ICELAND- THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
DISCOVER ICELAND — a land of vast and spectacular landscapes, closer — and perhaps warmer —than you imagine. In this land of snowcapped peaks and glaciers, steaming hot springs, active volcanoes, impossibly blue ice caves, thunderous waterfalls and colorful wildlife, Carlson Maritime Travel is offering a destination for multiple seasons and of striking contrasts. No “bucket list” is complete without Iceland and its spectacular features impress even the most well-traveled of visitors. Small in size but big in “wow,” this island nation can also be both traditional and modern, lava and ice, lush and frozen, stimulating and relaxing and dramatically light and dark. Amazing experiences and unique activities in Iceland make it a top tour destination for lovers of natural history and culture.
IS OCTOBER A GOOD MONTH TO VISIT ICELAND?
In one word, yes! October is a great time to visit Iceland for a number of reasons. While the summer months are perfect for outdoor activities, October also has good weather and also a major plus; you can see the northern lights! As the good weather persists even through October, you will find very few days with wind, but chillier temperatures approach. October in Iceland is one of the most beautiful months. Summer has left Iceland, fall has begun to set on the Icelandic nature, making the landscape even more dramatic and majestic. Photographers in particular will definitely enjoy October in Iceland. There is nothing quite like the Icelandic landscape and its rawness once the fall sets in. The rivers and the waterfalls become calmer, the clouds roll out, and the earth is changes from green grass to golden shades. October is considered an off season so tourist attractions, restaurants and bars are not so crowded. Why not join us for October in Iceland?
HOTEL INFORMATION
THE FOSS HOTEL REYKJAVIK: Iceland’s largest hotel stands prominently in Reykjavík’s business district, only a short walk from the main shopping area. Here, from the heart of the city, you can easily explore Reykjavík's magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets and rich culture – ideal starting point for experience the best of everything the city has to offer.
The FOSS HOTEL includes breakfast daily, gym, free wi-fi and two very different and unique restaurants. The HAUST restaurant offers local ingredients, classic booking and modern presentation. The BEERGARDEN offers a magnitude of craft beers and fully stocked bar – and can be paired perfectly with a selection of recommended dishes.
TOUR INFORMATION
DAY 1- October 7th - Meet at Orlando airport, security, customs. Flight to Reykjavic (Flight schedule pending)
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DAY 2- October 8th (B,L,D) Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
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Welcome to Reykjavik! At 610 am. After baggage and customs, we greet our tour director and board our private bus for a delicious Nordic breakfast buffet before starting our amazing Iceland adventure. After breakfast, we begin with our Reykjavik City tour which includes all of the most significant sights in the capital and its surrounding towns such as the Presidential Residence at Bessastadir, the Restaurant Perlan and Hofoi House. You will be also visiting the towering Hallgrim's church, the University district, the Old Town Center with the Parliament Building and the New City Hall by the pond with its many birds.
We enjoy a hearty lunch and then hotel check-in. Free time before dinner. Dinner this evening will be at a restaurant located in Reykjavik’s scenic harbor which is fast becoming a vibrant quarter of the city.
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DAY 2- October 8th (B,L,D) Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
*
Welcome to Reykjavik! At 610 am. After baggage and customs, we greet our tour director and board our private bus for a delicious Nordic breakfast buffet before starting our amazing Iceland adventure. After breakfast, we begin with our Reykjavik City tour which includes all of the most significant sights in the capital and its surrounding towns such as the Presidential Residence at Bessastadir, the Restaurant Perlan and Hofoi House. You will be also visiting the towering Hallgrim's church, the University district, the Old Town Center with the Parliament Building and the New City Hall by the pond with its many birds.
We enjoy a hearty lunch and then hotel check-in. Free time before dinner. Dinner this evening will be at a restaurant located in Reykjavik’s scenic harbor which is fast becoming a vibrant quarter of the city.
TOUR INFORMATION
DAY 3- October 9th (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel from 7:00am- 10:00am
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This morning we embark on a relaxing tour of the BLUE LAGOON. Bring or wear bathing suite/bring towel. Enjoy all the qualities the Blue Lagoon has to offer! The lagoon is a unique geothermal spa situated in the youngest lava field in west Iceland. Once there you have many recreational options such as walking in the Blue Lagoon's spectacular surroundings, bathing in the milky blue-green water, relax in a geothermal steam bath or release the stress from your shoulders under a Blue Lagoon waterfall. For a unique experience indulge yourself with an outdoor massage or one of the spa treatments available there.
