Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice

•   Gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides

Day 1: Arrive Reykjavik / Embark Ship
A transfer is included upon arrival at Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport to the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica where a day room has been reserved for you. Meet your fellow travelers at our welcome lunch high atop the city’s geothermal water towers at the glass-domed Perlan Restaurant, renowned for its cuisine and 360-degree revolving views of the city. An orientation tour of landmark sights includes Old Town and a guided visit to the National Museum. Embark Le Boreal in Hafnarfjördur this afternoon for the start of your small ship cruise in “the land of fire and ice.” Your handsomely appointed, outside-facing accommodations promise memorable views of Iceland’s mystical landscapes.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Lunch, dinner

Day 2: Fishing Villages and Grundarfjordur
With ice caps, glaciers, geysers and thundering waterfalls, along with vast open spaces that are home to a pristine wilderness teeming with volcanoes, Iceland welcomes nature enthusiasts with open arms. Dock today in Grundarfjordur, nestled on the banks of a fjord and ringed with mountains, for a scenic drive along the rugged coast. Pass through fishing villages bustling with daily life on the way to Djúpalónssandur. Strange rock formations tower over the Atlantic shores here and have become the basis for many of Iceland’s time-honored sagas; learn more about the traditional stories that tell tales of the country’s early settlers, trials and tribulations during your visit, including how these rocks were used in strength competitions between local fishermen. Your journey continues to Arnarstapi, a resting place for migrating birds, and to Budir, famed for its lava landscapes and uncommon golden-sand beach. Dine aboard ship as you cruise to the Arctic Circle.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Explore Grímsey on the Arctic Circle
Remote and weather beaten, the tiny island of Grímsey – just 2½ miles by 1¼ miles – guards the Arctic Circle with huge colonies of seabirds and a scant population of hardy islanders said to consistently number about 100 residents. Step ashore for a walking tour to see the arctic terns and whimsical puffins that live here and walk across the Arctic Circle line – a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll always remember.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Attractions Around Akureyri
Cruise the Eyjarfjördur fjord to Akureyri. Despite its location just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, the town boasts a spectacular setting in view of snow-tipped granite mountains and some of the warmest weather in the country. Spend the day exploring the countryside around Lake Myvatn, named a national conservation area in 1974 for its large waterfowl population and nesting areas for breeding ducks. Guided sightseeing takes you to the sulphur fields at Namaskard, the giant lava field at Dimmuborgir and the shorefront Skutustadir. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and follow the Ring Road to the powerful waterfall, Godafoss, known to locals as “the falls of the gods” and star of the Kristni Saga, banishing paganism and welcoming Christianity into the land in 1000 AD. Return to Akureyri, for a brief city tour, then reboard Le Boreal for an evening of sailing, Tauck Style.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Cultural Gems & Island Life
Magnificent mountain scenery dominates the landscapes that surround Iceland’s western fjords, enriching your visit to Isafjordur. Dock in the town’s fishing center for a day of cultural discoveries. Go inside a turf-roofed fisherman’s hut at Osvor Museum for a glimpse into the life of an Icelandic fisherman. As a special treat, cruise to Vigur Island, home to the same family since 1884, for a close-up look at their unique lifestyle, passed from one generation to the next. Your hosts will be serving homemade island refreshments.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Heimaey / Surtsey Island
Welcome to Westmann Islands, the “islands of the western men,” so named for a group of rebellious slaves whose daring, albeit short lived, escape from captivity in ancient Iceland is still the stuff of legends on these volcanic shores. Come ashore on Heimaey for a day of exploration that includes a visit to Sprangan cliff, where young islanders are taught the sport of rope-swinging and cliff-side egg-collecting, and a stop at Storhöfdi, home to the island’s largest colony of puffins and an incredible vantage point for breathtaking views of the island and the massive glaciers of the mainland (weather permitting). The volcanic eruption of Mt. Eldfell in 1973 spewed lava over the island landscapes, creating the youngest mountain in the world and the new “Pompeii” of the north. A walk around the crater rewards with spectacular views and a cruise to an island cliff may see puffins, weather permitting. This evening, Le Boreal circumnavigates one of the world’s newest islands, Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Reykjavik's Golden Circle
Embark on a tour of the “Golden Circle,” encompassing the country’s “Big Three” landmark sights. Visit Thingvellir National Park – named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also Iceland’s most important historic landmark as it is where the Vikings established the world’s first democratic parliament, the Alping, in 930 AD. View magnificent Gullfoss waterfalls, dropping down 96 feet in two roaring falls and arched with rainbows. Continue on to the spouting hot springs of Geysir, where many of its geysers erupt with clockwork precision in impressive flumes. Schedule permitting, stop at a power plant to learn how Iceland’s natural resources are put to work before arriving back at the ship for your last night aboard Le Boreal.
Overnight: Aboard Le Boreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Disembark Ship, visit Hafnarfjördur and Kleifarvatn Lake, and Journey Home
A parade of natural wonders awaits on this morning’s drive from the town of Hafnarfjördur, nestled atop a lava flow, and enchanting Kleifarvatn Lake to the geothermal fields of Krysuvik-Solfataras, the volcanic plateau of Reykjanes and the incomparable Blue Lagoon. Schedule permitting, you’ll be able to take a dip in the healing waters of the lagoon before joining us for a farewell lunch in the Lava Restaurant. Visit the newly built Viking Museum and the Viking ship, Islendingur, a full seaworthy replica of an ancient 70-crew Viking vessel, en route to the airport. Tour ends: 2:00 PM at Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport. You should allow 3 hours for your flight check-in at the airport.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Special Offer Whether you choose to explore Europe on a Tauck "Yellow Roads of Europe" land journey, sail away on our award-winning European river cruises, find yourself someplace new on a Tauck Culturious trip or share the joy of European travel with your family on a Tauck Bridges adventure, your Tauck travel experience is built around these "cornerstones": Personalized Service We take care of every detail on your Tauck European vacation so you connect with the destination and experience the genuine emotion, the camaraderie, the little things that comprise day-to-day European life.   Quality Experience Tauck's expertise and local access provide guests with the best possible travel experience in Europe, including exclusive cultural events, fine hotels in the best locations and dining featuring authentic regional cuisine. Inclusive Value One up-front price with virtually everything included – no hidden costs, no surprises, no options sold on tour.   Peace of Mind Purchasing clarity – you know the quality of Tauck's travel experiences and full cost before you leave home. TAKE OFF WITH TAUCK makes flying to Europe easy with one flat up-front air price of $1,290 per person economy or $3,290 per person business and other benefits!* Call us today for more information!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
7/7/2012 - 7/15/2012	$5,990
7/14/2012 - 7/22/2012	$5,990
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Tauck Tour Special Offer

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• See Europe :: Travel Safely and In Style, Escorted Tours
• Travel Improves Your Health
• Europe Language Tips
• Europe Travel Tips
• Welcome to Europe
• Toms Shoes Coupons : perfect travel shoes