Taste of Iceland

Meet your guide at 2:00 PM. Take a Reykjavik orientation tour to discover Iceland’s capital city, set on the southern shore of Faxa Bay. Learn about Reykjavik’s settlement, history, and the natural beauty that surrounds it. You’ll be charmed by its architecture and the beautiful brightly colored rooftops. Visit the Perlan Observation Deck, which offers magnificent 360° views of Reykjavik and its surroundings—mountain, glacier, and volcano vistas on the horizon will be a taste of what is to come on your journey. Stop for photos outside Hallgrímskirkja, the landmark Lutheran church that looms over the city. Return to your centrally located hotel and enjoy a welcome drink and canapés with your group, followed by dinner on your own.

Head out on the famed Golden Circle, starting with the spectacular Thingvellir National Park, a meeting place of old Icelandic clans. It is also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet above ground. Journey to the Secret Lagoon: smaller and more intimate than the Blue Lagoon, it’s where savvy travelers go to enjoy the Icelandic spa experience. Don’t forget your swimsuit! Enjoy a tasty lunch in the greenhouse of Fridheimar Tomato Farm. Then it’s on to the Strokkur Geysir, which erupts every 10 minutes. Stop at Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Iceland with two separate drops and the largest falls in all of Europe in terms of water volume. Move on to your simple but beautifully-situated rural hotel below the Hekla volcano where you’ll enjoy a delectable dinner. (B, L, D)

Begin the day with a special early opening at the LAVA Center to learn about Iceland's volcanoes, and how their eruptions and lava flows have shaped the country over time. Visit the Skogar Folk Museum to explore Iceland’s cultural heritage and learn about the lives of Iceland’s early settlers through an array of tools, books, and handicrafts. Visit the nearby stunning Skogafoss Waterfall, where on sunny days a double rainbow is often visible. Discover Reynisfjara’s black sand beach and rock formations along with the magical legend of its history. Save your appetite for dinner at your hotel tonight. (B, D)

Travel to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a glacial lake dotted with blue and white icebergs. Marvel as you witness small icebergs flowing into the Atlantic or breaking up along the black sands of Diamond Beach. Enjoy lunch with a view of the surrounding countryside. Spend the afternoon in Skaftafell Wilderness Area to view its enormous glaciers. Filled with natural wonders, Skaftafell also boasts a snow-capped volcano and nearby lava fields. Return to your hotel, where you’ll dine independently this evening. (B, L)

Journey to the beautiful Seljalandsfoss Waterfall where, weather permitting, the sure-footed can walk the trail that takes you behind the 60-meter falls. Travel back to Reykjavik. En route it may be possible to visit itinerary sites that might have been missed previously due to weather. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon in the city exploring some of the many charming sites on your own. In the evening, you’ll be whisked away to the Blue Lagoon, a large man-made lake surrounded by a lava field that is also a geothermal spa. Enjoy one of the 25 wonders of the world as you share in a farewell dinner and lagoon entry with your group. (B, D)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) All visits are weather dependent. B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner