Viking Cruises

76 | Viking Explorer Society News MY ARCTIC DREAM A lifelong dream came true for Olya Krvavych during her visit to the Arctic, one of the most remote and untamed parts of the world. There are wish list destinations, and then there are places that we think we will never see and can only dream about. For me, the Arctic is one such destination. It is a region like no other—remote and mysterious, the northernmost part of our planet. It is a place of extremes—extreme cold, extreme winds and extreme changes in daylight. But it is also a place of extreme beauty and home to polar bears, the northern lights and otherworldly experiences. Viking's 15-day Iceland & Norway's Arctic Explorer journey from Reykjavík to Bergen was far more than I envisioned. Our journey began in Iceland, the "Land of Fire and Ice." It is no surprise that Iceland has become a popular travel destination in recent years. Its unique and dramatic landscapes are graced with volcanoes, geysers and hot springs, while its rich cultural traditions and friendly, welcoming people make it a wonderful place to explore. Abundant natural beauty is everywhere you look, with spectacular scenery unlike anywhere else. Iceland is Europe's second-largest island after Great Britain. It was founded during the Viking Age of exploration and settled by a mixed Norse and Celtic population. The early settlement, comprised mainly of Norwegian seafarers and adventurers, fostered further voyages to Greenland and the coast of North America, where the rest, as they say, is history. There is so much to see and do in Iceland that I recommend adding Viking's pre- extension Iceland & the Golden Circle. This gives you additional time to explore the sights of the capital, Reykjavík, the hot springs and waterfalls of Thingvellir Stykkisholmur, Iceland Our journey began in Iceland, the "Land of Fire and Ice"... Its unique and dramatic landscapes are graced with volcanoes, geysers and hot springs.

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