Star Collector: North Atlantic Explorer

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The world&#39;s most northerly capital enjoys almost 24-hour sunlight in summer, all the better to show off the city&rsquo;s eclectic architecture and dazzling natural wonders. Soak in the milky Blue Lagoon, visit Guilfoss Waterfall, find Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , or explore the surprisingly vibrant local museum and art scene.</div>

Take a boat tour to view Surtsey Island, which only rose from the sea in the 1960s and has been a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site since its birth. The other big attraction here is seabirds. Zodiac tours provide close up views of seabird populated sea cliffs including the largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Witness a world still in transition. Circle Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rose from the sea in the 1960s. Next up, Heimaey, where a volcanic eruption created a modern-day Pompeii in 1973.&nbsp;

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town. &nbsp;This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species. &nbsp;The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town.&nbsp;

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town. &nbsp;This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species. &nbsp;The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town.&nbsp;

Akureyri is an important port and fisheries center especially because of its ice-free harbor so close to the Arctic Circle. &nbsp;It lies at the end of Iceland&rsquo;s longest fjord, which is 37 miles long, at sits at the base of snowcapped peaks that offer some of Iceland&rsquo;s best skiing during the winter. &nbsp;Must-sees in Akureyri include the Listagil (art canyon) which is home to many arts and crafts galleries and shops, the beautiful church in the center of town, the botanical garden, and Hafnarstraeti, the main shopping street.This is also the perfect place to ride an Icelandic horse or soak in the sky-blue Myvatn Nature Baths.

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Small and easily walkable Isafjordur has one of the largest fisheries in Iceland. But the sever decline of the fishing industry has caused Isafjordur to look elsewhere for work. Despite its small size, this town has a school of music and has become a center for alternative music and they host a yearly festival that provides a platform for local musicians, band from around Iceland and the world to perform.</div>

Beautiful Grundarfjordur is located between a mountain range and the sea. &nbsp;The road nearby crosses a lava field that is partially warm so snow does not always stick there. The main attraction of the area is Snæfellsjokull National Park full of regal glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, caves, calderas, and basalt cliffs. The peninsula there received the EARTHCHECK Sustainable Community Award in 2010, the first area in Iceland to win such an award.

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The world&#39;s most northerly capital enjoys almost 24-hour sunlight in summer, all the better to show off the city&rsquo;s eclectic architecture and dazzling natural wonders. Soak in the milky Blue Lagoon, visit Guilfoss Waterfall, find Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , or explore the surprisingly vibrant local museum and art scene.</div>

The beautiful fjord system of Prince Christian Sound is a waterway in southern Greenland that connects the Labrador Sea and the Irminger Sea. Sixty miles long and narrows to only 1,500 feet wide at some points. It separates the mainland from the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago and is surrounded by steep granite mountains as high as 3,937 feet.

The scenic colonial town of Qaqortoq is easily seen on foot. Walk to the town square with its gorgeous fountain built of Igaliku rocks. Colorful houses encircle the square and Our Saviour&rsquo;s Church, built in 1832, is nearby. There are many works of art that have been chiseled into the rocks at the sculpture park called &ldquo;Stone and Man,&rdquo;&nbsp; and the local museum full of Nordic artifacts is definitely worth a visit. Another point of interest is the fishing wharf where fresh and dried fish is sold.

With a population of 1,600, Narsaq is the youngest town of Greenland and was founded in 1959. The mountain behind the town is full of coveted minerals and is a major attractions for rock pickers and geologists including the rare mineral, Tugtupit which has only been found in one or two places around the world.

The southernmost town in Greenland located at the mouth of the Tasermuit Fjord, Nanortalik shares space with polar bears who live and hunt on the sea outside of town. Vertical cliffs and steep peaks characterize the area around Nanortalik and Ketil Mountain at 6,562 feet has one of the highest climbing walls with Greenland&rsquo;s only natural forest just 25 miles away. The locals are charming and friendly and known for their choir singing, which you may end up hearing.