Winter Wonders and Delicious Detours

Arrival in Iceland – The world’s Northernmost Capital City

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and drive along lava landscapes to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Please note: check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm).

Approximate distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• Enjoy Cook and Dine at Salt Eldhus, a hands-on late morning or early evening cooking lesson in English.You’ll learn about Iceland’s unique culinary culture and the New Nordic cuisine using fresh, Icelandic ingredients. The course is in English and led by professional chefs from Salt Kitchen (this course must be pre-booked).
• Pop by Café Loki, a small and friendly family-run café located across from Hallgrimskirkja Church in the centre of Reykjavik. The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by traditional Icelandic home recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next.
• Discover Iceland’s version of street food: upmarket, food-truck style kiosks at two new food halls. Hlemmur Food Hall is near the main shopping street, Laugavegur. Grandi Matthöll is in the Grandi neighbourhood of the Old Harbor.
• Join the Reykjavik Food Walk, a small-group guided tour of the old city area. During the trip you’ll visit several restaurants to sample delicious food that are typical of everyday Icelandic favorites.

Thundering waterfalls – Bubbling geysers – Sea Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black sand beaches of the South Shore

Head out of the city, where you’ll explore some of the Golden Circle and South shore areas. Drive to Gullfoss waterfall and the nearby Geysir hot spring are, highlights of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Continue your trip along the south coast, viewing highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. On a clear day you might glimpse majestic Eyjafjallajokull, the site of the (in)famous volcanic eruption in 2010. This region is one of Iceland’s best farming districts, providing geothermal vegetables and some of Iceland’s best known dairy and meat products.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Approximate distance: 300 km / 186 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• The small café at Fontana Geothermal Baths bakes traditional sweet rye bread using the earth’s natural geothermal heat. At 14:30 (2:30pm) every day, you can watch as the bread is removed from its cooking tins in the ground and taste it fresh with plenty of Icelandic butter (this experience must be pre-booked). We also suggest the lunch buffet with healthy Icelandic homestyle food made with ingredients from nearby farms and greenhouses.
• Efstidalur II traditional dairy farm is just a 10-minute drive from Gullfoss waterfall. The farm’s restaurant overlooks the milking area and features cusine with locally sourced beef and vegetables, as well as homemade milk products such as ice cream, feta cheese and skyr (a thick, low-fat yogurt-like product). The Ice Cream barn is an immensely popular stop with locals. During your visit, you can watch the dairy cows through a big window in the dairy barn.
• Fridheimar is a charming horse farm and greenhouse facility near Fludir. Clean geothermal and hydroelectric energy provides resources to grow many types of organic vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers. A restaurant specializes in a buffet featuring Fridheimar’s famous tomato soup, fresh bread, and salsas. The restaurant is open daily between 12:00 and 16:00 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm) except for 24-26 December, 31 December, and 1 January. In order to guarantee a table, please call ahead in advance for a reservation.

Vatnajokull National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier

Today you’ll be in the area of the largest national park in Western Europe: Vatnajokull National Park. First you’ll drive past the largest single lava flow in the world in recorded history, Eldhraun. You’ll also cross over vast sand plains created by glacial washes. Visit the majestic Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The area is ringed by glaciers offers good winter hiking possibilities. You can even join a guided hiking tour taking you onto a glacier, an unforgettable experience. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Nearby is the Diamond Beach, which has become quite famous in the social media community.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Approximate distance: 395 km / 245 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• Thorbergur Cultural Centre honours one of Iceland’s beloved authors, Thorbergur Thordarson. The centre’s building resembles a giant shelf of books, a unique photo opportunity. The Hali restaurant has become famous among Icelanders for its traditional Icelandic specialties, especially its arctic char (trout) sourced from a nearby farm. The daytime menu has soups, salads, sandwiches, light fish main courses,and homemade cakes. The evening menu has soups, salads, main courses featuring seafood and locally-sourced lamb and beef, and traditional Icelandic desserts.
• If you’re itching for barbecue and a cold beer the Smidjan Brugghus in Vik specializes in their own craft beer, along with other Icelandic labels. Their barbecue and grill items include slow-cooked barbecued ribs and pulled pork, great burgers, along with legendary french fries that are “possibly made by unicorns.”

National Park of Geological Wonders – Charming Fjord Region – Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring

Drive to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows on the edge of Iceland’s largest lake. You can enjoy the unique experience of walking between continents on a path leading through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Continue to charming Borgarfjordur fjord, a region known for local culinary and craft tradtiions. Visit the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. We recommend a visit to the nearby Krauma natural geothermal baths, where you can relax in pools fed by a perfect blend of water from Deildartunguhver and nearby glacial springs.

Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.

