Itinerary
Air Journey will greet you at the Chateau Frontenac, where all participants will meet for introductions and to attend a very detailed briefing covering the general procedures of our Journey. We’ll cover the route, regulations, flight plan, safety, etc.
There will be a welcome cocktail before dinner.
On our way today we will fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Labrador. Iqaluit is located on a south-eastern inlet of Baffin Island and is generally only accessible by air.
Today we will fly to Ilulissat.
Located about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat is the most accessible place to see both massive icebergs and the polar icecap. The town has a beautiful location at the mouth of the 35 mile long ice fjord that is filled with enormous icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq. The Ice Fjord surrounds Ilulissat with gigantic formations of icebergs, calving glaciers, and isolated settlements. It offers breathtaking Arctic experiences all year round.
NOTE: The runway at Ilulissat is 2,800’. For aircraft needing a longer runway, you have the option to fly your plane to Kangerlussuaq (485nm) and take a commercial flight (airfare not included) to Ilulissat.
Today we will enjoy a Glacier & Iceberg Cruise, sailing past a fascinating variety of floes and icebergs.
On a clear day, the landscape is truly surreal. Hundreds of icebergs surround Ilulissat. They vary in shape from flat- topped hunks to jagged mountain peaks, and vary in size from small doghouses to mega-cruise ships and larger. And that's just the part above the surface! The Ice Fjord, which is close to Hotel Arctic, was included on UNESCO's World
Heritage List at the 28th of The World Heritage Committee in the summer of 2004.
The Ice Fjord contains one of the biggest and most active glaciers in the world. Its 3,000 square kilometre area advances at a rate of 20 metres per day. The glacier "calves" about 10 % of the inland ice that is pressed out into the sea from Greenland, and there is nothing in the whole world that resembles it.
After breakfast and our regular briefing, we will leave for Reykjavik, flying over ice-covered Greenland, and then do our second water crossing.
Today we will enjoy a full day of sightseeing, where you will witness Iceland’s most exciting natural attractions: the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall, the volcanic crater Kerid, the greenhouse village Hveragerdi, and across Gjabakkavegur Pass to the Thingvellir National Park – a unique place of beauty with its interesting geology and history.
Dinner will be at Einar Ben located downtown in one of the oldest trading buildings in Reykjavik.
Fly southeast toward the British Isles for our next stop, Prestwick, to refuel and have lunch.
Our flight continues to Austria to discover one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Vienna. It is 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, Haydn, Brahms and Johann Strauss, all have been carefully preserved.
This morning we’ll take 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 seventeenth-century Schloss Schöenbrunn Palace – a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.
Today is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own.
There will be an optional visit to the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Habsburg Emperors until 1918. The palace was originally a medieval castle, but today only the chapel remains from medieval days.
Also at the Palace is the hall where the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School perform. Almost every day, the white Lipizzan stallions are put through their paces by their riders. Experience the Morning Exercises performed to music!
Tonight is a free evening to enjoy an optional music concert or performance.
Our next stop is Venice. The Hotel Danieli is situated in one of the most prestigious locations in Venice, just a few steps from Saint Mark’s Square, looking out over the lagoon and its myriad of islands.The afternoon is free to enjoy this romantic city embellished with the monuments of rare splendor that make it truly unique.
Today is free to enjoy this delightful city at your leisure. You may want to visit the islands of Murano (glass-making) and Burano (lace-making), or Torcello.
No dinner is planned, so you may enjoy a romantic dinner on your own.
Fly to Greece. The volcanic island of Santorini is well-known for its magnificence and truly unique characteristics; it combines an array of spectacular features that cannot be found anywhere else. The traditional villages of the island, built on tall cliffs, offer a breathtaking view of golden sunsets over the submerged volcano. Santorini combines colorful sandy and rocky beaches, wonderful archaeological sites, traditional Cycladic architecture, and the impressive Caldera and volcanic area.
Today we will cruise the Caldera and Volcano Islands on our private catamaran.
Today is at your leisure to explore the island or simply relax at the hotel.
Fly to Salerno, Italy – gateway to the Amalfi Coast and one of Italy’s most spectacular coastal regions. Experience cobblestone streets, fresh seafood drizzled in olive oil, bougainvillea-covered villas, sweet citrus scents wafting from abundant lemon groves, and unrivaled views.
Salerno's origins date back to the Greek age. So flourishing was the town in the Middle Ages that Robert Guiscard made it the capital of his Duchy in 1077. It was this social and cultural environment that saw the foundation of the oldest university in Europe, the Salerno School of Medicine. Today Salerno is still an important cultural center in Campania and Italy. This morning we will learn about its long and eventful history while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Amalfi coast.
Today is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own.
All guests of the Monastero Santa Rosa enjoy daily complimentary use of their spa’s 70-square-meter (753-square-foot) Thermal Suite, consisting of connected spaces which encourage a sequential choice of relaxation and well-being within the Stone Sauna, Domed Herbal Steam Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, Experience Shower, Crushed Ice Fountain, and Tepidarium.
Today we will fly to France. Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is one of the loveliest places along the Mediterranean coast. We will proceed to La Reserve de Beaulieu & Spa situated on the edge of the Mediterranean.
Today we will visit the village of Eze, one of the most picturesque spots in the region and a "must-see" for visitors! Perched in an "eagle's nest" at the height of an imposing and superb cliff, the village and its light ochre church can be seen from afar. Once inside, you will discover a small Provencal village filled with charm and colorful window boxes, offering a panoramic view of the sea and coast-line. Small narrow roads, archways and superbly restored stone houses, shady squares, refreshing ancient fountains... the picturesque qualities of the village go on and on.
The numerous small arts-and-crafts boutiques are hard to resist - some of them are like tiny caves dug out of the rocky hill-side. The streets of this medieval village testify of their historic past. The two look-out towers at the entrance, the door-way and the gun-boat are all classified as historic monuments.
Today we will depart on a private turbine helicopter to a winery approximately 40 minutes away. You’ll fly over water, along the famous coast of the French Riviera and over fly the Esterel hills.
Upon arrival there’s a private tour of the winery followed by three different wine tastings. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at the winery’s restaurant and the opportunity for an ATV ride in the woods near the winery. Afterwards, the helicopter will take you back to Monaco along the same route.
Tonight we’ll visit the world famous Le Casino de Monte-Carlo. This legendary Casino, a gem of the “Belle Epoque”, is a top-notch reference among all gamblers. Its choice of table games is the most prestigious and most complete in Europe.
Today we will fly to Bordeaux, the wine country of France. Les Sources de Caudalie, set among the prestigious vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Grand Cru Classé de Graves, is located on the outskirts of Bordeaux. During our stay you will tour wineries and visit the medieval St Emilion village.
The afternoon is free to relax.
A full day tour will give you the opportunity to meet and share the life of a winery family, enjoy breathtaking scenery, discover with your private tour guide the fascinating history of the medieval village of St Emilion.
After breakfast and an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Iceland. There will be a stop in Prestwick for lunch and to refuel.
After breakfast and another in-depth briefing, we will head for Goose Bay with a stop in Nuuk for lunch and to refuel, before completing our final over-water crossing and touching down on the North American continent in Canada.
After breakfast and a briefing, we will fly our separate ways as we complete our journey home.