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Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice

8 days from $12,090

Aboard a 184-guest small ship

Voyage by Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS

Encounter the thrilling geological extremes of Iceland, where glaciers and still-warm lava fields co-exist, and mystical emerald hills give way to bursting geysers and waterfalls. On a voyage that includes some of Iceland’s most remote corners, discover spectacular landscapes imbued with mythology, cross the Arctic Circle, and learn about the resilient people who have made their life in these rugged lands.

Ocean Cruising

or Call 855-330-1542

Highlights

The Smithsonian Journeys / PONANT Experience: Each cruise will be accompanied by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. An excursion or activity is included in each port of call. You may have a choice of excursions in many ports, so that you can delve more deeply into subjects that interest you.  

  • Southern Islands:  At Heimaey Island witness one of Iceland’s largest puffin colonies; see Mount Eldfell (the “Hill of Fire”), with its still-warm lava fields; and view Surtsey, the youngest island in the world. 
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Arrive at the iconic cone-shaped peak of Kirkjufell and explore the many wonders of this mystical peninsula, from black-pebble beaches to legendary glaciers and charming villages set amid stunning lava landscapes. 
  • Grimsey: Spend an afternoon in the Arctic on Grimsey Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise that straddles the Arctic Circle. Enjoy the often-mild weather to watch for auks, puffins, and more.
  • Lake Myvatn:  Spend a day near cerulean Lake Myvatn, where volcanic activity—both past and current—is seen in a steaming geothermal field, unique craters, and surreal lava formations. Another highlight is legendary Godafoss, “waterfall of the gods.” 
  • Westfjords:  Experience the beauty of this rugged region of mountains and fjords as you explore fishing villages and the town of Isafjördur. Learn about the area’s rich maritime history and fishing traditions at both the Heritage Museum and the tiny Osvör Maritime Museum. 
  • Golden Circle and Reykjavík:  Encounter some of Iceland’s most iconic sites: Thingvellir, home of shifting tectonic plates and the world’s first legislative body; the two-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss; and the geothermal landscape of Geysir. Then take in panoramic views of Reykjavík from the viewing deck of the Pearl.

Itinerary

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

Day 1 — Reykjavík, Iceland

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, inhabited by one half the country’s total population of 350,000. Board the ship late this afternoon and cruise towards the southern coast tonight. Take advantage of the summertime midnight sun to enjoy the scenery as we sail. (D)

Le Bellot

Day 2 — Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar

Sail to Iceland’s southern coast, arriving at Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands, at midday. Heimaey serves as a summer home to millions of seabirds—puffins, fulmars, guillemots, and others—whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. Observe many of these birds nesting on the cliffs that surround the harbor. Then set off on your choice of two excursions. On a tour of this rugged outpost, pass through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, dotted with ruins of Viking farmhouses; and look out at the world’s youngest island, the World Heritage site of Surtsey, formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963. Stop at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði and visit the fascinating Eldheimar Museum to see the excavated remains of a house buried by a massive volcanic eruption in 1973.  (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 3 — Snaefellsnes Peninsula

The tiny village of Grundarfjördur is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of this cone-shaped lava-stone rock, which stands like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay. Spend the day discovering the many natural wonders of the peninsula, from the black-pebble beach of Djupalonssandur to the mystical glacier Snaefellnesjökull, made famous by French writer Jules Verne in his 1864 novel, A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Pass the cliffs of Londrangar the way to the fishing village of Arnarstapi, where we’ll take a walk to view splendid multicolor lava formations and abundant birdlife. Visit Budir, set among black lava fields at the edge of a long beach, before crossing the peninsula back to Grundarfjordur. Alternatively, enjoy a whale watching excursion in search of orcas, dolphins, and humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales. (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 4 — Grímsey

Grímsey is Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, bisected by the Arctic Circle. From its only village, Grímseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its emerald hills, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. Despite its Arctic latitude, the weather on Grímsey is mild year round. You will see thriving populations of seabirds, especially auks. Their black and white coloring is similar to a penguin’s, but auks have the ability to fly above and dive into the Arctic waters. With luck, we’ll see puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 5 — Akureyri and Lake Myvatn

