Iceland 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)

Today, we'll explore Iceland's South Shore. After a hearty breakfast with homemade bread and other wonderful selections, we start our adventure along the south coast of Iceland. First we stop at the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the waterfall. Then it's on to Solheimajokull glacier, but not just to look at it. We'll strap on crampons and, equipped with other glacier gear, a professional glacier guide will demonstrate how to walk safely in the crampons before leading an exploration of the amazing world of the glacier. After refueling with a hearty lunch in the small village of Vik, there will be time for a visit a woolen goods store and the black-sanded beach. On the way back to Smaratun, we'll stop at Skogafoss waterfall and Dyrholaey promontory. Another delicious dinner, comfy bed, and - maybe - the Northern Lights, ends our day. (B, L, D)

Next on our agenda is exploring the magnificent nature around Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano that erupted in the spring of 2010. We will hike to waterfalls and into canyons and explore the dramatic gullies and ravines that dissect the west face of the volcano. Other areas to be explored include the historic Fljotshlid region, the site of one of Iceland's most beloved sagas, the Saga of Burned Njal. Our Icelandic guide will regale us with folktales and dramatic stories of Viking lore as we hike in this beautiful region. Before returning dinner, we’ll stop at the Lava Center where we explore the exhibits and gain a better understanding of both the ancient and recent volcanic forces that created and continue to change Iceland. Continuing to Eyrarbakki, a small fishing village we’ll have a delicious langoustine lobster dinner at the renowned Red House restaurant before returning to Reykjavik in the evening. (B, L, D)

But wait, there's more! On our way back to the airport for an afternoon/evening flight home, we stop at the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most well-known destinations. But we'll do more than look: we'll soak up the scenic beauty and enjoy breathing the fresh air while relaxing in the warm geothermal seawater. What a fitting way to end our Iceland journey! We'll return to the airport in time for our afternoon flights. And if we haven't seen the Northern Lights? We'll just have to come back for another try. (B)