For expert help planning your Scandinavia vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| 8 Day Iceland Adventure
An 8-Day tour starting from $1,949
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About This Tour |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A unique tour experience that includes boat tours, Skaftafell National Park, Blue Lagoon and excursions to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 nights Tourist Class accommodations:
DAY 1 - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Iceland. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment DAY 2 - Arrive, Transfer to the Blue Lagoon Arrive at Keflavik Airport, where you will be met by your tour manager. Then, head toward the Blue Lagoon to have breakfast and an orientation meeting at the charming Northern Light Inn. After breakfast, drive into the capital for a morning city sightseeing tour of Reykjavik. The tour traverses the old town center to the Parliament, the Cathedral, harbor, the National Museum and the Höfdi House, site of 1986 Iceland Summit where Reagan and Gorbachev met. Drive by the city's salmon river to witness outstanding proof that Reykjavik is truly a pollution-free capital. Proceed by the Arbaejarsafn Outdoor Folk Museum, offering an interesting contrast to the modern buildings of the newer parts of Reykjavik. Perlan, located on the Öskjuhlid hill, delivers a spectacular view over the capital area. We also visit an outdoor swimming pool heated by the geothermal waters that the country is famous for and a museum dedicated to the renowned sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson. The remainder of the day is at leisure for shopping, enjoying the many outdoor swimming pools, or indulging in some of the pampering spa facilities Overnight: Reykjavik Meals: Breakfast DAY 3- South Shore Depart from Reykjavik to Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been extensively harnessed for the region's vibrant greenhouse industry. Journey through the rich farmlands and onward to majestic mountains, where the impressive volcano Hekla can be seen on a clear day. We travel to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of the numerous awe-inspiring waterfalls set along the coast, and visit the Skogar Folk Museum to see how Icelanders innovatively adapted to their challenging environment. Continue to Dyrholaey Nature Reserve for a stroll to a magnificent cliff projecting out onto the ocean. Finally, arrive at Kirkjubaejarklaustur, formerly a 12th-century Catholic convent, where we will have dinner and make our overnight stay Overnight: Kirkjubaejarklaustur Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 4 - Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsarlon Glacial Lagoon Drive from Kirkjubaejarklaustur over the Skeidararsandur outwash plains to Skaftafell National Park, one of Iceland's most amazing examples of sheer natural splendor, dominated by Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap. Enjoy a short hike to see the stunning contrast between the lush vegetation and barren slopes, culminating with exciting views of the peaks in Skaftafell. Continue to the Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon with its immense floating icebergs. Here, take a boat excursion that brings you face to face with these breathtaking natural wonders. Then head back westward to overnight in the small town of Vik Overnight: Vik Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 5 - Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir, Borgarfjördur Today, depart for the renowned Geysir geothermal area to see the famous great Geysir and the hot spring Strokkur, which spouts every few minutes. Then it's on to Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. The mighty Hvita River appears to simply vanish into the earth, but a closer approach reveals gorgeous staggered falls plunging into a crevice over 100 feet deep. The next stop is Thingvellir National Park, a place of tremendous interest as treasury of Iceland's geological and historical inheritance. Drive from Thingvellir across the Kaldidalur highland trail to the woods of Husafell. Finally, continue to Hraunfossar Falls and the historic Reykholt, home of medieval chieftain, scholar and poet Snorri Sturluson Please note: In April and May the tour travels over Kjosaskard Pass and along Hvalfjördur to the Borgarfjördur area Overnight: Borgarnes Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 6- Borgarfjördur Valley, Settlement Center, Snaefellsnes This morning stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring. Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes. The Settlement Center offers an opportunity to learn about the mystical Viking era, how they sailed across the Atlantic ocean in the year 800 AD, and how they discovered Iceland. The visit provides perspective on the people and the culture of Iceland in a concise and interesting way. Next, enjoy a full day excursion to Snaefellsnes peninsula, a Green Globe benchmarked region, making it a model for sustainable tourism. Drive through the Myrar district amidst moors and lava fields and past the extinct volcanic crater of Eldborg. On a clear day we will enjoy a view of the serene Snaefellsjökull Glacier. Snaefellsnes is an unique area with a variety of fascinating geological features such as lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, mineral springs, beautifully formed rocks, yellow and black sand beaches as well as caves and captivating bird colonies. The best known attraction is unquestionably Snaefellsjökull Glacier, a beautifully shaped stratovolcano at the very end of the peninsula. The glacier and the unspoiled natural wonders surrounding it is the scene of Jules Verne's classic novel Journey to the Center of the Earth and is rumored to be one of seven most magical sites on Earth. Enjoy dinner this evening at the hotel and celebrate a farewell to this stark yet sublime land Overnight: Hellissandur Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 7 - Snaefellsnes, Stykkisholmur, Reykjavik The day begins with a drive to Bjarnarhöfn Farm, where Mr. Hildibrandur, a shark farmer, serves shark meat and schnapps Brennivin, the traditional Icelandic combination otherwise known as "Blackdeath." Mr. Hildibrandur is an original character who has the remarkable ability to tell stories in the Icelandic tongue, yet have them understood by whomever listens, whatever language they speak. This afternoon, upon reaching the village of Stykkisholmur, we will have the option to go on a fantastic boat trip on Breidafjördur Fjord, famous for its countless islands and abundant bird life. You many also enjoy simply walking around the village, immersing yourself in the local beauty. Finally, drive back to Reykjavik in the afternoon with the evening free at leisure to catch up on last minute shopping or to explore the city independently Overnight: Reykjavik Meals: Breakfast DAY 8 - Depart for the USA Return to the Blue Lagoon for ample time to take a relaxing bath to refresh the body and mind before transferring to Keflavik Airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast
Passports and Visas
It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passports and Visas - Iceland Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
