Iceland's Magical Northern Lights

You’re on your way to Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Where steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to search for the aurora borealis — one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.*
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Plaza

Welcome to Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík. Make yourself comfortable at your hotel before refueling with breakfast. This afternoon, get acquainted with old town Reykjavík on a walking tour with a local guide to see the harbor, city hall, the Parliament building, and the nearby cathedral dating back to 1796. Gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine. This evening, take an adventurous northern lights cruise** and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis.*

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Dyrhólaey

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 this morning to experience natural wonders, including the explosive Geysir thermal area and the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall. You’ll also experience the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the afternoon, stop at 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 before continuing onto Vík. Drive, or venture on foot, into the stillness of rural Iceland in search of the northern lights. You’ll enjoy three nights of searching to increase your likelihood of catching a glimpse of these elusive lights.*

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Northern Lights Cruise
Leave behind the bright city lights and sail into the darkness of Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora borealis – or northern lights – one of nature’s wonders. When revealed you will be dazzled by the flickering display of light bursting with color that unfolds before your eyes.

Begin your day with journey to Reynisfjara, a volcanic sandy beach surrounded by basalt formations and home to thousands of nesting sea birds. Look out over the natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey, a small peninsula of volcanic origin towering over the ocean. Next, visit the Skógar Museum and discover its turf-built homes and artifacts. Afterward, stand in awe before the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls. Cap off your day with a visit to Sólheimajökull Glacier, Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights.*

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Search for the Northern Lights
Each year during the winter months, travelers journey to Iceland and venture out into the dark to see the magical but elusive northern lights (aurora borealis). This natural phenomenon is the product of collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere; the results are spectacular! Streaks of colorful light appear across the sky. The colors can vary from white to pink or purple and, most commonly, green. The best time to witness the lights in Iceland is from late September to mid-April when nights are longest. This light show is truly dazzling and worth the pursuit.

This morning, travel through the area of Vatnäjökul National Park to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and marvel at all the floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape as you search for seals swimming in cold waters. Enjoy even more breathtaking scenery on your way back to Vik. After dinner, continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky.*

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Plaza

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.

Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, the peninsula is home to the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the heart of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavík for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.

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.

Depart for home with many incredible memories of your time in Iceland.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Gullfoss
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland is 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, who 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 to stop construction that would damage 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.