Humpback whales, Kaldfjord area, northern Norway Grimsey Island 36 37 DISCOVER MORE AT SWANHELLENIC.COM Extraordinary Encounters Since the first settlers arrived in the late 9th century, Iceland’s whales have been integral to the country’s economy, culture, and in the early days, survival. Whaling in Iceland remained big business until the beginning of the 21st century. Thankfully, the appetite for whale meat has since waned and Icelanders are more interested in observing and studying these ocean giants from afar. Iceland is now regarded as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Minke whales are the most commonly sighted whales in Iceland, and many live in the waters year-round. Acrobatic humpback whales, playful white-beaked dolphins and shy harbour porpoises can also be seen during the summer months. Iceland’s orcas are transient, so their whereabouts is usually unknown, making them more difficult to spot, but you may get lucky, especially around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and East Fjords regions. Arctic Circle Explorer Customer care Pagoda Kimono Cultural Historic Church Synogogue Mosque Knowledge Passion Panama Canal Navigator Equator Voyager Drake Passage Conqueror Polar Plunge Survivor Penguin Arctic Fox Polar Bear Wellbeing Zodiac Northwest Passage Traveller Snorkling Kayaking Wildlife Nature Flights Cruise Drive Hotel Trekking/ Hiking Birdwatching Taste Achievements Travel Onboard Onshore Fauna Shore excursion Culture Live it! Customer care Pagoda Folding fan Archeological Sites Indigenous South America Indigenous New Zealand Indigenous Polar Cultural sight Historic building Church Synogogue Knowledge Passion Panama Canal Navigator Equator Voyager Drake Passage Conqueror Polar P Surv Penguin Arctic Fox Polar Bear Wellbeing Polar Meteorology Zodiac Northwest Passage Traveller Snorkling Wildlife Nature Geology Snow shoe Flights Cruise Drive Hotel Trekking/ Hiking Birdwatching Travel Onboard Onshore Fauna Shore excursion Culture Akureyri & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri, Iceland From Akureyri, we’ll travel to the spectacular Godafoss waterfall - striking to observe and steeped in fascinating Nordic history. It was here in 1000AD that Thorgeir of Ljosavatn, a prominent Norse priest, decided that Christianity would become the official Norse religion. He subsequently threw all of the statues of the pagan gods into the waterfall. Hence the waterfall was named Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods). Returning to Akureyri, we’ll continue with a short tour of the pretty town before stopping at the Botanical Gardens, famed for its 2,000 species of local and exotic plants and flowers. Included Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Cruise & Scenic Drive Djúpivogur, Iceland We’ll travel along southeast Iceland’s striking coastline as we make our way to the beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon is regarded as one of Iceland’s most incredible natural wonders and has appeared in several movies, including Tomb Raider, Batman Begins and several James Bond films. Icebergs calve from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull and Vatnajökul glaciers, creating an impressive mosaic of black, blue and white ice. Get a close-range view of these stunning giants on a cruise on the lagoon before heading to the charming village of Höfn Optional Stepping Out Customer care Knowledge Passion Panama Canal Navigator Equator Voyager Drake Passage Conqueror Polar Plunge Survivor Wellbeing Zodiac Northwest Passage Traveller Snorkling Flights Cruise Drive Hotel Trekking/ Hiking Birdwatching Achievements Travel Onboard Onshore Shore excursion Zodiac Arctic Circle Explorer Customer care Knowledge Passion Panama Canal Navigator Equator Voyager Drake Passage Conqueror Polar Plunge Survivor Wellbeing Zodiac Northwest Passage Traveller Snorkling Kayaking Wildlife Nature Flights Cruise Drive Hotel Trekking/ Hiking Birdwatching Taste Achievements Travel Onboard Onshore Shore excursion Kayaking
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