Highlights
- Chase the northern lights by Super Jeep across Reykjavík's wintry countryside
- Explore the wintry lowlands with a team of huskies on a dogsledding adventure
- Relax and rejuvenate at the luxurious Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon spas
- Discover the best of Reykjavík's cuisine with a private food tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Keflavík, Relax at The Retreat Spa, Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | Cultural Discovery & Stand-Up Comedy in Reykjavík | Reykjavík |
| Day 3 | Drive to the Golden Circle, Overnight Glass Lodge Experience | Golden Circle |
| Day 4 | Drive to Húsafell via Dogsledding Adventures, Langjökull Glacier Tour | Húsafell |
| Day 5 | Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Húsafell Canyon Baths | Húsafell |
| Day 6 | Drive to Reykjavík, City Food Tour, Sky Lagoon Spa Experience | Reykjavík |
| Day 7 | Discover the Reykjanes Peninsula, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Keflavík, Relax at The Retreat Spa, Northern Lights Superjeep Tour
Velkominn til íslands (welcome to Iceland)! Known for its myriad geological wonders encompassing icy glaciers, steaming geysers, and towering volcanoes, the "Land of Fire and Ice" is home to some of Europe's most dramatic and diverse landscapes, steeped in myth and legends. Your destination is Reykjavík, the country's refreshingly modern capital, with a first-class dining scene and award-winning contemporary architecture. Upon arrival at Keflavík airport, pick up the keys to your rental car and drive 40 minutes south to the famous Blue Lagoon Spa.
The next five hours are yours to soothe any post-flight aches and luxuriate in the Blue Lagoon's famous wellness resort. With access to The Retreat spa, you'll experience the lagoon's renowned therapeutic geothermal waters and spa facilities in privacy and seclusion. Emerge refreshed and rejuvenated, ready for the hour's drive northeast to your hotel, the capital's sleek and stylish 5-star hotel, The Reykjavík Edition.
Check in to one of the boutique rooms or suites that blends warm palettes of ash gray and pale oak with copper details, elegant Scandinavian design, and individual furnishings from local artisans. Suites enjoy uninterrupted views of the harbor, Mount Esja, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano. After a relaxing dinner and drinks at the hotel, you'll end your first day with a private tour to discover the mesmerizing colored veils of the aurora borealis. In the comfort of a Super Jeep, you'll ditch the crowds and go off-road to reach exclusive spots known for the best views of the northern lights.
Day 2: Cultural Discovery & Stand-Up Comedy in Reykjavík
Spend today discovering the capital's cultural offerings at your own pace. Despite the city's relatively petite size, you'll find galleries, museums, and exhibitions on almost every corner and a thriving arts and culture scene. For an overview of the key events in Icelandic history and the historical figures who helped shape the country, head to the Saga Museum. Delve back even farther at The Settlement Exhibition, where you'll uncover Reykjavík's earliest history and see archaeological finds from the Viking age, including the remnants of a thousand-year-old settlement wall.
Afterward, either pause for a long lunch at one of the city's many fine-dining restaurants or opt for casual lunchtime fare at one of the cafés in the Midborg area (also known as Reykjavík 101). You'll find no large chains here; the capital is famed for its coffee culture with plenty of eclectic, independent bars and friendly rivalries between neighboring baristas. Shop for souvenirs on the main thoroughfare of Laugavegur, filled with boutiques and colorful local street art, and don't miss Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland's tallest church, which sits on a hill overlooking the town.
Relax back at your suite after a day of sightseeing and either indulge in a treatment at the hotel's on-site spa or unwind with a drink at the seventh-floor rooftop bar and admire the sweeping views over the mountain-backed ocean. In the evening, you'll head to the nearby Harpa Concert Hall (whose award-winning design is a sight in itself) to see "How to Become Icelandic in 60 Minutes," an amusing take on the mannerisms and customs you'll find across Iceland. After the show, you'll find plenty of nearby bars where you can sip on craft beer or a cocktail while listening to live music.
Day 3: Drive to the Golden Circle, Overnight Glass Lodge Experience
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Start the next leg of your Nordic adventure this morning with a self-guided tour of Iceland's Golden Circle. Known for its hot springs and dramatic cliffs threaded with mighty waterfalls, the popular 186-mile (300 km) loop takes in some of the country's most spectacular sights. Start with a trip to the Þingvellir National Park, geologically and historically significant thanks to its tectonic plates that straddle Europe and North America and the famous Law Rock, the site of the world's first parliament, Alþingi.
Continue your tour with stops at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the regularly erupting Strokkur Geyser, and the 3,000-year-old Kerið crater, with its turquoise lake surrounded by red volcanic soil. Beyond the highlights, you'll also find the area packed with surprises. Seek out the Secret Lagoon, a geothermal pool fed by the nearby natural springs in the village of Flúðir, or head to the Highlands, where you'll be rewarded with lava fields and multihued rhyolite mountains. Afterward, make your way to your overnight accommodation.
