Northern England, Faroe Islands, Iceland & Northern Lights

York, the Settle-Carlisle Railway & Lindisfarne

Meet your group and Tour Manager at The Principal Hotel, York. On Day 2 we discover much of the city's long and varied history on a guided walking tour of its main attractions. After breakfast on Day 3, we transfer by coach to Settle railway station, where we take a journey on the famous Settle & Carlisle Line (Standard Class). We continue by rail to Hexham, boarding our coach to Northumberland for three nights at the White Swan Hotel in Alnwick. We enjoy a guided tour around Alnwick Castle and Gardens on Day 4, before crossing the wild Northumberland countryside to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on Day 5.

Embarkation, and the Shetland and Faroe Islands

We leave Northumberland today, travelling by coach to Newcastle to meet the CMV Marco Polo which begins sailing to Aberdeen after embarkation. Arriving in Scotland on Day 7, you have free time to look around before we set sail again. Mooring in Lerwick, the largest town in the Shetland Isles, on Day 8 gives you time to explore independently. We reach Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands' vibrant capital, on Day 9. Although one of the world's smallest capitals, it is packed with an array of attractive, varied architecture. Perhaps take the optional tour to some of the islands' coastal villages, or visit the grottoes around the sheer rock walls of the Vestmanna sea cliffs. Day 10 is spent at sea as we make the crossing to Iceland.

Reykjavik and the Northern Lights

We arrive in Reykjavik this morning. Here there is an option to visit the famous and beautiful Blue Lagoon on an optional excursion that takes you around the island's classic 'Golden Circle' of thermal activity.

Days 12 and 13 are at leisure while Day 14 is spent at sea.

Your time upon the open ocean is the perfect chance to spot the Northern Lights. At this latitude, all you need are clear skies thanks to the lack of light pollution so far from land.

The Orkney Islands and homeward bound

Following a free day in Klaksvik, second largest town of the wild and rugged Faroe Islands, we set sail this evening, arriving in Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney archipelago, on Day 16. From here, we moor back in Newcastle before catching the train to York on Day 17.

Departure Times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.