Best of Iceland

You’re on your way to Iceland, a land forged by fire and ice, where adventurous landscapes give way to a rich cultural heritage. Discover the dramatic contrasts: from ethereal lava fields and thundering waterfalls to charming coastal villages.
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Midgardur

Discover culture and history in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. Explore the old section on a walking tour featuring the Parliament, harbor, city hall, and the city’s oldest building. Gaze up at the famous glass facade of the Harpa Concert Hall, a true marvel of modern architecture. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers and experience the freshness of Icelandic food at a local restaurant.
Dinner 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 to see Iceland's most iconic natural wonders, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Thingvellir National Park where you can walk between two continents. Learn how locals use Iceland’s geothermal energy to cook food and taste “lava bread,” which is submerged into the earth and cooked for 24 hours. Continue along the Golden Circle and take in the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) double-cascade waterfall before visiting the explosive Strokkur fountain geyser. Return to Reykjavík for an evening on your own.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Hamar

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.

The journey continues to western Iceland’s coast. In Akranes, an old fishing town at the base of Akrafjall Mountain, visit the picturesque lighthouse, climb the stairs to take in views over the bay if you wish,* listen to mysterious stories about the area, and take time for a leisurely walk along the historical harbor if you choose. Continue to Deildartunguhver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe, and stroll along wooden walkways to explore the hot springs safely. Later, get to know the world-famous Icelandic horse breed as you visit friendly horses at the stables of a family-run farm. Get a look at how the natural hot spring in the family’s backyard is used for making home-baked ryebread. This evening, arrive in Borgarnes, your home for the next three nights and an ideal setting for seeking the northern lights.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: 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.

This morning, experience an Impact Moment with a visit to an Icelandic goat farm. Learn how local farmer, Jóhanna, helped to bring this unique breed, dating back to the time of Iceland’s settlement, back from the brink of extinction. After visiting with the friendly goats, enjoy a simple meal of homemade specialties from the farm. Then, bundle up and ascend Langjökull glacier** via mountain truck and go “Into the Glacier” to experience the purest blue ice color in this man-made tunnel, the world’s largest.*** Top off your day’s explorations seeing the Hraunfossar waterfalls (Lava Falls), where clear, cold springs seep through the lava field and form many small waterfalls into the Hvítá River. Tonight, after dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner 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.

Today, journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with its camera-ready black sand beaches, mountain peaks, volcanic craters, rocky coastlines, and tiny fishing villages. Enjoy lunch on your own in Arnarstapi, a beautiful small fishing village located at the foot of Mt. Stapafell, and where extraordinary columnar basalt and cliff formations form a safe harbor. This afternoon, take in the views on Mount Kirkjufell with its iconic shape and freestanding form; this is one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. After dinner, continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Centerhotel Midgardur

Admittance: Horse Farm Visit

This morning, travel back to Reykjavík, and spend some time exploring the capital city and have lunch on your own. Then, it’s your choice! Experience the Icelandic tradition of geothermal bathing with a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Sky Lagoon**** -OR- go on a thrilling virtual experience ride, giving you the feeling of flying over Iceland’s glaciers, fjords, and most iconic landscapes. Come together this evening for a farewell dinner at a restaurant featuring Icelandic cuisine.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is situated in western Iceland and has been named Iceland in Miniature because many national sights can be found in the area, including the Snæfellsjökull volcano. The bodies of water surrounding the peninsula include the Atlantic Ocean, Faxafloi Bay and Breiðafjörður. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known for its natural beauty where mountains, lava fields, and water can be seen all around.

Your tour ends today.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Impact Moment
Experience an Impact Moment with a visit to Jóhanna’s goat farm. Here, she has helped to bring this unique breed, dating back to the time of Iceland’s settlement, back from the brink of extinction.