Inspiring Iceland

Your Small Group Discovery Begins! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Warm Bread! Travel via a scenic route to reach Thingvellir National Park. Stop at a geothermal bakery and see how geothermal bread is made. Next, drive to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden Falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Later, head out to the ring road and get to Landeyjarhöfn to take a ferry over to the Westman Islands for your overnight stay. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Visit the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden Falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters (105 ft) in a double cascade. Explore the active geothermal area of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur, and many other hot springs. Most active today is Strokkur, with hot water and steam erupting to an elevation of 25 meters (82 ft) every 5-7 minutes. ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Enjoy an overnight stay that’s just right for small groups with a getaway on the Westman Islands (or Heimaey to the Icelanders). Speaking of groups, you’re sure to be outnumbered by the largest puffin colony in the world, who call the islands home.

Authentic Heritage This morning, meet your Local Guide for a tour of Vestmannaeyjar. In the early afternoon, take advantage of your small group with an intimate visit to the Sagnheimar Museum. A local will lead you through the exhibits, sharing heartfelt stories and cultural traditions that offer a deeper connection to the island’s authentic heritage. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Learn about the volcanic eruption in 1973, considered the largest natural disaster in Iceland’s recent history. The eruption began on January 23rd on the island of Heimaey, the only populated island of the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago. After the evacuation of the inhabitants, and during the five months while the eruption lasted, there was much uncertainty as to whether the island could ever be repopulated. Explore the “Pompeii of the North” at the Eldheimar Museum, where a volcanic excavation project brings this dramatic history to life.

Horses and Hot Springs Take the ferry back to the mainland and pass the greenhouse town of Hveragerði. Stop in Sturlureykir and [LOCAL FAVORITE] see the majestic Icelandic horse. Head over to Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) and see the clear streams of water run through the lava fields into the river below. Also visit Barnafoss (Children Falls). Continue on to the hot spring of Deildartunguhver. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT The Icelandic horse is local to this volcanic land and is one of the purest horse breeds in the world., Having arrived here on the very first ships of the settlers, these majestic creatures have remained loyal friends ever since.