Faroe Islands Vacations

The language of the Faroe Islands is Faroese, a derivative of old Norse which Norse settlers brought when they settled here. Most of the settlers were not from Scandinavia but descendants of Norse settlers in the Irish Sea. Faroe translates to Sheep Islands, which is fitting given how the sheep outnumber people in the islands. Providing wool and meat, sheep are integral to the Faroese way of life. Fish also meets locals' nutritional needs and aquaculture is an important economic activity in the Faroes.

Lutheran Christianity is the dominant religion in the Faroe Islands. Dance is at the heart of local festivals. The Faroese round dance is a mediaeval round dance consisting of movement, rhythm, storytelling, and song. Participants hold hands to form a circle and move to the singing or chanting of the leader. The songs revolve around local legend and lore.

To observe an interesting Faroese cultural facet, look at the roofs of homes. They're not covered with tiles or slate but layers of green grass. Most homes have turf roofs not only as a tradition but also for the effective heat insulation the natural material provides.

Much of Faroe Islands' culture is derived from old Norse traditions, including the rather infamous whale hunt called grindadráp in which pilot whales are herded into shallow bays to be beached and killed. The evidence of whaling on the islands dates back to the early days of the Norse settlement (800-900 AD) during the Viking era. The grind is a non-commercial activity; each hunter receives an equal portion of the whale meat and blubber. Occasionally, some portions may be sold to local hotels and restaurants. 

The Faroe Islands receive the warm and cold air of the North Atlantic Ocean and warm and moist air from the Gulf Stream to the south, which create unstable weather conditions. The weather can vary greatly from island to island, and even within the same island. With no weather guarantee, it is a good idea to pack a warm jacket and a rain jacket.

So, what are the best times to visit the islands? Summer (June to August) is high season marked by up to 22 hours of sunlight in June and July and pleasant weather that makes island tours comfortable. The sunny spells are just what hikers want to revel in the outdoors. It's also the breeding season for puffins that nest in clifftop burrows. Summers are also ideal for kayaking the fjords and touring the charming cities dotting the islands.

Autumn (September-November) is cooler and experiences more frequent rainfall. Late September is an opportune time to observe the Northern Lights, but winter is even better when the daylight hours during December can be as less as five hours. Some visitors like the melancholic ethereal beauty of the islands in autumn. Low season starts around this time though there are plenty of tours still running. But accommodation is easier to book due to the smaller crowds.  

Winter in the Faroe Islands is a time of constantly changing weather. Snow is likely but not a guarantee. If you're lucky, you can see the mesmerizing Northern Lights on a cold night. The snow-blanketed mountains, cliffs and villages are a marvelous sight. It's peaceful during the winter and easier to book accommodation. But some tourist attractions and restaurants close, so plan your itinerary accordingly. 

The Faroe Islands is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark but not a part of the European Union. So, you cannot enter the territory with a Schengen visa. You must apply for a visa to the Faroe Islands at the Danish Embassy or Consulate in your country. Only people from Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, are free to visit the Faroe Islands. If you're a citizen of a visa-free country, you only need a valid passport to enter Denmark and the Faroe Islands.

Getting to the Faroe Islands is easy. The national carrier Atlantic Airways flies from Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Bergen, Reykjavik, and Paris to Vágar Airport, the port of arrival for all visitors travelling by flight to the Faroe Islands. The easiest way from North America to the Faroe Islands is by taking one of the multiple daily flights from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Vágar Airport (FAE).

If you have the time, you could take a ferry from Denmark to the Faroes. The Smyril Line operates services between Denmark, Faroe Islands, and Iceland twice a week in summer and once during winter.

Inter-Faroes transport infrastructure is excellent. A number of bridges and tunnels connect islands to neighbors that were once accessible only by ferry. The easy links ensure that remote villages remain on tourists' radar. The roads are in top condition, although driving conditions must be noted given the vagaries of the weather.

English is widely spoken in the Faroes, which is a relief as Faroese is very difficult to pick up. Crime is literally non-existent, making the Faroes one of the safest destinations you can visit. 

Weather and soil conditions make it difficult to grow vegetables and fruit in the Faroe Islands. Consequently, animal products dominate Faroese cuisine. The island's traditional meat dishes are quite unique. Try the Skerpikjøt, fermented mutton meat prepared by drying sheep's legs in a hjallur, a ventilated shed. Garnatálg is prepared with cured sheep intestines and sheep tallow, air dried, cut into slices, pan-fried and served over air-dried and fermented fish called ræstur fiskur. Popular fish dishes use salmon, halibut, haddock, and plaice. Other meats to try are whale blubber and sliced whale meat. The typical Faroese breakfast you can expect at hotels is a cold table of hams, cheese, cereals, herring, yogurts, fruits, and Danish pastries.

Alcohol was banned in the Faroe Islands until 1992. Beer is widely available in bars and restaurants, although some venues have a half-license allowing the sale of beer and wine, and not other alcoholic beverages. The sale of all legal alcoholic beverages is permitted in venues with a full licence. Spirits sold must not be of a higher percentage than 60% vol. The only place to buy alcohol, wine, and spirits is a rúsan, a state-run alcoholic beverage retailing body.