Grand Countryside
12 days/11 nights
$4,090 per person, double
$590 single supplement
2008 Departure dates:
Jun 9, 23
Jul 7, 21
Aug 4, 18
Mountains, rivers, glaciers and volcanoes will unfold as we take you exploring in four easy stages. Only four hotels are used which makes the days more relaxed and the evenings a time to ponder and talk to your fellow travellers about your time spent in ever-changing scenery. There will also be opportunities to do some walking in the beautiful countryside. The contrasting boat trips included in this tour will make you wonder if you have travelled in many different countries... icebergs on the south coast and lush green islands on the west. This is truly a classical adventure with hotels offering private facilities and good Icelandic hospitality.
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Day 1: REYKJAVÍK – BORGARFJÖRÐUR
The day starts with a drive to the famous Gullfoss and Geysir. We also visit the beautiful church of Skálholt and the Þingvellir National Park, site of the Viking Parliament, before continuing to Borgarfjörður, where we stay for the next two nights.
Day 2: SNÆFELLSNES
Today we drive around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which is dominated by the glacier where, according to Jules Verne’s book, the Entrance to the Centre of the Earth can be found. We visit small fishing towns and drive through interesting lava fields and on to the town of Stykkishólmur where we take a boat trip around the islands of Breiðafjörður, home of the puffins and the white tailed eagle.
Day 3: EYJAFJÖRÐUR – ÞINGEYJARSÝSLA
We visit the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Reykholt, home of the 13th century poet, Snorri Sturluson. We head for Skagafjörður where we are introduced to the Icelandic horse and then on to our overnight accommodation in the Eyjafjörður area or Þingeyjarsýsla where we will stay for the next three nights.
Day 4: EYJAFJÖRÐUR
Morning sightseeing in Akureyri and a short boat trip to the island of Hrísey situated in Iceland’s longest fjord Eyjafjörður. We also visit the fishing village of Dalvík before returning to our accommodation.
Day 5: GOÐAFOSS – MÝVATN
We visit the waterfall Goðafoss, enroute to Lake Mývatn. There is lush vegetation here and many different species of birds, some of which are not found anywhere else in Europe. We visit the lava field Dimmuborgir and climb up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall.
Day 6: TIFOSS – FLJÓTSDALSHÉRAÐ
We travel around Tjörnes Peninsula and visit the magnificent waterfall Dettifoss, the most powerful in Europe. For the next three nights we will stay in the neighbourhood of Egilsstaðir.
Day 7: FLJÓTSDALUR – SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR
We tour around the Lake Lögurinn, passing the farm mansion at Skriðuklaustur with its large unusual type of house. When conditions are suitable we walk up to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. We also visit the fishing town of Seyðisfjörður.
Day 8: BORGARFJÖRÐUR - EYSTRI
This short wide fjord and grassy fertile valley with a charming fishing village of the same name is situated north-east of Egilsstaðir. Magnificent colourful mountains and numerous beautiful rocks and rare stones are to be found here.
Day 9: FLJÓTSDALSHÉRAÐ - SKAFTAFELL
Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier, dominates the landscape with its glacial tongues calving into a glacial lagoon. We take a boat trip on the lagoon among the icebergs. For the next two nights, we will stay in the neighbourhood of Skaftafell National Park.
Day 10: SKAFTAFELL
The whole day is spent walking or relaxing at Skaftafell.
Day 11: SKAFTAFELL - REYKJAVÍK
We return to Reykjavík through the fertile meadows and the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs and glaciers. There are several beautiful waterfalls on the way and we may spot puffins and even some seals.
Price includes:
- 10 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities
- 10 breakfasts and 10 dinners
- Three boat trips according to itinerary
- Transportation by private coach
- English speaking tour escort throughout
We offer competitive airfare from most U.S. cities - ask us for prices!
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