Insight - Natural Wonders of Iceland - Small Group (05/2024 - 08/2024) (SE964ZN19)

9 Days From Reykjavik to Reykjavik 
Tour Style: Country Roads
Insight Brochure Price from $6,888.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain Premium 2023 v2, Europe & Britain Premium 2024 v1
Visits: Iceland

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Breathe in the fresh air of Iceland as you tour the scenic bay of Reykjavik, uncover volcanoes on the way to Vik and explore the geothermal hubbub of Lake Mývatn—near Akureyri. From the thunder of the two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall and the geothermal floating pools of Egilsstaðir to the black lava fields of Búðir and the sea cliffs of Arnastapi, experience every imaginable landscape on this one week guided tour. Take an Insight Choice in Reykjavik between a dip in the mineral rich waters of the Blue Lagoon or a walking tour of the city’s premier sights—led by a Local Expert. In Hellisheidi, visit Iceland’s flagship geothermal heat and power station, and learn how this scientific wonder helped the country generate 70% of its power—from renewable energy sources.
Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Reykjavik: Visit Iceland's world-famous Blue Lagoon. Geothermic seawater flows from 2000 meters underground, emerging at the surface enriched with algae, silica and minerals.
• Reykjavik: Explore the city with your Local Expert. See the old town centre, the parliament building, Höfði House, the colourful harbour and the Hallgrímskirkja.

Well-being

• : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Make Travel Matter

• Hellisheidavirkjun: Visit Iceland's newest geothermal heat and electric power station in Hellisheidi, the second largest of its kind in the world. During this Make Travel Matter experience learn why Hellisheidavirkjun is a world leader in the utilisation of geothermal energy. The Power Plant has helped Iceland achieve 70% of the country's energy consumption through renewable energy sources. Hellisheidavirkjun Power Plant, advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Top Rated Highlights

• Gullfoss Falls: The spectacular two-tiered waterfall, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara falls, drops a total of 32 metres, while spanning the entire width of the Hvítá River.
• Skogafoss: Admire the majestic beauty of these two impressive waterfalls.
• Vik: Enjoy an orientation of Vik, Iceland's seafront village home to black pebble beaches and offshore rock formations.
• Skalholt: See the Skalholt historic church.
• Skaftafell: Visit the amazing alpine setting of the National Park and experience the might of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier.
• Lake Jokulsarlon: See the setting for the James Bond film 'Die Another Day'.
• Hofn: Your Travel Director takes you on a short orientation through this seaside village.
• Egilsstadir: Visit this lakeside town, the largest on Iceland's East Coast.
• Lake Myvatn: Traverse spectacular landscapes of craters, boiling mud pots and geothermal hot springs shooting jets of hot water and steam into the air, at this renowned bird-watching site.
• Akureyri: Your Travel Director will provide an orientation of the capital of northern Iceland, established in 1602.
• Borgarnes: Enjoy an orientation of Borganes, located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður coastal region.
• Snaefellsjokull National Park: Enjoy a fascinating exploration of this magnificent park, home to lava formations, waterfalls and the most famous volcano in Iceland.
• Arnarstapi: Walk the sea-cliff and admire the rock formations.
• Thingvellir National Park: The Parliamentary Plains are the most important historic site in the country, as the meeting place of the Althing, the world's oldest parliament that was founded in A.D. 930.
• Reykjavik: Visit Iceland's world-famous Blue Lagoon. Geothermic seawater flows from 2000 meters underground, emerging at the surface enriched with algae, silica and minerals.
• Reykjavik: Explore the city with your Local Expert. See the old town centre, the parliament building, Höfði House, the colourful harbour and the Hallgrímskirkja.

Insight Experiences

• Lake Myvatn: Taste local rúgbrauð, a sweet and dense rye bread which is buried underground and baked by the heat from nearby hot springs. After an introduction on how they use the Dimmuborgir lava fields for the cooking process, enjoy a sample of the delicious bread served with butter.

