EPIC NATURE OF ICELAND GREENLAND & CANADA BY SMALL SHIP

Having departed Aappilattoq, our vessel rounds the tip of Greenland in its approach to the equally remote and sparsely populated town of Nanortalik. Occupying its position upon a small island, Nanortalik is made up of neat rows of little wooden houses, all uniform in nature, save for their alternating and brightly coloured facades. 

Take the opportunity to discover the town your way this morning, with a Your World experience:
— Enjoy a warm welcome from the village choir. Afterwards, make your way to the Nanortalik Museum, whose exhibits detail how the town came to be. 
— Kayak the calm, icy waters off Nanortalik, accompanied by your Expedition Team.
— Keep your camera close at hand as you discover the local flora and fauna with your expert guides.

This afternoon, we cruise to the nearby island Uunartoq. From here, we set out on a short hike along the Arctic tundra, admiring the sizeable icebergs close to shore. Then enjoy a dip in the region’s hot springs. This little-known bathing area is unbeatable for its combination of relaxation and staggering scenery. Refreshed, we return to our ship.

While making our way gradually along the western shores of Greenland, we arrive at Qaqortoq. While the centre of town sits near to the water’s edge, the bulk of the population’s colourful residences can be seen occupying sharply rising streets that reach toward the surrounding hills. 

Your World experiences invite you to discover some of the fascinating aspects of Qaqortoq, be they scenic or historic:
— Explore the harbour and the town square, with its churches and museum. While walking through the town, keep an eye out for the various pieces of Stone & Man sculpture art. 
— Accompanied by a local guide, take a walk through town passing its modest museum, and browsing souvenir shops on your way to explore the town square. You may also like to make your way to the local fish market to check out the catch of the day.
— Join your Expedition Team for some kayaking across the serene waters off Qaqortoq. 
— Meet with some of the locals while enjoying visits to the church, the Eric the Red statue, and a replica of a Viking’s Longhouse.

At nearby Hvalsey, we take a walk along an, at times, uneven terrain to see the ruins of a 14th-century church, which was once part of a farmstead by the name of Thjodhild’s Stead. The site is historic for being the scene of the last documented event that the Norse played a part in here—the 1408 wedding took place just prior to the sudden disappearance of the Norse settlers.

Over the next two days, we relax and enjoy the amenities of our luxurious ship as we cruise southward on our approach to Canada. While away the hours in one of Silver Endeavour’s four restaurants, work your way through a good book, or just take your position on the Sun Deck and absorb the ocean views. If you’re lucky, you may just spot a whale or two.

We dock in St Anthony Harbour, which sits on the edge of the Great Northern Peninsula, in Canada’s Newfoundland province. On setting foot on these North American shores, we take the road to an ancient settlement founded by Vikings, L’Anse Aux Meadows. Once known as ‘Vinland’, this was where Leif Eriksson, the first European to set foot on American soil, set up camp. Our guide leads us through the preserved settlement, where we see sod houses, along with evidence of carpentry and ironsmith workshops.

The Silver Endeavour hugs the western shoreline of Newfoundland to arrive at Woody Point. Beyond the town, within Gros Morne National Park, we stand before a marvel of nature, where peridotite rock, forced to the Earth’s surface after the collision of ancient continents, has created a barren landscape known as The Tablelands. This otherworldly terrain stands in stark contrast to the verdant swathes of coastline along the edge of Woody Point’s idyllic community. 

Take advantage of our visit with a Your World experience:
— Head to the Discovery Centre to learn about the people, history and geology of this fascinating region. Exhibits, theatre presentations and spectacular viewing points will give you a greater appreciation for the natural landscape and heritage of this amazing place.
— Follow the boardwalk to Lookout Hills for magnificent views across Gross Morne National Park, as well as the Long Range Mountains and the Tablelands. The walk will also provide you with your best opportunity to see moose in their natural habitat.

The red cliffs of îles-de-la-Madeleine prop up quaint homes of varying, bright colours. Though the archipelago sits within the Gulf of St Lawrence, surrounded by New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, it is actually part of Québec. 