There is also a fantastic restaurant offering a la carte menu and a Blue Lagoon shop, selling skin care products based on a unique blend of Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater active ingredients: minerals, silica, and algae. We will enjoy a wonderful lunch with unique surroundings at the LAVA RESTAURANT (or smiliar). After lunch we take a panoramic tour back to the city center of Reykjavik for independent exploration. Free time before dinner. Group dinner at another one of Iceland’s best restaurants. After dinner we tour to an exclusive spot outside the city where it is dark and secluded in search of the NORTHERN LIGHTS.
*
This morning we embark on a relaxing tour of the BLUE LAGOON. Bring or wear bathing suite/bring towel. Enjoy all the qualities the Blue Lagoon has to offer! The lagoon is a unique geothermal spa situated in the youngest lava field in west Iceland. Once there you have many recreational options such as walking in the Blue Lagoon's spectacular surroundings, bathing in the milky blue-green water, relax in a geothermal steam bath or release the stress from your shoulders under a Blue Lagoon waterfall. For a unique experience indulge yourself with an outdoor massage or one of the spa treatments available there.
There is also a fantastic restaurant offering a la carte menu and a Blue Lagoon shop, selling skin care products based on a unique blend of Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater active ingredients: minerals, silica, and algae. We will enjoy a wonderful lunch with unique surroundings at the LAVA RESTAURANT (or smiliar). After lunch we take a panoramic tour back to the city center of Reykjavik for independent exploration. Free time before dinner. Group dinner at another one of Iceland’s best restaurants. After dinner we tour to an exclusive spot outside the city where it is dark and secluded in search of the NORTHERN LIGHTS.
TOUR INFORMATION
DAY 4- October 10th : (B,L) Breakfast at the hotel from 7:00am- 10:00am
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Today we enjoy a full day tour of the GOLDEN CIRCLE FOOD TOUR. We get to take in the Golden Circle while exploring Icelandic farm to table and visiting some of the most popular natural landmarks in Iceland.
We start with some stunning nature and a trip to magnificent Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. We will then drive on to Efstidalur farm that not only offers a warm welcome and introduction to the life of a modern, Icelandic farm but also a taste of some treats, like freshly made colorful ice cream, skyr, feta cheese, mysa and bruschetta. And that's just for starters. Be sure to leave room for their home-made soup and bread, their roast beef and fresh trout from the river Utey.
After a farm to table lunch, we then visit Gullfoss waterfall followed by the hot spring and bubbling hot pots area around Geysir and the sprouting Strokkur. After these national landmarks, we stop at Fridheimar, a little piece of the Mediterranean in the middle of Iceland, thanks to a series of greenhouses. Here, you receive an introduction to the operation of growing tomatoes and taste some of their delicious foods all in the warmth of their greenhouses: a selection of bruschetta, some of their home grown vegetables and raise a glass and taste their mouthwatering tomato schnapps.
Last but not least we visit some of Iceland's best preserved Turfed Farms. At the Skogar Museum in southern Iceland, a cultural heritage collection of 18,000 regional artifacts exhibited in 6 historical buildings and 3 museums. After being fully fed with Icelandic nature and Icelandic delicacies we then drive back to Reykjavik. Relax after an exciting day. Dinner on your own this evening. Our guide will make recommendations or enjoy one of the restaurants in our hotel.
*
Today we enjoy a full day tour of the GOLDEN CIRCLE FOOD TOUR. We get to take in the Golden Circle while exploring Icelandic farm to table and visiting some of the most popular natural landmarks in Iceland.
We start with some stunning nature and a trip to magnificent Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. We will then drive on to Efstidalur farm that not only offers a warm welcome and introduction to the life of a modern, Icelandic farm but also a taste of some treats, like freshly made colorful ice cream, skyr, feta cheese, mysa and bruschetta. And that's just for starters. Be sure to leave room for their home-made soup and bread, their roast beef and fresh trout from the river Utey.
After a farm to table lunch, we then visit Gullfoss waterfall followed by the hot spring and bubbling hot pots area around Geysir and the sprouting Strokkur. After these national landmarks, we stop at Fridheimar, a little piece of the Mediterranean in the middle of Iceland, thanks to a series of greenhouses. Here, you receive an introduction to the operation of growing tomatoes and taste some of their delicious foods all in the warmth of their greenhouses: a selection of bruschetta, some of their home grown vegetables and raise a glass and taste their mouthwatering tomato schnapps.
Last but not least we visit some of Iceland's best preserved Turfed Farms. At the Skogar Museum in southern Iceland, a cultural heritage collection of 18,000 regional artifacts exhibited in 6 historical buildings and 3 museums. After being fully fed with Icelandic nature and Icelandic delicacies we then drive back to Reykjavik. Relax after an exciting day. Dinner on your own this evening. Our guide will make recommendations or enjoy one of the restaurants in our hotel.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR ICELAND TOUR CHOICES
CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE FOR TOUR CHOICES LIKE SAMPLES BELOW
DAY 5- OCTOBER 25TH : (B) Breakfast at the hotel from 7:00am- 10:00am
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Today is a free day to wander, shop or continue with one of the great optional tours we have listed below. Click on picture above for all tour choices, pricing and information.
