Beethoven's Icelandic Symphony: A Musical Voyage

<p>On the edge of the Arctic, with its vast glaciers, vertiginous fjords and legendary volcanoes, Iceland offers a simultaneously romantic and wild face. During a unique 8-day journey, in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with the exceptional presence of Alain Duault, leaving from the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik, you will fall in love with the enchanting landscapes as well as the singular biodiversity of the western coast of Iceland.<p></p>Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, explore the spellbinding Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Grundarfjördur, discover the three sites of the Icelandic “Golden Circle” (Thingvellir, the “golden falls” of Gullfoss, and Geysir) from Reykjavik, or appreciate the grandeur of the Godafoss waterfalls from Akureyri. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).<p></p>This is a veritable masterpiece by Mother Nature, where you will sail the icy waters of the North Atlantic on a quest for the most beautiful treasures offered by the “land of Ice and Fire”. The lush hills and plains that border the coastline here create a stunning setting. Waterfalls tumble down jagged cliffs, their sparkling swell flowing along monumental basalt rocks, putting on a captivating spectacle. The fjords appear majestically, stretching their inlets in a protective embrace around small fishing villages full of colourful houses, while volcanoes and bubbling geysers will transport you into lunar landscapes like nothing else in the world.<p></p>It is a real nature sanctuary, where the vast lush expanses of meadows are home to a myriad of migratory birds that have come from all over the world to nest here, thus creating a melodious concert of spellbinding song. Puffins and gannets, emblematic of this region, gather on the jagged cliffs, with the blue of the ocean as a backdrop. Arctic foxes sneak silently among the grassy valleys and Icelandic horses gallop along black sandy beaches. The ocean’s cold waters are teeming with marine life, from humpback whales to orcas; these majestic cetaceans slide graciously through the waves, providing all their observers with an unforgettable moment.</p>