Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice
| Resort: | Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Europe, Iceland |
| Price From: | £1879.00 |
OverviewAn island of dramatic contrasts, Iceland is a landscape forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields and hot pools reflect its volcanic nature, while massive glaciers continue to sculpt the mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. Travel the Golden Circle where many natural scenic wonders are located. Enjoy an overnight stay in a local fishing village to enjoy a scenic bay cruise. Create your own adventure with your choice of exciting activities soak in the Blue Lagoon, go on a whale watching cruise, take a volcanic cave hike, or stroll along coastal lava fields while admiring natural wildlife its your exploration! Discover the spectacular landscapes and proud people of this small island nation during this fascinating journey. ItineraryDay 1: Overnight FlightSet out on a journey full of dramatic contrasts. Discover Iceland, a land forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature. Massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. Day 2: Reykjavík, Iceland – Tour BeginsBegin in the capital city of Reykjavk. Join a local expert for a walking tour of the citys old section featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbor and Reykjavks oldest building, home of the Kraum Icelandic design center. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers during a sumptuous Icelandic dinner at a popular local restaurant. Day 3: Reykjavík – Golden Circle – ReykjavíkTravel the memorable Golden Circle, a route encompassing many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders: waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, lava fields, and volcanos. Begin at Thingvellir National Park, where Icelanders gathered in A.D. 930 and established one of the worlds first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globes most geologically significant landscapes, Thingvellirs rugged rift valley. This UNESCO World Heritage site marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Next, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Stop at the famous thermal area of Geysir to admire the hot spring Strokkurs explosive vertical spout that reaches a height of up to 90 feet. Your day concludes with a visit to Friheimar greenhouse cultivation center to learn how the locals grow delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes and cucumbers with the aid of Icelands geothermal energy. Day 4: Snæfellsnes-Cave/Lava Field Tour-Breidafjördur Cruise-StykkishólmurExperience the otherworldliness of the Snfellsnes Peninsula. Take in the dramatic landscapes of black and white sand beaches, stunning cliffs, mountains peaks, volcanic craters, soaring waterfalls, rocky coastlines, intimate fishing villages, and its remarkable Snfellsjkull glacier. This afternoon its your choice! You may choose a guided Vatnshellir Cave tour* and descend 100 feet below ground to an 8,000-year-old lava tube where youll experience total darkness and see amazing rock pigments, lava formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and more. Or, perhaps youd prefer to walk the lava field and put your camera to work snapping photos of natures artwork of varying textures, colors and arrangements of this dramatic landscape. Next, we continue on and pause at Kirkjufell, acclaimed to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Your day concludes with a nature cruise in Breidafjrdur 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 doesnt come fresher than this! Day 5: Stykkishólmur – VíkEmbark on a true Icelandic cultural adventure as you spend time with a family that keeps alive a 400-year-old tradition of catching and preserving Greenland shark. See the fishing boat utilized by their grandfather; the tiny farmers church; and explore the museum to learn more about Icelands deep relationship with this trade. Before leaving, taste hkarl, cured shark meat. Continue the adventure traveling Icelands south coast. Learn about geothermal renewable energy with a visit to Hellisheii, the largest power station in Iceland and the second largest geothermal power station in the world. Make a picture stop at Waterfall Seljalandsfoss, one of few waterfalls providing you with a walkway for views from the inside out. Arrive in Vk, Iceland’s most southerly village and one of the most visited sites in Iceland. Day 6: Vík – Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Visitor Center – Skogar Museum – VíkDrive along the scenic south shore to Eyjafjallajkull Volcano Visitor Center. Learn about a familys struggle to adapt during and following the dramatic 2010 explosion of the infamous Eyjafjallajkull Volcano that brought European flights to a halt. Visit Skgar Museum which contains an outstanding collection covering all aspects of Icelandic life including farm and domestic artifacts, as well as turf-built houses. Nearby is the impressive Skgafoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland. Then, view Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt columns and cliffs scattered with caves and rich bird life including the fulmar, black guillemot, razorbill, gannet and various types of seagulls. Later, see the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhlaey. Day 7: Vík – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Skaftafell – VíkSet sail*** among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jkulsrln Glacial Lagoon. Get to taste the 1,000-year-old ice and possibly see some seals. Later, stop at Skaftafell, gateway to Vatnajkull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Marvel at the Alpine environment of Icelands highest mountains and the Vatnajkull glacier, Europe’s largest glacier. Day 8: Vík – Blue Lagoon or Whale Watching – ReykjavíkChoose how to enjoy your last day in Iceland! Perhaps youll embark on a drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, numerous hot springs, and home to the Blue Lagoon; take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the middle of a dramatic lava field. Or maybe youd prefer to further explore the wonders of Icelands waters during an informative whale watching adventure in the bay of Faxafli; have your camera ready for minke and humpback whale sightings, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises in their natural habitat. Later, gather with your fellow travelers for a local dining experience and share stories of your days in Iceland. Day 9: Reykjavík – Tour EndsDepart for home with many incredible Icelandic memories. |
