Depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney's largest island. This tour passes through gentle rolling landscape and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness you will stop at the Ring of Brodgar ; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5,000 years. You then continue on to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, beautifully interpreted in the visitor center. See the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago. From here it is only a 656-foot walk to visit Skaill House , Orkney's finest manor. Skaill was built by Bishop George Graham in 1620 on the site of a farmstead thought to date to the Norse period. In its 400 year history all 12 of its Lairds have been related and all have contributed to the history and collection in the house. Return to your coach and continue this circular route following the coastline of Scapa Flow , made famous for its role in both World Wars. Please note : The ground around the Ring of Brodgar is very soft and not suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing.

Start your journey from Hatston Pier by taking the shuttle bus to the town of Kirkwall. Begin your guided walk along the charming harbor, exploring the ancient shoreline dating back to the Viking era when the town was founded. As you make your way down the flagstone streets into the town's center, immerse yourself in the rich history of Kirkwall. Visit St Magnus Cathedral, an impressive 850-year-old structure made of red and yellow sandstone that dominates Kirkwall's skyline. Explore the nearby Earl's and Bishop's Palaces, once owned by the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart, the illegitimate nephew of Mary, Queen of Scots, who notoriously used forced labor to construct the Earl's Palace. End your tour at the Orkney Museum, where you can enjoy free time to explore the exhibits, browse local shops, and make your way back to the ship at your own pace.

This is a wonderful tour for exploring the South Isles of Orkney and sampling some local produce. You will leave Orkney's biggest island and follow the coast of Scapa Flow on a 30-minute drive to the smaller South Isles. Drive over the first of the Churchill Barriers, built during the Second World War to protect Scapa Flow. You will visit the beautiful, hand-painted Italian Chapel , built by Italian prisoners of war who were interned on this small island during World War Two. The chapel stands as a lasting memorial to peace. You will then continue south across two further Churchill Barriers to the island of Burray and stop for delicious refreshments in the lovely small fishing town of Burray Village for a taster plate of some local produce including Bere Bannocks (local bread) and local farmhouse cheese, and Orkney Fudge Cheesecake. The tour will also include a glass of wine or beer. You will then continue to the Fossil and Heritage Centre. Here you will learn more about the heritage of Orkney and the building of the Churchill Barriers in addition to an opportunity to learn more about Orkney's geological history before returning to the ship. Please note: Dress in warm, comfortable clothes and bring along waterproof things like an umbrella or rain poncho. This tour is wheelchair accessible.

Departing Lerwick, head west to the picturesque harbor village of Hamnavoe on the isle of Burra. After a brief photo stop, continue north towards Girlsta, through the Tingwall Valley with its Norse heritage before arriving at the "Keolka" croft - a beautiful Shetland croft nestled within the rugged heather hills, with stunning views across the water. Here you will enjoy an authentic crofting experience, as well as getting to meet a local crofter and his dogs. David Murray is an active crofter/farmer in north Shetland and is widely known throughout the sheepdog trialling world having qualified for the Scottish National Team, The International Supreme Championship, and the World Sheepdog Trials with his dog Sweep. Witness working sheepdog demonstrations with a talk on their training, see some of the native, colored Shetland sheep and witness a sheep shearing demonstration (weather dependent), meet Shetland ponies, and enjoy a talk on the typical year in the life of a Shetland crofter. After a short drive, warm up with a delicious traditional lunch of soup and sandwiches in the Herrislea House Hotel. On the way back to Lerwick, hear more of Shetland`s culture and heritage. Please note : Some aspects of this tour are weather dependent such as the sheep clipping demonstration. Croft is on a gentle slope, grassy and can be muddy depending on the weather.

