Southampton → Quebec City (19 nights)

Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England’s green and pleasant lands.

The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whisky at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”. Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland’s royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delve deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!

Head to a far-off land in the Outer Hebrides, where unique culture awaits you at one of Britain’s best kept secrets. Spot seals and whales from breathtaking beaches and dramatic headlands that fringe miles of peat-covered moorland. Visit Lews Castle, the prehistoric Standing Stones at Callandish, learn the art of weaving or crofting and enjoy peat-smoked scallops or battered fish and chips. And as you admire your new hand-woven Harris tweed jacket, bid farewell to authentic Gaelic values, and the fabulously iconic long-haired cattle.

A 'slow travel' sanctuary, Seyðisfjörður exudes small-town Icelandic charm where panoramas are big and population is pleasantly sparse. Considered the heart of the lesser-travelled Eastfjords, where a heady mix of magnificent mountains shelter a well-preserved village of timber houses. Follow the rainbow-painted road to a steeple-topped blue church then rub shoulders with locals in a café over coffee. Explore a wealth of wildlife in Skálanes Nature Centre where puffins patrol the craggy fjord cliffs. Gush over Gufufoss, where water streams over a stone escarpment, exploding into a vapor mist, giving rise to its Icelandic name. Hike Viking Trail or Waterfall Lane; kayak in the calm lagoon; angle for herring; and experience the unspoilt beauty of this remote region.

Quiet and unassuming, this charming town offers an abundance of authentic experiences. Located along one of the region’s largest fjords, discover museums, galleries, the northernmost botanical garden and nearly- northernmost golf course. Take to the skies for the ultimate view or watch the scenery unfold as you raft down a glacial canyon. Sink into a beer bath, ride Icelandic horses or visit the waterfall of Gods. Something of a bathing mecca, refresh in the town’s geothermal swimming pool, soak up hot spring minerals within My’vatn Nature Baths and encounter incredible views as you let the warm sea work miracles at the restorative GeoSea baths. Wellbeing personified.

Feel the magnetic lure of adventure at the world’s northernmost capital. Mystical landscapes promise dramatic snow-capped volcanoes, ice fields and mountains for thrilling quests; explore by helicopter, ride Icelandic horses, zip through lava tunnels on super trucks and rocket across glaciers on snow scooters. Then slow down to visit a geothermal-fired bakery and greenhouse, soak in wellbeing springs, the blue lagoon or refresh at the nearby face mask bar. And as the nightlife beckons under the sun that barely sets, drink black death schnapps as a poetic reminder of Reykjavik’s exhilarating activities.

Feel the magnetic lure of adventure at the world’s northernmost capital. Mystical landscapes promise dramatic snow-capped volcanoes, ice fields and mountains for thrilling quests; explore by helicopter, ride Icelandic horses, zip through lava tunnels on super trucks and rocket across glaciers on snow scooters. Then slow down to visit a geothermal-fired bakery and greenhouse, soak in wellbeing springs, the blue lagoon or refresh at the nearby face mask bar. And as the nightlife beckons under the sun that barely sets, drink black death schnapps as a poetic reminder of Reykjavik’s exhilarating activities.

Feel free within the peaceful, beautiful countryside that surrounds a handful of tin-roofed towns. Roam the wild Westfjords territory; whale watch, bird watch, kayak, horseback ride, hike, cycle or play golf – the options are endless. Learn of maritime heritage at the Westfjords Museum, travel by boat to the remote Hornstrandir peninsula, visit friendly fishing villages, spot Arctic foxes and experience life as a Viking at Skalinn Viking Centre. Small and unspoilt, Isafjordur exhibits a largely uninhabited Icelandic wonderland.

