More than the solar eclipse: Why the Faroe Islands is the destination of 2015
An eclipse is darkening parts of Europe on Friday in a rare solar event that won't be repeated for more than a decade.
P Photo/Haakon Mosvold Larsen, NTB Scanpix
Kalsoy —
The Faroe Islands lie almost halfway between Scotland and Iceland. Long and narrow Kalsoy stretches north-south with varying landscapes, from steep and jagged to flat and green. The northern tip of the island will be one of the prime spots to watch the solar eclipse on March 20.
On the west side of Vagar, Gasadalur sits next to a stunning waterfall. Prior to a tunnel opening in 2004, the village's 16 residents had to hike or horseback over the steep mountain to reach the rest of the island.
Courtesy Adam burton/Visit Faroes
Kurdalsvegur —
You don't need a solar eclipse as an excuse to visit this far-flung island. Stunning colors are the norm over the village of Kurdalsvegur.
Courtesy Kimberley Coole/Visit Faroe Islands
Torshavn —
The capital of Faroes is located on the largest and most populated island, Streymoy. Torshavn has just three sets of traffic lights and a stadium big enough to hold 10% of Faroes' population.
Courtesy Absalon Hansen/Visit Faroe Islands
Gjogv —
On the northeast corner of Eysturoy, the village of Gjogv is home to fewer than 50 inhabitants. Much attention has gone into preserving the traditional red, white and green Faroese building design.
Courtesy Adam burton/Visit Faroe Islands
Koltur —
The island of Koltur has steep cliffs, a vast field, white beach and a population of one.
Courtesy Visit Faroes
Vagar —
It's no wonder Vagar is a popular island for landscape painting. The mix of water, sky and land offers plenty of colorful picture opportunities.
Courtesy Kimberley Coole/Visit Faroe
Husavík —
This cozy village on Sandoy island's east coast is home to the remains of a 14th-century farmhouse in traditional Faroese style.
Courtesy Visit Faroes
Faroes in the winter —
Despite its northern location, the Gulf Stream brings surprisingly mild weather to the Faroe Islands. The average temperate during winter hovers around 3 degrees Celsius and 13 degrees during summer.
Courtesy Ólavur
Funningsfjordur —
The fjord has a village of the same name at the end of the inlet on Eysturoy Island. Founded in 1812, the village was a whaling station from 1902 to 1913.
Courtesy Adam burton/Visit Faroes
Klaksvik —
Founded in Viking times and well protected by a bay, Klaksvik serves as the main fishing port in the Faroes.
Courtesy Visit Faroes
Nolsoy —
The small island of Nolsoy is a 20-minute ferry ride from Torshavn. Home to more sheep and birds than people, this is the island for those who like silence and nature.
Courtesy Kimberley Coole/Visit Faroes
Puffins —
Mykines and Skuvoy are popular places to watch puffins. Known as "lundin" in Faroese, the birds are surprisingly approachable.
Courtesy Ólavur Frederiksen/Visit Faroe Islands
Faroe coastline —
It may look remote now, but some 3,000 visitors will descend on the islands for the solar eclipse.
