Compare The Grand Ribing Expedition by Ribingreece Expeditions vs Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland Adventure by World Expeditions
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Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 12 days | 14 days |
Price From | $ 3,900 | $ 23,895 |
Price Per Day | $ 325 | $ 1,707 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small ship cruise |
Lodging Level | Premium | Basic |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
11 breakfasts and 1 Lunch |
N/A |
Description |
The Grand Ribing Expedition is a one of a kind trip by RIB boats including nine different islands of the magnificent Aegean sea, plus three days accommodation in Athens. Experience the variation between adrenaline on our RIB boats, and relaxing at the hotel at the end of each day. During our expedition, we will travel a total of 350nm, explore the picturesque coastline of the islands, swim at the crystal clear waters of the Aegean sea, meet the local people. Conquer the waves, swim at the most beautiful beaches and bays, visit extraordinary sites, taste unique Mediterranean dishes, and for those of you who are up to it, get a taste of the famous Cyclades nightlife.This expedition has it all. |
Voyage from Spitsbergen and cruise the magnificent east coast of Greenland before concluding our trip in Iceland |
Day 1
Arrival at Athens. Free day to visit the picturesque backstreets of Plaka and the Historical center of Athens.
Day 2
Free day in Athens. A visit to Acropolis or the Archaeological museum of Athens is a must. Early in the evening we will be having our welcome drink. Your Expedition has just began by getting to know the Skippers who will fill in the details and discuss with you every issue you may have in mind.
Day 3
Hide your watches, you won't be needing them for the next nine days! Grab your cameras instead! Transfer to the boats, embarking, on route to Mykonos with a stop at Kythnos for swimming. The famous nightlife of Mykonos is something you should definitely experience. Since we will probably return to the hotel early in the morning (!), another day in the island is in the program.
Day 4
Free day to explore the island and visit the local stores.
Day 5
Cruising to Koufonisia with a stop at a secret beach for swimming and at Paros for lunch. Accommodation at Koufonisia. Time and space have a whole different meaning here.
Day 6
Cruising to Santorini. Stop for swimming at the Caldera. The rich in sulfur water will allow us to relax after a 30 nm cruise! Accommodation at Santorini.
Day 7
Free day. The picturesque villages of the island are waiting for you. Accommodation at Santorini.
Day 8
Cruising to Folegandros, stop for swimming. Accommodation at Folegandros. You will be amazed by the beauty of the ""Chora"".
Day 9
Cruising to Sifnos, with a stop at Kimolos for swimming. Another different landscape. Accommodation at Sifnos.
Day 10
Cruising to Hydra. Accommodation at Hydra. Our last night at sea. We will celebrate accordingly, at the best tavern and bar.
Day 11
Cruising to Athens with a stop at Aegina for swimming and Lunch. Accommodation at Athens.
Day 12
Departure from Athens.
Day 1 Arrive in Longyearbyen and overnight hotel
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. Once underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in endless evening light as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden, one of the largest fjords in Svalbard.
meals : Array
Day 2 In Longyearbyen and embark the Sea Spirit in the afternoon
Today you have a flight to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. Once underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in endless evening light as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden, one of the largest fjords in Svalbard.
meals : B,D
Day 3 Northwest coast of Spitsbergen
Svalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic. We anticipate exploring in the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.
meals : B,L,D
Day 6 Cross the Greenland Sea and approaching East Greenland
From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as whales, seals, and the majestic polar bear. As we head south, darker nights create a high possibility of seeing aurora borealis.
meals : B,L,D
Day 8 Exploration of East Greenland
This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. Again you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park. Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. We anticipate exploring these fjord systems to the extent made possible by ever-changing ice conditions. This whole area contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape—vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hikers’ paradise. Throughout this area we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. The Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit is the only permanent settlement in the region. The community boasts an excellent museum, a gift shop, a post office, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and of course the opportunity to meet Inuit people. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Each night brings new possibilities for incredible displays of aurora borealis—the Northern Lights. This is the perfect time and one of the world’s best places to experience this otherworldly celestial phenomenon.
meals : B,L,D
Day 12 Denmark Strait
After our amazing time in East Greenland we cross the Denmark Strait toward Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
meals : B,L,D
Day 13 Westfjords, Iceland
Our last expedition day is spent in the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.
meals : B,L,D
Day 14 Disembark in Rekyjavik
After breakfast we say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition. We provide a transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend another day or more in Iceland before flying home. Reykjavík is home to a wealth of cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Leisure possibilities inside the city include parks, gardens, and thermal baths. You can also take advantage of Reykjavík’s wide range of shopping possibilities, excellent dining options, and famous nightlife. And of course the entire country of Iceland is accessible through day tours or longer journeys by rental car. The options for additional adventures are endless! NB* Itinerary is a guide only. Itinerary is subject to ice and weather conditions.
meals : B