CAST away your ideas of Greenland as a forgotten, frozen land. It's actually a vibrant destination brimming with history and culture.
Since the first people arrived about 5000 years ago, the country has seen six different Inuit cultures, Norse settlers, Vikings and even exiled Icelander Erik the Red (who coined the name "Greenland" in a bid to attract other settlers).
One of the best places to soak up the island's long history is the cosmopolitan capital Nuuk.
Known for its fresh air, fabulous food, strong coffee and grand fjord system, it's also home to the Greenland National Museum housed in colonial buildings overlooking the harbour. Here you can see the famous mummies and costumes from Qilakitsoq in north-west Greenland as well as the world's oldest and almost completely intact skin boat - the Pearyland Umiaq. The well-preserved remains are estimated to date back to the 1470s.
If you'd rather walk where Vikings once did, a visit to Qaqortoq and nearby Hvalsey Church is a must.
Hvalsey Church is one of the oldest Christian churches on the North American continent, dating back to around 1300.
The ruins are surrounded by lush greenery, with sheep grazing on the other side of the five-metre stone wall surrounding the site.
You can discover some of Greenland's best kept secrets, including Qaqortoq and Nuuk, with on the Iceland and Greenland fully escorted cruise.
The Senior has partnered with Travelrite International to take readers aboard P&O Oriana to visit Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, England and Scotland.
The 23-day escorted tour leaves Australia July 21, 2018. Prices start at $8795 per person twin share including economy return airfare to London and 20 nights on Oriana.
