The Faroe Islands are enchanting, quiet, and now, not so distant.
The world has become an infinitely smaller place in the last century, as advances in travel and technology bring the edges of the map ever closer to us. Getting a little closer this summer are the Faroe Islands, a chain of eighteen little volcanic islands situated between Scotland and Iceland that boast windswept islets, unspoiled views, and bracingly fresh Atlantic air – and that’s because a new direct flight from London will begin service in June.
An autonomous territory governed by Denmark, the Faroe Islands have long been a case of so near, yet so far. Despite being a scant 200 miles north of Scotland, the only way to reach them currently is to fly to Copenhagen and catch a second flight straight to the islands. From June 23rd, Atlantic Airways, the dedicated carrier of the islands, are reopening a London route – having previously flown from Stansted to Vágar until 2014.
The new route jets out of Gatwick each week, with flights running through until August 11th, and return flights available for £169 per person. Your reward for a two hour flight to a summer climate even chillier than the UK’s comes in the form of absolutely breathtaking scenery, from jagged cliffs to grass-roofed villages. Head over to Mykines, the westernmost isle of the Faroe Islands, to spot a huge colony of puffins, or marvel at the power of Múlafossur waterfall, which thunders into the Atlantic ocean (you may have seen it, or some of the Faroe Islands’ 18,000 waterfalls, on Instagram).
Other excellent activities include kayaking in the North Atlantic, dining at KOKS, the islands’ only Michelin star restaurant, or taking the hike up the narrow island of Kalsoy to snap pictures of Kallurin lighthouse. It really is spectacular, a world away from the well-trodden tourist routes of northern Europe, but this new flight route is likely to catapult the islands high up the must-travel lists, so I’d advise getting in early if you’re planning a trip!
Find out more and see flights on Atlantic Airways’ website.