Fjords & Flowers

OVERVIEW

See the nature, meet some locals and catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in small Icelandic fishing towns during this enlightening tour. Included is a breathtaking drive through the West Fjord Mountain landscape, where farms and villages huddle on narrow strips of land isolated between rocky ridges and deep fjords. Appearing as if an apparition at one point will be tiny Skrudur, Iceland’s oldest botanical garden. You’ll go in and have a look around. Over 100 years old, this dot-sized green oasis in the midst of the badlands proves what can be grown this far north. Another curio you’ll encounter is the old shark-fishing town of Flateyri, perched on a spit of land projecting out into Onundarfjordur fjord and boasting a current population of about 200. You’ll take a guided stroll along main street and into the life of this mountain-surrounded outpost, entering an intimate little church where you’ll be treated to an Icelandic music program, and visiting the old bookstore that doubles as the village museum and archive, before enjoying coffee and local traditional pastries at Gunnukaffi.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel across a ruggedly beautiful West Fjord landscape of steep mountain ridges and sheltered fjords.
• Visit Skrudur, a century-old botanic garden deep in the middle of, well, just about nowhere.
• Take a guided stroll through the fishing village of Flateyri, all on its own on the edge of a fjord surrounded by magnificent slopes.
• Hear Icelandic music in a church, visit an old bookstore that thinks it’s a museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.