Share intimate adventures in Northern Europe with our carefully curated small group tours. Each journey is led by our hand-selected travel experts, featuring carbon offset initiatives, best price guarantees, and premium tour selections.
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Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
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1 day32 days
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USD 77USD 34,550
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11 Small Group Trips in Northern Europe with 7 Reviews
While I don’t really think anyone should be setting foot on this pristine wilderness, the planning and management of the sailing and Zodiac experiences raised customers’ consciousness of the potential damage. We were expected to walk in each other’s footprints to avoid damage to the fragile plants and soils, but in reality the terrain, and some of the attitudes, made this very difficult. It was sad to see tiny saxifrage plants ground into mud, aged lichens kicked off rocks. Even sea ice must be damaged by the ship. We did learn a lot about the environment and the ship seemed better suited than others.
But should anyone be going for fun and exacerbating the climate related destruction?
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The captain and expedition team really pushed the limits to ensure that we visited as many interesting places as possible and saw a wide range of scenery and ecosystems. The crew were very friendly and helpful, and the expedition team was extremely knowledgeable and experienced in both the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship was very comfortable with a fantastic library and other good facilities, and our cabin was wonderful - peaceful, comfortable and beautifully furnished.
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland - M/V Greg Mortimer GREENLAND, SPITSBERGEN- TRIP CODE GMGI
August 2024
We joined the Greg Mortimer in Svalbard having spent the night in a hotel in Longyearbyen. The ship is modern, clean and bright. Our cabin was on the 6th deck with a balcony accessed by a sliding door with room to sit out so long as we put enough clothes on. It had ample storage space, a wonderful en-suite with a heated floor, sheer luxury! All types of plug were catered for so recharging batteries was easy. The first 3 days were spent round Svalbard looking at the wildlife and scenery. Leaving the ship on the zodiacs was very easy and well thought out. We ended up wearing 5 layers to stay warm. Sitting in the zodiac for a couple of hours could get very cold with out the right gear. The ship itself is well appointed with plenty of observation space, both indoor and outdoor. The lecture theatre is excellent and, if you don’t want to attend, you can watch the proceedings from your cabin on the TV.
The food was very good, Buffet style lunches and a good menu in the evenings.
Crossing the Greenland Sea on the 4th day was a little rough but the ship has stabilisers which worked well. There was a noticeable lack of people in the dining room on the first night though.
Reaching Greenland, the itinerary was adjusted based on the weather and conditions. Each day we generally had two zodiac trips with landings when we could. The supplied Wellington Boots were comfortable and warm although we did supplement them with a thermal sole insert and two pairs of socks.
The landscape is fantastic with towering cliffs and glaciers coming down to the sea. The scale is hard to describe as there is not much to compare it with but some mountains like the Devil’s Castle loom over the ship at some 1100m. Very impressive. Each day was at a different site with the ship moving overnight.
We did get to see a couple of Polar Bears, seals, walruses, musk ox and plenty of birds.
All in all, a wonderful trip full of fantastic scenery and wildlife on a comfortable ship designed for the job. The crew were excellent and always helpful as were the very knowledgeable Expedition staff.
If you want to see a mostly untouched wilderness with stunning views and wildlife, we can recommend this trip.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Set sail for adventure across the Arctic’s most legendary regions on the 'Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland - M/V Sylvia Earle' tour. This 13-day polar expedition begins in Oslo and ends in Reykjavik, guiding experienced travelers through the untamed wilds of Spitsbergen, Greenland’s remote east coast, and Iceland’s mystical landscapes.
Witness polar bears along Spitsbergen’s migration routes, attend expert-led lectures on Arctic ecology, and stand in awe of Greenland’s massive icecap and granite spires that soar over fjords. The trip also offers chances to connect with local Inuit communities and savor their warm hospitality. Sailing into Iceland, you’ll find a dramatic finale in the land of fire and ice.
The USP of this journey is its rare combination of three Arctic realms in a single voyage, offering a comprehensive exploration of the north’s most captivating highlights. For travelers who yearn for wilderness, wildlife, and cultural encounters, this tour package promises unparalleled variety and adventure.
