Standing defiantly out of the North Atlantic Ocean roughly midway between North Scotland, West Norway and East Iceland, the eighteen Faroe Islands combine mountain landscapes, deep fjords and fertile grassy valleys, the ruggedly dramatic and the lyrically tender.

The Faroes ("Sheep Islands") were settled around 800 by the Vikings, in the first steps on their long, historic expansion across the Atlantic that would eventually take them to the New World. With them, the settlers of the Faroes took a cherished culture and traditions, many of whose characterstics have been proudly safeguarded over the centuries - in the old turf-roofed houses that snuggle harmoniously into the environment, in their old language and the epics still sung in it in public to the rhythm of the unique Faroese chain-dance, in their strong community spirit, in their folklore, and in fishing, which is the main economic activity.

Carved out by Ice Age glaciers and hewn by sea and wind over the course of millions of years, the Faroese mountains and fjords create a majestic background and offer dramatic views in the clear island air, as well as richly coloured sunsets in summer, when night-time is more dusk than darkness. No point of the Farce Islands is more than 5 km from the sea, and their cliffs teem with some of the largest seabird colonies in the world.

For pleasure cruisers, the Farce Islands offer excellent natural harbours which have been well developed to serve the needs of the all-important fishing fleet. Land transport for shore excursions is comfortable and convient, with an outstanding road and tunnel network and short distances to travel. Their small size and population make the Farce Islands a place where being friendly comes naturally - but they are also a place where nature is present on a grand scale, and where the possibilities are huge.

Typical souvenirs: woollen sweaters andother articles of clothing, sheepskins, stuffed birds, art design objects of wood, stone and silver.

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