Dock in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, and travel across the country’s extraordinary northern landscapes to Lake Mývatn, a haven for many rare migratory birds and 14 species of duck. Then experience some of the area’s fascinating geological phenomena, including the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of bubbling mud pots, steam vents, boiling springs, and fumaroles. Walk among the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the mythic source of Icelandic folklore. After lunch in Skútustaðir, explore the town’s distinctive pseudo-craters formed when hot lava flowed over the wetlands 2,300 years ago. On the way back to Akureyri, stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods.” According to legend, this spectacular waterfall earned its name when an Icelandic chieftain threw wooden statues of Norse gods into its crashing waters, signifying his conversion to Christianity. Alternatively, choose an excursion to the thermal baths at Húsavík that includes a stop at Godafoss. Relax in the mineral-rich waters of the GeoSea SeaBaths, taking in views of mountains, fjords, and sea. (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 6 — Isafjördur

Awaken in the stunning Westfjords region, a rugged peninsula that juts out of Iceland’s northwest coast. Drive along the coast to the tiny town of Bolungarvik, perched on a picturesque bay and bathed by the Isafjardardjup, the largest fjord on the Westfjords Peninsula. Visit the Osvör Maritime Museum, a cluster of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988. Here, examine everyday items that tell the story of the hardy community that eked out an existence catching and salting fish in this remote place. At the town’s Hólskirkja ("church on the hill"), see two grand bells meant to drive away the demons that live on the heath. Listen to traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers. On your return to Isafjördur, admire the 18th-century buildings of the old town, then tour the excellent Isafjördur Maritime Museum, a historic monument in itself, and enjoy a tasting of local specialties. Alternatively, ride a boat to the abandoned village of Hesteyri, a 19th-century whaling community located near the rugged landscapes of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Learn about the region’s unusual flora and fauna on a village tour, and stop at an inn for a traditional meal. (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 7 — Reykjavík

Return to Reykjavík this morning and set out to see the trio of scenic wonders known as the Golden Circle. Begin at the World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, a lava plain where the world’s oldest legislative body first convened in AD 930. Next, marvel at the “golden waterfall" of  Gullfoss, where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two stunning cascades. Continue to Geysir, a geothermal area that gave rise to the word “geyser.” Strokkur, the most active geyser here, erupts every few minutes. After lunch, make a stop in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. End the day back in Reykjavík, admiring sweeping views of the city from the viewing deck of the glass-domed Pearl. Alternatively, set off from Reykjavík’s harbor on a whale-watching cruise in search of humpback, minke and sei whales. (B,L,D)

Le Bellot

Day 8 — Reykjavík /Return Home

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall

Slideshow

Optional Extension

Pre-Tour Ext.: Iceland's South

Iceland's South — 4 days, 3 nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

This program is designed to provide an introduction to the glaciers, waterfalls, ice-caps, and geothermal fields of southern Iceland. It encompasses the beauty and drama of the landscapes of the southern Ring Road, including a visit to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, and it provides access to Iceland's famed "Golden Circle" of Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir. It is a splendid beginning to your experience of Iceland and the perfect complement to your cruise along the western and northern stretches of the island.

Day 1 — South Iceland

Arrive at Keflavik International Airport early in the morning, where you will be met and transferred to a nearby restaurant for a hearty Icelandic breakfast before traveling to the Hellisheiðarvirkjun Geothermal Plant in the town of Hengill. The 8th-largest geothermal power plant in the world, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, in combination with other geothermal plants around the country, supplies 30% of all electricity and 90% of all space heating on the island. During your visit, you will see the plant in operation, learn about converting geothermal energy to electricity, and also get a good introduction to Iceland's unique geology. After a lunch in a village on the coast, continue inland to the Landhótel, your home for the next two nights. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure until you gather with fellow travelers for dinner.

Landhótel

Day 2 — Iceland's South Shore

Today is devoted to a panoramic drive of exploration through the breathtaking scenery of Iceland's southern coast. After breakfast, board your coach for a 90-minute drive on Iceland's Ring Road, past mountains (some of which are active volcanos), lakes, and ice caps, to the small seafront village of Vik. Here you will encounter Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, a volcanic beach acclaimed by readers of National Geographic as one of the Top Ten non-tropical beaches in the world because of its wilderness surroundings and mesmerizing geological features. Admire the rugged landscape and seascape as you stroll past the massive basalt columns lining the beach and gaze out at the dramatic sea stacks rising from the ocean.

