Iceland: The Land of Fire & Ice

This fabulous Journey of a lifetime is a blend of glamour, style and the divine outdoors.

Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts. A place where fire and ice co-exist. Where dark winters are offset by the summer’s midnight sun. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate, with refreshing summers and surprisingly mild temperatures in winter. Icelandic culture has been shaped by isolation and the extreme forces of nature. These conditions have created a resilient people, where family ties are close, the sense of tradition is strong, and the bond with nature is tight.

It is a beautiful country – there is nowhere else like it. This is a destination that is all about the extraordinary landscape which can change within the blink of an eye – volcanic, tropical, barren and stunning waterfalls.  Rustic, stylish, invigorating and totally mind blowing.

Staying in luxury accommodation throughout, you start by exploring the city of Reykjavik, a very cool and compact capital that delivers on many fronts from Vikings to whales, with hip restaurants and bars in between. Begin with a private guided walking tour, and whale watching just for starters. Iceland is famous for its cuisine and fresh food, and you will certainly be indulging in some delicious dining For those who are feeling a little more adventurous we have a day free for you where we can organise optional tours where you can hike and explore further afield – so much fun and fabulous! Then out into the country and the sheer diversity of the scenery. From volcanic to alpine, snowcapped mountains and glacial lakes, and every possible variation in between you will be constantly surprised and delighted by the beauty of this island nation. You will explore the world famours geysir, the incredible waterfalls, and a spectacular glacier (a 4WD adventure to a fjord that has appeared in 2 James Bond movies) from your luxury accommodation in Skalakot.  And then finish at the Blue Lagoon, including a farewell dinner at the world famous Retreat!

There is so much to this journey, and so much to see it is impossible to put it into an overview – so read on to the itinerary for more information …… don’t miss out it is magic!

Getting There:

Many airlines fly into Reykjavik whether you are arriving from another European country or if you are flying in longhaul.  Your airline/flight choice maybe directed by COVID arrival requirements.

Tour Price:  $12,695 per person on a twin share basis.  A $4295 single supplement applies.

ITINERARY:

September 2022

Thursday 01:  Welcome to Iceland …

Welcome to Iceland and your journey of a lifetime!

Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland, the world’s most northernmost capital.  Nearly two thirds of the country’s population lives in the capital area.  Reykjavik has a vibrant cultural and design scene, with plenty of exciting adventure, vivid nightlife, modern museums, world-class restaurants, galleries, shops, bars and clubs for you to explore throughout your stay.

After your group transfer from the airport through some extraordinary landscapes, check into your lovely hotel, Hotel Canopy by Hilton.  Set across six connected houses, this hotel is situated in a neighbourhood rich with history, colour and life.

This evening time to explore the fun bars and restaurants in your neighbourhood and get to know your fellow travellers, at a pace where dinner can be enjoyed to meet with any jet lag early-retirement plans!

Overnight accommodation:  Canopy by Hilton

Friday 02:  A whale safari & discovering the city in detail…

Today you is all about finding some whales and checking out the sights on a private customised walking tour.

Enjoy breakfast, some local explore time just for you….

Then a delicious lunch at the hotel followed by a private walking tour, customised for the Divas.  Did you know that Iceland was the first country to elect a female to head their parliament and that it is against the law to pay women less than men!  This is a female friendly environment and a city that needs to be admired.

Main sights on this walking tour include: Hallgrimskirkja Concert Hall Harpa, Alþingi parliament, Main square Austurvöllur , Lake Tjörnin, Grjótaþorp old neighbourhood,  Arnarhóll Hill plus some surprise stops along the way.

This evening is free to explore at leisure, enjoy a relaxed dinner and just chill out.

Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Canopy Hilton

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Saturday 03:  Time to cook like a local…

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a culinary experience!

Today you will enjoy an Icelandic Cooking class, tasting session and gourmet lunch! Immerse yourself into Icelandic cuisine, food traditions and culture in this hands-on, highly interactive cooking class.

Under the supervision of a chef, prepare and plate a three course gourmet meal from fresh, local ingredients and then enjoy your creation with a glass of wine. Sample local specialties such as home made Icelandic rye bread, smoked Arctic char, dried Atlantic wolffish, smoked free-roaming lamb and selected local beer during the tasting session.

Deepen your knowledge of Icelandic culinary and cultural traditions and enjoy personalised guidance from your instructor in this small-group cooking class. As the preparation of each course is finished it is plated and served at the dining table.

Rest of the day at leisure to walk off what we have consumed!

Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Canopy Hilton

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Sunday 04:  Watch for some whales and then last minute private time…

After breakfast it is whale time…

The whales that you can spot on this safari on Faxaflói Bay are mainly 4 types – Minke Whales, White-Beaked Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises and Humpback Whales. Your guide will help you spot them on the tour and will ask your help as well! Our partner follows IceWhale’s code of conduct for responsible whale watching as they have great respect for the wildlife in the bay. They let the animals approach the boat and keep the distance so that you do not disturb their daily routine.

