At CIE Tours we pride ourselves on the 95% satisfaction rate our guests give our tours - and we're so grateful for the guest feedback that reminds us of the importance of our commitment to excellence.  We invite all our guests to share their experiences at the end of their tours, reviewing the attractions and accommodations that made their journeys unforgettable. Every year, we use this invaluable feedback to help make our tours even better - and we proudly present the prestigious Awards of Excellence to our partners in every destination who have achieved exceptional customer satisfaction. 

Our Contracting Manager Robert Young recently had the honor of touring Iceland to personally present the destination's awards to this year's winners, celebrating their commitment to excellence in hospitality and service. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the remarkable destinations that have earned this distinguished recognition - and get Robert's inside scoop on what makes these attractions and establishments so appealing to travelers like you. 

As our Contracting Manager for Iceland, Robert is our in-house expert on each of these partners - here's his inside scoop: 
 

Blue Lagoon

This iconic attraction should need no introduction. The popularity of the Blue Lagoon is inextricably linked to the incredible success that is Icelandic tourism over the past almost 50 years. Now not only arguably the world’s best-known spa, but also a brand known all over the globe, Blue Lagoon still features high on many peoples’ bucket lists, and rightfully so. It’s legendary for good reason!

Eldhestar Horse Farm 

All Icelandic horses without exception are said to be the descendants of the tough, agile and loyal ponies the Vikings brought to Iceland during settlement times, more than 1000years ago. And the Icelanders guard their purity jealously. It’s illegal to bring a horse, or even a harness, saddle, or any other such equipment into Iceland, and once an Icelandic horse has left the country (and they’re a major export) they can never return. At Eldhestar we learn more about these rugged creatures, and what makes them different from other horses. Our guests love getting up close and personal with these friendly creatures in the stable after they’ve watched the demonstration! 

Islandshotels

We have an almost exclusive relationship with Islandshotels (mostly branded Fosshotels) all around Iceland, using just one non-Islandhotels property. These are some of the finest hotels in the country, In particular outside of Reykjavik, where the genuine 4star accommodation CIE Tours’ guests expect can be hard to find. All of the Islandshotels that we use win awards of excellence, from the big city of Reykjavik to one of the remotest hotels in the chain in the Eastfjords. All the hotels have different characters, but all deliver the same upscale experience.

Fridheimar Tomato Farm

With its chilly climate, Iceland is hardly a place one would associate with the production of fruit and vegetables more suited to Mediterranean conditions, but the owners of Fridheimar – themselves horticulturalists – saw the opportunity to harness the almost limitless geothermal power on offer in Iceland to create a business producing delicious tomatoes and herbs year-round in heated greenhouses. They’ve been welcoming visitors and showing them how they do this for about 15years. CIE Tours’ guests adore the fresh flavours of the lunch they’re served here, and the infectious enthusiasm of the staff who are proud to explain how the farm works and to introduce them to their squadrons of bumble bees, who do the hard work of pollinating the plants!

Glaumbaer Farm and Museum

Our Icelandic Explorer tour is designed to introduce CIE Tours’ guests to not only the natural wonders of the country – the glaciers, mountains and waterfalls - but also to the people and their way of life. Glaumbaer is an exquisitely preserved farmstead dating back to settlement times, letting guests imagine what life must have been like for those original Icelandic pioneers. After learning about how the first Icelanders survived the harsh conditions, our guests enjoy a typical – but more up-to-date! – lunch in one of the museums more “modern” (read 19th century!) cosy timber houses.

Sel Hotel lunch

We spend an action-packed morning in north Iceland in the remarkable Lake Myvatn area, showing our clients many of the extraordinary, other-worldly sites in the area, before treating them to a well-earned lunch at lovely Sel Hotel. Run by Asdis and Yngvi, friends of mine for 25years, this hotel features a large, modern dining room, and hearty freshly cooked delicacies. They even have their own brewery on site!

Hotel Selfoss

Featured in 2023, Hotel Selfoss is a modern, business-style hotel in the rapidly-developing little town of Selfoss, an excellent  stopping place between the south coast and Reykjavik. It's in a peaceful location on the banks of the majestic river Ölfusá, providing a spectacular view on the river and the nearby mountain. 

Lava Centre

Strategically-placed within view of many of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes and volcanic areas, the Lava Centre presents us with the facts about one of Iceland’s main claims to fame – Europe’s most geologically-active nation. The exhibition is fresh and modern, and highly accessible for not only those who already have a deep understanding of the forces at work beneath the island, but also those new to volcanology. Fascinating and awe-inspiring!

Modrudalur Farm

Iceland’s highest inhabited farm, Modrudalur backs onto the thousands of square kilometres of wilderness known as The Highlands of Iceland; inhospitable territory that is inaccessible for much of the year. In the spirit of Icelandic Nobel prize-winning author Haldor Laxnes’ “Independent People” Modrudalur has been farmed by generations of Icelanders since settlement times. Nowadays it serves as a unique spot indeed for CIE Tours clients to enjoy a delicious typical Icelandic lunch made using locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients while looking out at one of the remotest parts of the island. 

Secret Lagoon

Icelanders have been enjoying the relaxing and health-giving benefits of bathing in geothermally-heated waters since long before the likes of the Blue Lagoon opened to the public. The Secret Lagoon is one such spa – the oldest natural pool in Iceland - lovingly maintained in its original style for generations to enjoy. They have even preserved the basic little changing room, though nowadays our guests change in the comfort of far more modern facilities of course! A friendly place for families, groups of friends and couples, Secret Lagoon has managed to maintain its simple authenticity beautifully.

Skogar Museum

Whether your interest in Icelandic history – from ancient to very recent – is academic or superficial, Skogar Museum will fascinate you with its many exhibits of different elements of Icelandic life, from telephones and transport to fishing and mountain rescue, to needlework and art. Located a stone’s throw away from one of the country’s lovelist waterfalls, Skogarfoss, this community-owned and -run museum will inspire and fascinate in equal measure, and – like so many of our inclusions in our tours – provide insight into the fascinating Icelandic people themselves, and how they’ve survived and prospered.

Vok Baths

Despite the relatively-remote location in the east of Iceland Vok Spa definitely belongs at the top table of Icelandic open-air bathing facilities. Huge pools filled with geothermally heated water float serenely on the cool waters of a beautiful natural lake. Either relax and soak in the warm, health-giving waters, or if you’re feeling intrepid, take a plunge into the rather more errrmm… bracing (!!!) water of the lake. Be ready for a shock though, as this can be as cold as 41degrees F!

Bjarteyjarsandur Farm 

Our aim to give our customers an insight into how real Icelanders live, and the experience at Bjarteyjarsandur does just that. Meet Gummi and Adda, a young couple who have farmed here their whole lives. Learn about how modern Icelandic farming differs from farming elsewhere, and get a glimpse of whatever they’re up to on the farm at the time of your visit, whether that be lambing, shearing or harvesting. If our guests are lucky, Adda’s mother might be there too, giving a spinning demonstration! There will without doubt be a focus also on sustainability here.

These award-winning attractions provide our guests with unparalleled experiences that highlight the very best of Iceland. From breathtaking natural wonders to rich cultural insights, each destination enhances the unforgettable journeys we curate at CIE Tours. We and are partners are dedicated to delivering exceptional travel experiences that celebrate the beauty and heritage of Iceland for our guests. Come along on Taste of Iceland for the highlights, Northern Lights Quest of Iceland for the highlights and the chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, or dive a little deeper into the culture and heritage as you go beyond the highlights with our Icelandic Explorer. See all the details below.