Go carefully into Prince Christian Sound, an iceberg-pocked chasm deep inside a rocky labyrinth, hewn out of the mountains of southern Greenland by Thor himself. Succumb to the sublime sounds of Mother Nature’s song: the silence-shattering whip-crack of calving glaciers, the low groans of spectral ice floes and the shrill exclamations of seabirds, accompanied by the wind’s howl. Onwards through jagged snow-capped peaks rinsed clean by meltwater falls, we are among the intrepid few to navigate the 60-mile passage, escorted by pods of curious whales and solitary bearded seals, basking on lonely bergs.

Keep quiet about Paamiut – it’s the best kept secret in the region. Head off the well-trodden path and be welcomed with mugs of kaffemik coffee and many a story. Noble and colonial-style, the harbourside gives way to brightly coloured, protected buildings - a church, museum and just a few residents. Hike trails through untouched landscapes, spot spiritual white-tailed eagles and find peace in this natural habitat at the entrance to the Kuanersooq Fjord. This place is good for the soul but remember not to tell a soul.

Polar plunge into the wilds of Nanortalik, home to bears, bergs, and unbelievable beauty. Boat to South Greenland’s most photographed glaciers in Tasermiut Fjord; known as the ‘Arctic Patagonia’, the fjord stretches 70 km (44 mi) with sheer granite cliffs towering 1,200 meters (4,000ft) drawing rock climbers from around the world. Survey a scale of nature that is both enormous and micro: swim in Uunartoq Hot Springs that bubbles with warm waters and views of iceberg; savour foraged foods, fresh fish, and meeting the nicest people. Hike Klosterdalen and Quinnguadalen for the unmatched views; learn the Inuit’s strong connection to the land at the Outdoor Museum; or simply sit and enjoy the silence of the last frontier and the shifting luminosity of the metallic sea.

In a corner of the world where everything is extraordinary, Corner Brook raises the bar on natural beauty. Shaped by billion-year-old glaciers and shifting tectonic plates, the forested terrain undulates between surreal and dramatic. Start with breath-taking views from the monument honouring Captain James Cook, who first mapped this area and the stunning Bay of Islands in 1867. Head to Humber Valley, winding through the Long Range Mountains which are particularly striking during Fall’s leaf-peeping season then hike into the fantastic Tablelands Trail in the UNESCO-approved Gros Morne National Park, to marvel at Earth’s mantle, dramatic fjords and towering cliffs. Count caribou, watch for whales, and dine on the Atlantic’s best cold-water salmon.

Recharge on an escape to the Mingan Archipelago National Park. Visit historical sites amid an array of protected islands wrapped in sea-sculpted limestone. Discover impressive fossils on Niapiskau Island and wind your way through a rich array of flora and fauna on Quarry Island. Wander inland to the eco-friendly boreal forest where you’ll uncover impressive ancient limestone monuments. Tread quietly across pebble strewn beaches and striking coastal scenery to watch playful seals below soaring seabirds and meet the local Innu people to immerse in thousand-year culture.

Prepare to encounter a province thriving with culture and cuisine, history and heritage, and so much more. Explore impressive architecture, intriguing history, imposing landmarks and the treasured streets of UNESCO praised Old Quebec. Relax at Parisian-style bistros and modern art exhibitions or choose to partake in thrilling alfresco pursuits. Delve deep into nature to kayak through a fjord, walk the width of Montmorency Falls, zipline, paddleboard, surf and mountain bike in tranquil settings. Home to capital Montréal and an incredibly friendly nation, there’s something for everyone in this mostly French speaking region.

Prepare to encounter a province thriving with culture and cuisine, history and heritage, and so much more. Explore impressive architecture, intriguing history, imposing landmarks and the treasured streets of UNESCO praised Old Quebec. Relax at Parisian-style bistros and modern art exhibitions or choose to partake in thrilling alfresco pursuits. Delve deep into nature to kayak through a fjord, walk the width of Montmorency Falls, zipline, paddleboard, surf and mountain bike in tranquil settings. Home to capital Montréal and an incredibly friendly nation, there’s something for everyone in this mostly French speaking region.