St George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm
Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

This is sponsored content for Travelrite.

Have you ever wanted to see the rugged, sweeping beauty of Iceland, Norway, Shetland Islands and Scotland? In 2020 from June 24 to July 12 you can with this fully escorted cruise from Travelrite International and The Senior.

Starting in the Netherlands after an overnight flight from Australia, you will first be taken on a sightseeing tour or Amsterdam including a city canal cruise.

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm
Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

Spend the next day as you choose. See the recently extended Anne Frank House, the colourful Van Gough museum or the famous Rijksmuseum.

On day four the tour boards the MS Rotterdam for an unforgettable voyage to Iceland, Norway, the Shetland Islands and Scotland.

Spend a day exploring the ships spacious public areas. Enjoy elegant dining, a $2 million art and antique collection, wide teak decks and spacious staterooms. The MS Rotterdam combines classic cruise ship features with state-of-the-art amenities giving you an experience to be enjoyed at every level.

The first stop on the cruise is in one of Norway's most beautiful cities, Alesund. This traditional fishing town with its unique architecture and art nouveau influences will intrigue and delight you.

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm
Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

The following day the ship heads for Seydisfjordur, Iceland. This town lies at the head of a narrow fjord and is flanked by high mountains and is famous for some well-preserved 19th century buildings.

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour of Seydisfjordur as well as a visit to one of Iceland's tallest and most stunning water features, Hengifoss Waterfall.

Arrive in Akureyri, unofficial capital of northern Iceland, on day nine. Here you will see one of the country's most famous turf houses at Laufas. Built in a traditional Icelandic style of stone and turf, it is one of the last turf farms in Iceland.

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm
Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

At Akureyri's botanical gardens you will be treated to one of the best displays of Artic plants.

A third Icelandic town, Isafjordur is next on the itinerary. Famous for its beautiful but often harsh landscape, take in the mountains, Westfjord, Buna Tungua River and the waterfall in Tunguskogur and taste the fresh mountain water that flows down stream.

Spend the next two days in the largest and capital city, Rekjavik, the gateway to natural wonders. Visit the Golden Circle the high-temperature Geysir geothermal area with spouting springs of various formations.

There is a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik the next day including a stroll through the Old Town and a visit to the blue lagoon.

Following this you will head to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. Get a feel for this tiny capital dating from the 1600s on a brief panoramic drive. From there the tour heads to Scalloway and the castle built in 1600.

Inverness in Scotland is the next port of call, close to Loch Ness where you will visit the Loch Ness Exhibition.

Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm
Be swept up in rugged Icelandic charm

A final highlight of the tour is a stop in Scotland's capital Edinburgh, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. See the medieval Old Town, Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle where you will enjoy a guided tour taking in the Scottish Crown Jewels.

After another day at sea the tour arrives back in Rotterdam before a flight back to Australia departs from Amsterdam Airport.

Prices for the 18-day tour start at $8990 (twin) and $11,990 (single) consisting of flights, accommodation including 15 days and 14 nights on the luxurious MS Rotterdam, guided sightseeing, tours and meals. For more, call 1800-630-343 or travelrite.com.au and click on Senior Escorted Cruises.

This is sponsored content for Travelrite.