Discover the fascinating world of whales by watching them off Iceland's northern coast and then visiting a unique whale museum. A stop at a legendary waterfall rounds out this tour.

Starting off from the pier, you'll first drive through northern Iceland's lush valleys to Husavik, the first Icelandic town to offer whale-watching cruises. It was a natural fit as the nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay attract a diversity of species that include the Humpback, Minke and Orca.

Upon arriving in Husavik, you'll board a boat ideally designed for viewing marine life and cruise into the bay to look for whales feeding on krill, plankton and small fish. During the three hours aboard, you may see Humpbacks raising their uniquely patterned flukes above the surface before diving, slender Sei Whales spouting through their blowholes, or massive Blue Whales gorging, as they typically consume an astounding four tons of tiny krill daily. It's also likely that you will spot some other marine life, such as playful harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins.

Following this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the award winning Husavik Whale Museum. Here, you will have an excellent opportunity to learn even more about cetacean behavior.

Continuing on, you'll make your way to thundering Godafoss, an Icelandic word meaning "Waterfall of the Gods." The name refers to an event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below. Afterwards, you'll transfer back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Discover Akureyri’s intriguing history and culture as you stroll around this charming town with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.

The walk begins with a leisurely stroll to Akureyri Culture house. We’ll continue our walk along the seaside to Laxdals house which is the oldest building in Akureyri built in 1795. We then visit Akureyri´s Botanical garden, one of the northern most botanical garden in the world. There you will find about 6.600 alien taxa growing in the garden in beds and nursery and around 430 species of the native taxa.

Next stop is Akureyri Church which was consecrated in 1940 and is now one of the town’s landmark buildings. It enjoys a prominent position at the edge of a hill where one can enjoy gorgeous views over the town and the surrounding fjord. The Church houses many interesting artifacts, including a stained-glass window that was part of a set from England’s Coventry Cathedral. The window was brought to Akureyri for safe-keeping during World War II.

After our church visit, we’ll continue exploring the old part of town. The guide will share stories of the town’s local history and culture as we wander past the older town houses. The architecture here is quite distinctive and bears witness to Akureyri’s past as a trading post for Danish merchants during the colonial age.

Our last stop will be at Akureyri Museum, which houses many interesting and unique artifacts related to the town’s history. Afterwards we walk back to the pier and our ship.

We reserve the right to reverse the itinerary if necessary.

Impossibly beautiful, Iceland flaunts its extraordinary natural attractions on this enchanting tour of a legendary waterfall, ancient craters and bizarrely shaped lava castles.

Your tour commences from the pier with a scenic drive along the coastline of Eyjarfjordur, Iceland's longest and perhaps most spectacular fjord. Looking back, you'll have an excellent view of Akureyri, which nestles at the very end of the waterway. Further ahead lies Fnjoskardalur, a pristine valley that clearly shows evidence of its ancient glacial formation.

Your first stop is thundering Godafoss, an Icelandic word meaning "Waterfall of the Gods." The name refers to an event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below.

But Godafoss only touches upon the natural wonders that await you, which include the volcanically formed craters at Skutustadir, location of your next stop. From here, you'll travel to an even larger collection of imaginative lava formations found at Dimmuborgir. Created more than 2,000 years ago, the area is full of hardened lava lakes, natural arches and craggy grottoes.

Your final stop before returning to the pier will be at Namaskard, a barren field of gurgling sulfur cauldrons and boiling mud pits that afford you a look at Iceland's geothermal activity.

Fly to the tiny isle of Grimsey to explore this northernmost inhabited part of Iceland which straddles the Arctic Circle. The flight from Akureyri airport takes just half an hour, but Grimsey might as well be a million miles away. Barely 100 souls reside here, along with the occasional polar bear dropping by from a drifting ice floe. Years ago, Grimsey was larger – but large chunks of it have tumbled into the sea over time and its residents have learned to make do with a diminishing land mass. Subsistence itself can be a challenge as a result, with islanders relying on locally caught seafood, scant imported goods and the most prized of edible island delicacies: bird eggs snatched by brave rappelers who clamber down Grimsey’s sheer sea cliffs during the brief summer. While mentioned in the earliest of Icelandic sagas, this miniscule outpost’s big claim to fame came late in the 19th century when the locals’ exceptional prowess at chess captured the outside world’s attention. Go figure.

Behold the natural beauty of Akureyri and beyond by visiting dramatic Godafass waterfall and then the world's most northern botanical garden, which is surprisingly lush.

