CP Travel Ambassador Holly Richardson Explores Iceland With Azamara

Iceland is known the world over for its famous lagoons and beautiful waterfalls and CP Travel Ambassador Holly Richardson got a chance to explore aboard Azamara Pursuit.

What specific cities and /or countries did you visit? Iceland

What was your favorite memory from this trip? Gudafoss Waterfall outside Akureyri at sunset.

Top excursions and landmarks/sites to visit: Icelandic horses, Golden Circle tour, whale watching

Were there any standout restaurants or foodie must-haves on this trip? We went to a small fishing village outside Isofjordur and sampled fresh caught salmon, cod and dried haddock. Delicious!

How would you describe the people and culture of this destination? Any interesting cultural lessons? So very friendly, and so proud to show off their country. A highlight was two little girls in the fishing village selling homemade crafts.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about this destination? I expected it to be stark, grey, almost moonscape-like. It's beauty is stunning.

Top 5 Tips and recommendations for this trip:

• Dress in layers. We were there in August, and had many sunny days. But it was cold.
• Engage the people in conversation; they are charming.
• This is a country for excursions if you are on a cruise; most small ports have little to do.
• You don't need a lot of local currency (Icelandic krona). Credit cards are accepted everywhere, even restrooms.
• If flying out of Reykavik, get to the airport early. They ask a lot of security questions of every passenger.

Did you travel via cruise ship? If so, please describe the experience and some of the standout features that you were excited about. Yes, I was on the Azamara Pursuit, a maximum 700 passenger vessel. It can get places where the big ships cannot, and it stays longer with more overnights than any other cruise line. On this 9-day cruise, we had 2 overnights, one in Akureyri and one in Reykavik, allowing more time to experience the ports. Also, they held a Destination Celebration (temporarily replacing their Azamazing Evenings) by bringing a local well-known Icelandic singer/violinist onboard to entertain. Finally, their crew and service are the “secret sauce of the Azamara brand. They are unmatched.

What makes this destination a must-see in your opinion? Iceland is an enigma. I have always thought of it as barren and desolate. While there are miles and miles of untouched land, it anything but desolate. Its waterfalls, creeks and streams, fjords and mountains, wildlife and stunning natural beauty make it a fascinating destination for anyone.

Additional thoughts and insights? I highly recommend an Azamara cruise for an in depth visit to any country. They have many country intensive voyages all over the world. It was great visiting Iceland for 9 days from the comfort of a cruise ship, unpacking once and being pampered by their amazing crew every day.

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