Holland America Line: Rotterdam

The fire, frost and water symbolized by the red, white and blue of Iceland’s flag are manifested in this land. Reykjavik, or Smoky Bay, was so named in 874 A.D. by Ingolf Arnarson when he sighted the numerous hot springs on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Today this remarkably pollution-free city is wrapped around a sweeping bay and has managed to retain its charming Old-World atmosphere. A pastiche of red-blue-and green-roofed houses together with the tall gray tower of Hallgrim’s Church dominate the skyline. In Old Town, many of the wooden buildings have been lovingly restored and stand side by side with modern timber and concrete structures. There are fine museums and art galleries; historic pubs present activity in late afternoon. The beautiful countryside outside of Reykjavik includes such natural wonders as volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, mountains and spectacular waterfalls.

Suggested Private Excursions

Reykjavik - The Golden Circle - FD Tour

Reykjavik - Bathing in the Blue Lagoon - HD Tour

Reykjavik - Langjökull Glacier & the Ice Tunnel

Reykjavik Highlights - HD Tour

Heimaey, off the coast of Iceland, is one of 15 volcanic Westman Islands - home to "Keiko" the star of the "Free Willy" movies. The island is buzzing with life and there are some truly spectacular sights. The perfectly formed natural harbor area has tall cliffs tenanted by multitudes of puffin, fulmar and guillemot. Sprangan is a cliff where young islanders are taught the rope swinging sport. Herjólfsdalur Valley has ruins of old farmhouses dating back to 650 AD. The western part of the island provides an opportunity to view outer islands. 'Stórhöfdi' has magnificent views over the island and majestic glaciers of mainland Iceland and is home to the island's largest puffin colony. Two volcanoes in Heimaey are 5,000-year-old "Helgafell" (Holy Mountain) and the Eldfell (Mt. Fire), whose history is more recent and which offers a viewpoint. A road through the lava field passes the center of the volcano's crater, the ruins of a house buried in lava, and the main streets. Skansinn wooden church was donated to the people of Islands by Norway to commemorate the millennium of Christianity in Iceland.

This village at the head of the bay Berufiord developed around an important trading post in the past. In 1589 the German Hansa merchants were granted a trading license there by the Danish king. Later on the Danish introduced the trade monopoly and took over themselves. The oldest houses (1788-1818) date back to the Danish period. One of them, Langabud (1790), has been renovated and transformed into a nice restaurant and museums. Fishing, fish processing and commerce are the main trades. The scenic beauty of the surroundings is renowned and visitors are treated well in every respect.

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The northern part of Scotland, known as the Highlands, ranks as one of the world’s most magnificent scenic spots. Among the main attractions is a landscape of dramatic mountains and forested hills. Invergordon is the port for Inverness and capital of the Highlands. The surrounding countryside offers such famous attractions as the Battlefield of Culloden, Loch Ness, the villages of Tain and Cromarty, numerous historic castles and old established whisky distilleries. Enjoy the picture-perfect scenery and an opportunity to chat with a Highlander eager to introduce you to his fabled land and its rich heritage. Inverness Castle is a predominantly 19th-century edifice perched high above the Ness River. Today’s remains house the Sheriff’s Office. The exhibits of Inverness Museum and Art Gallery may be worth viewing as they provide a good overview of the development of the Highlands. Located 14 miles southwest of Inverness the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition tell the legend of the monster from 565 A.D. to the present.

South Queensferry still offers an environment that can transport visitors back to an earlier time more readily than most places in Scotland. South Queensferry offers one of the most interesting collections of buildings anywhere. The oldest is St Mary's church, which dates from 1441. "Black Castle", built on the High Street in 1626 is the oldest house in South Queensferry, which was built for a sea captain who was lost with his ship. The nearby Tollbooth was built in the 1600s, though the tower dates back only to 1720. The High Street itself has an unusual stepped cross section designed to cope with the town's steeply sloping site above the shore. This has led to elevated pavements on the inland side of the street, which add to the atmosphere. For very obvious reasons, plus proximity to Edinburgh, South Queensferry is an extremely popular place. It is worth making an effort to try and catch it at a quiet time: that way visitors can still catch glimpses of the South Queensferry of the 1700s Robert Louis Stevenson featured in "Kidnapped".

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Rotterdam is the Dutch city with a difference. City on the river Maas, number 1 world port. An architectural and cultural metropolis with many attractions, festivals and museums. A vivacous, young urban culture and a superlative selection of shops, restaurants and cafes.