Depart from the pier and drive into the stunning countryside to thundering Godafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Godafoss means "Waterfall of the Gods" and refers to a momentous event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. It's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below.

Returning to Akureyri, you'll drive through town admiring the Danish-inspired architecture and the beautiful backdrop of Iceland's longest fjord. The fertility of the surrounding land may surprise you; however, this area boasts a warm microclimate that's highly conducive to plant growth. The finest venue to view the land's fecundity is at the Akureyri Public Parkland Botanical Garden, the world's most northern botanical garden.

Although the attraction formally opened in 1957, many of its gardens were started in the early 1900s, when they were part of a public park. The botanical garden contains thousands of colorful native and exotic species, including the white-flowered Fairy Flax, Mountain Crowberry and Yellow Rattle. After a relaxing tour of the gardens, you'll have a short panoramic drive through town before returning to the pier.

Sail into the nutrient-rich waters of Iceland’s longest fjord, looking for whales, dolphins and porpoises that feed here in abundance.

After departing from the pier in a vessel that is ideal for whale watching, you will cruise along Eyjafjordur, a pristine fjord lined with high mountains on both sides. Chances are, you will spot colonies of puffins nesting in the rocky cliffs and diving for small fish. They are easy to identify by their bright orange beaks and short, stout wings. Despite their appearance, puffins are surprisingly fast flyers and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph.

Still, the star attractions of this cruise are whales. Species such as humpback, blue and minke whales frequent these waters to gorge on the abundant plankton and fish larvae carried in the coastal currents. You may also spot white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.

It is a breathtaking sight to see humpback whales acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south.

If blue whales are in the area, you will surely notice as they are the world’s largest animals. When they surface to exhale, the spray from their blowholes shoots about 30 feet into the air, so it is quite the spectacle.

Minke whales are smaller, but no less impressive. They have sharply pointed snouts that appear first when they breach. If you see one, it will be a mesmerizing sight.

Behold the natural beauty of northern Iceland and enjoy the cultural diversity by browsing a museum and watching an equestrian performance. A breathtakingly scenic drive will bring you to Goðafoss, the so-called “Waterfall of the Gods.” According to legend, it was named for the statues of Nordic gods that a chieftain threw into the water when Iceland converted to Christianity. The turf-roofed Laufás Folk Museum will add a different perspective of the country, as it is filled with curious household and agricultural items from the 19th century. The Icelandic horse is even more unsual because it is the world’s only breed that holds five gaits—walk, trot, gallop, tölt and the flying pace. While watching these strong-spirited horses perform at Brúnir Farm, you will understand why they are held in such high esteem. Back in Akureyri, you will meander through the world’s northernmost botanical gardens. A surprising variety of plants flourish there thanks to the area’s warm microclimate.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hear the legend of Goðafoss waterfall while watching the thundering cascade.
• Browse a turf-roofed museum with a variety of enlightening 19th-century items.
• Watch a rare performance of Icelandic horses that highlights their unusual abilities.
• Walk through the world’s northernmost botanical gardens.

This comprehensive tour of Akureyri visits its marquee attractions, including Santa's House, where you'll discover the usual customs behind Iceland's Christmas celebration.

Depart from the pier and enjoy a leisurely drive through Akureyri, a town of 17,000 nestled at the end of Iceland's longest fjord. Surprisingly, this area of the country boasts a warm microclimate where plants thrive, as you'll see in the Akureyri Public Parkland Botanical Garden, the world's most northern botanical garden. Strolling the grounds, you'll delight in the riot of colors and fragrances from thousands of native and exotic species.

From here, it's on to the Nonni Museum, the childhood home of famed children's book author and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, whose nickname was Nonni. Built in 1850, it's one of Akureyri's oldest houses and has become a museum dedicated to the life's work of one of Iceland's most beloved figures.

Next, you'll explore another truly Icelandic attraction: Santa's House, a store devoted to all things Christmas. Inside the gingerbread-style building, you'll find Christmas decorations from around the world and learn how Iceland celebrates the holiday through 13 different Santas, a group affectionately known as the Yuletide Lads. Children in Iceland will leave a shoe in the window the 13 nights before Christmas for each of the Yuletide Lads to leave a gift in.

Finally, you'll explore downtown Akureyri starting at the Artists' Alley, the center of Akureyri's cultural life, followed by a stop at a Lutheran church whose modern design has become a symbol of the city. Afterwards, transfer directly back to the cruise ship pier.

Venture into the surrounding wonderland of waterfalls, forests and historic farms, followed by a tour of the world's northernmost botanical garden.

