(Photo courtesy of Cox & Kings)
With the Northern Lights, glacier lagoons and black lava fields, there are a bevy of natural wonders to explore in Iceland.
Iceland contains over 170 geothermal pools, where travelers can relax in the hot springs and experience the spa culture of the country. They can also go horseback riding, whale watching or view the Northern Lights, usually from late-September until the beginning of April. With the variety of nature and activities accessible to travelers, it’s no wonder this destination is hot for North American travelers.
“Iceland is a great destination for multiple reasons: Its close proximity to the East Coast, as it is only a four-and-a-half-hour flight from Boston, and its abundance of natural wonders,” says Scott Wiseman, president, Cox & Kings, the Americas. “Travelers can explore everything from glaciers to waterfalls, pseudo-craters to lava pits and even bird sanctuaries.”
Cox & Kings offers three Private Journey tours to Iceland, including the new 5-day Iceland: Aurora Borealis, which takes travelers to Reykjavik, Lake Myvatn and Hvalfjordur Fjord.
The tour includes 1-night accommodations at Hilton Nordica in Reykjavik; a 2-night stay at Hotel Reynihlid by Lake Myvatn; and a 1-night stay at Hotel Glymur in the Glymur Village. Highlights of the trip include searching for whales in the North Atlantic, looking for the Northern Lights in Lake Myvatn, and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon. What makes Cox & Kings’ tours different from other tours, Wiseman says is the on-the-ground expertise and “unmatched insider access.”
“In Iceland, we can arrange a very special visit with an Icelandic family in Akureyri where guests are treated to a taste of traditional Icelandic home cooking and the opportunity to learn about the local lifestyle first-hand,” he says.
Departures start Oct. 1, and rates start at $5,225 pp and include meals daily, entrance fees, transfers and local English-speaking guides. For more information, call (800) 999-1758 or visit coxandkingsusa.com.
G Adventures also offers a 7-day Local Living Iceland: South tour where travelers visit fishing villages and farms, and tour Reykjavik by bicycle. The tour includes six breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners; a 5-night stay in a fully equipped farmhouse and one night at a hotel; a visit to the Golden Circle, which includes the Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Some of the optional activities and day trips include ice snorkeling, whale watching tours and whitewater canoeing trips.
Rates start at $1,445 pp. For more information, call (888) 800-4100 or visit gadventures.com.
Travelers interested in a day trip have plenty of options from Iceland Travel, including the Black and Blue: Caving and Snorkeling Combo trip, which last about seven hours. The trip takes travelers to Thingvellir National Park to explore a lava cave and snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, with daily departures starting May 15.
The cost is $200 and includes a guided tour, packed lunch and all equipment. For more information, visit touroperator.icelandtravel.is.
Additionally, in the January issue, we’ve highlighted Iceland’s Reykjavik Art Festival, taking place May 17-June 2. Read more about the festival and where to book clients here.
For more information on Iceland in general, visit visiticeland.com.