Polar bestsellers
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Oslo, Reykjavik, Eastern Greenla
Oslo, Reykjavik, Eastern Greenland, Denmark Strait, Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen
Experience a celestial phenomenon few ever witness on the "Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland Solar Eclipse Departure - M/V Greg Mortimer" cruise. This 15-day relaxed polar expedition sails from Oslo to Reykjavik, taking you through Svalbard’s wildlife-rich pack ice, East Greenland’s vast fjords, and the rugged beauty of Iceland. The highlight is an exclusive opportunity to observe a solar eclipse in Greenland, guided by former NASA astronaut Dr. Sandra H. Magnus, who offers captivating lectures linking space exploration and the polar world. With all logistics managed, this tour package’s unique advantage is its rare blend of Arctic exploration and cosmic wonder, making it truly once-in-a-lifetime for inquisitive, comfort-seeking adventurers.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Oslo, Ittoqqortoormiit, East Fjo
Oslo, Ittoqqortoormiit, East Fjord, Denmark Strait, Reykjavik, Spitsbergen, Greenland Sea, Jan Mayen
Iceland is a remote volcanic island, with mind-blowing landscapes and fascinating culture. With most of the country uninhabited, much of Iceland's terrain consists of plateaux, mountain peaks and fertile lowlands. The landscape is characterised by volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, geysers and geothermal hot springs, all accompanied by black sand beaches, bubbling mud pools and lava fields. Enjoy dramatic deep fjords, ideal for Zodiac cruising and some of the largest glaciers in Europe, whilst soaking up the abundance of birdlife. A circumnavigation of Iceland, is an experience not to be missed.
Keep watch for blow holes, breaching and tail flukes - as we spot whales in Húsavik
Westfjords offer some of the remotest fjords, bays and pristine environments in Iceland - perfect
for kayaking, hiking and bird-watching
Visit Vatnajökull National Park - featuring Europe's largest glacier, glacial lagoons, colourful mountains and rich wildlife
CruisePolar bestsellers
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Experience unparalleled adventure and discovery on this ultimate Antarctic voyage. Be transported to enthralling subantarctic islands, rich with human history and unique wildlife. Then venture into the deep south of the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the coveted Antarctic Circle. Zodiac-cruise in vast ice-covered landscapes, visit lively penguin colonies, watch for whales and discover the rich history of this fascinating region.
Step ashore on the Antarctic continent - to unforgettable vistas, bustling penguins and curious seals
Raise a glass - as you cross the Antarctic Circle
Zodiac through glassy waters - gaze at the iridescent blues of gleaming icebergs
Stand in awe - at the world's largest king penguin rookeries
Hike along pebble beaches and climb tussock steps - with unexpected wildlife encounters at every turn
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Few journeys can rival the allure of the Arctic in autumn, and the "Arctic Golden Autumn & Northern Lights - M/V Sylvia Earle" tour is crafted for those who crave both comfort and discovery. Spanning 17 days from Reykjavik to Tromsø, this relaxed expedition cruise leads you from Iceland’s dramatic waterfalls to the untouched wilds of Jan Mayen and Svalbard—where polar bears and glaciers await. Experience the golden hues of Arctic autumn, visit charming Vigur Island to witness the traditional eiderdown harvest, and soak up the culture of Ísafjörður. As you venture north, stand beneath the shimmering Aurora Borealis in Norway’s North Cape and Tromsø, a truly magical phenomenon. This trip’s unique selling point lies in its opportunity to combine dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife—from walrus to puffins—and the bucket-list wonder of the Northern Lights, all arranged with seamless comfort for discerning explorers.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Reykjavik, Svalbard, Bear Island
Reykjavik, Svalbard, Bear Island, North Cape, Tromso, Westfjords, Isafjordur, Jan Mayen
Sail from Spitsbergen to Greenland, following the ice's edge always on the lookout for wildlife. Navigating south, explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and by Zodiac inflatable boat. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south, finally ending in the Land of Ice and Fire - Iceland. Inuit villages, unique wildlife and remote destinations are some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage through the Arctic.
Enjoy contrasting landscapes - of Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland
True wilderness - explore the immense grandeur of remote eastern Greenland
Discover the dramatic beauty of Scoresbysund Fjord - the largest fjord system in the world
En route to the Land of Fire and Ice - cruise in the company of soaring fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
From close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers to the region's plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights. Always on the lookout for wildlife that live in this polar wilderness, you'll explore this landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via Zodiac. Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds all co-exist in this harsh land that we only explore for a few months of the year.
Search for polar bears - the King of the Arctic is often seen patrolling the ice in search of food
See an intoxicating mix of wildlife - walruses, Arctic foxes, seals and sea birds
Discover deep fjords - enjoy ice blue glaciers & sculpted icebergs
Travel with expert naturalist guides - who will explain all about the wonders of the Arctic
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