A short drive inland from the beach brings you to Sólheimajökull glacier, an easily accessible outflow from the great Myrdalsjokull ice cap. Time and weather permitting, you will be able to walk right up to the glacier's edge. Continue to nearby Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's largest, plunging some 200 feet into the pool below. Because of the amount of spray, it can be counted on to produce rainbows every day the sun shines. A typical Icelandic soup is served for lunch at a nearby restaurant before you begin the return drive to your hotel. Along the way, make a final stop at the spectacular Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where water plunges over the edge of a cliff, leaving space behind for the adventurous to walk beneath the falls. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner is in the hotel.

Landhótel

Day 3 — Golden Circle | Reykjavik

Today, you explore three of Iceland's most famous attractions—Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir—collectively known as the "Golden Circle."  After check out, drive north from the hotel along the banks of the Hvítá River to Gullfoss, the ‘’Golden Waterfall.’’ Recognized throughout the country as the premier example of Iceland’s many waterfalls, it is where the river drops 96 feet in two cascades, creating a truly beautiful spectacle. From Gullfoss, a 15-minute drive brings you to Geysir, where you will encounter a remarkable collection of hissing hot springs, bubbling mud puts and geysers. "Strokkur," the most active geyser, spouts water and steam every few minutes. Amid these fascinating geothermal phenomena, enjoy a lunch of soup, salad, and salmon.

After lunch, travel to Thingvellir National Park, which ranks at the top of Iceland's most visited places and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Occupying a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers, Thingvellir has been revered by Icelanders since the year 930, when the oldest legislative body in history, the Althing, first convened here. During your visit, take special note of the Law Speaker's rock and of the remains of the turf shelters that were once used as dwellings during the two-week assemblies of the Althing at the height of summer every other year. Overnight is at the Parliament Hotel in downtown Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.

Parliament Hotel

Day 4 — Reykjavik | Embark

On this final day of your pre-cruise adventure, begin with a visit to Árbær Open Air Museum. Located in the east end of Reykjavik, the museum is a collection of old houses from around the country that have been preserved in order to recreate what life was like in Iceland at the turn of the 20th century. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing visit to Sky Lagoon, where you are invited to indulge in the "Skjól Ritual," a 7-step wellness experience incorporating Icelandic traditions of bathing, involving a combination of soaking in geothermal pools, sauna, scrubbing, and plunging into cold water. Fully refreshed, transfer to the pier to embark your ship and set sail in the evening.

Your hotels:

The four-star Landhótel is nestled amid the stunning natural landscapes of South Iceland. Rooms include a comfortable sitting area, free WiFi and satellite television, robes and slippers. The hotel's amenities include a restaurant, a fitness center, 2 saunas, and a spa. It is the ideal base for exploring South Iceland.

The Parliament Hotel in downtown Reykjavík is part of Hilton's Curio Collection of hotels. It is next door to the Icelandic Parliament; Reykjavik Cathedral and the Harpa concert hall are within a five-minute walk. There is an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and spa. Rooms feature all of the amenities you would expect in from a four-star luxury property.

Your program includes:

  • 2 nights at the Landhotel
  • 1 night at the Parliament Hotel Reykjavik
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
  • Breakfast and lunch all four days
  • Dinner on days 1 and 2
  • Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
  • Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

  • It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
  • Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
  • This program includes plenty of walking on uneven and unpaved surfaces and is not for those with limited mobility.
  • The official currency is the Icelandic Krona. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
  • This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
  • Program is offered on a space available basis.
  • Program is subject to change without notice.

Dates & Prices

Click on the departure date to see pricing. Click the for more information.

Dates

Availability

Price

Jun 1 - 8, 2026
Departed
from $12,090 $10,440

Special Offer

Early booking savings available for a limited time!

