Between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans sits the world’s largest island — Greenland. Officially a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland’s scenery, wildlife, tundra and culture make it a unique destination. Greenland is the birthplace of the kayak, it has some of the fastest moving and most active glaciers in the world, you can bath in the hot springs and, some of Greenland’s many whale species prefer to winter in the Caribbean!

So if you want to kayak down the startlingly blue waters of a fjord bracketed by glaciers, walk the land where Vikings once roamed, appreciate the culture of the Inuit people and experience the Northern Lights, GetAway Travel can help you with your Greenland adventure.

Some of Mother Nature’s best scenery

Hiking and kayaking are some of the best ways to experience the awesome scenery in Greenland. The Inuit people settled in the area thousands of years ago and passed down their traditions including hunting, kayaking, dog sledding and amazing crafts. If you chose to kayak on the fjords know that you are paddling along a coastline and tracing the paths of the ancient Inuit. Moving through the clear blue waters with just the sound of seabirds and the crunch of ice helps you understand the magnificence of Mother Nature.

Greenland is truly one of the most visually stunning countries on earth. About 81% of the country is covered by ice sheets. You can find alpine, valley and hanging glaciers. Kayak near them, walk on them and even enjoy the inside by checking out the glacier tunnels.
The Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural phenomenon is one of the world’s fastest and most active glaciers.

Tasermiut Fjord or “Big Wall Playground” is a fjord known for its rock faces. They are a true challenge even for experienced rock climbers. At its base is a natural hot spring. Sermeq Kujalleq glacier is one of the best known glaciers in Greenland — it’s also a fast moving glacier and the Russel Glacier is near Kaugerlussuaq.

Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park. With 11,000 miles of coastline, exploring the park means you will be able to see a wide variety of native species including polar bears, walrus, caribou and fox. Herds of protected musk ox roam through the park. The ox are the largest land mammals in Greenland. They are called Umimmak which means “long bearded one.”

The country offers some great whale watching options. At least 15 different species of whales call the country home. Humpback and minke whales are around until about September and then they head off to feed and winter in the Caribbean.

You can book tours from most of the harbor cities to see humpback and minke whales as well as fin, killer, beluga, sperm and pilot whales and narwhals.

You can’t beat Greenland for Northern Lights viewing. With 300 clear nights a year, it’s nearly impossible to not see the night sky illuminated with shades of green, purple and red. Remember, it’s the land of the midnight sun, between mid-May and late July, the sun doesn’t dip below the horizon.

Explore the cultural sites

The Qaqortoq Museum is in Qaqortoq, a fishing village of brightly-painted houses perched on rock faces surrounding the village. Located in a former blacksmith’s shop, it has old Inuit fishing boats as well as hunting equipment, national dresses and Norse artifacts. The Dorset, Thule and Norse cultures all have permanent exhibitions there. The “blue” and “red” rooms have been reconstructed and they are famous because polar explorer Knud Rasmussen and aviator Charles Lindberg slept there.

In Nuuk, the Greenland National Museum has artifacts on display related to archeology, history, art and handicrafts. The collections document 4,500 years of history from ancient Inuit civilization to the 10th century when the Vikings were in Greenland.

The unique architecture of the Katuaq Cultural Centre mimics the light play of the Northern Lights. It is a venue for concerts, conferences and exhibitions, but it also houses a great cafe.
The Nuuk Art Museum has collections of paintings, watercolors, drawings and graphics, figures done in soapstone, ivory and wood and more than 150 paintings done by noted artist Emanuel A. Peterson.

Are you interested in visiting one of the most visually stunning countries in the world? Your travel advisor at GetAway Travel is ready to help.We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel