14 Night Cruise sailing from Southamnpton roundtrip aboard Aurora.

Cruise Overview:
Head north with Aurora for this 14-night cruise and get ready to visit Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands.

First stop is Norway's Stavanger where Aurora will sail right into the old quarter and its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses. Regarded as the 'Cradle of the Vikings' this picturesque Norwegian port has plenty of markets, craft stores, art galleries and 12th century cathedral to explore. Then it's off to sleepy Flamm and Alesund before bidding farewell to Norway as Aurora heads for the Icelandic delights of Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik for an insight into the country's unique way of life, surrounded by age-old glaciers, beautiful lakes, bubbling geothermal spas and natural lava sculptures.

Then it's time to take a deep breath and savour all that fresh sea air as you reach the untamed natural beauty of the Faroes. This spectacular group of islands offers steep mountains, idyllic villages and a unique light. We'll take you to explore Torshavn, meaning 'Thor's Harbour', one of the smallest capital cities in the world. Its enchanting, centuries-old harbourside village is largely preserved intact where you can enjoy the colourful individualism of its houses, with their mix of painted and grass roofs.

About Stavanger
The gateway to Norways spectacularly scenic fjordland, Stavanger is also a town with its own rich heritage as it is regarded as the 'Cradle of the Vikings'. Your ship will dock right next to Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter, with its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses (considered national heritage monuments in their own right), 12th century cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral, markets, craft stores and art galleries.
Look out, too, for the Three Swords monument in the Hafrsfjord rock recalling the Viking sea battle won by King Harald the Fairhair to create Norway as one kingdom back in the 9th century. This is on the way to a recreation of an Iron Age Farm at Jernaldergarden. The other major landmark is a short boat trip away through the delightful Stavanger archipelago to the 2,000ft high Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen).

About Flaam
Sailing through Norways beautiful Sognefjord, the worlds longest and deepest fjord, is one of the most memorable cruise experiences. Overlooked by snow-capped peaks and surrounded by cascading waterfalls, this is a sensational approach to the tiny village of Flamm, which nestles in the innermost part of Sognefjord.
But the fjord is not Flamms only claim to fame, it also has the extraordinary Flamm Railway. A masterpiece of engineering, this rises more than 2,845ft above sea level in just 12 miles and the views are just as dramatic as the journey. There are a variety of other boat and road trips which promise more fantastic scenery along with visits to farms, mines, villages and isolated mountain lodges.

About Alesund
Because it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the countrys west coast now better known as simply 'Fjordland'.
Stretching across three islands at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Alesunds architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-Gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau.
Turrets and spires dot the skyline and you can trace the towns trend setting style development at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town. The pick is the open-air Sunnmrre while the Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe

About Akureyri
A genuine 'Midnight Sun' destination, Akureyi cruise port is a charming Icelandic town with a stunning location on the countrys longest fjord - Eyjafjordur. There are several interesting museums and churches but the most amazing feature of Akureyi is its botanical garden - not surprisingly, the most northerly in the world. That this glorious display of flowers and plants thrives is a tribute to the local microclimate which is remarkably mild for somewhere so close to the Arctic Circle.
Less surprising is the range of tours to appeal to nature-lovers from whale watching (18 species from minkes to killers have been spotted) to the spectacular 'Waterfall of the Gods' at Godafoss.
Along the way, you will also see age-old glaciers, beautiful lakes, bubbling sulphur mud-pits, hidden caves and coves, dormant volcanoes and lava which has turned into bizarre-shaped sculptures.

About Reykjavik
The name means 'Smoky (or Steamy) Bay' but these days the Icelandic capital Reykjavik is even hotter than that. Its reputation now as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination.
Another big attraction is the opportunity to swim in open-air pools heated by the very geothermal springs that inspired Reykjavik's name.
Not that Reykjavik - or most of Iceland for that matter - is actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the 'Land of Fire and Ice', but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 5,000ft below the earth's surface.