Amy's blog posts

Iceland small-ship exploration

What better way to see the best of Iceland than to do a full circumnavigation tour? During this small-ship exploration cruise, you’ll start and end in Reykjavik so you’ll have the opportunity to spend plenty of time in this small, yet bustling capital city.

There are also all the incredible natural highlights along the way. You’ll see the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is known as ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to its diverse landscapes. There will be a visit to the spot where the Arctic Circle crosses Iceland, and you’ll enjoy locations that are known for their immense wildlife watching opportunities.

Of course, the beauty of a small-ship cruise is the personal touches, so we’ve left plenty of time for you to add your own bucket list moments. Talk to our Artisan Travel Experts at the time of booking to hear from the long list of experiences waiting to be had during your holiday.

View our small-ship exploration cruise in Iceland here.

Iceland and Greenland cruise

If natural wonders pique your interest then we also offer a combined cruise of Iceland and Greenland to show off the best of both countries. There will be free time to explore Reykjavik before and after embarking on this epic cruise that takes you to see ice fjords, remote towns and dramatic landscapes.

As the world’s largest island, it’s no surprise that Greenland has so much to offer. Combine this with the stunning natural features and the welcoming capital city of Iceland and you have holiday-of-a-lifetime potential.

View our natural wonders cruise in Iceland and Greenland here.

On board the MS Ocean Diamond

Just the travel onboard this modern vessel makes for a standout holiday – it is almost certainly unlike any other cruise you may have been on before.

The MS Ocean Diamond has been specifically designed for the Arctic, with ice-strengthened hull and stabilisers making her an ideal vessel for your exploration.

Though built-for-purpose, there is no compromise on comfort, with an experienced crew and excellent onboard facilities. There are various observation areas, ideal for those wanting to see the incredible natural wonders as you come into port as well as the opportunity to spot some of the fantastic marine life in the waters.

Back inside the ship, enjoy the facilities as you travel. Pick up some souvenirs at the shop, head to the Polar library to choose a DVD or book or enjoy the wellness programmes on offer including yoga, massage therapy and aromatherapy treatments. You can also find out more about the surrounding area during scheduled talks by local experts.

Tailor your small-ship cruise itinerary in Iceland

With so much to see and do, we want to ensure you explore at your own pace. That’s why we’ve left plenty of time for you to fill up with the activities that suit you.

From walking over glaciers, whale watching, hiking, jeep tours and kayaking – however you like to explore, we have an array of activities to help you tailor your holiday.

If you have any questions about any of the activities, talk to one of our Artisan Travel Experts who would be happy to share their first-hand knowledge in order to help you to find the experiences that suit you best. Call today on 01670 785 085 or contact us here.

• Staying up all night under the Midnight Sun in Norway
• Powder snowmobiling from Harriniva
• Enjoying a smoke sauna at Hotel Jeris
• Snorkelling in the world’s clearest water in Iceland
• Exploring the insanely special ICEHOTEL
• Witnessing the volcanic landscape of the incredible Azores

Spend a weekend sailing the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

There are few better places to spend a weekend than sailing along the peaceful and piercing blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Admire the sights of the Dalmatian Coast and explore some of the greenest islands in the area. From Mljet, with its stories of Greek Mythology, rich history and unbelievable natural wonders to the Elaphiti Islands with its secluded bays and calm waters perfect for snorkelling and paddle boarding.

View our Adventure Sailing Weekend holiday here.

See Croatia’s highlights by land and sea

It can be difficult to decide whether you want to spend your time relaxing on a small-ship cruise or walking around historic cities and staying in brilliant hotels. With this trip, you get both as you’ll spend three nights on mainland Croatia and the remaining seven cruising the Adriatic and exploring its many islands.

You’ll travel to unmissable locations such as the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Dubrovnik and many more during this highlight tour.

View our Croatia Highlights by Land and Sea here.

Explore the Elaphiti Islands, Croatia

The Elaphiti Islands are situated close to Dubrovnik but feel worlds away from the bustling city. To fully soak up island life, this trip includes a small-ship cruise along with a stay in a stunning traditional guesthouse on Šipan Island.

Along the way, you’ll cycle, hike, kayak and have plenty of free time to explore wonderful areas such as the Pelješac Peninsula and Lopud.

View our Elaphiti Islands Active Adventure here.

Cruise to the enchanting islands and ancient cities of Croatia

Croatia is such a superb mix of paradisiacal islands and inviting cities shrouded in history that it would be a shame to visit and not see the best of both.

During this small-ship cruise, you’ll start by visiting the cultural hotspot of Dubrovnik before sailing to a hidden port on the secluded island of Mljet. The rest of the trip will see you sail between bustling locations such as Split to natural beauties including the Elaphiti Archipelago.

View our cruise the Islands and Cities of the Dalmatian Coast holiday here.

Small-ship cruises in Croatia with Artisan Travel

Croatia’s coastline with its historic towns, dozens of islands and small bays surrounded by bright blue waters is designed for cruising. Having visited many times, we’ve discovered that some of the best locations can’t be accessed by large vessels - that’s why we’ve carefully created our collection of small-ship cruises in Croatia. They give you a personal approach to visiting this unbelievable part of the world, allowing you travel to see as much of it as you can, without having to unpack every night.

View our small-ship cruise holidays in Croatia here or call our Artisan Travel Experts on 01670 785 085

Image credits: Huck Finn Adventure Travel and Gulliver's Travel

I am due to travel after the transition period ends, will it go ahead?

Regardless of the outcome of the transitional negotiations, the European Commission has stated that no aircraft will be grounded as a result of the changes and we do not foresee any impact on your holiday plans.

However, should any circumstances beyond our control mean you cannot travel as a result of Brexit (unless related to passport validity issues), you will receive a refund of all monies paid to us should no suitable alternative be available. Any package holiday booked with a UK operator will offer you this protection under the Package Travel Regulations. No additional compensation would be payable in this situation, but you can be sure you will get your money back.

This highlights the importance of booking with a fully bonded Tour Operator such as The Aurora Zone which means that you are fully protected financially by ATOL and ABTA.

If you book flights, hotels or other services directly with suppliers then it is unlikely that you will be covered financially.

Will my passport still work?

For travel between the 31^st January and the 31^st December 2020, your passport simply needs to be valid for the duration of your trip.

For those travelling post December 2020, it is likely that you will need six months left on your passport from the date of your arrival in the EU country (and any additional months added to your passport as a result of early renewal will not count towards this six month period). Full guidance is provided here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Will I need a visa to travel to Europe?

For travel between the 31st January and 31^st December 2020, the rules will not change, and British Passport holders will not need a visa to visit Europe.

Beyond that then initial proposals suggest that UK citizens will not need a visa for any stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The European Commission has stated that from 2021, all non-EU citizens will need to pay a fee (of around €7) every three years for this visa exemption as part of a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System similar to the US ESTA regime.

Where can I find out more?

ABTA has put together some helpful information on Brexit that can be found here. Or you can contact us on 01670 785 012 if you have any concerns.

Image Credits: Huck Finn Adventure Travel

Terms and Conditions

*Brexit Price Guarantee Terms: Once your 2019/20 or 20/21 booking has been confirmed by us, we won’t apply any surcharges caused by Brexit to your holiday, even if our costs increase due to Brexit. Normal charges apply if you amend or cancel your booking. Guarantee only applies to the basic holiday cost and does not include optional upgrades or ‘personalise’ items. Guarantee can be withdrawn/altered at any time without notice (this will not affect bookings already confirmed). Flight supplements may still apply if they cannot be secured at the time of booking for any reason.