Iceland — Land of Fire and Ice

• 6 Meals (2 dinners and 4 breakfasts)
• Airport transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Tours
• Four nights in Reykjavik
• Included city tour with a local guide
• Experience a full-day adventure of volcanoes, waterfalls, a geothermal park and nature, with a local guide, on the included South Shore excursion
• Discover the Reykjanes Peninsula* and its geothermal activities with a local guide on this included full-day excursion
• Relax in the Blue Lagoon (entrance included)
• On a full-day included Golden Circle tour with a local guide, see the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the “Geysir” and more natural wonders
• $30 in Mayflower Money

*Weather permitting in October

Day One — Depart USA/Arrive in Keflavik, Iceland -  Today you’ll depart the USA for your overnight flight to Keflavik, Iceland.

Day Two — Reykjavik, Iceland -

Iceland is full of surprises – for one, it isn’t covered in ice! It’s a stunning mix of green plains, wild volcanic scenery, beautiful coasts and lakes, spouting geysers, hot springs, mud pools and sophisticated cities. Topped off by clean, fresh air, you’ll find yourself in a trance surrounded by unique natural beauty throughout the country.

Reykjavik, your home for the next four nights, is Iceland’s capital city of 100,000 people and unique in many ways. This capital is a modern city with a variety of restaurants, museums, galleries and theaters. Heated entirely by geothermal water, it is home to the “smoking bay”, so named for the rising steam that greeted the city’s Viking founder, Angolfr Arnarsson, as he sailed into the bay here in 874 AD. The city center is the heart of Reykjavik and home to many charming historic buildings of stone and timber contrasting with imaginative modern architecture. It has the features of a modern society complemented by a close connection to natural wonders right on the city’s doorstep. Hot springs, glaciers, lava fields, midnight sun, waterfalls, northern lights, volcanoes and bizarre landscapes – the city has them all!

All flights to arrive by 12:30 p.m. On an included panoramic city tour of the world’s most northerly capital you’ll see the old town center, Parliament, cathedral, harbor, National Museum, ‘Pearl’ and Hofoi House (site of the Iceland summit of 1986), and Hallgrímskirkja Church whose steeple is a landmark of the city.

Day Three — Iceland’s South Shore - After breakfast, your adventure to the South Shore begins with a drive over the mountain pass Hellisheidi where magnificent views of the wide plains formed by glacial rivers unfold before you. You’ll enjoy a visit to Hveragerdi Geothermal Park and a walk around the greenhouse and hot springs. The adventure continues through small villages and farmlands to the majestic mountains with views including Mt. Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland, and the towering, ice-capped strato volcano Eyjafjallajokull, which last erupted in 2010. Iceland is also famous for its waterfalls and you’ll see two of the most magnificent—the Seljalandsfoss which tumbles over high rock escarpments allowing you to walk behind the waterfall, and Skogafoss. You’ll learn more of the preservation of the Southern Iceland cultural heritage on your visit to the Skogar Folk Museum. Your exploration continues to Dyrholaey, a magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs, enroute to the beautiful village of Vik. In the sea, just outside of Vik, you’ll see the Reynisdrangar Rocks. According to legend, these were formed when two trolls were trying to drag a three-masted ship to land. When daylight broke, the trolls were turned to stone. Breakfast

Day Four — The Blue Lagoon - This morning you head for the rough tracks of Reykjanes, one of the most active volcanic areas in Iceland. Visit the geothermal area of Krysuvik and Lake Kleifarvtn with its hot springs and solfatares. The moonlike surroundings of the lake never fail to leave a strong impression on visitors! A remarkable life enriching experience is a visit to the Blue Lagoon – a lake of warm-mineral rich geothermal water, internationally renowned for its healing prowess. Located in the middle of a lava field in the pure and beautiful Icelandic wilderness, water is heated by underground volcanic activity at a depth of 5,400 feet and is pumped to the surface to form this man-made wonder. The Blue Lagoon is known for its special properties and its beneficial effect on the skin. Visitors from all over the world come here in search of health, relaxation and an exotic experience. You’ll have an opportunity to soak in the pleasantly warm mineral-rich water. After the excursion, enjoy the afternoon on your own upon returning to Reykjavik. Breakfast

Day Five — The Golden Circle - On the full-day tour of the Golden Circle, enjoy scenic drives along with the geological and historic sites of the island. Your excursion begins with a drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park. A remarkable geological site, it is one of the few spots in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge comes above water. The amazing canyon that runs through the park is a meeting point of two of the earth’s tectonic plates. The park is situated by Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake on the island. The park is also the most historic site on the island as the world’s oldest democratic parliament was founded here in 930 AD. You’ll see outstanding natural wonders when you visit Geysir, Iceland’s most famous area for thermal activity. View ‘Strokkur’, one of the most active geysers, and ‘Gullfoss’ (Golden Waterfall), Iceland’s most famous waterfall. Before returning to Reykjavik, a visit to a local farm gives you the chance to meet some of the native Icelandic horses, as well as learn about the growing of healthy tomatoes using green energy, pure water and organic pest controls. This evening, the farewell dinner is held at a local restaurant in Reykjavik. Breakfast and dinner

Day Six — Reykjavik/USA - Following breakfast, transfer to the airport and bid a fond farewell to amazing Iceland, and return home with memorable life enriching experiences to cherish. Breakfast

All Days - Center Hotel Arnarhvoll, Reykjavik, Iceland

  Call for air rates and schedules between your city and Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland