Today it’s off to Orkney, a small island off the north coast of mainland Scotland—and a gateway to ancient realms. After anchoring, we’ll explore the ancient village of Skara Brae and visit the prehistoric standing stones of Stenness and Brogdar. We’ll wander neolithic ceremonial sites, villages, and burial chambers dating back to 8,000 years ago, then head to Stromness, a charming port town that was the last European port of call for Hudson’s Bay Company ships and for the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845.

Our destination today is Fair Isle, once a post for Viking warriors. Today the island is home to a small colony of about 60 artists and shepherds, many of whom have settled here to to contribute to the island’s world-famous tradition of producing woolen handicrafts. As you explore the island, keep your eyes peeled for small puffins, great skuas gathered in impressive numbers, and more, as Fair Isle boasts over three hundred and fifty species of birds. Consider paying a visit to the local museum, where you can browse photographs and artifacts and learn about the island’s history and heritage.

Today we’ll set out for Suduroy Island, famed for its dramatic, craggy cliffs that tower over the North Atlantic. This island (one of the Faroe Islands) is a paradise for birds such as northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes, Atlantic puffins, and black guillemots. Wander through Sumba, which supports a population of around 239 people. Inhabited since the seventh century, the village has been a longtime stronghold of Faroese chain dancing, a centuries-old living tradition still practiced throughout the islands. Consider hiking through the foothills of the nearby Beinsvoro Mountain, where the summit promises breathtaking views of the emerald land, crashing ocean, and jagged cliffs.

Torshavn, which translates to “Thor’s harbor,” is the Faroe Islands’ capital and largest town. With a population of 19,000, this former Viking trading center is full of wondrous natural and historic gems worth exploring. Consider checking out the National Art Gallery or meandering along the nature trails that snake around it. Perhaps pay a visit to Nordic House, arguably one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture, or drop by the town’s stunning cathedral dating back to 1788. Poke around Torshavn’s many shops full of exquisite handicrafts, tuck into a hearty meal at a local restaurant, or warm up over a pint at a cozy pub.

The northwestern shores of the Eysturoy and Streymoy islands are home to some of the most striking coastlines on the planet. Wander Eysturoy’s mythical landscape, with gentle estuaries and jagged, oddly shaped cliffs rising out of the ocean. Hike amidst rolling, emerald grass as far as the eye can see and stroll along sweeping sandy beaches. Keep your camera close by in preparation to spot some spectacular birds. There will be lots of opportunities to document the islands’ surreal landscapes and magnetic wildlife throughout the day.

We’ll spend another day exploring Eysturoy and Streymoy. Charming villages connected by high-tech tunnels that snake through mountains and beneath the ocean floor are a unique and startling feature of Faroese life. Spend the day exploring these villages, rocky trails, shorelines, and waterfalls. The tumbling waterfall at Gasadalur can be reached by walking through one such tunnel. Alternatively, you can take an old switchback trail once used by the local postman over the mountain to access the magnificent natural spectacle.

Mykines is the westernmost of the Faroes and a geological marvel. Massive columns of basalt known as the Stone-wood tower nearly 100 feet above the ocean. On the western end of the island, connected by a 130-foot footbridge, lies the islet Mykinsholmur, famed for its sea stacks, columns of vertical rock shaped by millennia of wind and water. The island has been classified as an Important Bird Area for its large numbers of puffins and gannets, guillemots, razorbills, northern fulmars, Manx shearwaters, European storm petrels, European shags, and black-legged kittiwakes. Spend the day birdwatching, glimpsing geological wonders, or exploring the island’s century-old lighthouse.

Today we’ll enjoy a relaxing, full day at sea. Spend the day attending workshops and classes, delving into the shipboard library, and learning from onboard educators. It will be a great opportunity to take what you’ve been learning to the deck, where we’ll be on the lookout for grey seals, long-finned pilot whales (which are actually dolphins), and multiple species of seabirds.

Just off the south coast of Iceland, Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago made up of 14 islands, numerous rocks, and skerries. While only the largest island, Heimaey, is inhabited by humans, you can find numerous species of seabirds, including the ever-charismatic puffin, nesting in the steep cliff faces overlooking the ocean across the archipelago. Vestmannaeyjar is a volcanically active region, and it’s seen two major eruptions recently. The first eruption led to the formation of the island of Surtsey in 1963, and 10 years later, another destroyed much of Heimaey and nearly blocked its harbor. As we explore the archipelago today, we’ll delve into the geological history of this dynamic region.

On our final day, we’ll arrive at Reykjavik, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital. With a name meaning “steamy bay,” reflective of the steam that arose from the city’s geothermal area, Reykjavik is believed to have been home to Iceland’s first permanent settlement, established in 874 A.D. Powered entirely by geothermal energy, it’s among the cleanest and greenest cities in the world. In the summer months, you’ll find that the city stays alive well into the wee hours of the night, when locals and visitors alike make the most of the midnight sun. Consider visiting the Culture House, home to many cultural and historic artifacts such as treasures like the Poetic Edda, and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts. After disembarking the Ocean Endeavour around mid-morning and exploring the city at your own pace, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow seafaring companions and head home. Until the next adventure!