The Svalbard archipelago is a true wilderness, a land of snowy peaks, frozen tundra and glassy seas. You’ll likely have no fixed itinerary here, due to the unpredictable nature of an Arctic expedition; be prepared to drop everything and rush up to the top deck for the chance of a polar bear sighting!

The island of Jan Mayen sits several hundred miles north of Iceland, a remote and inaccessible place where tourist numbers are strictly limited. Towering Mount Beerenburg is the world’s northernmost active volcano, and there is no human settlement except for a very lonely Norwegian weather station.

Siglufjörður is the most northerly town on the Icelandic mainland, a remote little fishing port backed by imposing mountains. You can learn about the town’s history at the herring museum, explore the local culture at the Folk Music Centre or head out on one of the scenic hiking trails around the fjord.

The little island of Vigur is a haven for seabirds during the summer months, when thousands of Atlantic puffins, Arctic terns and black guillemots gather here. The island is also home to a single family-owned sheep farm, a 200-year-old rowing boat and Iceland’s last surviving windmill, built in 1840.

The island of Flatey lives up to its name, flat and almost devoid of hills, its colourful cottages only inhabited during the summer months. The nutrient-rich waters along the coast support a healthy population of birds including Atlantic puffins, Arctic terns, eider ducks, red-necked phalaropes and snow buntings.

Pretty Stykkishólmur is the largest town on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, on a natural harbour looking out towards the islands of Breiðafjörður Bay. The town’s colourful 19th-century wooden houses have been lovingly restored, and nearby attractions include Mount Kirkjufell and Snæfellsjökull National Park..