We begin our day exploring Havre-aux-Maisons Island, whose paucity of trees is due to the extensive lumbering having taken place here over the past century. Taste the delectable smoked herring at Le Fumoir d’Antan, which showcases the vestiges of a once-thriving industry. 

On Havre Aubert Island, we see a long beach hemmed in by high sand dunes. At the nearby Artisans Du Sable museum, the exhibits include several unique sculptures composed of this very sand. Afterwards, learn about the traditional fishing lifestyle at Le Site d’Autrefois.

The neighbouring island of Cap-aux-Meules is our next stop, and we see its Cap Hérissé lighthouse. The gradual eroding of the red sea cliffs here is clearly evident, with an average of two extra feet of shoreline being claimed every year. The stunning sea vistas are still ours to enjoy for now, though, and we make the most of them before returning to our ship.

Further south on our voyage, we come to Sable Island, a slender, crescent-shaped isle, inhabited by a few hundred wild horses. With more than 350 shipwrecks having occurred off its shores, the island also goes by the name ‘The Graveyard of the Atlantic’. 

Options abound on Sable Island with these Your World experiences:
— Join your Parks Canada guide for an easy walk along the beach. Learn about the local history while occasionally being distracted by the resident seal population. A short walk inland may then lead you to come across some of the island’s famous wild horses, or you may catch sight of a few of the migratory birds who make their way here each year. 
— Your Parks Canada guide will accompany you to one of the highest points on the island. This incredible sand dune offers a unique vantage point, as you take in the sand, sea, seals and wild horses. 
— Perhaps you’d like to venture a little further. From your position atop the sand dune, your Parks Canada guide will escort you along routes carved out by the wild horses, beyond the heath, to a freshwater pond, where you may catch sight of these majestic animals quenching their thirst. Return along the coastline. 
— Climb aboard a Zodiac for a cruise along the coastline. Keep a look out for wild horses as they gallop across the beach, while the island’s large colony of grey seals stretch out upon the sand. 
— Take things a little slower, as you paddle out across the water aboard a kayak. Progress along the shoreline, finding largely unexplored corners of this beautiful island.

We reach Nova Scotia and the seaside town of Yarmouth. Admire the area’s pretty Victorian houses, which populate the local streets in great numbers. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Yarmouth’s major industries have long been fishing and tourism. Throughout the 19th century, the town was also known for its shipbuilding operations, with the Yarmouth Steamship Company eventually linking the town to important industrial centres, such as New York City and Boston.

Having made our way into US waters, our vessel navigates the Cape Cod Canal. We pass under two bridges during our transit, which larger ships are unable to negotiate. Taking advantage of our gradual passage, we keep a close watch for some of the local wildlife inhabiting these waters, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Temporary residents, such as the great blue heron and red-tailed hawk, may also be spied, as we are here during their migratory period.

Our southbound voyage reaches its conclusion as we arrive in New York City. Here, we disembark Silver Endeavour and prepare to explore this celebrated destination. 

Choose how to spend your morning in the Big Apple with a Your World experience:
— Explore the icons of the Upper East Side on a panoramic tour of prominent city sights, including Madison Avenue and the Guggenheim Museum, then wander through Central Park on your way to the Empire State Building. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 
— You may prefer to enjoy the sights of Lower Manhattan, such as Little Italy, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Finish your morning at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

This afternoon, more Your World experiences beckon:
— Tour the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) with an art curator. Hear their insights as you admire some of the creative and thought-provoking pieces on display here. 
— Climb aboard a helicopter for a once-in-a-lifetime experience flying over New York’s many landmarks. Soar over the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Ellis Island, then along the Hudson River toward Midtown and the iconic Chrysler and Empire State buildings. Enjoy the spectacle of viewing Central Park from the air; its vast grounds hemmed in by New York’s colossal skyscrapers. 
— Set out on a walking tour of Brooklyn. See the famous Brooklyn Bridge, the fashionable Dumbo neighbourhood, the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the upmarket residential area of Brooklyn Heights. 

This evening, we celebrate our magnificent journey with a gala Farewell Dinner. We enjoy our final night at the Mandarin Oriental, in Central Park View Rooms.

Take a final opportunity to mingle with your fellow guests over breakfast this morning. Our grand journey concludes as you are transferred to the airport.