The Grandeur of Iceland (2022 Departures)

On arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to the stylish Apotek Hotel for breakfast. Then join your engaging Icelandic Trip Leader for a guided walking tour. From the lively Old Harbor and the site of early Viking homesteads to the impressive outdoor sculptures of Einar Jónsson and iconic, strikingly modern Hallgrímskirkja Church, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for Iceland’s history and cultural heritage. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore or relax as you wish before gathering again with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner with wine.  Meals B+D
 

Situated between the harbor and Lake Tjörnin, Reykjavik’s Old Town is an inviting city district graced by brightly painted homes and historic buildings that date to the wool-producing workshops of the 18^th century. Today, it’s a wonderful place to experience the city’s vibrant food scene. Enriched by insights into history and culture, your tasting tour will reveal Iceland’s culinary heritage – from traditions brought by the Vikings to the latest farm-to-table dining trends.
 
Then we’ll take you to one of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders. The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon originate more than 6,000 feet below ground and reach the Earth’s surface at temperatures that usually range from 98 º to 104º. On its way to the surface, these waters absorb silica and other minerals that give the Lagoon its distinctive and captivating blue color. Enjoy a relaxing soak and a silica mud mask followed by coffee and pastry before returning to your hotel.  Meals B+L

After breakfast, a short and easy transfer brings you to the city’s regional airport for your included flight to Akureyri. Set between mountains and sea on the picturesque north coast of Iceland, Akureyri boasts charming architecture and a thriving cultural scene of galleries, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. On arrival, set out with our Trip Leader for a guided tour of this beguiling and uncrowded town.
 
Later this afternoon, a scenic drive through the rugged northern landscapes brings you to Húsavík, a thriving port and gateway to some of the best whale-watching in the Atlantic. Here in the wild and pristine waters of Skjálfandi Bay, our guided marine expedition offers a chance to observe minke and humpback whales. Huge blue and sperm whales and pods of dolphins are also known to feed in the Bay. This guided adventure is also a must for birdwatchers as puffins, gannets and other Arctic birds often congregate around the feeding whales. Then return to Akureyri for dinner and two nights at our city-center hotel.  Meals B+D

After breakfast, the day’s sightseeing begins with the spectacular Godafoss Waterfall! Behold this thundering cascade that plunges 40 feet across a chasm that stretches nearly 100 feet across, and hear the colorful tale of how it got its name… In the year 1000 after Christianity was declared the official religion, statues of Norse Gods were hurled into the Falls – earning these cascades its name as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Then discover the unusual lava pillars and other striking volcanic formations of the aptly named “Dark Castles.” Continue to the steaming fumaroles of Hverir and a warm, startlingly clear underground river at the Grjotagja Rift. Enjoy lunch at a farm owned for generations by the same family with spectacular views overlooking Lake Myvatn.  Your sightseeing ends at the Myvatn Natural Baths where you can unwind in steaming geothermal pools surrounded by lava fields. Back in Akureyri, your evening is free to dine and enjoy as you wish.  Meals B+L

Departing Akureyri after breakfast, today’s overland journey takes you westward through some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes. Your first stop will be at the Glaumbær Farm & Museum, set on a site that was first settled and farmed in the 10^th century. Today, you’ll find an ensemble of traditional farmhouses built of stone, timber and turf. The newest buildings were erected more than 140 years ago, and some of the remaining structures date to the mid 18^th century.
 
Continuing your westward journey, you’ll also visit Eiriksstadir – an evocative and faithful reimagining of the 10^th-century farmstead of Erik the Red, the Norse explorer who founded the first settlement on Greenland. This is also the birthplace of his son Leif who some contend was the first European to set foot on the North American continent – nearly four centuries before Christopher Columbus. Throughout the day, your sharp-eyed guide will be on the lookout for the many bird species that inhabit the wild regions of the peninsula; northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, puffins and the common murre are among the many species that nest along the rock stacks and cliff faces of the area. Your day ends at our charming hotel on the pristine southern coast of the magnificent Snæfellsnes Peninsula.  Meals B+L+D

Comprised of friendly coastal villages, spectacular mountains, remote beaches, rushing streams and miles of untouched, wildly beautiful scenery, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the island’s most captivating regions. In the company of our engaging Trip Leader, you’ll spend the day exploring the Peninsula’s diverse wonders. Once a busy trading post, the tiny village of Arnarstapi overlooks a natural harbor that is protected by unusual basalt columns and surrounded by deep ravines and grottoes. Along the coast, you’ll find amazing rock formations, dramatic cliffs and small hidden bays full of sea birds. Crossing to the northside of the Peninsula, you’ll see the lone mountain peak of Kirkjufell. Soaring 1,500 feet above the surrounding countryside and almost perfectly symmetrical, with the rushing Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall in the foreground, this is said to be one of the most photographed sites in all of Iceland.
 
Just east of Kirkjufell, you’ll visit the charming fishing port of Stykkishólmur, known for its beautiful views over Breidafjordur Bay and traditional, colorfully painted homes. On a family-run farm you'll see and learn about the history and importance of Iceland’s diminutive but sturdy horses.  Meals B+D

After breakfast, you’ll leave the Snæfellsnes Peninsula behind and journey southward for our Private Golden Circle Tour – starting in Thingvellir National Park, a unique geological site where two tectonic plates meet – and the only place where you can see the Mid-Atlantic Rift above sea level. As you descend into the valley, the steep cliffs that you’ll see are quite literally the edge of North America; as you continue to the other side of the Park, you’ll be ascending onto the Eurasian Continent! Reaching the tranquil shores of Lake Thingvallavatn, you’ll see the world’s oldest democratic Parliament, founded more than 1,000 years ago! Then thrill to one of Iceland’s most famous geological wonders – the Strokkur Geyser that regularly erupts 100 feet into the air. At the Golden Waterfall, you’ll behold a thunderous cascade of icy water that plunges into a deep gorge.
 
Then visit Fridheimar Farm where you’ll see firsthand how sustainable greenhouse horticulture allows for the yearround production of tomatoes and other vegetables in this northerly climate. This day ends at the inviting Hotel Rangá where A+R guests enjoy an upgrade to spacious Deluxe Rooms. If the skies are clear tonight, you can join a local astronomer at our hotel’s onsite observatory. Far from city lights, southern Iceland is famed for its stargazing.  Meals B+D

Southern Iceland is home to some of the country’s most spectacular natural wonders – which you’ll discover today with our experienced Trip Leader. First up this morning is an exciting journey by Super Jeep. With their sturdy frames, oversized tires and enhanced suspension, these vehicles are capable of navigating the rockiest and most rugged of Iceland’s terrain. Your destination is one of southern Iceland’s many glaciers – where an expert ice guide will join our group for an exciting adventure that will take you onto the glacier and into an ice cave. There will be ample time to explore, take photographs and learn about the formation of these natural wonders. This excursion is appropriate for travelers of all ages and, of course, we provide all the gear including helmets, headlamps and crampons.
 
After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll head to the coast to explore along a pristine black sand beach. Then discover two dramatic waterfalls including Skógafoss – one of Iceland’s largest with a drop of more than 200 feet and a span of 82 feet. At Seljalandsfoss, you can even venture into a small cavern that takes you behind the cascading waters; it’s an unforgettable experience but be prepared to get wet from the mist and spray! We’ll have you back to the hotel with plenty of daylight hours left to enjoy its extraordinarily beautiful, wilderness setting. If the skies are clear after this evening’s congenial Farewell Dinner, you can join our local astronomer for some stargazing at the observatory.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, we’ll take you back to Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik for your departure flight.  Meals B