Depart through Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, as you begin your trip to the island's most southerly point. En route, you will pass through the rural townships of Fladdabister and, conditions permitting, pause to admire the view of the magnificent Mousa Broch, the tallest and best preserved broch in the world. You will continue south down the west coast and pass St Ninian's Isle where the famous Pictish horde of silver dating from the 9th Century was found in 1958. Continue south to visit the remarkable archaeological site of Jarlshof. The site was uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5,000 years of human history. The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures - late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village , an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouse, a medieval farmstead, and the 16th century laird's house. Visit the remains of these village settlements with your guide to make the most of your time here. You will then return to Lerwick with your guide telling you more about these islands as we look out for Shetland's famous ponies on the way back. . Please note : Jarlshof is not wheelchair accessible. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Your tour starts in the fishing port of Lerwick, founded in the 17th century. The center is full of character, especially by the water's edge where the older buildings are situated. As we drive through the town we will see the Town Hall before turning west to the old town of Scalloway, the original main town and second largest settlement on the island. En route we will pass Clickimin Broch -a defense tower with surrounding structures dating back 2,000 years. On arrival in Scalloway we will stop to visit the now roofless Castle which was built around 1600 by the tyrant Earl Patrick Stewart. He used forced labor to build his residence and was executed in Edinburgh in 1615. You will then visit the fascinating local museum, which has a special display devoted to the Shetland Bus, boats which traveled between Shetland and Norway helping the Norwegian Resistance movement during World War II. If you prefer, wander along Scalloway's Main Street and view the waterfront. Leaving Scalloway, you will travel through the Tingwall Valley, pausing for a photo stop to view a small herd of Shetland Ponie s.This tour also includes a stop at the Shetland Jewellery Workshop, where the group will get a tour of the workshop to see how the pieces are designed and created. Please note : Scalloway Museum is wheelchair accessible, Scalloway Castle is not. Scalloway Castle is situated right next door to the museum, so guests will be able to see it however it is covered in scaffolding for the foreseeable future.

Depart through Lerwick, the capital of Shetland as you begin your trip to Burra, one of the smaller Shetland Islands; connected to the mainland by a series of bridges and the island of Trondra. En route there will be a photo stop at Meal Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Shetland. The beach is around 300 yards away from the car park along a boarded walkway. Next, you will arrive at the pony experience, where you will be met by members of the Tait family, who are the local owners and breeders of the ponies. Learn about the 2,000-year-old history of these small horses on the island and how they are bred and used today. Next, you will break out into small groups for an intimate experience with the ponies. You will have the unique opportunity to pet, brush and handle the ponies before leading one of the ponies down to a secluded beach, and have your photo taken with these beautiful animals. After your time here, you will re-board the coach and return to your ship. Please note: The ponies are very friendly and used to people but are still animals so can be unpredictable. Please do not feed the animals. Guests will be asked to sign a disclaimer on the coach before arrival.

This is the perfect kayak experience for those interested in a more adventurous introduction of the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund. After a short 10-minute walk to the kayak center you will be outfitted with the proper equipment and given a brief safety talk before you board your 2-person sea kayak. This leisurely kayak trip will take you along Ålesund's Jugend-style architecture where your guides will share stories about the area. You will be given an interpretation of the history and culture of this Art Nouveau city perched on the Atlantic. You will also paddle through the scenic maze of islands offering views of Ålesund's coastline that you can only enjoy from the vantage point of a kayak. Please note : Participants must be at least 6 years of age and children must be accompanied by an adult. It is recommended that guests dress in layered clothing and wear flat shoes. You may get wet! Two- person (tandem) sea kayaks will be used. Not suitable for disabled people. Excursion is dependent on weather.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

The community of Giske consists of four islands. Two of them will be visited on this tour - the Giske and Godøy Islands, which lie further to the west. The tour to the islands will take you via bridges and underwater tunnels, the longest being 2.6 miles (4.2 km). Giske is known as the Saga Island for the fact that the Viking Chieftain Rollo was born here. This island is fairly flat and fertile. On the island you will visit the old stone church dating back to 1150, originally a chapel belonging to the mighty Giske family. From Giske you will continue over to Godøy Island. On the northwestern side of the island you will drive towards the small but picturesque fishing village of Alnes , situated facing the Atlantic Ocean. Take a closer look at the old lighthouse, climb the stairs to the very top and enjoy refreshments at the visitor center. On the way back to the ship visit the viewpoint Mt. Aksla , with a spectacular view of Ålesund and the islands that have just been visited. Please note : Giske church is a working church and due to unforeseen church services, an inside visit to the church cannot be guaranteed. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the ground is uneven in places.

