Exploring the Wild British and Faroe Islands

Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and starting point of the expedition. Relax and take a stroll through town, enjoying both medieval and classic 18th-century architecture. The famous Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above it all.

Enjoy the morning and early afternoon at leisure. Each corner of Edinburgh's old streets opens beautiful unexpected vistas of green hills or a blue flash of the distant sea. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from the hotel to the ship in the nearby Port of Leith. Before dinner, there's time to explore the Sea Spirit, your home-away-from home for the next days.

Kirkwall is a small, quiet town, with a gentle pace of life. The town is the capital of the remote and amazing Orkney archipelago. Kirkwall is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in 1046. Such a long history has left a rich heritage that you can explore today. The most famous are the sandstone St, Magnus Cathedral, considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland, the Bishop's Palace, and the Earl's Palace.

Depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney's largest island. This tour passes through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, stop at the Ring of Brodgar, a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5,000 years. Continue to the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, beautifully interpreted in the visitor center. See the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago.

Hear some of the stories from your guide today en route back to Kirkwall. Once back in the island capital, take a tour of St. Magnus Cathedral, built by the Vikings during their 500-year reign over the islands.

On Fair Isle—an isolated island of rolling moorlands and rugged coastlines—one is easily enchanted by historic crofts, picturesque lighthouses, and friendly locals.The island is famous among birders for its abundance of British birds and for its numerous records of eastern rarities and migrants. Fair Isle is also one of Europe's best places to watch seabirds, especially puffins, at close range. Additionally, the island is notable for the abundance and diversity of its wildflowers. Seals are also commonly seen in its bays. Finally, during your visit it will be possible to see and purchase articles hand-knitted in the intricate and distinctive style for which Fair Isle has been celebrated for hundreds of years.

Come alongside at the port of Lerwick, on Mainland, the largest of the Shetland Islands. On a walking tour of this historic town, visit the award-winning Shetland Museum to learn all about Shetland's fascinating heritage and culture. From here, take a scenic overland coach ride through the fertile countryside of Dunrossness to discover Shetland's best destinations. Birders will relish the opportunity to visit the historic lighthouse at Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of Mainland Shetland. These rugged cliffs attract thousands of seabirds and the grassy slopes above are particularly great for enjoying close encounters with puffins among beautiful wildflowers. Also on the itinerary is Jarlshof, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the British Isles. Here you'll discover beautifully preserved stone structures spanning 5,000 years of human settlement, including Bronze Age oval houses, Pictish wheelhouses, an Iron Age broch, a Viking longhouse, and a medieval farmhouse.

Lost in the Atlantic Ocean, Foula, one of the Shetland Islands, is a perfect destination for birdwatching. Foula cliffs are home to numerous seabirds, including the largest colony of great skuas in Great Britain. However, birds are not the only treasure of the island. Foula is rich with folklore and history.

Another item on your bucket list today is Papa Stour, another island, which forms part of the Shetland Islands. Erosion of Papa Stour's soft volcanic rocks has sculptured an extraordinary cliff scenery including a variety of caves, stacks, arches, and blowholes, all supporting a range of marine flora and fauna.

National Geographic Traveler has designated Faroe Islands as “authentic, unspoiled and likely to remain so”. It seems that nature spares no colors in “painting” the islands. Deep-green hills, bright blue sea, colorful houses and boats, orange-red puffins' beaks make the scenery unforgettable; meanwhile, traditional wooden dwellings with turf roofs look like they belong in a fairy tale.

The rugged Faroese are proud of their Viking heritage and their love of the sea. You will explore the archipelago including Tórshavn, the capital and largest city of Faroe Islands. This would include a visit to Kirkjubøur, the ecclesiastical and cultural center of the Faroes in the Middle Ages. It was the site of the Bishop's residence until the Reformation, when the Faroese diocese was abolished. The imposing Gothic ruin of the late 13th century Saint Magnus Cathedral still dominates the site. The Roykstovan, standing on the wide, stone foundation of a portion of the Bishop's palace, has been the home of farmers in Kirkjubøur for centuries and occupied by the same Faroese family for 17 generations.

The expedition team will search for remote areas of the archipelago to visit or pause. You can take advantage of the ship and possibly Zodiacs to see bird cliffs and other natural wonders that are otherwise difficult to access.

After a day at sea, return to Leith, Edinburgh's vibrant port district. Transfers to the airport or to Edinburgh city center are provided if you wish to spend more time in the wonderful capital of Scotland.