Journey with Jeff to Greenland.
A Silversea Expedition, where Luxury meets Exploration.
If you’ve been following me on social media, you know I embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Greenland. And if you know me personally, you probably also know that I gravitate toward sunshine, 5-star hotels, and of course champagne.
“Adventure travel & arctic temperatures were never at the top of my wish list…that is until now.”
—Jeff
In 2018, Silversea unveiled their expedition ship Silver Wind. They took the vessel up a notch — literally — in November 2021 with a full refurbish that prepared her to power through ice blocks and navigate polar regions in Antarctica.
That’s where I came in. As a luxury-hunter, I’m on a constant quest to find relaxing adventures for clients seeking unparalleled experiences. In my search, I find that I too, often need a reminder of why I travel . . . to reboot my body and awaken my soul.
It didn’t take long. As I exited the airport in Reykjavik, the fresh air immediately reset my metabolism with a new energy I hadn’t felt in years. Here I was in Iceland with a willingness to discover culture and 21 hours of daylight to make it happen.
First stop, the Hilton Nordica in central Reykjavik. I added in this Icelandic pre-cruise extension to maximize the trip. The stylish hotel is one of the city's most popular accommodations, and of course, it comes with all the comfort and amenities you’d expect from this reliable brand.
Within hours of my arrival, I started my health ritual with a workout, followed by a visit to the sauna, then a geothermal soak, and finally a cold-water plunge. My spa team shared the healing benefits of hot/cold therapy, not to mention it was the ultimate jet lag cure after a long flight.
I was in Icelandic Heaven.
The hotel’s central location served as my base to explore the capital and Iceland's unspoiled landscapes, enjoying everything from the famed Harpa Concert Hall and the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, to the natural beauty and barrenness of the land.
Full disclosure: I’m a big fan of the reality show, “The Bachelor,” so of course I was thrilled to visit the location of the season finale. The star of this 26th season was the bachelor himself, Clayton Ray Echard . . . hang with me here . . . So Clayton dumped both bachelorettes Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia right there at the Hilton where I was staying.
Naturally, it only made sense that I follow the route of their romantic rose ceremony to the Harpan Concert Hall. My “sources” (sorry, I refuse to reveal them!) gave me the inside scoop of this drama-fueled episode that gave me yet another reason to love Iceland.
But even those who don’t watch the Bachelor (I dare to ask, “why not?”) still have plenty to write home about. Shopping is on point, with a string of boutiques that will gear you up for sightseeing volcanoes, polar bears, puffins, whales, and the shaggy Icelandic horses that will make a bald man swoon.
On the outskirts of the city were volcanic mountain ranges back-dropped by iron-like lava flows, smoldering hot springs, and icy-blue waters. In contrast with the frozen horizons were Viking landmarks and impressive architecture known for their belated modernization in a look I can only describe as Nordic-meets-I.M Pei.
I was humbled by the kindness of the Icelanders.
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed locals were, as they say, beautiful both inside and out. The frost on the iceberg was the cuisine, which I could go on and on about, but let’s just whet your appetite with the fresh seafood and the coffee that automatically tastes better when consumed in Nordic regions.
Just days into my journey, I had already explored the purity of Iceland and the solitude of the Arctic. I felt refreshed, invigorated, healthy, open, and ready for the expansive, dramatic, enticing adventure that awaited. My crossing from Iceland to Greenland was a smooth ride. The seas were flat, the skies clear, and the temperatures in the mid 50’s.
My luxury cruise began with a personal fitting of Silversea’s Expedition gear including a parka which passengers get to keep. We were briefed on what to expect on both zodiacs and kayaks, regardless of our adventure level. Following several lectures about the Vikings and Nordic history, we were treated to a champagne-fueled captain’s reception and a six-course course dinner at La Terrazza — the elegant onboard Italian restaurant.
Of all the passengers, I was selected to join the first kayaking group through Skjoldungen Fjord. Whale-watching was on the agenda, as we boarded the zodiacs with our expedition guide at the helm.