Ship: Le Bellot Experts: Kirt Kempter | Alexia Smith

Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe stateroom (204 sq. ft.), picture window with door onto private partial wall balcony (43 sq. ft.). Deck 3.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $12,090 $10,440 $23,050 $13,230
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,360 $11,520 $25,590 $14,630
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,980 $12,050 $26,830 $15,320
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $14,740 $12,690 $28,350 $16,160
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe suite (291 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to private balcony (65 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa. Decks 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $20,310 $17,430 $39,490 $22,320
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Prestige Suite - Deck 5

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $27,250 $23,330 $53,370 $29,990
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Prestige Suite - Deck 6

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $28,650 $24,520 $56,170 $31,530
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Privilege Suite

Privilege suite, (344 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa convertible to single twin. Decks 5 and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $30,040 $25,700 $58,950 $33,070
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Grand Deluxe Suite

Grand Deluxe suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (323 sq. ft.), a large sitting area with half bath, master bedroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $32,940 $28,160 $64,750 $36,270
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660

Owner's Suite

Owner's suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (430 sq. ft.) with outdoor hot tub. Large sitting area with half bath, master bathroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 5.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $34,590 $68,050
Pre Ext. $3,740 $4,660
Le Bellot deck plan image

A deposit of 25% of the cruise price is required to reserve space on a cruise. Deposits are applied toward final payment of the cruise price.

Rates include port taxes and fees. Most shore excursions are included in the rates.

Pre- and post-program options and optional excursions, where applicable, are available at an additional cost.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

Experts

Kirt Kempter
Departure: Jun 1 - 8, 2026

Kirt Kempter

Volcanologist & Geologist

Kirt Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and Ph.D. graduate from the University of Texas at Austin.  A volcanologist and field geologist, Kirt has conducted extensive …

Kirt Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and Ph.D. graduate from the University of Texas at Austin.  A volcanologist and field geologist, Kirt has conducted extensive field research in Costa Rica, Mexico, and New Mexico, and has worked with the NASA astronaut training program, providing field geologic training to astronaut candidates.  His interest in global geologic processes has allowed him to lead field-oriented expeditions to destinations such as Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, and Antarctica. Kirt has led educational tours for Smithsonian Journeys and National Geographic Expeditions since 1993, and greatly enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of geology with tour participants.  On the side, Kirt particularly enjoys photography, cooking, and tennis.

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Alexia Smith
Departure: Jun 1 - 8, 2026

Alexia Smith

Anthropologist & Archaeologist

Alexia Smith, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Connecticut, specializes in archaeology, ancient plant use, and the ways in which people have adapted …

Alexia Smith, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Connecticut, specializes in archaeology, ancient plant use, and the ways in which people have adapted to climate change across the globe in antiquity. She has worked on multiple excavations in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Armenia and has conducted agricultural research in Malaysia and studied local landforms and cultural histories in Iceland. Her research focuses on early agriculture and how people adapted to climate change in the past, but more recently, she has become fascinated with the cultural history of food. She is now working on a book detailing the cultural rise of bread.

A former Fulbright scholar, Alexia has published numerous articles in prominent journals, received funding from the National Science Foundation to further her research and teaching, and received university awards for her advising. She has lived in Austria and in Spain, where she taught English. She earned her PhD in archaeology from Boston University and teaches courses on archaeological discoveries across the globe, ancient plant use in antiquity, ecological anthropology, and early civilizations.

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Elisabeth Ida Ward
Departure: Jun 3 - 10, 2027

Elisabeth Ida Ward

Cultural Heritage Specialist

Elisabeth Ida Ward served as assistant curator of the Smithsonian Institution's special traveling exhibition, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, from 2000 to 2004, and went …

Elisabeth Ida Ward served as assistant curator of the Smithsonian Institution's special traveling exhibition, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, from 2000 to 2004, and went on to complete her PhD in Scandinavian Languages and Literature from the University of California at Berkeley. Her research focused on medieval narratives called the Sagas of Icelanders, and their relationship  with the actual physical landscape of Iceland. She argues that the literature and the land are “co-constituted,” meaning one cannot be read without the other.

In addition to appearing on documentaries for the Smithsonian Channel and others, Elisabeth also worked as the program director for Vikingaheimar Museum in Reykjanesbær, Iceland, and as the director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Since 2005, she has served as a consultant for Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center, helping to create exhibitions about the Vikings, Norwegian folk culture, and Norse mythology. In 2017, she began applying her love of history on the ground to small museums in California, and is currently the Executive Director of the Moulton Museum.

