See the Eclipse in the Faroes & the Northern Lights in Iceland

  • October 2, 2013
See the Eclipse in the Faroes & the Northern Lights in Iceland
The total eclipse of March 20, 2015, will be no different. A special solar eclipse tour from The Great Canadian Travel Company will visit one of only two locations on the planet that are suitable for land-based viewing: the Faroe Islands, a small cluster of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

At 62 degrees north latitude, in the heart of the Gulf Stream, the Faroes are virtually unknown to North Americans. Lying halfway between Iceland and Norway, this archipelago boasts towering volcanic mountains, gushing waterfalls that cascade directly into the sea, paintbox houses, a shimmering quality of light, and only 50,000 inhabitants.

The Faroe islanders, who make their living mainly from fishing and raising sheep, welcome visitors with warm hospitality and a proud sense of their unique history. Local experts have helped choose the ideal viewing site to experience the 2 minutes and 9 seconds of totality on March 20.

Faroes at Night

The solar eclipse adventure will also explore neighboring Iceland. In addition to discovering rugged wilderness areas dotted with geysers and waterfalls, tour members will have a good chance to view the surreal light show of the aurora borealis, thanks to Iceland's orientation to the auroral oval (which extends to the Faroes as well).

The 11-day/10-night Faroe Islands Total Solar Eclipse program is priced at $7110 per person, double occupancy. The price includes round trip air between Reykjavik, Iceland and the Faroe islands; the services of a trip leader and eclipse astronomer; all accommodations; most meals; all ground transportation and sightseeing tours in the Faroes and Iceland; travel insurance; a variety of eclipse-related materials including viewing glasses and sourcebook, and more. The single price is $8710. Dates are March 17-27, 2015.

A shorter eclipse tour which visits only the Faroe Islands is priced at $3810 double and $4610 single. Dates for this program are March 17-21, 2015.

Reservations and additional information available from The Great Canadian Travel Company, 800-661-3830, www.greatcanadiantravel.com.

Photo credit: Dick Griffith