You'll be spending the night off-grid in the middle of South Iceland's untamed natural beauty. Fifteen miles (25 km) from the tiny village of Hella lie the sought-after Panorama Glass Lodges. Constructed from steel and wood with gleaming glass windows and roofs, each lodge (there are only three) has ample space and grounds, with a private hot tub and sauna, ensuring maximum solitude. Handcrafted furnishings, toiletries from Sóley Organics, and comfortable king-size beds ensure the perfect surroundings for a night gazing at the stars or the green-hued veil of the aurora borealis.
Day 4: Drive to Húsafell via Dogsledding Adventures, Langjökull Glacier Tour
Savor breakfast in your luxurious wilderness abode this morning and enjoy a drive through scenic southern Iceland as you make your way north, past the towns of Hella and Selfoss, to the Mosfellsdalur valley. In just under two hours, you'll arrive in Iceland's Lowlands, the perfect setting for a dogsledding experience. Accompanied by a pack of eight or so loyal husky pups and an experienced guide, you'll get to sit back and savor the wintry views as you speed along the snowy terrain.
After stopping for refreshments and a bite to eat, drive northeast to Húsafell, just under two hours away. If this morning's dogsledding has given you a taste for more exhilarating snow-based adventures, squeeze in an invigorating tour of the icy Langjökull glacier. Departing from Húsafell, you'll step inside a specially modified glacier vehicle as your guide expertly navigates the rugged, frozen landscape. Reach the glacier, and you'll have time to venture inside the blue ice tunnels before returning to Húsafell in the evening.
Otherwise, check straight into the 48-bedroomed Hotel Húsafell, a luxury retreat on the edge of Iceland's dramatic Central Highlands whose location, in the shadow of the Langjökull glacier, offers incredible views of the elusive northern lights. Rooms and suites feature a pared-down Scandi chic aesthetic with heated floors, modern furnishings, and original artwork by Páll Guðmundsson. Relax in one of the hotel's hot tubs after a day in the snow, and dine in the cozy restaurant as you gaze at the sweeping mountain views from the panoramic windows.
Day 5: Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Húsafell Canyon Baths
Today's destination is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called "Little Iceland," as it's known for containing all of the country's diversity and natural wonders within a compact 56 miles (96 km). It's roughly a two-hour drive west to the peninsula, and your first stop is the strikingly atmospheric 19th-century Búðakirkja, an isolated and much-photographed black wooden chapel. Make your way across the lava fields of Búðahraun and the Búðaklettur crater, and continue clockwise along the coast, pausing at the tiny villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar.
There's plenty to admire along the route, with the famous Lóndrangar lava formations and the evocative black-sand beach at Djúpalónssandur. Follow the small trail along the cliffs, and you'll see the impressive Dritvík Cove before driving to the Saxhóll crater for sweeping views of the Atlantic. You'll continue your drive with a visit to the photogenic Mount Kirkjufell with its steeple-like peak and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall—both featured in "Game of Thrones."
When you're ready, head back east, and just before reaching your hotel, you'll find the Húsafell Canyon Baths, nestled in the solitary splendor of the highlands. Cap off your day with a relaxing soak in the warm geothermal waters surrounded by the canyon and mountains. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing in your spacious room or suite before heading down to dinner.
Day 6: Drive to Reykjavík, City Food Tour, Sky Lagoon Spa Experience
Today, you'll drive back to the capital for your final night in Iceland. It's just under a two-hour drive southeast on the Ring Road, with plenty of opportunities to stop and see the Borgarfjörður district's highlights along the way. Stop for coffee and snúður (cinnamon buns) at one of the cafés in Reykholt, a village not far from Húsafell, steeped in history, culture, and Old Norse mythology. Check back in at The Reykjavík Edition, and when you're ready, meet your private guide for a culinary adventure through Reykjavík's foodie hotspots and renowned city sights.
Try delicious seafood, local free-roaming lamb, and a host of specialties, including cheeses, ice cream, and decadent pastries from family-run establishments to some of Reykjavík's classic restaurants. Afterward, treat yourself to several hours of pampering with a trip to the award-winning Sky Lagoon geothermal spa. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of centuries-old Icelandic wellness practice with the spa's seven-step Sky Ritual experience. You'll discover the healing powers of contrasting water temperatures, steam, heat, and fresh air while savoring the retreat's expansive ocean views.
Day 7: Discover the Reykjanes Peninsula, Depart
Your luxury adventure in Iceland comes to a close today. However, there's still time for some last-minute sightseeing along the Reykjanes Peninsula as you make your way to Keflavík airport. Stop to discover geological wonders such as the volcanic crater lake of Grænavatn and the colorful geothermal areas of Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík, where you'll find steam vents, hot springs, and steamy bubbling mud pools.
Stretch your legs preflight with a stroll around the scenic Garður Lighthouse, then drop off your car at the airport in time to board your flight home or onboard connection. Safe travels!
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