The best of Greenland can be explored along the rocky, fjord-lined coast, which is a good thing as there are no roads connecting the small towns scattered throughout this massive island. The coast seems like an endless reel of icebergs, glaciers, deep fjords, mountains and vast stretches of wilderness.
Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory with its own parliament. The official language is West Greenlandic (Kalaallisut), though many also speak Danish and English. Greenlanders are an outdoorsy people. In fact, Greenland is considered the birthplace of kayaking.
The landscape is rugged, the people are welcoming. Greenland’s traditional Inuit communities (descendants of the ancient Thule people) appeal to travelers with a passion for understanding older cultures. There are some wildlife-viewing opportunities within Greenland. In West Greenland, for instance, wildlife sightings can include migratory seals such as harp, ringed, hooded and bearded seals, as well as humpback and bowhead whales, while in Northeast Greenland it’s possible to see grazing muskoxen. The lure for many visitors is, of course, the Aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, the phenomenal explosion of green, purple and red lights dancing across the night sky.
