Despite its awe-inspiring landscape and spectacular beauty, Greenland still remains a relatively unexplored destination among UK travellers. But few who have had the privilege of visiting its shores can deny that its natural scenery is one of the most breathtaking in Europe and even the world. Perhaps the best way to view this ice-laden land is by cruise ship, where travellers can enjoy the comfort and luxury of a warm boat but need to take just one step outside to come face to face with Greenland's unique landscape.
There are sights to suit everyone - from wildlife enthusiasts to environmental tourists and even those looking to learn more about different cultures. Highly recommended for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the local animal life is a cruise to the beautiful island of Spitsbergen to the east of the country. Here, travellers have some of the best chances to view a number of world's most secretive creatures including the magnificent polar bear. As the world's largest land-based predator, the polar bear is certainly an awesome sight for adventure-hungry travellers. The animal is revered as a symbol of strength in Greenland and even features in its official national coat of arms.
Spitsbergen is the largest of three inhabited islands in the Svalbard archipelago located off the east Greenland coast in the Arctic Ocean. From mid-November to the end of January the island is plunged into darkness 24 hours a day and artificial light must be used constantly for work and schooling.
The remarkable location is welcoming to travellers and is of particular interest to eco-tourists. Here, the Norwegian government has built a seed bank to store seeds from as many of the world's plant species as possible. The aim is to ensure that plants do not become extinct through crop gene manipulation, nuclear war or natural disasters. Seeds are stored in an air-tight vault which has been cut into the rock of an underground tunnel and are kept at -18 degrees Celsius.
One of the most common reasons that people decide to opt for a Greenland cruise when booking a holiday is a chance to see the Northern Lights. This mysterious phenomenon – also known as the aurora borealis – is one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural occurrences in the world. Most commonly witnessed from September to October and from March to April, the Northern Lights turn the night sky into a breathtaking light display with colours ranging from greens and blues to deep reds. The lights are made even more awe-inspiring by their dramatic white backdrop of huge icebergs and snowy plains.
But no trip to this mysterious part of the world would be complete without experiencing the beauty and majesty of a fjord. Magdalena Fjord in Spitsbergen is one of the most beautiful but even more impressive is the nearby Scoresby Sund - the biggest fjord system in the world.
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