Approximate distance: 340 km / 211 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• The restaurant at Krauma geothermal baths offers bistro-style courses with produce from West Iceland farms. Two signature dishes are an appetizer featuring cheese and cured meats from a traditional goat farm and a colorful salad with vegetables from a nearby greenhouse farm.
• The Settlement Centre in Borgarnes offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Iceland’s settlement by Vikings. After looking at the exhibits, check out the excellent restaurant on site. Choose from an assortment of traditional Icelandic dishes such as fish soup and grilled lamb. A local favorite is the vegetarian wellness lunch buffet, featuring home-made soups, salads, pasta and bread. Don’t forget to leave room for a slice of homemade cake.
• Beer aficionados might enjoy visiting the countryside microbrewery, Stedji. Their Visitor Centre’s tasting room gives you the opportunity to see the operations and sample some distinctively different beers. Stedji is open every day except Sundays and holidays between 13:00 and 17:00 (1:00 pm and 5:00 pm)
• The Ljomalind Country Market in Borgarnes is open daily week 12:00 – 17:00 (12:00pm – 5:00pm; closed on national holidays). This sustainable country market was created by women from the region. Discover home-made treats like ice cream, candy, cheese, and jams, as well as handicrafts and herbal remedies. This is a nice stop for getting picnic lunch ingredients and tasty souvenirs for friends at home.

Sea Cliffs – Rock Formations – Quaint Fishing Villages

Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, which also includes Snaefellsjokull National Park. Snæfellsnes has become known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” because it has so many diverse types of landscapes in one area. A visit here will be a feast for your eyes and for your camera! We recommend you stop at the wind-tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. The beautiful Snaefessjokull glacier-volcano is the crown jewel of the peninsula. Legends say that the mountain is home to a benevolent half-troll guardian. Drive along the north coast through bustling fishing villages, stopping to look at Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in the country.

Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.

Approximate distance: 330 km / 205 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• Anyone with an interest in Iceland’s culinary heritage should not miss the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum, founded by the country’s last shark farmer. You’ll learn about this unique delicacy and, if you’re brave, have a taste. The museum is open daily 10:00 – 17:00 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm).
• The House of Food (Bjargarsteinn) in Grundarfjordur is a little restaurant in an adorable renovated early 20th century house with a lovely view over the seacoast. The menu changes based on the best products each season, with good seafood, lamb and vegetarian offerings.
• Stykkishólmur town is considered one of Iceland’s most eco-friendly communities. The town’s Sjarvarpakkhusid restaurant is commited to low environmental impact. They get ingredients from local fishermen, farmers, and breweries. Diners enjoy the view over the island-filled Breidafjordur Bay and watching the fishing boats and fishermen at work.

Volcanic Landscapes – Bubbling Mud Pools – Active Fishing Community – Geothermal Spa

Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula and visit the moonlike lava fields around Lake Kleifarvatn.The peninsula is a UNESCO GeoPark, with over 50 interesting sites connected to geothermal activity, volcanoes and tectonic plates. One of the most interesting of these is Krysuvik geothermal area with primordial bubbling mud pools. We recommend a stop at Grindavik fishing village, famous for its heritage of producing salt fish (bacalao). Salt fish made an enormous impact on the prosperity of the Icelandic nation, particularly during the late 19th  and early 20th centuries.

Perhaps you will also visit the famous Blue Lagoon and enjoy its pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin. (Note: Bookings must be made in advance. We are happy to book a time for you.)

After a great trip, it’s time to head to Reykjavik for your last night in Iceland!

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Approximate distance: 189 km / 117 miles

Our Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• Salthusid Restaurant (The House of Bacalao) is located in Grindavik and is open for dinner. The menu features beautifully-presented seafood. The specialty is salted cod, but the restaurant also offers salmon, lobster, arctic charr. If you prefer meat courses, you can enjoy Icelandic lamb and beef specialties. The restaurant is open 17:00 – 21:00 (5:00pm – 9:00pm).
• Grindavík is also home to Hjá Höllu (At Halla’s), a family-owned, cozy restaurant specializing in light, healthy soups, salads, pizza, and main courses. Ingredients are organic. The menu changes weekly. The restaurant is open 11:00 – 17:00 (11:00 am – 5:00 pm). The kitchen closes at 15:00 (3:00 pm), but people can get sandwiches, beverages, smoothies, and desserts until closing time.
• Lava Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon is a fine dining experience using locally-sourced ingredients. Built into an 800 year-old lava cliff, the restaurant looks out over the Blue Lagoon. The fish of the day comes right from Grindavik’s harbor. Lunchtime fixed menus (two and three-course options) provide a great overview of Icelandic favorites with a unique flair. A feature of the restaurant’s dinner menu is the 4-course tasting menu, a very elegant way to experience the range of Icelandic cuisine.

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport.** We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than  at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon. Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area,  which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.

Approximate distance: 50 km / 30 miles

**Please note that the package price is based on 6 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 7, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 6-day rental is up and use our Airport Direct departure transfer.