Greenland Cruise - from Reykjavik - 120417

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.

Greenland's capital city Nuuk is the centre of life in this country - it is the centre for trade, shipping, industry and the administration. With a population of 13,500, Nuuk is the largest city not only in Greenland, but in the whole Arctic region. Over the last 30 years, Nuuk has undergone considerable modern development.

Jakobshavn - or Ilulissat as it is called in Greenlandic - lies at 68 degrees North latitude and 51 degrees West longitude, around 290 kilometres North of Arctic Circle in the Disko bay on the West coast of Greenland. The town has a population of around 4,300; the number of dogs here is far greater - 6,000 in total, and all of them sled dogs. There are hardly any cars, and the few cars here are mainly taxis that travel the small number of roads - but not for any great distance, since the metalled roads end just behind the last houses. The dog sleds have right of way during the winter months in any case. A mere two kilometres behind the last houses of Ilulissat, a huge glacier constantly pushes new icebergs into Disko bay. It is these ephemeral creations that gave the burgeoning small town its name: Ilulissat means "Cliffs of Ice".

Kangerlussuaq, also known by its Danish name, 'Søndre Strømfjord', lies at the end of the 170 km long Fjord of the same name in Greenland. It is home to the largest airport in the country and the starting point for exploratory and adventure expeditions. The town has been dominated by the American presence since 1941, as Kangerlussuaq was one of the most important stopovers for airforce manoeuvres during World War II. The surrounding area of this town in western Greenland is home to around 4,000 musk oxes - the largest herd living in the wild, and visitors are also likely to see reindeers.

Kangerlussuaq, also known by its Danish name, 'Søndre Strømfjord', lies at the end of the 170 km long Fjord of the same name in Greenland. It is home to the largest airport in the country and the starting point for exploratory and adventure expeditions. The town has been dominated by the American presence since 1941, as Kangerlussuaq was one of the most important stopovers for airforce manoeuvres during World War II. The surrounding area of this town in western Greenland is home to around 4,000 musk oxes - the largest herd living in the wild, and visitors are also likely to see reindeers.

Jakobshavn - or Ilulissat as it is called in Greenlandic - lies at 68 degrees North latitude and 51 degrees West longitude, around 290 kilometres North of Arctic Circle in the Disko bay on the West coast of Greenland. The town has a population of around 4,300; the number of dogs here is far greater - 6,000 in total, and all of them sled dogs. There are hardly any cars, and the few cars here are mainly taxis that travel the small number of roads - but not for any great distance, since the metalled roads end just behind the last houses. The dog sleds have right of way during the winter months in any case. A mere two kilometres behind the last houses of Ilulissat, a huge glacier constantly pushes new icebergs into Disko bay. It is these ephemeral creations that gave the burgeoning small town its name: Ilulissat means "Cliffs of Ice".

With a population of 5,000, Sisimiut is the second-largest town in Greenland. The Greenlandic name, Sisimiut, means "foxhole inhabitant". The town has the most northerly port that remains ice-free all year. Accordingly, the fishing industry and the export of prawns are booming. The town is proud to be home to the most modern shrimp factory in the world. Sisimiut is also the first settlement North of the Arctic Circle where the Inuit kept sled dogs for use in the Winter. The museum and the old town with the oldest wooden church in Greenland, which dates from 1775, are particularly worth seeing.

Halifax is not only the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia but also has one of the largest ports in the world. The city not far from Montreal is known for its many galleries and museums; it also hosts a great many cultural and musical events. Behind the harbour lies the picturesque coastal landscape. There are several historic buildings that house small shops, restaurants and the Museum of Natural History, which has an exhibition about the Titanic. Other sights include: "Citadel Hill", the parliament, "Spring Garden Road Region", the public gardens and Point Pleasant Park.

The town of Lunenburg lies on the Canadian peninsula of Nova Scotia ('New Scotland'). It was once inhabited by German settlers, which is why German was spoken here until around the 1930s. The town has several unique features: the history of the settlement, its old architecture and the shipbuilding tradition. The town of Lunenburg has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its old architecture. Sights include: the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, which documents the history of coastal and sea fishing, the technology of ship building, the origins of the fishing industry and the day-to-day living conditions of fishermen.

Boston, capital of Massachusetts and the gateway to New England, is laden with history but at the same time vibrant and bursting with energy. Indeed, Boston - with a population of just over half a million - is one of the most interesting cities in America in terms of both history and culture - as well as one of the most beautiful. Unlike most major cities, it still has countless historical buildings and areas, and is among the architectural must-sees of America. Historic buildings, picturesque cobbled streets and relaxing parks meet with modern high-rise buildings, giving a surprisingly harmonious overall effect. A section of the Berlin Wall can be viewed at the harbour, from where you can also set off on a whale-watching trip.