Iceland & Greenland: 50 Countries Later, This Adventure Still Surprised Me

lisa84346

Oct 19

5 min read

Helicopter landings, polar bears, Northern Lights and an unforgettable adventure through Iceland and Greenland.

I've travelled to more than 50 countries, explored some of the world's most extraordinary destinations, and collected more passport stamps than I can count. But every once in a while, a trip comes along that reminds me why I fell in love with travel in the first place.

Iceland and Greenland were exactly that kind of adventure.

Where else can you stand on a remote section of the Greenland Ice Sheet that permits only 400 visitors annually, watch a polar bear and her cub in the wild, fly over spectacular fjords, and see the Northern Lights almost every night?

And that was only part of the experience.

In late August, Roland and I set off on a journey combining an Icelandic road trip with a 14-day expedition to South Greenland aboard Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine.

Two very different destinations, and one unforgettable adventure.

Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice

Our journey began in Iceland, where we rented an SUV and headed out to explore the spectacular south coast.

Iceland is a photographer's dream. Towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, moss-covered lava fields, volcanic mountains and enormous glaciers. The scenery changes constantly, and around practically every corner there's another reason to stop and take photographs.

Our route took us through Vík, a small coastal village surrounded by dramatic cliffs and volcanic landscapes, before continuing east toward Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

This region is particularly spectacular. Massive glaciers descend from the mountains, while enormous icebergs break away and float through the lagoon toward the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, Diamond Beach is famous for its beautiful pieces of glacier ice scattered across the black volcanic sand.

We also explored Iceland's famous Golden Circle, known for its geothermal activity, waterfalls and fascinating geology. Þingvellir National Park is interesting because it lies along the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

What I loved most about Iceland was the freedom to explore at our own pace. Travelling independently allowed us to stop wherever something caught our attention and appreciate the extraordinary landscapes without feeling rushed.

After our road trip, we returned to Reykjavík, ready for an entirely different kind of adventure.

Greenland Expedition: A Different Way to Explore the World August 30 - September 11, 2026

Greenland had been on my travel wish list for some time, and I was particularly excited about experiencing my first expedition cruise.

I'm not a large cruise ship traveller, so having just 168 passengers aboard Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine was ideal. The ship offered a wonderful combination of comfort, adventure and a more intimate atmosphere.

What surprised me most was just how active and immersive the experience was.

Quark offered two to three excursions daily, with opportunities for kayaking, Zodiac cruising, hiking, walking and exploring on land, helicopter adventures and visits to remote Greenlandic communities.

Between excursions, we could attend fascinating educational sessions led by the expedition team.

Unlike traditional cruising, activities are determined by weather, ice and sea conditions, so every day offers something different.

For someone who loves exploring, learning and experiencing destinations beyond the typical tourist trail, this was exactly my kind of travel.

Three Helicopter Adventures I'll Never Forget

One of the reasons I chose Ultramarine was its two onboard helicopters, which allow guests to explore Greenland from an entirely different perspective.

We enjoyed three extraordinary helicopter excursions.

The first was a scenic flight over Greenland's enormous fjords and mountains. Another took us high above a fjord, where we landed and enjoyed a remote hiking experience.

But perhaps the most remarkable was landing on the Greenland Ice Sheet.

The particular Ice Sheet landing location we visited permits only 400 visitors per year.

Standing on that immense expanse of ice, surrounded by a seemingly endless white landscape, was surreal. Knowing how few people have the opportunity to experience this particular location made it even more special.

After visiting so many places around the world, it's these kinds of experiences that still leave me amazed.

Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes and Northern Lights

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed in the Arctic, which makes them all the more exciting.

One of our most memorable moments was spotting a polar bear with her cub while we were aboard the ship. We also encountered an Arctic fox while hiking.

And then there were the Northern Lights.

We were incredibly fortunate to see the aurora almost every night. Watching the lights dance across the Arctic sky never got old, no matter how many times we saw them.

Greenland certainly delivered more than we could have imagined.

Exploring Greenland Beyond the Scenery

We enjoyed Zodiac excursions every day, navigating through fjords and among icebergs, surrounded by some of the most spectacular landscapes I've ever seen.

But some of my favourite experiences weren't just about the scenery.

They were about the people.

We visited remote Greenlandic communities, learning about their culture and daily life in such an isolated environment.

In one community, we even joined the locals for a game of soccer!

I loved that.

These authentic interactions are often the travel memories that stay with me the longest. They remind me that travel isn't just about seeing beautiful places. It's also about connecting with people and understanding different ways of life.

What Made Quark Expeditions So Exceptional

One of the biggest highlights of our journey was Quark's expedition team.

The guides, naturalists, specialists and helicopter pilots all had incredibly impressive professional backgrounds and extensive experience. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism were outstanding.

The educational presentations were equally impressive, covering Arctic wildlife, geology, glaciers, history and life in Greenland.

I found these sessions fascinating. Learning about the very landscapes, wildlife and communities we were exploring added another dimension to the entire experience.

It was also reassuring to see the level of expertise involved in everything from helicopter operations to Zodiac excursions and guided hikes.

The expedition team made an already extraordinary destination even more memorable.

My First Expedition, But Definitely Not My Last

After more than 50 countries and countless travel experiences, I still love discovering places that genuinely surprise me.

Iceland gave us the freedom of an adventurous road trip through incredible volcanic and glacial landscapes.

Greenland offered something entirely different: helicopter adventures, remote wilderness, wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences and the opportunity to explore places that very few travellers ever reach.

As a Virtuoso Luxury Travel Advisor, experiencing destinations and different styles of travel firsthand is invaluable. It allows me to share insights and recommendations based on personal experience rather than simply a brochure.

And Quark Expeditions certainly exceeded my expectations.

This was my first expedition cruise, but it absolutely won't be my last.

In fact, I'm already planning our next expedition adventure, and you're welcome to join us!

If Iceland, Greenland or expedition cruising has been on your travel wish list, I'd love to share my experiences and help you discover what makes these journeys so extraordinary.

Matera Luxury Travel Co.

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The following video was produced by Quark Expeditions' onboard professional photographer during our voyage.