The daughter of an American serviceman who met his wife while stationed in Iceland in the 1960s, Elisabeth has a lifelong passion for all things Icelandic. Though she grew up in southern California, she became fluent in Icelandic by listening to her mother speak to her grandparents and visiting Iceland during summers. She lived there from 2006 to 2010 while conducting her PhD research, and gained Icelandic citizenship.

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Katryn Wiese
Departure: Jun 3 - 10, 2027

Katryn Wiese

Geologist

Katryn Wiese is a professor of geology, paleontology, and oceanography with 30 years of experience in research, teaching, field explorations, and community outreach. She studied …

Katryn Wiese is a professor of geology, paleontology, and oceanography with 30 years of experience in research, teaching, field explorations, and community outreach. She studied at Caltech, Oregon State University, and Stanford University, and focused her early research on volcanic processes in Iceland, Hawaii, the seafloor around the Azores and the Galápagos Islands, and the tablelands of Eastern Australia. She has journeyed around the world as a scientist and field guide including the Americas, Antarctica, the Arctic, Australia, Europe, and the islands of the Pacific.

Katryn’s primary focus is engaging students of all ages and backgrounds in exploring natural phenomena, from reading the stories in the rocks to evaluating the impact of the Earth and its oceans on our climate, culture, and society. She shares that work through her Earth Rocks! YouTube video channel, her library of open-source earth science lessons and lab manuals, and also through the “Story of Time and Life”—a four-floor exhibit of dinosaurs, fossils, and meteorites that she installed and curates at City College of San Francisco in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences. She recently joined the faculty at the College of San Mateo, near her home on the edge of the San Francisco Bay. Katryn is an avid hiker and kayaker, and is most at home outdoors exploring erupting volcanoes, glacially carved fjords, fossil and mineral sites, and natural spaces off the beaten path.

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Stephanie Sykora
Departure: Jun 1 - 8, 2028

Stephanie Sykora

Geologist

Dr. Stephanie Sykora is a professional geologist with a PhD from the University of Tasmania, Australia, and a BSc in earth and ocean science from …

Dr. Stephanie Sykora is a professional geologist with a PhD from the University of Tasmania, Australia, and a BSc in earth and ocean science from the University of Victoria, Canada. Having grown up around mountains and oceans, Stephanie has always had a deep fascination with the natural world, from sweeping landscapes to the rock formations that tell the Earth's story. With over 12 years of experience as an exploration geologist, she has worked alongside mineral exploration companies and universities and contributed to published scientific research across the globe. Her international career has spanned Australia, Papua New Guinea, Serbia, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Jamaica, the U.S., and Canada, an includes extensive time in Iceland, where her firsthand knowledge of the island's extraordinary volcanic systems, geothermal landscapes, and glacial geology runs deep.

A passionate field geologist, Stephanie has led and participated in numerous field trips worldwide with a focus on geology and the natural sciences. She is equally dedicated to making earth sciences accessible to all, having been involved in science outreach programs and authored numerous articles and blog posts on geological sites around the world.

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Victoria Whitworth
Departure: Jun 1 - 8, 2028

Victoria Whitworth

Author & Cultural Historian

Dr. Victoria Whitworth grew up in Kenya, where she developed a passion for the deep past and the natural world. At the universities of Oxford …

Dr. Victoria Whitworth grew up in Kenya, where she developed a passion for the deep past and the natural world. At the universities of Oxford and York, she studied medieval literature, art, and archaeology; and in between degrees she worked and traveled in Greece and qualified as a Blue Badge Guide with the London Tourist Board. Her doctorate was on the origin of medieval Christian ideas of landscape, burial, and commemoration. In parallel, she has explored the Viking Age in three historical thrillers, The Bone Thief, The Traitors’ Pit, and The Daughter of the Wolf. Victoria worked for a decade on the remote Scottish archipelago of Orkney and has written a best-selling memoir about her time in the islands, Swimming with Seals. Her new book about Greece, Dust and Pomegranates, was published in October 2024, and her major study of the world’s most famous medieval manuscript, the Book of Kells, appeared in 2025.