After a short walk to the bicycle center your guide will give a brief safety instruction before you begin your adventurous and scenic ride to Hess Island. You will set off bicycling through Ålesund , riding past delightful stone buildings and churches carved with enchanting art nouveau décor. Riding over Asp Island and around the outer edge of Hess Island you will see beaches, pasturelands, and historic installations from World War ll. Arriving at Sugar Summit trailhead you will leave your bicycles and begin your 35-minute hike up to some breathtaking panoramic views of the sea, surrounding islands, Sunnmøre Alps and the city of Ålesund. The view is worth every step, making this the highlight of your tour. On your return bicycle ride you will get another chance to enjoy the scenic views that Ålesund has to offer. Please note : Participants must be 10 years of age and children must be accompanied by an adult. It is recommended that guests wear layered clothing and flat shoes. Take a bottle of water and backpack for your belongings.

Just a short distance away you will arrive at the heliport where you will meet your pilot and receive a safety briefing. Then, climb on board your aircraft, don your headset and prepare to be astounded. Your helicopter will begin its ascent, giving you unparalleled views over the Sunnmøre Alp mountain range and surrounding fjord landscape. Formed over millions of years, shifting glaciers have carved their way through the bedrock and left behind a network of fjords, valleys and towering peaks. During your flight, your pilot will point out the sights below. Please note: This excursion is not recommended for guests who suffer from motion sickness and/or vertigo, nor guests who have a fear of heights and enclosed spaces. Guests must weigh less than 260 pounds (about 118 kilograms) and must register their body weight and be prepared to be weighed at the heliport. Seat arrangements are based on this information to insure safety. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions, as are visibility, views and the route chosen.

This scenic drive will take you all the way inland towards Valldal, where you will leave the fjords behind and make your way into the high mountains of the Romsdals Alps. You will make a stop at Gudbrandsjuvet, an 82-foot high ravine through which the Valldøla River has formed a complex of deep potholes and intricate formations. You will continue your drive into the high mountains of the Troll Road . At the 2,625-foot-high plateau, you will make a short stop to enjoy the magnificent view overlooking the valley. You will have an amazing view of the snowy peaks and the steep waterfall. Descending into the valley along the famous 11 hairpin turns you will follow the river towards Trollstigen Guesthouse where a delicious lunch is awaiting you. Surrounded by beautiful nature you will have enough time to enjoy your lunch before continuing your journey to the Troll Wall. The Troll Wall is the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, measuring over 3,281 feet from its base to the summit of its highest point. At its steepest, the summit ridge overhangs the base of the wall by nearly 164 feet. The ridge is and has been a prestigious goal for rock climbers and its summit was only first climbed in 1965. The Troll Wall is also considered a mecca for base jumpers , but has been made illegal, although some daredevils still attempt the jump after a 5-hour hike from the Trollstigen Plateau. After having admired the steep mountain ridge you will make your way back to Ålesund and the ship following a scenic drive along the Romsdalfjord and through the valleys and villages of the region. Please note : This tour is not wheelchair accessible and there are many stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Alesund, the largest town on the Northwest coast, has a beautiful settin g, built on several islands stretching out into the ocean. A large part of Alesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style . Today, it is a bustling town where the fish and fish processing industry are the main sources of income. You will take a stroll through the many rooms in the listed building known as "The Swan Pharmacy ," and be mesmerized by the beautiful and authentic décor. The tour continues through the Jugend (Art Nouveau) quarters of the town center and inner harbor, through the attractive park at the foot of Mount Aksla and back to the pier and your ship. Please note : This tour is a walking tour with steps, cobblestones and uneven ground and is not recommended for people with mobility issues. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Ålesund's stunning coastline during an exciting RIB adventur e. A short walk from your ship you will find your captain waiting for you, where he will give you the necessary equipment and a brief safety talk. After boarding the RIB, your adventure beings as your captain takes you to the area's most scenic spots. Once aboard, prepare to feel the adrenaline rush of the RIB boat's speed and be awe-inspired by the scenery. You will venture to the island of Runde, with close-up views of Sunmøre's beautiful coastline en route. Keep an eye out for the Grasøyane and Runde lighthouses, along with natural wonders such as interesting caves and abundant bird life . In fact, Runde is famous for its staggering number of birds, with between 500,000 and 700,000 of the winged creatures inhabiting the isle. Among the species you might spy are puffins, common guillemot, fulmar and razorbill. Please note : Participants must be at least 12 years of age, 4-1/2 feet tall, and children must be accompanied by an adult. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women or guests with back or neck problems. All participants will be given a weatherproof suit which is also a life jacket. Wear flat shoes, heels are not permitted. You may get wet!

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.