Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice

Set out on a journey full of dramatic contrasts. Come to know Iceland; a place where steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving behind thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords.
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Plaza

Begin in the capital city of Reykjavík. Get to know your fellow travelers during an Icelandic lunch at a popular local restaurant before checking into your hotel in the later afternoon. Then, join a local expert for a walking tour of The Old City featuring the city hall, the harbor, the Parliament building and the nearby cathedral, dating from 1796.
Lunch Included

Visit Area: Reykjavík
Located in southwestern Iceland, the capital and largest city of Iceland is said to be the location of the first permanent settlement. It is believed that the city was established around AD 870. Until the 18th century, there was no urban development, but the city was founded in 1786 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the next decades. Soon Reykjavík became the national center of commerce, population, and governmental activities. The city is rated among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.

Travel the Golden Circle and experience renowned natural wonders, including the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall, the regularly eruptive Geysir geothermal area, and the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Along the way, stop at a family-run dairy farm to learn about life on the farm and enjoy a light lunch, especially a farm-to- table beef soup, and sample the farm’s famous ice cream. Your day ends with a visit to Friðheimar’s stud farm and greenhouse cultivation center. Discover how pesticide-free produce is grown with the aid of geothermal energy and then learn about the tradition of breeding Icelandic show horses before returning to Reykjavík.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Fosshotel

Visit Area: Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route from Reykjavík in South Iceland. Two main stops on the route are the national park Thingvellir and the waterfall Gullfoss (Golden Falls). The route covers about 300 kilometers looping from Reykjavík into central Iceland and back.

Explore the western side of Iceland’s coastline and visit Akranes, an old fishing town at the base of Akrafjall Mountain. Capture a photo of one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the world. You’ll have an opportunity to climb up the stairs and enjoy the stunning views this lighthouse has to offer and hear some of the mysterious stories about this place, or perhaps you will want to take a walk along the historical harbor. Continue to Deildartunguhver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. Enjoy a walk on a number of wooden walkways and observation points to explore the hot spring safely. Listen to local stories and legends while visiting Barnafoss, which translates to “the Children’s Falls,” before you wrap your day in Reykholt, located in the valley of the River Reykjadalsá.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Thingvellir National Park
Around 930, the Althing general assembly was established in Thingvellir. A law passed in 1928 protecting the area, which shall remain the property of the Icelandic nation under the preservation of the Althing. Thingvellir National Park was officially founded in 1930, marking the 1,000th anniversary of the Althing. In 2004, the park became a World Heritage Site. Throughout the park, visitors can travel among the many hiking trails.

Begin your day with stunning views on your way to Stykkishólmur, located in the northern part of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Search for marine birds before joining a nature cruise of Breiðafjörður Bay. As you drift across the water, sample fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean. You might spot puffins,* cormorants, and the white-tailed eagle soaring as you look out at the shoreline. After, enjoy lunch on your own in this picturesque fishing town dotted with traditional wooden houses before continuing your journey on to Grudarfjörður. Take in views of Mount Kirkjufell with its iconic shape and freestanding form; this is one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. Witness Kirkjufellsfoss, a beautiful series of waterfalls, before returning to Reykholt for an evening at leisure.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Dyrhólaey Hotel

Visit Area: Gullfoss
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland is the Gullfoss, an incredible waterfall located in the canyon of Hvita river in southwest Iceland. As one first approaches the falls, the crevice is obscured from view, so that it appears that a mighty river magically vanishes into the earth. The falls offer a spectacular view of the forces and beauty of the untouched nature in Iceland. On a sunny day, a rainbow can be seen over the falls. In 1907, Gullfoss was owned by a local farmer. He was approached by an Englishman who wanted to buy it to produce electricity. Although the farmer declined the Englishman’s generous offer, he leased it to him. After the farmer’s passing, his daughter went to great lengths to save Gullfoss by stopping construction that would have damaged it. She is often called Iceland’s first environmentalist. In 1979, Gullfoss was designated as a nature preserve and permanently protected for the public to enjoy.

Learn about geothermal renewable energy on a visit to Hellisheiðarvirkjun, the largest power station in Iceland and the second largest geothermal power station in the world). Visit the Lava Exhibition Center and delve into Iceland’s past and present volcanic eruptions. Afterward, witness Seljalandsfoss, a rushing waterfall where you may walk behind the water for unique views from the inside out. Arrive in Vík, Iceland's southernmost village, and one of the most remarkable spots in Iceland.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Geysir
Sometimes known as The Great Geysir, this geyser located in southwestern Iceland was the first geyser described in a printed source and the first known to modern Europeans. The name Geysir itself is derived from the Icelandic verb geysa, “to gush.” Research suggests that Geysir has been active for approximately 10,000 years. The oldest accounts of hot springs date back to 1294 when earthquakes in the area caused significant changes in local neighboring landscapes, creating several new hot springs. Until 1894, the Geysir was owned by a local farmer who then sold it to James Craig, a whiskey distiller and future Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Later, Craig’s nephew inherited the site, and in 1935 he sold it to a film director who subsequently donated it to the Icelandic people. Visitors can see the amazing Geysir spout water 100 feet into the air every few minutes.

Drive along the scenic south shore to the Skógar Museum. Discover its turf-built houses and its collection of farm and domestic artifacts. Nearby, find the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the tallest in Iceland. Behold Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach scattered with caves and surrounded by basalt columns and cliffs. The beach is rich with bird life, such as the fulmar, black guillemot, razorbill, and gannet. You might also spot some nesting puffins* along the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey, a volcanic peninsula towering over the ocean. Cap off your day with a visit to Sólheimajökull Glacier, part of Iceland’s fourth largest ice cap. Take in its dramatic, blue-white ice, rugged crevasses, and stunning views.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Akranes

Journey to Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest National Park and home to the country’s highest mountains. Marvel at the vistas and snowy mountain peaks while you join a cruise on an amphibian boat** along the huge icebergs of the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Keep your eyes peeled for possible seal sightings and get to taste the 1,000-year-old ice that surrounds you.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Plaza

Admittance: Breiðafjörður Bay Cruise
Enjoy a nature cruise in Breiðafjörður Bay. Experience countless birds like puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes and the majestic white tailed eagle soaring amongst basalt rock columns. While cruising, try delicious fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean. Seafood simply doesn´t come fresher than this!

Today, make your way back to Reykjavik, taking in the incredible backdrops that make this journey picturesque. In the afternoon, it’s your choice! You may choose to visit the Sky Lagoon*** and soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters overlooking the ocean -OR- visit the Perlan Center to explore the wonders of Iceland through interactive exhibits such as the Ice Cave, the Planetarium, the virtual aquarium and more. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and reflect on your adventures in the Land of Fire and Ice.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Lava Exhibition Center
Visit the Lava Exhibition Center to learn about Iceland’s historic eruptions and current lava flows that make Iceland a showcase of volcanic activity.

Depart for home with memories of your Icelandic adventure.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Vík
The picturesque village of Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, and despite its small size, it is the largest settlement around and an important staging post. Vík's black sand beaches are some of the wettest places in Iceland. The cliffs of the beaches are home to many beautiful seabirds, most notably, the colorful puffins. The village lies directly beneath the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which sits atop the Katla volcano.