried houses, the only remnants of a violent volcanic eruption in 1973. Known as the “Pompeii of the North,” the eruption of Eldfell Volcano engulfed over 400 buildings in 200 million tons of ash and lava. You’ll also visit the island’s Volcanic Center, where we’ll hear the story of the Eldfell eruption and learn about formation of Surtsey Island, the Earth’s youngest volcanic landmass. The island is named after Surtr, a fire giant from Norse mythology.

Included Features:

• Vestmannaeyjar Islands tour and Volcanic Museum visit

You’ll disembark the Ocean Odyssey and transfer to your hotel in Reykjavík's today. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a tour of Reykjavík's highlights. Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church, Iceland’s tallest church, before continuing on to the Perlan viewpoint. This interactive natural history museum is housed inside an immense glass dome sitting atop six geothermal hot water tanks. You’ll also have time to visit Reykjavík’s city center before heading to the hotel. After check-in, you’ll have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Included Feature:

• Reykjavík city tour

Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Explore Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle on an optional tour. Learn more

You’ll have a full day at leisure to explore Reykjavik at your own pace today. Surprisingly cosmopolitan, you'll find that Reykjavík is rich with culinary options, from Icelandic fare to international dishes. It also boasts an impressive spread of museums and art galleries for you to visit. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Following breakfast at your hotel, you’ll transfer to the airport and board your return flight home. Or, extend your discoveries with an optional post-trip extension in Stockholm.