The rugged and remote Faroe Islands, an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, have been chosen in the Community Connection list of Lonely Planet's Best in Travel for 2021.

Located between Scotland, Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are close-knit community with a population of just under 53,000.

Community is at the heart of everyday life on the islands.

This includes Heimablídni, 'home hospitality' supper clubs, where locals invite tourists into their homes for Faroese food, to HOYMA, the acoustic music festival performed in the living rooms of locals' homes.

The Faroes Islands' summer festival, Ólavsøka National Day, is held in the capital, Tórshavn, and brings together nearly all of the islands' residents for chain dancing, ballad singing and 'joyous celebrations'.

Hospitality is an essential part of local life and visitors are always welcome to take part in such experiences.

In Velbastaður, on the island of Streymoy, you can book a spot at Anna and Óli's home and join with others to eat a home-cooked Faroese meal with ingredients from their farm, plus locally-made beer.

Its oversubscribed Closed For Maintenance scheme is an annual event where 100 voluntourists visit for the sole purpose of mending hiking paths, rebuilding cairns and helping to preserve the natural landscape.

Useful links

www.visitfaroeislands.com

www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel