Sail to Greenland’s scenic splendours
LOOKING for adventure amid id landscapes l d that th t are way beyond the ordinary? Then head north to the supercharged splendour of Greenland, the largest non-continental island on earth.
Here at the top of the globe you’ll discover a mesmerising world of icebergs, glaciers, snowy mountains, unfathomably beautiful fjord systems — and nature at its most powerful.
The cinematic landscapes and clean, crisp air seem designed to transfix visitors and remind them of their utter insignificance in the great scheme of things.
Landscapes of legend
A CRUISE is the best way to get to this extraordinary land, usually weaving through the dramatic, Danish-controlled Faroe Islands en route.
Charming Torshavn is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, where red wooden buildings shelter under turf-covered roofs.
And as you sail out through this remote and unspoiled archipelago, a magical two-hour passage between emerald peaks will leave you entranced. Look out for wonderful birdlife, and even whales, especially in the warmer months.
The next stepping stone is Iceland — a stunning landscape full of legends, where the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights shine, geysers gush, mud pots gloop and glaciers cut great swathes through the mountains.
The unofficial pastime here is relaxing in geothermal water at an open-air spa — a perfect way to meet the locals.
Visit crescent-shaped waterfalls, view surreal rock formations and lunar-like craters in this ‘Land of Fire and Ice’.
The tiny capital, Reykjavik, boasts colourful homes, spectacular sculptures and cutting-edge art galleries.
Don’t miss the Golden Circle, with its lava fields, bubbling mud pools, crashing waterfalls and spouting geysers — and the chance to take a dip in the famous geothermal Blue Lagoon.
Icy wonderland
REMOTE and colourful, Greenland is an icy wonderland, where even more of nature’s raw power is revealed.
Sail past truly magnificent mountainscapes, glaciers and icebergs and through some of the planet’s most spectacular fjord passages.
Despite the sparse population, you’ll see dozens of photogenic little villages of colourfully painted wooden cottages along the shore — especially when approaching picturesque ports such as Tasiilaq, which is ringed by snow-capped mountains.
Settlements along the coast reveal Norse history, unique botanical gardens, flower festivals, sculptures and craft shops selling wares inspired by traditional Inuit designs.
The sleepy village of Narsarsuaq is where the Norse Vikings settled centuries ago. Close by is the site of famed explorer Erik the Red’s farm.
Qeqertarsuaq, another port of call, offers spectacular views over iceberg-studded Disko Bay, while trails lead into lush hills dotted with volcanic rock formations and hot springs.
And glorious Illulissat is Greenland of your wildest travel fantasies. Its rainbow-coloured homes sit at the mouth of a rumbling, 34-mile ice fjord. Billions of tonnes of icebergs pass through it each year, calved at the rate of 82ft a day from the Jakobshavn Glacier.
The harbour bobs with enormous icebergs — and there are opportunities for flights over the glacier, boat tours and whale-watching here in Greenland’s most popular tourist destination. During Greenland’s summer, the sun hardly kisses the horizon before rising again. Make the most of it by joining a midnight boat tour to see the icebergs tinted powder blue, pink and orange under a sky that slowly darkens to bronze.
Venture into the Arctic Circle at Sisimiut, where there is a quaint old quarter, museum and cultural centre, not to mention fabulous views.
And Kangerlussuaq is a gateway to wildlife tours to spot reindeer, musk oxen, arctic foxes, falcons and eagles, while the more adventurous could hike on the Greenland Ice Cap or kayak along the fjord.
Finally, cruise ships call at Nuuk, the cosmopolitan capital, home to a national museum, cultural centre and Greenland’s largest microbrewery.
With so much to experience, a cruise adventure along Greenland’s mesmerising coast offers awesome sights at every turn, all bathed in an incredible clarity of light.
It’s truly nature on a symphonic scale.