Traveling from the pier, you'll first cross Iceland's largest fjord and drive inland, where each mile the sights seem even more magnificent. You'll soon be enveloped by the unspoiled countryside, a land of majestic mountains and the occasional woodlands, such as Vaglaskogur. This sprawling forest of more than 100 species provides a breathtaking route to the famed Godafoss waterfall, your first stop.

Godafoss means "Waterfall of the Gods" and refers to a momentous event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below.

Continuing on, the scenery is idyllic in every direction, especially when punctuated by a beautiful farmhouse, such as the one in nearby Laufas. While the stone-and-turf farmhouse that was once a manor house and vicarage has been expanded over the centuries, the oldest section is believed to contain timbers from the 1500s. Inside, there's a wealth of intriguing artifacts, including period furniture and agricultural implements.

Returning to Akureyri, you'll visit one of Iceland's rare botanical gardens, an attraction made possible by the area's surprisingly warm microclimate. Strolling the grounds, you'll delight in the riot of colors and fragrances from thousands of species. Afterwards, a short drive through town brings you back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a sweeping panorama of Akureyri from atop a nearby ski resort and afterwards relax in an outdoor geothermal spa that offers incredible views as well. As you ascend the slopes surrounding Hlíðarfjall ski resort, the area’s natural beauty will become all the more apparent. The view of the pristine fjord Eyjafjörður with Akureyri tucked along its western shore will be particularly memorable. More gorgeous scenery awaits you on the return to town as you will travel through the vast Kjarnaskógur woodlands, which incredibly was nearly treeless until it was reforested in the mid-20th century. It is a fittingly prelude to your time at the Forest Lagoon, an outdoor spa nestled in an idyllic setting among birch and pine trees. You will be free to indulge in the amenities, which include several naturally heated mineral-rich infinity pools. The water has therapeutic qualities, especially for the skin, and you can expect to emerge thoroughly relaxed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the ultimate view of Akureyri and the fjord Eyjafjörður from a nearby mountaintop.
• Ease into the therapeutic waters of the Forest Lagoon, an outdoor geothermally heated spa.
• Emerge from the mineral-rich spa waters with radiant skin and completely at ease.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Impossibly beautiful, Iceland flaunts its extraordinary natural attractions on this enchanting tour of a legendary waterfall, ancient craters and bizarrely shaped lava castles.

Your tour commences from the pier with a scenic drive along the coastline of Eyjarfjordur, Iceland's longest and perhaps most spectacular fjord. Looking back, you'll have an excellent view of Akureyri, which nestles at the very end of the waterway. Further ahead lies Fnjoskardalur, a pristine valley that clearly shows evidence of its ancient glacial formation.

Your first stop is thundering Godafoss, an Icelandic word meaning "Waterfall of the Gods." The name refers to an event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below.

But Godafoss only touches upon the natural wonders that await you, which include the volcanically formed craters at Skutustadir, location of your next stop. From here, you'll travel to a nearby lunch venue. Following a hearty lunch, you'll re-board your coach and drive to an even larger collection of imaginative lava formations found at Dimmuborgir. Created more than 2,000 years ago, the area is full of hardened lava lakes, natural arches and craggy grottoes.

Your final stop before returning to the pier will be at Namaskard, a barren field of gurgling sulfur cauldrons and boiling mud pits that afford you a look at Iceland's geothermal activity.

Discover charming Hrisey Island and it's quaint fishing village that is home to a wide variety of bird species. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of local Icelandic beer.

Commencing from the pier, your journey takes you north from Akureyri, following the shoreline of Eyjafjörður Fjord to the small town of Árskogssandur. From there, you'll board a ferry and make the 15-minute ferry ride to Hrísey Island, the second-largest island in Iceland, which lies in the outward reaches of Eyjafjörður Fjord.

There are about 200 inhabitants on the island, living in a fishing village with paved streets, tidy gardens and an unparalleled view of the surrounding mountains. Due to the absence of foxes, minks and cats, Hrísey is a veritable bird sanctuary, and all birds are protected here. It is a particularly well-known habitat for the ptarmigan, and for years has provided the setting for research on the life and habits of this comical, seemingly fearless bird, which can sometimes be seen strolling down the streets.

Hrísey offers superb panoramic views enhanced by its profound peace and serenity. Enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the island traveling by farm-style wagon, a traditional but rather unconventional mode of transportation. A visit to a lighthouse is also included.

After your visit, you'll take the ferry back to the mainland, stopping at KaldiBjor Brewery (which means Cold Beer Brewery) for a beer tasting before returning to the pier in Akureyri.