While Vikings are often portrayed as bloodthirsty heathens bent on carnage and violence, the Norsemen of Norway, Sweden and Denmark contributed much to global discovery. The actions of intrepid Viking explorers such as Erik the Red laid the groundwork for the ambitious sea voyages undertaken throughout the Middle Ages, and their navigational prowess continues to inspire adventure and discovery today.
Join Scenic Eclipse for an unforgettable journey to the lands and seas of the Vikings, and uncover the origins and histories of some of the world’s most breath-taking destinations. The World’s First Discovery Yacht™ will take you from Norway to North America via Iceland and Greenland, following a similar route to that taken by Erik the Red over a thousand years ago.
Here, we tell the story of how Erik the Red crossed seas and put a new nation on the map, before taking a look at some of the destinations where the legacy of the Vikings remains tangible.
Erik the Red was a Norwegian-born Viking who became the first European to settle Greenland, a feat achieved in 985. Born Erik Thorvaldsson in 950, the Viking explorer earned the moniker ‘the Red’ for his red hair and beard, as well as his hot temper.
From his earliest years, Erik’s life was turbulent. His father, Thorvald, was exiled from Norway as punishment for murder, and as a result, the family fled the country when Erik was around 10 years old. So began Erik’s long voyage, a journey which, aside from periods of peace, would continue for the remainder of his days.
Travelling first to Iceland, Erik would go on to settle Greenland as part of a great odyssey of violence, upheaval and colonisation – a Viking journey which unfolds in our interactive guide below.
As part of a discovery voyage on board Scenic Eclipse, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Erik the Red and his Viking-age compatriots, journeying to lands of intriguing heritage and unforgettable natural serenity. Our Journey Designers were inspired to create a handful of itineraries based on the stories and traditions of the Vikings, including the Ultimate Viking Voyage – an unforgettable 31-day passage from Norway to North America, taking in the wonders of the Arctic and the Norse heritage of Iceland and Greenland.
Take a glimpse at the extraordinary highlights you can expect as you follow the trail of Erik the Red from Norway to the new world.