Iceland: Long Weekend Escape to Reykjavik April 4-8, 2019

Location  U.S. and Reykjavik, Iceland

Evening departure from your chosen gateway city, where you board your direct Iceland Air service to Iceland.

Location   Reykjavik, Iceland

Early morning arrival in Iceland; you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in Reykjavik, where a sumptuous breakfast buffet awaits us. At approximately 10.30 a.m. you tour Reykjavik for a wonderful introduction to Europe’s smallest capital city! The tour covers the Old Town, the shopping districts, the Parliament, Hofdi House, Hallgrim’s church, the Harpa concert hall and much more! Most hotels know that Americans arrive early and will do everything possible to help us check in upon arrival. However, this may not always be possible and if the rooms are not ready, you will store your luggage and go off on your city tour. When you return to the hotel you will be free for lunch, and then able to go to your rooms and take a short nap before you gather for your introductory lecture. Dinner will be at the hotel and this evening we will embark upon our first attempt to view the Northern Lights.

Location  Reykjavik, south coast

Your excursion today takes you along the south coast of the island. At Vík, you’ll make a stop at the black volcanic beach south of the village - from here you can view the rock formations Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar. After a stop for lunch, you visit the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can experience walking right behind the misty cascade, and the gorgeous 60-metre high Skógafoss waterfall, just a short drive down the road. Heading back to Reykjavik, you’ll stop at the renowned Fjoruborðið restaurant in the village of Stokkseyri, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Icelandic lobster feast (more like Langoustine than Maine lobster).

Location   Reykjavik, Þingvellir National Park, Laugarvatn

Avoiding the tourist traps of the regular “Golden Circle” tour, Discover Europe has created a customized tour of the Iceland countryside. Leaving Reykjavik, your first stop is Þingvellir National Park, site of the world’s first parliament. Here you can walk from America to Europe! You’ll then stop at the Fontana spa at Laugarvatn, a naturally occurring hot spring bath, where you will spend some time relaxing in the Hallgrímskirkja Church waters and have time for lunch (included). Continuing on to the south coast, you’ll visit the church at Skálholt, and stop to peer into the icy depths of Kerið volcanic crater, before you return to your hotel in Reykjavik for a free evening. Why not sample one of the city’s award winning restaurants (such as the Grillið restaurant in your hotel) - making sure to reserve ahead of time for the departure.

Location   Reykjavik, Iceland and U.S.
LocationLocati

This morning is free to take advantage of one of the many optional activities offered through the hotel tour desk - you can visit the Blue Lagoon, go on a whale watch, or ride an Icelandic horse, to mention just a few. Alternatively, you can visit some of the sights and museums around the city - or do a little shopping. You leave the hotel after lunch (at 2 p.m.) to transfer to the airport for your return flights to the US.