Explore The Lesser Known Beauty Of Faroe And Orkney Islands

Where the sun breaks through the near constant cloud cover to reveal breathtaking scenery, where lush green fields suddenly drop into the blue sea and where there are twice as many sheep as people, is the archipelago of the lesser known islands - Faroe and Orkney Islands.

Don't Pack Your Beachwear

Any mention of 'island' and our minds, as if on cue, bring forth the image of sunny white beaches, blue waters and coconut drinks with little umbrellas in them. Do not pack your beachwear just yet. Faroe and Orkney Islands could not be more different than that picture of the tropics. There is no sun or surf in the Arctic belt.

So why are we even talking about the Faroe & Orkney Islands? Because they are one of the most incomparably beautiful places on earth. Formed of cliffs, cloud encircled islands and waterfalls dropping into the sea, this is an impossibly pristine paradise virtually devoid of tourists. It sure feels like the end of Earth and the beginning of another world.

Best Time To Go

Lying midway between Norway and Iceland, flanked by the North Atlantic Sea and the Norwegian Sea, these islands experience the Scandinavian chilly weather. No points for guessing that visiting time is restricted to the summer months of June, July and August. Having said that, sometimes in the summer the sun is surprisingly bright and when that happens, you can see these cold islands in all their ethereal beauty.

A Photographer's Delight

The Faroe and Orkney Islands sport high coastlines owing to their mountainous terrain. The most splendid sight in all of Faroe is that of Gásadalur on the island of Vagar. Photograph it from any angle and you can't possibly get it wrong. The milky waterfall dropping several meters in to the sea and the pretty village in the background is an image that remains etched in the memory of every traveller. High cliff-ed islands are everywhere here and they make some of the most amazing shapes rising out of the teal sea.

The natural beauty is omnipresent and overwhelming. There is much to do around here besides looking around and photographing everything. The best part here is that civilization has not encroached upon nature. The villages are small and neatly kept. The beauty of the towns is understated yet touching. The buildings are painted with subtle colours that contrast with the dark tones of the grassy hills, cloudy sky and deep sea. There are wonderful museums that talk about the unique Faroese history and culture or fascinating eateries that serve a variety of hot Faroese cuisine. Take a boat tour to the wild Vestmanna bird cliffs. The towering cliffs teem with kittiwakes, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills and, puffins.

How To Get There

Despite its remoteness, the islands are surprisingly well connected. You will find flights from England, Denmark, Norway and Iceland to Faroe Islands regularly. Frequent ferries connect it to mainland Europe. The best way to get to the islands is to include it in your travel itinerary if you are travelling to the UK or one of the Nordic countries. Luxury cruises ply on a regular basis taking you through all lovely islands so you can drop in to visit the villages. Cruises also take care of the trouble of finding a place to spend the night as you dock during the day and float during the night.

The road infrastructure of Faroe and Orkney Islands is excellent. All the inhabited areas are connected by smooth roads, bridges and subsea tunnels. Several car rental agencies operate alongside ferries, buses and helicopters that service the far and distant villages. Accommodation on the islands is easy to find. Classy hotels, youth hostels, campsites, guesthouses and B&Bs are all easy to find. A budget accommodation can be found for about $50 a night. Being remote and non-touristy, car rentals also come cheap.

The Faroe and Orkley Islands are absolute treasures that have been kept secret for so long. It is an enchanting, magical place that will win your heart.

(Blog Ordered By Sheral Anthony)