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Ship

Le Bellot

Le Bellot photo

Deck Plan

Guest Capacity: Up to 184 Guests Crew Size: 118 crew members Length: 430 feet Width: 59 feet Flag: France

Launched in 2020, Le Bellot is among a new fleet of luxury expedition ships launched by PONANT. These ships combine revolutionary design and a new standard of luxury.    Spacious, Ocean-view Suites and Staterooms  Each of the 92 elegant suites and staterooms features a private balcony, while Grand Deluxe Suites have a bay window and spacious private terrace. The deluxe, air-conditioned staterooms and suites (up to 484 square feet) have two twin beds that convert to one queen-size bed. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower (bathtub in limited number of staterooms) and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including individual climate control, satellite flat screen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table, and plush robes.    Chic and Casual Dining  International and regional cuisine are served in the stylish, spacious indoor-outdoor restaurant in a single, unassigned seating; at the casual pool deck grill; or from 24-hour room service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner are served daily. Wine is served at your table during lunch and dinner and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included throughout the cruise.    Spacious Public Areas, Intimate Atmosphere, and World-Class Service  The warm and inviting public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy sweeping views from the Observation Lounge and Main Lounge, both of which open to the outdoors, and lectures, cultural performances, or film screenings in the state-of-the-art theater. For your convenience, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship.  The ship also features the first luxury underwater observatory, the Blue Eye, a multisensory underwater observation lounge that incorporates decor and technology to immerse you in the beauty of the ocean's ecosystem. Here, you can observe fascinating marine life through the large subaquatic windows while digital screens and the specially designed global listening system relay the sights and sound beneath the ocean surface.   Other amenities aboard ship are a Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa and sauna, fitness room, and two elevators. In addition, there is a three-level marina platform with complimentary kayaking and snorkeling equipment, as well as 10 easily accessible Zodiacs.   The highly trained, English-speaking international crew are personable and attentive, and the ship has an infirmary staffed with a doctor and nurse.    Respect for the Environment  The newest additions to a fleet that has been awarded the prestigious "Clean Ship" designation, a rarity among ocean-cruising vessels, these expedition ships are designed with energy efficient, advanced eco-friendly features that protect fragile marine ecosystems while providing a safe and comfortable voyage. 

Tour Details

Activity Description

Expectations: Unique cruise that explores the west coast of Iceland. Ocean-going ship requires using smaller boat conveyances to get to shore for excursions, although the ship may also pull into a pier for embarkation and disembarkation. Excursions will be at an active pace and you could spend some full days off the ship; some days require early morning departures (8:00 or 8:30 am.). Fully scheduled days are balanced by time at leisure in some ports. Some standing and walking for long periods of time (up to two hours or more) during outdoor activities and tours, city tours, and museum visits. Our guides will find you a place to sit if necessary (although this may not always be feasible). Walking two to three miles will be over sometimes uneven terrain, such as walking trails at geological sites, muddy trails, and cobblestones in towns.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities, and expect some physical exertion.

Reading List

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Read about how an Icelandic town works to save Baby Puffins in Smithsonian Magazine.

Highly Recommended

Independent People
By: Halldor Laxness
From the Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author, a magnificent, epic novel—"funny, clever, sardonic and brilliant" (Annie Proulx)—at last available to contemporary American readers.Set in the early twentieth century, Independent People recalls both Iceland's medieval epics and such classics as Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter. If Bjartur of Summerhouses, the book's protagonist, is an ordinary sheep farmer, his flinty determination to achieve independence is genuinely heroic and, at the same time, terrifying and bleakly comic.Having spent eighteen years in humiliating servitude, Bjartur wants nothing more than to raise his flocks unbeholden to any man. But Bjartur's spirited daughter wants to live unbeholden to him. What ensues is a battle of wills that is by turns harsh and touching, elemental in its emotional intensity and intimate in its homely detail. Vast in scope and deeply rewarding, Independent People is a masterpiece.
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Iceland: Land of the Sagas
By: Jon Krakauer, David Roberts
"We raised our fists and cheered. . . . With the sagas in our heads, with Iceland at its wildest beneath our boots, it would not have been impossible to see Bárdr clumping along the summit ridge, prodding the glacier with his staff, ready to show us the way down."Iceland is a pictorial classic on one of the last "undiscovered" countries in Europe--reissued for the first time in paperback.        Iceland is often thought to be covered by ice, but in fact it is gloriously green. Lush meadows, wildflower fields, and miles of rich tundra cover a landscape of remarkable variety: deep lakes, bubbling hot springs, tumbling waterfalls, snow-capped mountains. It's also a landscape amazingly alive with massive lava flows and enormous glaciers. The human story of Iceland goes back more than eleven thousand years, and its heritage is told here in a treasury of riveting sagas of real-life heroes and all manner of supernatural beings.        Both the land and the people of one of Europe's most gorgeous countries come to life in this colorful account of the authors' adventures as they walk, climb, and photograph their way through Iceland and connect to the bone-chilling sagas and the unfamiliar terrain. With breathtaking photographs from critically acclaimed writer and journalist Jon Krakauer, author of the international bestsellers Into Thin Air and Into the Wild, and a penetrating narrative from Outside contributing editor and travel writer David Roberts, Iceland splendidly captures the spirit of this enigmatic country.         Circumnavigating Iceland in summer and winter, Krakauer and Roberts encounter tales of monks and Vikings, outlaws and adventurers, trolls and witches. While touring and photographing, they discover the myths and legends of Iceland's stirring history. Numerous other feats--including a hazardous winter climb to the summit of one of Iceland's tallest mountains--round out a fascinating introduction to this unique and beautiful land.
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Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings
By: Price, Neil
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DK Iceland (Travel Guide)
By: DK Travel
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Also Recommended

