Iceland: Chasing Lights & Winter Delights

Our first meeting will be in the hotel lobby at 10 a.m. After introductions, the adventure starts with a driving tour of the city, including stops at the 'Pearl' and Hallgrimskirkja Church. Your Icelandic guide will introduce the history and the culture of this beautiful city and Iceland and answer all the questions you may already have. Lunch will be at the Pearl, giving you plenty of time to visit the exhibits, videos and planetarium before returning to the hotel for a few hours of relaxation or more touring on your own (Reykjavik is a great city for walking). Your guides will make sure you know where all the museums, interesting sites, galleries and exhibits are as well as the famous hot dog stand (maybe an afternoon snack?) For those who arrived today, you may not be able to check in until 2 p.m. or later but reception will be happy to stow luggage while you either explore or hang out in the lobby. Dinner tonight is included and we’ll meet in the lobby to walk to dinner. (L, D)

After enjoying an extensive buffet breakfast, we’ll head out for what promises to be the start of four very full days. Today's tour is commonly known as the Golden Circle, one of the most popular tours in Iceland. And no wonder! It showcases Iceland's dramatic scenery, human history, and geothermal activity. The tour begins with a drive to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the location of Iceland's Parliament between the years 930 and 1798. Thingvellir is also one of the few places in the world where you can see the effects of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart. We will spend about 1 to 2 hours walking and viewing in the Thingvellir area. The next stop is the Geysir hot springs, known for bubbling hot springs and spouting geysers. The highlight is undoubtedly Strokkur, the most active geyser of the area, spouting up to 75 - 100 feet. The buffet lunch offers both hot and cold Icelandic specialties. Then it's on to Gullfoss waterfall, where the Hvita River plunges steeply down into a deep, meandering gorge, creating one of Iceland's most dramatic waterfalls. From Gullfoss a drive through classic Icelandic farmland brings us to Hotel Fljotshlid on the farm Smaratun where we will stay for two nights. This family-run farm and hotel Smaratun is located in the beautiful Fljotshlid area with views of Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The people who run the farm are wonderful AND they have an amazing cook. The farm, with no light pollution around, is a great location to look for those famous Northern Lights! At some point during our stay at Smaratun we will visit a neighboring farm to meet and ride the beautiful and friendly Icelandic horses. The sturdy and sure-footed Icelandic breed is the original Viking horse and is famous for its fifth gait, the smooth tolt. (B, L, D)

Journey to the heart of Iceland’s volcanic prowess at the Lava Center, where interactive displays and a viewing platform offer insights into the volcanic forces that shaped this land. Continue your adventure to the south, where the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls await, cascading from heights with a power that reverberates through the soul. Your day’s quest leads you to the remote southeast, where the Hotel Klaustur offers a sanctuary of comfort amidst the wild, a perfect base for exploring the untamed landscapes that surround. Another delicious dinner, comfy bed, and - maybe - the Northern Lights, ends our day. (B, L, D)

Skaftafell National Park beckons with its glacier tongues and rugged peaks, offering trails that lead to hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints. The jewel in the crown is the visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs calve into the lake, creating a moving sculpture garden. Nearby, Diamond Beach reveals these ice sculptures washed ashore, sparkling against black sands under the caress of waves, a moment of beauty frozen in time. We’ll end our night with the continued pursuit of the Northern Lights and will tuck into our cozy accommodations to prepare for our next adventure. (B, L, D)

The narrative of your journey weaves through the contrasts of Iceland’s landscapes, with a visit to Reynisfjara, the black sand beach framed by basalt columns and tumultuous waves. The highlight is the ascent of Solheimajokull Glacier, where you’re equipped to traverse its crevasses and ice sculptures, guided by experts who will host this exploration and manage for risk. After we finish our glacial journey, we will make our way back to the hustle and bustle of the city and bed down for the night back in Reykjavik. (B, L, D)