Natural Wonders of Iceland Knitting Cruise

From beautiful coastlines to a fascinating industrial heritage, Belfast is a modern, vibrant and stylish city. Enjoy some free time here or take one of the optional excursions. 

Famous for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, Northern Ireland's capital offers visitors the chance to visit the Harland and Wolff shipyard and the fascinating Titanic Experience.  

Close to Queen’s University lie the fascinating Botanical Gardens, established for over 180 years. The unique Palm House was one of the world’s first cast-iron glasshouses and displays a wide range of tropical plants, ranging from bananas to rubber. Alongside, the Renaissance-styled Ulster Museum tells Ireland’s 9,000-year history through art, ceramics, costume, and prehistoric archaeology.  

To the city’s northern edge is the impressive Belfast Castle, offering wonderful views of the city as it stands 120m above the Irish Sea. 

Belfast is also perfectly placed to discover the stunning Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's only UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and an incredible natural wonder steeped in myths and legends. 

Another full day workshop with Jane as we sail towards Iceland. 

Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands and the only one that is inhabited. Heimaey is a cheerful, vibrant island and, along with the rest of the Westman Islands, more Atlantic Puffins nest here than anywhere else in the world. The are also renowned for being the best place in Iceland to look for Orca and Fin whales. Other attractions include Eidheimar Volcano Museum, which discusses the 1973 eruption of Eldfell, Saeheimar aquarium and Sagnheimer folk museum. 

Reykjavik, Iceland’s stunning coastal capital and cultural centre, is the world’s most northerly capital. The city combines colourful buildings, creative people, extraordinary design, and some of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders. 

Our exclusive full day excursion begins with a visit to Ístex Lopi in Mosfellsbær. Wool processing has been a trade here since 1896. Ístex is an appreviation of the full company name, Íslenskur Textiliðnaður, meaning Icelandic Textile Industry. Ístex produces and sells the famous Alafosslopi and other Lopi yarns for hand knitting such as Plötulopi, Bulkylopi and Léttlopi.  They are also manufacturers of industrial yarns for knitting, weaving and carpet manufacturing and all their products are made out of high-quality Icelandic wool. 

From Mosfellsbær we follow the famous Golden Circle route from Reykjavik into the southern uplands. Three highlights of the tour include Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss waterfall, and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, home to the Geysir and Strokkur geysirs. Thingvellir National Park is very important to every Icelander; the name translates as Parliament Plains. Althingi, the National Parliament of Iceland, was established here in 930 and continued to convene there until 1798.  

Our fantastic day will end at the Thingborg Wool Centre, brainchild of a group of women who started to meet here to work with wool and soon opened a shop to sell their crafts. 

The pretty, ancient church site of Ísafjörður, perched on the peninsular of the Westfjords, has been one of Iceland’s busiest and most important fishing and trading centres for over 250 years. Enjoy some free time here or take one of the optional excursions. With its fine natural harbour, Ísafjörður is set against a backdrop of steep mountains and an arcing spit that extends out into the deep Skutulsfjörður.

The town centre’s preserved timber and tin-clad buildings are a joy to explore. Easily navigable streets offer warm cafes, bakeries and welcoming family-run restaurants that serve the finest locally caught seafood all year round. The Westfjords Heritage Museum has exhibits on the town’s maritime history, while the Old Hospital contains archives and photography.

Ísafjörður is also the port from which to discover the beautiful landscape of Vigur, The Paradise Island. Only a short 30-minute boat trip away, the island is home to thousands of puffins, arctic terns, eider ducks, black guillemots and more.

Located in Northern Iceland, Akureyri is a beautiful town best known for its spectacular landscapes, lush vegetation and its diverse wildlife. Enjoy some free time here or join one of the optional excursions. As we cruise to Akureyri we’ll sail through the longest fjord in Iceland, Eyjafjordur.

The perfect destination for nature lovers, the waters surrounding the town are teaming with rare, native species such as humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. Optional excursions visit incredible natural wonders too, such as the Godafoss ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ and Lake Myvatn.

In the town centre, there are many museums, galleries and exhibitions to discover and enjoy, offering an insight into the diverse culture of Akureyri and Iceland as a whole. ‘Arts Alley’ – the main street that runs directly through the town – is Akureyri’s cultural hub. Here you will find the very best galleries, exhibitions and restaurants that the town has to offer.

A full day workshop with Jane as we cruise towards Scotland. 

The capital of the amazing Orkney archipelago, the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall sits in the centre of Mainland, dividing the island in East and West. The magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, a legacy of the town’s rich Viking heritage, dominates Kirkwall’s skyline. Our exclusive full day excursion will combine the historic highlights of the island with yarn-related highlights from Orkney’s Creative Trail. 

Our final full day workshop with Jane as we cruise toward Southampton. 

We arrive in Southampton early this morning. Time to disembark and say farewell to your fellow crafters.