Enroute to the U-shaped Fjord, I was mesmerized by the narrow waterways bordered by rugged peaks, rock walls, and serpentine rivers. This seldom-visited east coast looked like something straight out of National Geographic, with its towering mountains topped with sculpted icebergs in shades of white and blue.
It was simply majestic.
And then it happened, that moment when you realize the magnificence of your surroundings and the smallness of yourself. From the beauty of nature to the pampering onboard, I went back to my Silversea suite for another dose of “me time.” I quickly changed out of my dry suit and into my swimsuit for a relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi tub on Deck 8.
My butler delivered me a cappuccino poolside just the way I like it — half-caff, half-decaff with foam in the shape of a leaf. The service has been flawless, and naturally I’ve taken full advantage of every minute. As we sailed past a small town of 100 Inuit (meaning "people" — it’s no longer politically correct to use the term “Eskimo”), passengers had the option to stay onboard or travel by zodiac to the local coffee shop.
Unlike most passengers, I chose to stay onboard and maximize the service of the now less-busy 250-member crew catering to my every wish. With so many other guests onshore, the staff made sure I had the onboard boutique to myself. The racks and shelves were full of all types of adventure clothing and gear, so of course I went shopping.
On Silversea, heaven is open 24 hours. By day, I’ve treated myself to poolside lunches like chef-inspired bouillabaisse with a glass of French Rosé wine — all wrapped in a cloud of invigorating fresh air. It left me sleeping like a baby beluga, or is it a minke? Whatever the case, nature had a way of doing that, by soothing, healing, and putting my senses back into order.
With Silversea at the helm, it was as if the ship & Greenland stacked hands on my inner transformation.
Between all the adventure and pampering, something extraordinary happened midway into my journey . . . Greenland’s classroom came to life. I found myself anxiously awaiting the daily briefings, history lectures, and evening recaps. This wasn’t like me. Generally, I’m the guy who wakes up with cappuccino and spa treatments on my mind. But remarkably, Silversea tapped into my inner-explorer by rattling my comfort zone and turning me into a 5-star Sir Francis Drake.
Each day, I looked forward to crew updates on wind conditions, wave heights, fluctuating temperatures, and ports of call. From lessons on the Greenlandic language, to insight on the local economy, I frivolously journaled each lecture as if ink on the page was history in the making. Each tidbit soaked into my mental sponge, starting with the geography and demographics. With the lowest population density of any country, Greenland also happens to be the largest island in the world with a population of 56,000 people. That means you’ll run into about 0.03 people per square kilometer.
Essentially, Greenland is one massive national park with 80% covered in ice. This of course begs the question, with all those chunks of floating bergs, where’s all the ‘green’ of Greenland? It turns out, the exiled Viking – Eric the Red – came up with the name as a marketing ploy to encourage others to follow him to Greenland and establish new settlements there. Considering there are more boats than cars, and no roads to connect towns, I’d say his publicity stunt failed. It did, however, bring me to Greenland, along with an expedition staff that shared my passion for tundras and glaciers.
We all had Silversea to thank for that, for connecting us through fascinating lectures and for turning us from strangers into friends. I think of “Sara,” a marine biologist who taught me about 90 different whale species. There was “Mitya” who introduced me to the history of Vikings, tradesmen, and pirates who voyaged the Arctic and Greenland. It was “Alin” who gave me a new-found appreciation for Greenland’s fisheries and conservation, and “Daniela” who taught me about animals that freeze to survive. I listened intently as “Christopher” shared a lecture on the changing tundra, and “Danny” gave one on climate change and everything about Nuuk — Greenland’s capital and the most northern in the world.
Between geologists, biologists, and ornithologists, I was even educated by the onboard sommelier who taught me about Icelandic blends from the Westfjords.
So where does this leave me today? I’d say, pretty content.
While the first inhabitants settled in Greenland back in the 10th century, it’s the island itself that has permanently settled in my soul. It’s no longer a point on a map, but rather a destination transformed by its explorers of the past and its dreamers of today.
Needless to say, I’m glad I dared to dream.
— Jeff
To learn more about the experience behind Expedition travel, read my next blog,