Iceland
Discover the Wilds of Iceland On Board the Ocean Albatros
Program No. 24633RJ
Circumnavigate Iceland and immerse yourself in its natural wonders and rich history as you join us for our Floating Campus onboard the Ocean Albatros.
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10B 8L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrive Keflavik, Perlan, Embark Ship
Reykjavik
4
Siglufjordur & Grimsey
At Sea
8
Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
At Sea
11
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
At a Glance
A land of geologic marvels teeming with fjords, volcanoes and lagoons, Iceland’s incredible landscape is a must for any great explorer to experience — and we can’t think of a better way than on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage! Board the Ocean Albatros for a voyage that begins in Reykjavik and leads you on a journey to the Westman Islands, Akureyri, Grimsey island and beyond. Immerse yourself in the wildlife and geology of the region as your onboard instructors offer their insight during lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, enjoy a live performance and get to know other Road Scholars who share your love for learning and exploration.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Must be comfortable getting in & out of tender boats and zodiacs, feel comfortable navigating around the ship and handle stairs while on board.
PLEASE NOTE: The ship is not suitable for wheelchair/electric scooter use.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Spend two nights in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik before your voyage begins to explore landmarks like the National Museum, Höfði House and Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center.
- Add to your birding life lists as you sail along the coasts of Grimsey island and Westfjords, known for their vast populations of seabirds.
- Explore Westman Islands, known for volcanic activity and as the home of the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and take part in educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Discover the Wilds of Iceland On Board the Ocean Albatros
Program Number: 24633
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings
Twelve leading scholars draw on the latest research and archaeological evidence to provide the clearest picture yet of this fabled people. Painting a fascinating portrait of the influences that the "Northmen" had on foreign lands, the
contributors trace Viking excursions to the British Islands, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and the northern tip of Newfoundland, which the Vikings called "Vinlund."
The Prose Edda: Tales from Norse Mythology
Written in Iceland a century after the close of the Viking Age, The Prose Edda is the source of most of what we know of Norse mythology.
A History of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland
Scandinavia from prehistory to the present with chapters on the Viking and Lutheran kingdoms, medieval times, monarchies, the World Wars and modern period, emphasizing the common cultural, political and social backgrounds.
The World of the Vikings
This book explores Viking life and culture in detail: their appearances, warfare, targets, crafts, and weapons, as well as their stunning pattern-welded swords and helmets.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
The Blue Fox: A Novel
Winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize, Sjón is a celebrated Icelandic poet and novelist. Set in 1883 in Iceland, follow the priest, Skugga-Baldur, on his hunt for the enigmatic blue fox.
Names for the Sea, Strangers in Iceland
A stranger in a strange land, British novelist Sarah Moss captures the spirit of Iceland in this tale of a year in Reykjavik with her husband and two children.
The History of Iceland
Gunnar Karlsson, Icelands premier historian, chronicles the age of the Sagas, consulting them to describe an era without a monarch or central authority.
The Sagas of Icelanders
Nine sagas and six tales composed between the years 1000 and 1500, including an account of Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America, all newly translated.
Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Icelandic Stories
This collection of the most famous of Icelandic sagas includes stories with titles like Thorstein the Staff-Struck and Ale Hood. Dating from the 12th century, these tales vividly recreate the society of medieval Iceland.
Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle
A comprehensive and practical guide to the ancient oracle based on the runic alphabet of the Norse. Nordic runes are a potent and profoundly transformative magic system that gives contemporary readers access to the ancient wisdom tradition of Northern European cultures.
North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
Catering to a rising interest in Nordic cuisine, this cookbook celebrates Iceland’s food alongside its haunting landscapes, portrayed in starkly beautiful, full-color photos.
Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas
Beyond the Northands explores this world through the stories that the Vikings told about themselves in their sagas.
A Viking Voyage
An unforgettable adventure story that will take you to the heart of some of the most magnificent, unspoiled territory on earth, and even deeper, to the heart of a journey like no other.
Independent People, An Epic
Rich in local color, this great mock-epic by the Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner features the indelible Bjartur of Summerhouses, a hard-headed, independent-minded sheep farmer.
Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
The history of the Vikings told through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs. This book traces the routes of the ninth-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and onto the New World.
Iceland: Land of the Sagas
Circumnavigating Iceland in summer and winter, Krakauer and Roberts encounter tales of monks and Vikings, outlaws and adventurers, trolls and witches. While touring and photographing, they discover the myths and legends of Iceland's stirring history.
Song of the Vikings, Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Brown brings to life not just the great Norse tales of medieval Iceland but also the life and times of the worldly Icelandic chieftain, known as the "Homer of the North."
Ring of Seasons, Iceland, Its Culture and History
A longtime resident of Reykjavik, Lacy weaves tales of family life, anecdote, lore and history into this illuminating personal portrait of Iceland.
Program No.
24633
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Reykjavik
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
Activity Level
At a Glance
A land of geologic marvels teeming with fjords, volcanoes and lagoons, Iceland’s incredible landscape is a must for any great explorer to experience — and we can’t think of a better way than on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage! Board the Ocean Albatros for a voyage that begins in Reykjavik and leads you on a journey to the Westman Islands, Akureyri, Grimsey island and beyond. Immerse yourself in the wildlife and geology of the region as your onboard instructors offer their insight during lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, enjoy a live performance and get to know other Road Scholars who share your love for learning and exploration.
Best of all, you'll...
- Spend two nights in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik before your voyage begins to explore landmarks like the National Museum, Höfði House and Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center.
- Add to your birding life lists as you sail along the coasts of Grimsey island and Westfjords, known for their vast populations of seabirds.
- Explore Westman Islands, known for volcanic activity and as the home of the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and take part in educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Must be comfortable getting in & out of tender boats and zodiacs, feel comfortable navigating around the ship and handle stairs while on board.
PLEASE NOTE: The ship is not suitable for wheelchair/electric scooter use.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List: 20 Books
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