Authentic Dining

• Reykjavik: This evening, delight in a delicious Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant where you round off your journey through one of the world's most naturally beautiful places.
• Dining Summary: 8 Breakfast (B), 5 Dinner (D), and 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)

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Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1	The Smoky Bay of Reykjavík
	Welcome to Iceland. On arrival at Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel on your complimentary Insight shuttle operated by Gray Line. Join your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:15 for a Welcome Drink served with canapés.
	Visits: Reykjavik
	Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Day 2	Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Vík
	Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, heading east to visit Iceland’s newest geothermal and electric power station at Hellisheiðavirkjun. Later, travel on to the ancient bishopric of Skalholt and see the historic church, set in a remote location amid magnificent natural scenery. Continue to the hot springs at Geysir and the mighty Gullfosswaterfalls, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara Falls. In the afternoon, visit the majestic south coast waterfalls ofSeljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before continuing to your hotel in Vik.
	Visits: Reykjavik, Hellisheidavirkjun, Gullfoss Falls, Skalholt, Vik
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Hótel Kría, Vik.
Day 3	By Glaciers and Icebergs to Höfn
	Travel along the southern coast of Iceland, beside the black sand beaches and basalt rock formations.Continue through the National Park at Skaftafell and see the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.Travel on to the luminous blue icebergs of Lake Jökulsárlón, the highlight of the day. This dramatic setting was featured in two James Bond films.Arrive in the small harbour town of Höfn, an active lobster fishing hub. From here, your Travel Director will lead a short orientation.Dine at your hotel's restaurant tonight and experience what the local produce has to offer.
	Visits: Vik, Skaftafell, Lake Jokulsarlon, Hofn
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Hótel Höfn.
Day 4	Eastern Fjords to Egilsstaðir Relaxed Start
	Explore yet another face of Iceland, as you drive through narrow fjords surrounded by steep cliffs and past small fishing villages. Catch a glimpse of Papey Island, once the home of Gaelic monks who settled here before the arrival of the Vikings. Continue to the lakeside town of Egilsstaðir.
	Visits: Hofn, Egilsstadir
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Herad, Egilsstadir.
Day 5	By Desert, Lakes and Divine Waterfalls to Akureyri
	Continue on to the beautiful Lake Mývatn and explore a wide spectrum of geological formations and the concentrated geothermal activity produces mud pools and spectacular coloured deposits. This afternoon enjoy a taste of the local rúgbrauð, a sweet and dense rye bread which is buried underground and baked by the heat from nearby hot springs.After an introduction to how they use the Dimmuborgir lava fields for the cooking process enjoy a sample of the delicious bread served with butter. Continue to Akureyri where you have the evening to relax or explore at your leisure. Perhaps embark on an optional whale watching experience? (available during whale season)
	Visits: Egilsstadir, Lake Myvatn, Akureyri
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Hotel Kea, Akureyri.
Day 6	From the Capital of the North to Borgarnes Relaxed Start
	Enjoy an orientation of Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland, first established as a trading centre in 1602. Travel past mountains, waterfalls and green coastal regions. Later, continue on to the southwest coast of Borgarnes.
	Visits: Akureyri, Hvammstangi, Borgarnes
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Day 7	Exploring Snæfellsjökull National Park
	Travel along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Snæfellsjökull National Park, known as the Jewel of West Iceland and home to the country’s most famous volcano. See the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. En route, admire the impressive landscapes of Búðir, offering a mixture of sandy hills, black lava fields and a yellow beach. Next, take a stroll along the sea cliffs of Arnastapi with its unique column rock formations and take in the beautiful scenery.
	Visits: Snaefellsjokull, Borgarnes
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Day 8	Thingvellir, Blue Lagoon and on to Reykjavík
	Journey south to Thingvellir. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.Explore Reykjavik with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon. Alternatively, discover Reykjavik's top sights on a walking tour with your Local Expert and stop along the way to sample local specialties.This evening, delight in a delicious Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant where you round off your journey through one of the world's most naturally beautiful places.
	Visits: Borgarnes, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjavik
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Day 9	Farewell Reykjavík
	Your Icelandic adventure comes to an end, with a transfer to Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport.
	Visits: Reykjavik
	Meals: Breakfast

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Available Room Types: Single, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 17