Then the last chance to explore any part of this gorgeous city you haven’t already seen.

You can just hang at the hotel and enjoy some spa time and take yourself out for a final explore, some retail therapy and just hang like a local; or perhaps take an optional tour and descend into a dormant volcano (fabulous if you like a bit of adventure), check out Perlan a local museum and rotating glass dome on top of a hill in Reykjavik or perhaps you would like to go further afield.  Whatever it is we can organise all of this for you so you don’t have to worry.

Enjoy your day at leisure and then get ready to share over a divine dinner this evening.

Frock up if you like as dinner tonight is at the Apotek Restaurant, a gorgeous establishment in the centre of town.

Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Canopy Hilton

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Monday 05:  Farewell Reykjavik, hello Snæfellsnes…

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then check-out to start the next part of your adventure.

Today the journey will take us across the striking landscape on Snæfellsnes peninsula and you will experience stunning natural beauty and breath-taking scenery.   Snæfellsnes is said to be “Iceland in miniature” due to its varied landscape.

Highlights today include:

• Drive around Hvalfjörður fjord with stops • Borgarnes village • Easy 6km hike to Eldborg Crater on Snæfellsnes          • Gerðuberg basalt columns • Ytri Tunga beach and seal spotting

A Lunch stop will be made along the way and then for the next two nights we will stay at Hotel Búðir.

Hotel Búðir is set in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, just a couple of hours drive from Reykjavik. This elegant hotel is in a league of its own, boasting all amenities, a charming atmosphere, great service and a restaurant renowned for its exquisite cuisine.

Dinner this evening is at Hotel Búðir and is an experience in itself. One of Hotel Budir´s speciality is the restaurant which is said to be one of Iceland´s best. Sourcing fresh ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen, you embark on a culinary journey reflecting what West Iceland has to offer.

Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Búðir.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Tuesday 06: A Snæfellsnes Exploration in detail…

Today, continue to explore the extraordinary Snæfellsnes area, so breathtaking in its beauty.

Today’s highlights will include:

• Arnarstapi with coastal walk • Hellnar cove • Djupalonsandur • Saxholar craters • Kirkjufell Mountain and waterfall

Dinner this evening is at Hotel Búðir where we can enjoy a lovely pre-dinner drink, relax after a busy day and chat into the night before a great night’s sleep!

Accommodation: Hotel Búðir

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Wednesday 07: Explore the divine Golden Circle

After breakfast, you check-out from Hotel Búðir and it is time to head onwards to the famous Golden Circle area.

First stop is the historic Thingvellir National Park, home of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament that is registered as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also an indescribable force of nature with the largest natural lake in Iceland.

Then continue our journey to Laugarvatn the home of the Fontana Geothermal Baths and home of a geothermal bakery. You will dig out a pot of fresh bread from the hot black sand offered a taste of the delicious bread, served hot from the ground with some butter and smoked trout.

Later lunch will be taken in the family run EfstiDalur dairy farm and here you can enjoy lunch and learn about Icelandic Dairy farming and products made locally. Meet the  family, and indulge in the fresh Farm to Table produce.

After lunch we continue our adventure towards Gullfoss waterfall.  The last stop of the day is the famous hot spring area, Geysir.  After you explore the geysers in the evening you will head to your hotel for the night,  just in time for dinner.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Deildartunguhver hot spring • Hraunfossar waterfalls & Barnafoss waterfall • Drive the road 52 via Lundareykjadalur to Thingvellir • Thingvellir • Gullfoss • visiting Geysir in the evening

Overnight Accommodation: Hotel Geysir

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thursday 08: Waterfalls & Glaciers…

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Today, we continue our exploration of the Golden Circle area and move toward the South Coast.

The first stop of the day will be at Kerið crater, formed about 6,500 years ago. After you have enjoyed the walk around the crater area, we take the main road east and drive along the south coast passing small Icelandic farms all the way to the foot of the world-famous Eyjafjallajökull glacier. We stop at the popular sight, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, where the brave ones can take a walk behind the waterfall as it falls from the very high cliffs.

Highlights of today include:

• Seljalandfoss and Gjlufarbui waterfalls • Skogafoss waterfall • Vik village • Reynisfjara black sand beach                        • Solheimajökull glacier

Once we get to the hotel, it is time to say good-bye to our driver-guide and check in to our gorgeous hotel, Skalakot Manor.  A stay at Skalakot Manor will feel just like you are at home. That is, if your home were nestled into a wildly wonderful landscape of glaciers and volcanoes overlooking the north Atlantic. Skálakot is located in the very heart of southern Iceland. Surrounded by stunning nature in the tranquility of the countryside.Just under the wide expanses of the Icelandic highlands and in the vicinity of glaciers and volcanoes, overlooking theNorth Atlantic Ocean.

Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

Overnight Accommodation:  Skalakot Manor

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Friday 09:  A day to chill, reconnect and rejuvenate…

Today you have a day at leisure that is all about you chillaxing – after all this is a holiday and you do need time out!

Breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy your day at the Manor. Enjoy a tour of the farm and a walk into the village with the owner.

Then there are also optional activities like Icelandic horse riding or hiking available.   Or you might just want to read your book, contemplate your navel or organise some optional touring close by – the choice is yours and Andrea is on hand to help you make it a reality.

Lunch is at leisure and dinner in-house tonight.

Overnight accommodation:  Skalakot Manor Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Saturday 10:  An arctic truck adventure to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon…

We will start the day early with a pickup at the hotel at 7:30 where your drivers will arrive on the AT38 Toyota Hilux trucks. This is a big day of adventure so be prepared to be gone for the full day until dinner.

Once everyone is ready, you depart on the Arctic Trucks and head straight East to the amazing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The lagoon is situated on the edge of the Vatnajökull national park and is the deepest lake in Iceland. Not only that it has been the setting for 2 James Bond films – so for a moment you can choose to be Bond or Bad…

You will see Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier, and many of the glacier’s outlets on the way to the lagoon. Once at our destination, you will explore the lagoon further by a boat. You sail around the giant icebergs and if you are lucky, you might even spot a seal relaxing on one of the many icebergs coming from the glacier outlet. After a nourishing lunch, we will continue our adventure. Depending on the time, we will make scenic stops along the way back to the accommodation for the night. Located on the south coast is the black beach Reynisfjara that features stacks of basalt columns that wall off surrounding cliffs scattered with caves. From the beach you can also see the Reynisdrangar pillars that rise from the sea powerful North Atlantic Ocean.  Explore the beach before continuing the journey.

We will arrive back at the hotel in the evening.

Dinner is at the hotel before you fall into bed after a huge day out!

Overnight accommodation:  Skalakot Manor Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sunday 11: To the Blue Lagoon…

Enjoy a leisurely morning following breakfast at the hotel prior to a sightseeing transfer to the Silica Hotel right by the Blue Lagoon.

Highlights include:

• Urriðafoss waterfall • Drive via the southern part of Reykjanes peninsula • Selvogur with Strandarkirkja church and coastal view • Drive through the moss covered lava fields

Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the Lava Restaurant at Blue Lagoon and your rooms and the spa facilities will be available from 3pm. Enjoy some spa time (pre-book to ensure you don’t miss out) and this evening, farewell degustation dinner at the Moss Restaurant, situated at the famous Blue Lagoon Retreat – sublime.

Overnight Accommodation: Silica Hotel (upgrade options to Blue Lagoon Retreat available.)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sunday 12:  time to say farewell

Today we say farewell and an early morning group departure from the Retreat will be provided.  Most flights leave early am to other European ports for onward connections.  Private transfers available on request and at additional cost.

Thank you for joining us on this incredible Journey of a lifetime….

Included meals :  Breakfast

Reykjavik: 

Spanning six connected buildings, Canopy by Hilton’s décor reflects its eclectic past as a furniture factory, music venue, and arts hub. The rooms are steps from the shopping and nightlife of Laugavegur Street and Reykjavik city centre. Choose from a diverse vinyl collection and grab a portable record player for some in-room listening or just head out and explore.

Budir:

Hotel Búðir is set in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, just a couple of hours drive from Reykjavik.

This elegant hotel is in a league of its own, boasting all amenities, a charming atmosphere, great service and a restaurant renowned for its exquisite cuisine.

One of Hotel Budir´s specialities  is the restaurant which is one of Icelands best. Sourcing fresh ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen, you embark on a culinary journey reflecting what West Iceland has to offer.

All our rooms have  great view – either towards the  glacier, the sea, the mountains, the black church or the extensive lava field

Geysir: 

Hotel Geysir was designed to harmoniously blend the building with the surrounding environment through the use of materials that reflect the surroundings and the architectural design of the building.  The hotel’s rooms and suites are bright and light and all have views of the stunning scenery.

There are large windows throughout the hotel so you can admire the landscape including the magnificent Geysir and hot spring area while passing through.

Skálakot: 

Skálakot Manor Hotel, is a boutique luxury hotel offering fourteen bedrooms with restaurant and personal services.  An extension from the farm where the owners actually live, they  see visitors as guests of the family. That’s the Icelandic sense of hospitality they have been brought up on.

The interior design of the hotel echoes the Art Deco period. Which is a style of visual arts and architecture, which first appeared in France at the beginning of the 20th century. Characterised by a fusion of luxury and modernism, in which exclusive materials and great craftsmanship blended in a modern form.

Blue Lagoon: 

The Silica Hotel is only a kilometre away from the main Blue Lagoon resort. It is surrounded by lava landscapes and is a mere 10-minute walk away from the Blue Lagoon thermal springs. The hotel’s 35 bright and spacious  rooms are equipped with modern décor. The rooms also offer private bathrooms and a deck with views of the lava fields. The rooms also include HDTVs, Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, and a private geothermal lagoon.