Come Be Inspired by Iceland

Think of Iceland and you may think of one of the happiest countries in the world. You may think of a land of stunning nature or unpredictable weather. Or majestic waterfalls and energizing hot springs. You may think of state-of-the-art geothermal heating and electric power, of the Golden Circle, or of the largest glaciers in Europe.

While all of these images of Iceland hold true, we urge you to open your mind and enlighten your soul and think of this instead. Think of a land of the unexpected – a nation of joyful, welcoming Icelanders, keen to ensure that your visit is one of genuine pleasure and surprise. Think of a country full of secrets waiting to be discovered or of a rugged landscape so captivating that you will find yourself dreaming of it long after you have returned home.

Think of adventure and magic, 365 days a year with the most wholesome and freshest fish and lamb you’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. Think about a small country of only 327,000 people, that is a little wild on the outside, but warm on the inside – both invigorating and unexpected. Imagine an island divided into different geographical regions, each with its own unique culture and points of interest, but all which share a warmth and spirit true of Iceland.

Iceland. It’s not for everyone. It isn’t for those who go where everyone else goes. It’s not for the conservative and expected traveller. It’s for those who travel the world to experience something different, to come back with stories to tell.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS:

• 5 nights superior accommodations at the Grand Hotel Reykjavik with a convenient city centre location
• 3 lunches and 2 dinners
• Breakfast daily in hotels including the arrival day
• English speaking guides
• Admission tickets to all sightseeing listed on the itinerary
• Private transportation
• Applicable taxes & fees
• Daily sightseeing as listed on the itinerary with two full free days to explore independently
• Groupit Travel Hoodie and deluxe goodie ba

Here’s What You Can Look Forward To!

Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Grand Hotel Reykjavík is a four star superior hotel for those who demand excellent service and facilities. At the Grand Hotel Reykjavík there are 311 rooms and 15 meeting and conference halls. Grand Hotel Reykjavík rests in quiet surroundings conveniently located close to the city centre and Laugardalur Sports and Recreational Park. Grand Hotel Reykjavík conforms to the Nordic Ecolabelling criteria for hotels. This guarantees that the highest standards regarding environmental measures, health, functionality and quality requirements have been met. Onsite is a full-service spa, fitness center and restaurant and while the hotel is easily within walking distance of city centre, the hotel does provide a complimentary shuttle service for those who prefer this option.

February 2, 2017

Depart on your overnight flight from the United States to Reykjavik (Keflavik International Airport). Nonstop flights from major gateways such as Boston, Seattle, and New York are highly recommended on Icelandair. Your Groupit Travel Specialist will assist you in booking your flights.

February 3, 2017

Your private coach and guide will be waiting for you at the airport, and the day starts with an arrival breakfast in neighbouring coastal town of Keflavik, to regain some energy after travelling.

After breakfast, enhance your journey with an energising visit to one of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders.

Stop at the Blue Lagoon, and whatever the weather, bathing in the electric-blue geothermal waters, surrounded by lava fields, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The entrance and towel rental are included as well as special group entrance with limited waiting time.

After a couple of hours soaking and enjoying the silica face masks and saunas included in Entrance fee, have a short walk around the lagoon and to the viewpoint above the restaurant.

After this it will be time for the group to head to Reykjavik to enjoy a 3-course lunch with tea/ coffee.

After lunch it will be time for a city tour, where your tour will take in all the city‘s major attractions, including: the old town centre, the Parliament, the cathedral, the harbour, the national museum, Laugadalur swimming pool, the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture museum, the Pearl, Höfði house (site of the 1986 summit) and the city‘s main landmark, Hallgrímskirkja.

There‘s no better way to get to grips with everything Reykjavík has to offer in just a few hours. Finally, you‘ll be delivered to your hotel or accommodation for check-in. Please note check-in cannot be guaranteed before 14.00

The guide meets with the group again early evening for a transfer to your evening restaurant, the Restaurant Reykjavik for their famous Fish and Seafood buffet (with some meat options on the buffet as well).