Iceland Imagined: Nature, Culture, and Storytelling in the North Atlantic (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)
By: Karen Oslund
Iceland, Greenland, Northern Norway, and the Faroe Islands lie on the edges of Western Europe, in an area long portrayed by travelers as remote and exotic - its nature harsh, its people reclusive. Since the middle of the eighteenth century, however, this marginalized region has gradually become part of modern Europe, a transformation that is narrated in Karen Oslund’s Iceland Imagined.This cultural and environmental history sweeps across the dramatic North Atlantic landscape, exploring its unusual geography, saga narratives, language, culture, and politics, and analyzing its emergence as a distinctive and symbolic part of Europe. The earliest visions of a wild frontier, filled with dangerous and unpredictable inhabitants, eventually gave way to images of beautiful, well-managed lands, inhabited by simple but virtuous people living close to nature.This transformation was accomplished by state-sponsored natural histories of Iceland which explained that the monsters described in medieval and Renaissance travel accounts did not really exist, and by artists who painted the Icelandic landscapes to reflect their fertile and regulated qualities. Literary scholars and linguists who came to Iceland and Greenland in the nineteenth century related the stories and the languages of the “wild North” to those of their home countries.
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How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small Island
By: Bjarnason, Egill
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North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
By: Gunnar Karl Gíslason, Jody Eddy
An unprecedented look into the food and culture of Iceland, from Iceland's premier chef and the owner of Reykjavík's Restaurant Dill. Iceland is known for being one of the most beautiful and untouched places on earth, and a burgeoning destination for travelers lured by its striking landscapes and vibrant culture. Iceland is also home to an utterly unique and captivating food scene, characterized by its distinctive indigenous ingredients, traditional farmers and artisanal producers, and wildly creative chefs and restaurants. Perhaps no Icelandic restaurant is as well-loved and critically lauded as chef Gunnar Gíslason’s Restaurant Dill, which opened in Reykjavík’s historic Nordic House in 2009. North is Gíslason’s wonderfully personal debut: equal parts recipe book and culinary odyssey, it offers an unparalleled look into a star chef’s creative process. But more than just a collection of recipes, North is also a celebration of Iceland itself—the inspiring traditions, stories, and people who make the island nation unlike any other place in the world.
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The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings (Hist Atlas)
By: John Haywood
Viking marauders in their longships burst through the defences of ninth-century Europe, striking terror into the hearts of peasants and rulers alike for two centuries. But the Vikings were more than just marine warriors and this atlas shows their development as traders and craftsmen, explorers, settlers and mercenaries. With over sixty full colour maps, it follows the tracks of the Viking merchants who travelled deep into Russia, of Viking mercenaries who served in the emperor’s bodyguard at Constantinople, and Viking mariners who sailed beyond the edge of the known world to North America.
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Last Places: A Journey in the North
By: Lawrence Millman
A classic of northern exploration and adventure, LAST PLACES is Lawrence Millman's marvelously told account of his journey along the ancient Viking sea routes that extend from Norway to Newfoundland. Traveling through landscapes of transcendent desolation, Millman wandered by way of the Shetland Islands, the Faeroes, Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador. His way was marked by surprising human encounters--with a convicted murderer in Reykjavik, an Inuit hermit in Greenland, an Icelandic guide who leads him to a place called Hell, and a Newfoundlander who warns him about the local variant of the Abominable Snowman. By turns earthy and lyrical, LAST PLACES is an ebullient celebration of the exotic North.
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Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
By: Nancy Marie Brown
