Grundarfjordur

Grundarfjordur is a small town in the west of Iceland, which is located between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans.

Grundarfjordur itself is built up around the harbour and surrounded by exceptionally beautiful mountains.

The main attraction is the Snæfellsjokull National Park with its majestic glacier and incredible landscape of lava fields, waterfalls, caves, calderas and basalt cliffs.

Take a guided walking tour through the town, to learn about Icelandic life, culture and customs, past and present.

Discover Breidafjordur Bay on a cruise with its islets, extraordinary bird and marine life which includes puffins, kittiwakes, sea eagles, gray seals, porpoises and minke whales.

Take a guided tour of Bjarnarhöfn Shark Farm to learn about the traditional process of preparing shark meat, which involves allowing the meat to rot for months and air-cure so that it can become hákarl, a famous Icelandic delicacy dating back 400 years. Taste some hákarl, if you dare and wash it down with the local schnapps, Brennivin.

Helgafell, "the holy mountain", is a rocky, 240ft high mound whose summit once held a temple dedicated to Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. Today, a parsonage dating back to 1904 resides at base of this mountain.

Horse riding, hiking trails and fishing are some of the activities on offer in the area.

Local souvenirs include woollen goods such as mittens and jumpers, glassware, jewellery and handmade ceramics.

Fresh fish and seafood, especially haddock, plaice, halibut, herring, lobster and shrimp are eaten regularly by locals.

Depending on size, ships may either berth alongside the quay, or anchor in the fjord and tender passengers ashore.

Locals in traditional costumes are on hand to greet passengers as they arrive and show them to the nearby Heritage Centre.