DAYS
FROM ONLY £799
ICELAND • Return flights
• Four nights, choice of centrally-located three-star superior and four-star accommodation with breakfast
• Tour of Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital
• Visit Thingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Thingvallavatn Lake, where the great Atlantic rift tears Iceland apart along tectonic plates, you can walk between the American and Eurasian continental divide
• See the staggeringly immense Myrdalsjokull glacier
• Discover the contorted lava plateau through the Threngsli pass
• See the awesome natural power of Gullfoss Waterfall
• Be spellbound by the grace and harmony of some of the world’s largest and most intelligent creatures on a whale and dolphin watching cruise
• Reynisfjara’s volcanic black sandy beach – home of the iconic Puffins and twisted rock formations
• See Eyjafjallajokull – the infamous volcano which grounded most of Europe’s aircraft in 2010
• Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal spa, with its surreal natural warmth amongst jet-black lava formations
• Encounter ‘geysir’ which gave its name to similar phenomenon worldwide
• Escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
Positively unique! A culture steeped in Norse mythology and a landscape forged by the elements and volcanic forces. Be humbled by the earth’s overwhelming power, delightful puffins and magical whales
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN REYKJAVIK You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Reykjavik where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. We use a variety of centrally-located hotels dependent on your selected date. Firstly, the three-star superior CenterHotel
Arnarhvoll, located on Reykjavik’s promenade offers spectacular views over the fjord to the mountains beyond (2016 only). The four-star FossHotel Reykjavik is located approximately 300m from Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street offering a superb choice of stylish restaurants and bars. Finally, the characteristic four-star Hotel Centrum
is on one of the Reykjavik’s oldest streets with restaurants, cafes and museums reachable within minutes from this wonderfully located hotel.
DAY 2 - SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS & VIK Today, we explore Iceland’s delightfully diverse south- west shoreline firstly climbing through a remarkable lunar-like landscape of multi-coloured lava plateaux. To the north you can see Myrdalsjokull and Eyjfjalla glaciers, the latter famous for its volcano below, as we head for two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Next we make for
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Iceland’s southernmost point, the beautifully situated village of Vik, seeing its famous black beach and towering cliffs home to huge Puffin colonies.
DAY 3 - WHALE WATCHING & BLUE LAGOON After breakfast we experience something different, departing the old harbour seeking arguably the planet’s most graceful creatures, whales and dolphins. We also see countless endearing puffins nest on the many islands here and hurtling around the waters and cliffs in a remarkable display of colour and aquabatics. Early afternoon we have a sightseeing tour of
Reykjavik situated around its natural harbour on a fjord. Dominating the skyline is the impressive Hallgrimskirkja Church – Iceland’s largest, its extraordinary bell tower inspired by the shapes of cooling lava columns. To end our day we visit an Icelandic icon, the
Blue Lagoon. Volcanic rocks hide a wonderland of steaming, mineral-rich waters, geothermally heated to a constant 38c deg in a stunning setting.
DAY 4 - GOLDEN CIRCLE Today is the culmination of your Icelandic experience as we embark on a full day tour around the Golden
Circle. Normally hidden from our gaze, we experience the dramatic and astonishing effects of these massive forces at Thingvellir. Here, you stroll along a striking chasm left as the plates diverge leaving two great rock scars either side. Continuing to the Hvita river, as we approach this wild location a distant smoke-like spray column rises above the lava fields. Nearer, and a roar adds to the sense of wonder as magnificent waterfalls thunder and crash where the river cascades over the rocky layers. This incredible natural wonder promotes complete awe and you will immediately understand why the locals named them Gullfoss - the Golden Waterfalls. Next, a third spectacular natural phenomenon,
the Haukadalur, one of the world’s most active geothermal areas. Here you experience the amazing Strokkur, a pool of slowly bubbling, gurgling and steaming water quietly simmering away until, with almost no warning, it erupts with a roar in a towering jet of superheated steam. We then return to our hotel after an incredible day.
DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you return to the airport for your return flight.
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