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**Winter whale watching with round-trip transportation (4hrs)
**Purchase a hop on hop off city bus pass
**Evening Northern Lights Cruise with transportation (3hrs)
**Walk inside Langjokull Glacier (3 hrs)
**Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing Solheimajokull
**Horseback Riding
**Snowmobile Adventure/Langjokull from Gullfoss (3.5 hrs)
**Sea Fishing Tour (2.5 hrs)
**Midnight sun ATV Quad tour from Reykjavik (3hrs)
**Reykjavik City Museum/ Settlement Exhibition
**And many more to choose from
TOUR INFORMATION
DAY 6- October 12th (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel from 7:00am- 10:00am
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SOUTH COAST TOUR: Today we travel through the ever-changing landscape of south Iceland and discover some of the country’s biggest volcanoes, glaciers, and most iconic waterfalls. With our expert guide, we travel through the south Iceland farming lands to the black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, powerful volcanoes and majestic glaciers on the south coast. The first stop is at Skogarfoss and Myrdalsjokul. A picturesque waterfall thundering down the slopes of Saljalandsfoss volcano. A waterfall frequently used in movies and commercials. Then onwards for a leisurely stroll along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. The beach features stacks of basalt columns that wall off surrounding cliffs scattered with caves. Offshore you will see Reynisdrangar pillars, basalt rock stacks that rise from the sea. A great lunch included on this full day tour. Icelandic legend says they were trolls turned into rock by the rising sun when they came home late after a fishing trip. We round off this great sightseeing tour right in the slopes of Eyjafjallajokull volcano. On a clear day you will have a fantastic view of famous volcanoes, Hekla and Eyjafjallajokull. You will also see the Westman Islands, rising steeply from the ocean just a few kilometers of the coast.
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SOUTH COAST TOUR: Today we travel through the ever-changing landscape of south Iceland and discover some of the country’s biggest volcanoes, glaciers, and most iconic waterfalls. With our expert guide, we travel through the south Iceland farming lands to the black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, powerful volcanoes and majestic glaciers on the south coast. The first stop is at Skogarfoss and Myrdalsjokul. A picturesque waterfall thundering down the slopes of Saljalandsfoss volcano. A waterfall frequently used in movies and commercials. Then onwards for a leisurely stroll along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. The beach features stacks of basalt columns that wall off surrounding cliffs scattered with caves. Offshore you will see Reynisdrangar pillars, basalt rock stacks that rise from the sea. A great lunch included on this full day tour. Icelandic legend says they were trolls turned into rock by the rising sun when they came home late after a fishing trip. We round off this great sightseeing tour right in the slopes of Eyjafjallajokull volcano. On a clear day you will have a fantastic view of famous volcanoes, Hekla and Eyjafjallajokull. You will also see the Westman Islands, rising steeply from the ocean just a few kilometers of the coast.
TOUR INFORMATION
DAY 7- October 13th (B) Breakfast at hotel from 7:00am- 10:00am
*
This morning is a free day to wander, shop or continue with one of the great optional tours we have listed. Our luggage will be held with the hotel bellmen while we experience our last tastes of Iceland. Options: You can head to KOLAPORTID FLEA MARKET, the only flea-market in Iceland. It is located indoors at the harbor and has everything from fermented shark to clothing. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND offers a history of Iceland with many interesting artifacts. Visit the church: HALLGRIMSKIKJA. Visit PERLAN Museum- a super glacier and cave exhibition. Airport and flight home.
*HOW TO JOIN THIS TOUR!
Contact:
CARLSON MARITIME TRAVEL
623 E Tarpon Ave
Tarpon Springs, Fl. 34689
727.945.1930
Suzanne@scarlsontvl.com
Website: www.scarlsontvl.com
*
This morning is a free day to wander, shop or continue with one of the great optional tours we have listed. Our luggage will be held with the hotel bellmen while we experience our last tastes of Iceland. Options: You can head to KOLAPORTID FLEA MARKET, the only flea-market in Iceland. It is located indoors at the harbor and has everything from fermented shark to clothing. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND offers a history of Iceland with many interesting artifacts. Visit the church: HALLGRIMSKIKJA. Visit PERLAN Museum- a super glacier and cave exhibition. Airport and flight home.
*
Contact:
CARLSON MARITIME TRAVEL
623 E Tarpon Ave
Tarpon Springs, Fl. 34689
727.945.1930
Suzanne@scarlsontvl.com
Website: www.scarlsontvl.com