February 4, 2017

If you only take one guided tour while you are in Iceland, then it has to be the Golden Circle. Combining natural and historical wonders, you‘ll experience Iceland‘s landmark attractions in one incredible day: the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall, the exploding hot springs of Geysir, and Þingvellir national park, site of the Viking parliament and over 1000 years of history.

Lunch buffet included at Geysir restaurant, coffee and tea.

Hot Springs and Bread Tasting – Fontana

Experience sonething no one in the group has ever tried before ! The Fontana steambaths in Laugarvatn village are known for their geothermal hotsprings. They harness this power from the earth in different ways: for heating outside pools and steambaths, but also for „Volcanic Cooking“. Guests can experience the geothermal bakery first hand and see as we dig out bread only few centimeters out of the earth. After the walk, guests are offered to try the bread, served hot from the ground with some butter. This is something you don´t want to miss out on!

Dinner is on your own tonight and we hope you will opt for one of the incredible restaurants in downtown Reykjavik!

February 5, 2017

Today is a free day for you to explore independently. Perhaps you’ll want to walk around Reykjavik and visit all of the shops and museums or maybe you’ll want to engage in an optional adventure tour such as snowmobiling or visiting the ice caves. Of course, you can always relax at the hotel spa with a massage and some pampering.

February 6, 2017

Take a journey through the stunning landscape of Iceland‘s south coast. This is the land of Njál‘s Saga – a region of breathtaking scenery and legendary stories. During your guided tour you‘ll encounter the wonderful variety of the south: from the wide plains formed by glacial rivers, to the sheer sea cliffs of Dyrhólaey and the spectacular waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Along the way, you‘ll experience unforgettable views of the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes and the beautiful village of Vík.

Included in the tour is entry to Skógar Folk Museum where you can visit turf farmhouses and other reconstructed buildings as well as your lunch at Icelandair hotel Vík.

On the way back to Reykjavik, we will stop at Fákasel for a horse-show at 7.00 pm, followed by a 3-course dinner on the spot. Experience Iceland’s only horse park where you can mingle with locals, dine on fresh Icelandic food and, most importantly, get to know our unique breed of horse. Fákasel Horse Park is Iceland’s leading tourist attraction for all things relating to the Icelandic horse and one of the country’s best equine competition facilities. This is a fun, entertaining and educational place to visit.

The Show: Legends of Sleipnir – Horse Theater Performance
At Fákasel Horse Park, you will be introduced to the unique story of the Icelandic horse, its distinctive features and its important role in Icelandic history and culture. Our 45 minute show, The Legends of Sleipnir, employs large-scale multimedia and special effects to weave together history, old Norse mythology and exhibition riding to demonstrate the Icelandic horse’s beauty and uniqueness. The result is a magical theatrical experience that emphasizes the Icelandic horse’s special features and pays tribute to its historical relationship with humans throughout Iceland’s history.

The restaurant
The restaurant at Fákasel Horse Park offers an original Icelandic gourmet menu with great variety of delicious food. The interior has recently undergone a custom remodel to create a unique, warm and cozy atmosphere and our staff adds that special Icelandic touch which will make you feel right at home. The chef has created an impressive menu featuring the freshest locally-grown ingredients. The result is a menu with a wide selection of delicious food where everyone will find something to their liking.

On the way back from Fákasel, it will be our chance to try and spot some Northern Lights! Experience the mysterious and beautiful Northern Lights in Iceland. Watch their swirling wild dance across the night sky in fantastic shapes and colors. The Northern Lights Mystery Tour takes you out of Reykjavik city to the best places to see Northern Lights and witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Late evening arrival back to hotel, depending on sightings of Northern lights, between 11.00 pm and midnight.

February 7, 2017

Enjoy today at a leisurely pace on your own. If there is an optional excursion you’d like to experience, we can help provide you with a list, pricing, and make your arrangements.

February 8, 2017

Today we all return home to the USA to share our incredible stories about Iceland. Most flights depart between 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm so there is still plenty of time for independent sightseeing or a return trip to the Blue Lagoon before we depart on our transfer back to the airport (3 hours prior to your flight time).