Cultural mavens
Arctic Havens

Wander
in the Wilds

Packing in Iceland’s still-smoking volcanoes, jet-black lava fields and gargantuan glaciers, and Greenland’s cinematic wilderness vistas, clusters of colorful wooden cottages and glassy fjords, few places are as chock-full of inspiring landscapes as the Arctic regions. While Mother Nature undoubtedly takes centerstage, there’s heaps of history to discover on a vacation here too. Step back in time at the Settlement Exhibition in Reykjavik, which houses archeological ruins which date back to the country’s settlement in 874 AD, and the ruins of a 10th-century Viking longhouse. Greenland is a place where age-old Inuit culture, Norse history and contemporary European and Canadian influences collide. In Qaqotoq, Norse ruins at Hvalsey Church rub up against crimson colonial-era houses, while the fascinating collection at Nuuk’s Greenland National Museum spans Stone Age tools, 15th-century mummies and Inuit dog sledges. Cruising on to St John’s, get to know the fishing villages and folk music in Newfoundland before hitting the Big Apple and visiting Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard.

Creative, contemporary-cool Reykjavik has galleries and music venues - where everything from metal to ethereal folk is performed - galore. Architecture buffs will delight in Guðjón Samuelsson’s Hallgrimskirkja Church, a glacier-inspired modernist building with a 75-m spire. Thanks to the hot springs and geothermal pools which punctuate Iceland’s volcanic terrain, experience the country’s bathing culture at Natural World Wonder The Blue Lagoon. Bobbing in its warm geothermal, silica-rich milky blue waters whilst enjoying a mud mask makes for a once-in-a-lifetime spa day. More al-fresco soaks follow in Uunartoq island’s hot springs, surrounded by Greenland’s awesome peaks and iceberg drifts. For arty fixes there’s Qaqotoq’s kooky Stone and Man park and Nuuk’s Katuaq Cultural Centre, while Newfoundland’s mixed Irish, English, French and indigenous heritage makes for a rip-roaring soundtrack of rock’n’roll and Irish jigs at its bustling pubs. As you vacation in culture hub New York City, catch a Broadway show or take in world-class art at the Met.

Icelandic cuisine shines a light on the bounty of the North Atlantic Ocean, meaning that ‘fish of the day’ - perhaps cod, haddock or monkfish - is a familiar sight, alongside plenty of lamb thanks to the sheep which arrived with the Vikings, and skyr - a creamy yoghurt. Don’t miss Plokkifiskur a comforting white fish stew with potatoes and onions, langoustines and street food favorite the Icelandic hot dog. While Greenland’s traditional cuisine, defined by its remote location and harsh conditions featuring seal, whale and puffin meat, might not be to everyone’s taste, you can also try smoked and salted fish, slow-roasted lamb with Arctic thyme, and pink nipisa suaat, aka Greenlandic caviar. Expect unique dishes as you travel through Canadian isle Newfoundland; nibble on scrunchions - crispy pork rinds, bakeapple pie - made with cloudberries - and local blue mussels. Whether a dollar pizza slice in Little Italy or a pastrami on rye from Katz’s Delicatessen, discover just why NYC’s food scene - and its Manhattan cocktails - are considered so iconic. Round things off with traditional fish chowder in balmy Bermuda.

After taking in the wonders of the universe at Reykjavik’s Perlan Dome, make the most of Greenland’s arctic scenery, kayaking amongst Qaqotoq’s fjords, and pick up cozy musk ox wool garb in Nuuk’s Imaneq Street. Not only is Newfoundland a hiker’s dream, with some 130km of hilly walking trails to wander, it’s got serious wildlife clout too, and you’ll spot humpback whales passing through St John’s icy waters on an exhilarating boat trip from St John’s. Ever-vibrant NYC has endless possibilities for fans of an adventure-packed vacation; take a romantic horse and carriage ride around Central Park, walk along railtrack-turned-elevated-garden the High Line or rocket to the top of the Empire State Building. Moving on to Bermuda, discover atmospheric shipwrecks on a snorkeling tour, before a fun-filled visit to Perfect Day at Cococay where you’ll make memories which last a lifetime as you whizz down North America’s tallest waterslide, and relax in a beachfront infinity pool at this exclusive private island in the Bahamas.

The last leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an absolute corker, a vacation like no other. Come face to face with world-class art - The Mona Lisa at The Louvre, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in Amsterdam and The Scream at the Munch Museum. Stand in awe as you take in city-defining architectural icons from the Eiffel Tower to the flamboyant mosaic-clad Church of Our Savior on Blood in St Petersburg. Relax on some of the prettiest beaches in the Mediterranean and the Baltic, and stay ahead of the foodie curve feasting on New Nordic Cuisine. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is quite unlike anywhere else on the planet, and Greenland’s incomparable raw beauty has to be seen to be believed. Whether being moved by the mountains, or spotting majestic humpback whales off the shores of Newfoundland, this is a journey jam-packed with once-in-a-lifetime wonders.