Enjoy a wonderful vacation in a country of natural wonders: glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and lakes. Highlights are visits to the geothermal heat and electric power station, and the hot springs at Geysir, accompanied by the chef of the Geysir restaurant, who will let you taste freshly baked hot-spring bread and more, with a glass of the local schnapps. Admire the largest glacier in Europe, stop at Lake Jökulsarlon, known because of the James Bond movie Die Another Day, and see the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss. Visit the Botanical Garden, with specimens of almost all native Icelandic plants, followed by a unique experience: watch the seals in their natural habitat during a boat cruise. Back in Reykjavik, a special farewell dinner celebrates the success of your Icelandic Adventure.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland. Welcome to Reykjavik! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Reykjavik–Geysir–Gulfoss–Eyjafjallajökull–Vik. After an orientation drive of pretty Reykjavik, enjoy an interesting visit to the geothermal heat and electric POWER STATION in Hellisheidavirkjun. Next, stop at the hot springs at Geysir for [LF],a real treat: meet the chef of the Geysir restaurant and walk with him to the geothermal areas. Taste freshly baked hot-spring bread with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs and herring, and a glass of geysir schnapps, served at freezing point. Continue to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and drive by the Eyjafjallajökul volcano, well known for the eruption that generated the massive ash cloud in 2010. Tonight, overnight in Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland. (B,D)
Day #3 Vik–Lake Jökulsarlon–Höfn. Marvel at the largest glacier in Europe: Vatnajökull in the national park at Skaftafell. Then, the highlight of the day: stop at Lake Jökulsárlón, where some of the [LF] spectacular scenes of the James Bond movie Die Another Day were filmed. (B,D)
Day #4 Höfn–Egilsstadir. Follow the eastern coast, where the first Irish missionaries settled some 200 years ago, and arrive in Egilsstadir. (B,D)
Day #5 Egilsstadir–Lake Myvatn–Akureyri. Take pictures of the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss, and enjoy a scenic drive to the lovely blue Lake Myvatn, teeming with bird life, in one of Iceland’s prettiest areas, known for geothermal activity and producing colored deposits. Before arriving in Akureyri, admire the Godafoss, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” (B,D)
Day #6 Akureyri–Hvammstangi–Gborgarnes. During your orientation of the capital of northern Iceland, hear about the city’s history after it was established as a trading center in 1602. Enjoy a visit to the BOTANICAL GARDEN, featuring specimens of almost all native Icelandic plants. Then, follow the coastline to Hvammstangi, where a [LF] unique experience awaits you: SEAL WATCHING! Enjoy a BOAT CRUISE around Miðfjörður to admire these wild animals in their natural habitat. Tonight, you are on the west coast in Bogarnes. (B,D)
Day #7 Bogarnes–Reykjavik. Stop in Thingvellir, the town where the first meeting of the Icelandic Parliament was held in 903, and return to Reykjavik. You may wish to visit the Blue Lagoon this afternoon, and tonight, a [LF] special farewell dinner awaits you at one of Reykjavik’s fine restaurant to celebrate the success of your Icelandic Adventure. (B,D)
Day #8 Reykjavik. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
