Itinerary

Trans North Atlantic Journey Fall 2017
Date:
September 10, 2017 - September 28, 2017
Meeting point:
Quebec City, Canada
Length:
19 days / 18 nights
Mileage:
8,390 NM
Day 1 - Sunday, September 10: Quebec City, Canada

All participants will meet in the late afternoon for introductions and to attend an extensive briefing covering the general procedures of our journey as we prepare for tomorrow's departure.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel.

Hotel : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Welcome cocktail and Dinner included
Day 2 - Monday, September 11: Quebec City, Canada → Kuujjuaq, Canada (690nm) → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (750nm)

We'll fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Labrador on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop to refuel and have lunch.

Our flight then continues over southern Greenland's beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq. Also known as Sonder Stroemfiord, Kangerlussuaq was an American airbase until September 1992. Almost all of the permanent structures in town were built during the American occupation of the site. Just outside the airport you'll find fascinating wildlife with chances of seeing musk ox, reindeers, arctic foxes, falcons, eagles and ravens. 

 

Hotel : Hotel Kangerlussuaq
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 3 - Tuesday, September 12: Kangerlussuaq → Reykjavik, Iceland (740nm)

Fly to Reykjavik. 

The Hotel Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvollur, in the heart of Reykjavik, across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral.

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 4 - Wednesday, September 13: Reykjavik, Iceland

Enjoy an incredible full day Super Jeep tour where you will witness Iceland’s most exciting natural attractions.

First we’ll visit Thingvellir National Park – a unique place of beauty with its interesting geology and history before heading eastbound on the mountain road to Lyngdalsheiði to view the lava fields on the hills above Laugarvatn.

At Haukadalur, you’ll see the famous Strokkur geyser erupting and spewing boiling water into the air. We’ll spend some time here observing the eruptions and exploring the hot springs before heading up to the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall cascading into the white Hvita River along with glacial water.

We’ll end the day with a swim in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most unique and popular attraction. Communicating a world of healing power, wellness and beauty, the Blue Lagoon was founded on a unique source of geothermal seawater that originates in Iceland's extreme environment.

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 5 - Thursday, September 14: Reykjavik, Iceland → Edinburgh, Scotland (740nm)

Fly to Edinburgh where we will transfer to the Balmoral Hotel.

Hotel : Balmoral Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 6 - Friday, September 15: Edinburgh

Depart the hotel with our local guide for a private tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, once home of Mary, Queen of Scots. After viewing the Queen's official residence at the magnificent creations from the Royal Collection, we'll take a walking tour of the famous Royal Mile, strolling along the cobblestone streets, filled with unique shops, mysteries and tales of Scotland's great historic figures. After lunch our tour continues to Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scotish Crown Jewels. Enjoy stunning views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Hotel : Balmoral Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 7 - Saturday, September 16: Edinburgh → San Sebastian, Spain (760nm)

Fly to San Sebastian. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to the hotel.

Hotel : Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 8 - Sunday, September 17: San Sebastian

We'll explore Bilbao's quaint Old Town and Ensanche neighborhood, browse the stalls at the La Ribera market, and marvel at architectural wonders such as San Mames Stadium and Bilbao Cathedral.
 
After lunch, visit the Guggenheim Museum, whose collection spans from the mid-20th century to the present day, concentrating on postwar painting and sculpture in America and Europe.

Hotel : Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 9 - Monday, September 18: San Sebastian

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

Hotel : Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 10 - Tuesday, September 19: San Sebastian → Catania, Italy (850nm)

Fly to Catania on the island of Sicily.
 
Upon arrival, we'll transfer to Taormina's seaside district on the Mediterranean Sea. Set on its own exclusive beach, beside one of the most beautiful coastlines in all of Italy, Villa Sant'Andrea overlooks the tranquil aquamarine sea. Built by an aristocratic family in 1830 among lush, subtropical gardens, this secluded retreat retains all the charm of a private residence.
 
Relax in a sun-dappled seat ot enjoy a short cable car ride to the center of Taormina with its many cultural attractions and sophisticated shopping scene.

Hotel : Villa Sant' Andrea
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 11 - Wednesday, September 20: Catania

We'll journey along Sicily's eastern coast, past varied landscapes, gardens and traditional villages including Fiumefreddo di Sicilia before heading inland for a visit to a local winery.
 
Rising in elevation, enjoy views of Mt Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site that dominates the Sicilian landscape.

Hotel : Villa Sant' Andrea
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 12 - Thursday, September 21: Catania

Today is at leisure to relax at the resort or explore on your own.

Hotel : Villa Sant' Andrea
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 13 - Friday, September 22: Catania → Vienna, Austria (640 nm)

Fly to Austria to discover one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Vienna.

Home to some of the most beautiful Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture in the world, here you will find the houses of Vienna's great composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Hayden, Brahms and Johann Strauss, all carefully preserved.

Hotel : Hotel Imperial
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 14 - Saturday, September 23: Vienna

Meet our local guide for a walking tour of Old Town with its St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice, housing a wealth of art treasures.
 
After lunch, we'll visit the grandiose 17th century Schloss Schoenbrunn Palace - a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.

Hotel : Hotel Imperial
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 15 - Sunday, September 24: Vienna

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

Hotel : Hotel Imperial
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 16 - Monday, September 25: Vienna → Copenhagen, Denmark (475nm)

Fly to Copenhagen. Transfer to the Hotel d'Angletterre - located in the heart of Copenhagen. For more than 250 years, the d'Angleterre has been located on Kongens Nytorv in the heart of Copenhagen. The hotel has been the site for legendary political, royal and national events throughout Denmark's history.
 
It was at the d'Angletterre that the Danish politician and theologian; Ditlev Gothard Monrad presented his draft of the new constitution to the lawmakers of the day on the 5th of June 1849. The hotel has served as headquarters for German generals and officers furing World War II as well as an asylum for war refugees on a number of occasions.

Hotel : Hotel D'Angleterre
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 17 - Tuesday, September 26: Copenhagen

Depart the hotel with our local guide for a walking tour of the city. You'll learn about the city's interesting history and visit some of the highlights of the Danish capital and its famous landmarks wuch as the statue of the Little Mermaid inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale, City Hall, Christiansborg Palace, the old City Center, and picturesque Nyhaven Harbour.

There will be time after lunch to relax or explore on your own.

Hotel : Hotel D'Angleterre
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 18 - Wednesday, September 27: Copenhagen → Reykjavik, Iceland (1,145nm)

After breakfast and an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Iceland. There will be a technical stop in Stavanger.

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 19 - Thursday, September 28: Reykjavik → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (730nm) → Goose Bay, Canada (870nm) → Home

After an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Goose Bay, Canada. There will be a technical stop in Kangerlussuaq to refuel.

Breakfast included