An Indie Next pick for December 2012, Song of the Vikings brings to life Snorri Sturluson, wealthy chieftain, wily politician, witty storyteller, and the sole source of Viking lore for all of Western literature. Tales of one-eyed Odin, Thor and his mighty hammer, the trickster Loki, and the beautiful Valkyries have inspired countless writers, poets, and dreamers through the centuries, including Richard Wagner, JRR Tolkien, and Neil Gaiman, and author Nancy Marie Brown brings alive the medieval Icelandic world where it all began. She paints a vivid picture of the Icelandic landscape, with its colossal glaciers and volcanoes, steaming hot springs, and moonscapes of ash, ice, and rock that inspired Snorri's words, and led him to create unforgettable characters and tales. Drawing on her deep knowledge of Iceland and its history and first-hand reading of the original medieval sources, Brown gives us a richly textured narrative, revealing a spellbinding world that continues to fascinate.
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Butterflies in November
By: Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
* Long-listed for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2014 *"I can’t remember the last time I was so enchanted by a novel like I am by Butterflies in November. Zany, surprising, full of twists and turns, it left me breathless. I just love this book." —Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle and The Obituary WriterAfter a day of being dumped—twice—and accidentally killing a goose, a young woman yearns for a tropical vacation far from the chaos of her life. Instead, her plans are wrecked by her best friend’s four-year-old deaf-mute son, thrust into her reluctant care. But when the boy chooses the winning numbers for a lottery ticket, the two of them set off on a road trip across Iceland with a glove compartment stuffed full of their jackpot earnings. Along the way, they encounter black sand beaches, cucumber farms, lava fields, flocks of sheep, an Estonian choir, a falconer, a hitchhiker, and both of her exes desperate for another chance. What begins as a spontaneous adventure will unexpectedly and profoundly change the way she views her past and charts her future.Butterflies in November is a blackly comic, charming, and uplifting tale of friends and lovers, motherhood, and self-discovery.
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The Sagas of Icelanders: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
By: Ornolfur Thorsson
A unique body of medieval literature, the Sagas rank with the world's greatest literary treasures--as epic as Homer, as deep in tragedy as Sophocles, as engagingly human as Shakespeare. Set around the turn of the last millennium, these stories depict with an astonishingly modern realism the lives and deeds of the Norse men and women who first settled Iceland and of their descendants, who ventured further west--to Greenland and, ultimately, the coast of North America itself.The ten Sagas and seven shorter tales in this volume include the celebrated "Vinland Sagas," which recount Leif Eiriksson's pioneering voyage to the New World and contain the oldest descriptions of the North American continent.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Island on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the World
By: Alexandra Witze, Jeff Kanipe
Can a single explosion change the course of history? An eruption at the end of the 18th century led to years of climate change while igniting famine, disease, even perhaps revolution. Laki is one of Iceland’s most fearsome volcanoes.Laki is Iceland’s largest volcano. Its eruption in 1783 is one of history’s great, untold natural disasters. Spewing out sun-blocking ash and then a poisonous fog for eight long months, the effects of the eruption lingered across the world for years.  It caused the deaths of people as far away as the Nile and created catastrophic conditions throughout Europe.Island on Fire is the story not only of a single eruption but the people whose lives it changed, the dawn of modern volcanology, as well as the history―and potential―of other super-volcanoes like Laki around the world. And perhaps most pertinently, in the wake of the eruption of another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, which closed European air space in 2010, acclaimed science writers Witze and Kanipe look at what might transpire should Laki erupt again in our lifetime.
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Arctic: A guide to coastal wildlife
By: Soper, Tony
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Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland
By: Moss, Sarah
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History of the World Map by Map (DK History Map by Map)
By: DK
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