From the green land of Scotland to Iceland, the island of fire and ice, this voyage aboard the new superb expedition cruises ship Vega, which accommodates only 152 guests, combines Scotland’s lush isles of the Orkneys and Shetlands, and the remote Faroe archipelago, which is part of Denmark, with the awesome natural beauty of Iceland.

Traveling the ancient Silk Road connecting East and West, encounter a mélange of culture and religion, art and architecture.  On this exciting 17-day small group journey, relish the exotic – embracing the humanity shared with the welcoming people of Central Asia.  Discover the showpiece Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, and explore the UNESCO archaeological sites of Nisa and Kunya-Urgench.  A tour of Khiva’s “inner city,” another UNESCO site, uncovers this Uzbek city’s storied past.  In ancient Buhkara, watch silk weavers at work and enjoy a traditional meal in a Sufi miniaturi

Leisurely and comprehensive, this 16-day small group tour provides a generous overview of four fascinating Eastern European nations. The journey begins in Poland’s capital, Warsaw, where sightseeing includes the faithfully rebuilt Old Town and moving visits to the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. Next is historic Krakow with its celebrated medieval Old Town, and touring of the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a virtual underground city carved from salt.