Southern Greenland Discovery

ITINERARY

DAY 1  HALIFAX, NS

Founded as a naval base in 1749, Halifax’s seafaring history is well-grounded with the Canadian Museum of Immigration, where one million Europeans landed up until 1971, and the Noon Gun that has fired from the Citadel fortress since 1857. When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 pm, April 14, 1912, ships set sail from here. Many victims are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, while the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displays rescued artefacts.

DAY 2  DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 3  ST. JOHN'S, NL

St. John’s, North America's easternmost city and capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, traces its history to John Cabot's 1497 voyage. Thriving in the 18th and 19th centuries with the cod fishing industry, the town's architecture, like the row houses on George Street, echoes its maritime past. Water Street, once a bustling port, now hosts shops and galleries in converted warehouses. Signal Hill provides views of the city's colourful houses.

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DAY 4  SAINT-ANTHONY, NL

Newfoundland's former fishing village of St. Anthony brims with excitement despite its sleepy facade. This Arctic gateway comes alive in summer, offering front-row views to a dazzling natural wonder - the flowing Iceberg Alley, where towering frozen giants glide past. Alongside whales and puffins, marvel at these glacial spectacles from the boardwalk trail. The Grenfell Museum chronicles the life of British Dr. Grenfell's medical missions.

DAY 5  DAY AT SEA

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

DAY 6  QAQORTOQ

Qaqortoq is the largest city in South Greenland and the perfect base to explore the Norse (Viking) ruins encompassed by the extensive UNESCO-listed Kujataa World Heritage Site, a sub-arctic farming landscape. The town is home to 18th-century colonial buildings and the oldest fountain in Greenland; completed in 1932, it depicts whales spouting water out of their blowholes. Qaqortoq Museum in the town's oldest building focuses on early settlers.

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DAY 7  NARSARSUAQ

Narsarsuaq, a gateway to South Greenland with a WWII air base, is rich in history and biodiversity. Close to the Greenland Ice Sheet and Erik the Red's Norse settlement, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, it bears reminders of its wartime past. The Greenland Arboretum, a wooded haven, flourishes with wildflowers in summer, guiding paths to viewpoints, all within 6km of the impressive Greenland ice sheet.

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DAY 7  QASSIARSUK, BRATTAHLID

Qassiarsuk's Norse ruins of Brattahlíð, founded by Viking explorer Erik the Red, draw visitors to this Greenlandic village on Tunulliarfik Fjord. Erik's 10th-century estate grew into a 5,000-person Viking settlement, once Greenland's largest. Traces of Norse relics dot the landscape, accompanied by a statue of Erik. Qassiarsuk's subarctic mix of Norse and Greenlandic farming on the Edge of the Ice Cap is part of UNESCO-listed Kujataa Greenland.

DAY 8  AAPPILATTOQ

Colourful Nordic houses stand against snow-tipped mountain ridges, encircling Aappilattoq, a remote Inuit village in Greenland. Nestled within the icy wilderness of Prins Christian Sund, accessible by boat or helicopter, Aappilattoq is home to around 100 rugged individuals who make a living through fishing and hunting. Considered the southernmost inhabited area in Greenland, Aappilattoq is in fact at the midpoint of the west and east coasts.

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DAY 8  CRUISE PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND

A beautifully dramatic fjord in the south of Greenland, Prins Christian Sund offers breathtaking vistas of Greenland's icy wilderness. Magnificent glaciers and granite cliffs plunge into crystal-clear waters.Fin, blue and minke whales are a common sight, feeding on the rich krill blooms., while shaggy-coated muskox, polar bears and bearded seals are well-adapted to this harsh Arctic climate.

DAY 9  SKJOLDUNGEN

On the craggy east coast of Greenland, the stunningly scenic, U-shaped Skjoldungen Fjord is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains, dwarf birch, Arctic wildflowers and willow forests ending with the Thrym Glacier. High rock walls, serpentine rivers and large crevasses of ice pillars known as seracs give way to carved icebergs in the fjord that gleam in a white to blue spectrum. You also have the opportunity to see whales under pure blue skies.

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DAY 10  DAY AT SEA

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

DAY 11  PATREKSFJÖRÐUR

The largest town in the southern part of Iceland’s striking Westfjords region, Patreksfjörður was a pioneering force in Iceland’s fishing industry. Today commercial fishing remains the town’s primary industry. One of Patreksfjörður’s main draws is the nearby Látrabjarg Cliff, Europe’s largest bird cliff and one of the world’s best seabird watching spots where the puffins are protected so they have little reason to fear humans.

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DAY 12  REYKJAVIK

Make sure there is sufficient timeto explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

DAY 3  ST. JOHN'S, NL


DAY 6  QAQORTOQ

DAY 7  NARSARSUAQ


DAY 8  AAPPILATTOQ


DAY 9  SKJOLDUNGEN


DAY 11  PATREKSFJÖRÐUR