Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice
An Island of Dramatic Contrasts
Uncover Iceland's natural beauty through a land forged by ice and fire. Travel the "Golden Circle" – an epicenter of natural scenic wonders. Stay overnight in a local fishing community and enjoy a picturesque cruise of the bay. It's your choice how you spend your time – choose between a lava cave adventure or an explorative coastline walk. You'll also choose between floating in the Blue Lagoon or visiting the Perlan Center with its interactive exhibits. Discover otherworldly wonders and captivating cultures on a fascinating Icelandic journey.
Identification
Passports are required for this tour at your expense. Certain countries require a minimum of 6 months passport validity from date of return home. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for details. Visit www.travel.state.gov for the U.S. State Department for the latest details about passports and visa requirements.
Important: We recommend that our clients traveling abroad take a photocopy of their passport and applicable visas. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact.
- Round Trip Air from Minneapolis St Paul International
- Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges
- Hotel Transfers
- Cancellation Waiver & insurance of $399 per person
- $50 per person savings
- AAA Vacations® Amenities
- Reykjavík
- Golden Circle
- Thingvellir National Park
- Breiðafjördur Bay Cruise
- Lava Exhibition Center
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
- Skaftafell National Park & Vatnajökull Glacier
Effective immediately and until further notice, all guests will be required to bring one of the following: proof of vaccination (official vaccination certificate in paper or electronic form), proof of recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result (FDA Approved diagnostic) for a test performed 72-hours or less from the start date of the tour with you on tour to verify information you will be providing to AAA Member Choice Vacations® when filling out the Wellness Declaration upon arrival.
Effective for travel after January 2023, all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country. To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ETIAS application, please visit https://www.etiasvisa.com/
Museum visits and shopping may be affected by the observance of religious or local holidays. The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour. On occasion, some activities may not be available due to inclement weather. *The Vatnshellir Cave tour is not recommended for guests who are claustrophobic or have back or knee problems. Guests should be in good physical condition. **Puffin can usually be viewed mid-May through mid-August. ***During the months of April and October, the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon cruise may not operate due to seasonality. This is reflected in the land price for these time periods.
Appropriate clothing is critical to fully enjoying your trip. Iceland’s weather conditions are ever-changing and require sturdy waterproof shoes and layers of waterproof and windproof clothing.The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (1-2 hours) isn’t a big deal. You can navigate hills and uneven ground, climb into various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, Zodiac, etc.), and could possibly anticipate changes in elevation. You can expect some longer days balanced with free-time to recharge or set out on your own adventure.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times. Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline's terms and conditions. Due to tour scheduling, arrival flights should arrive prior to 10:00 a.m. Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
Centerhotels is a hotel chain in Iceland. The exact hotel to be used while in Reykjavik will be available 60 days prior to your departure date. Hotel check-in on your day of arrival is 3:00 p.m. Rooms may not be available prior to that time.
Begin in the capital city of Reykjavík. Join a local expert for a walking tour of the city’s old section featuring the city hall, the harbor, the Parliament building and the nearby cathedral, dating from 1796. Then, get to know your fellow travelers during an Icelandic lunch at a popular local restaurant before checking into your hotel in the later afternoon. (L)
Travel the Golden Circle and experience renowned natural wonders, including the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall, the explosive Geysir thermal area, and the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Along the way, stop at a family-run dairy farm to enjoy various cheeses and their famous ice cream. Your day ends with a visit to Friðheimar’s stud farm and greenhouse cultivation center. Discover how pesticide-free produce is grown with the aid of geothermal energy and then learn about the tradition of breeding Icelandic show horses before returning to Reykjavík. (B)
Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and take in black sand beaches, volcanic craters and the Snæfellsjökull glacier. Here, it’s your choice! Experience total darkness in Vatnshellir Cave,* descending 100 feet to an 8,000-year-old lava tube -OR- walk along the coastline, passing cliff and columnar basalt formations, putting your camera to work snapping photos of this dramatic landscape. Connect with the local culture and visit a family that practices a 400-year-old tradition of catching and preserving the Greenland shark; you’ll also taste hákarl – cured shark meat. End your day on a Sea Tours nature cruise of Breiðafjördur Bay and sample fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean. You might spot puffins,** cormorants, and the white-tailed eagle soaring along the shoreline. (B, D)
Learn about geothermal renewable energy on a visit to Hellisheiðavirkjun, the largest power station in Iceland, and the second largest geothermal power station in the world. Visit the Lava Exhibition Center and delve into Iceland’s past and present volcanic eruptions. Arrive in Vík, Iceland's southernmost village, and one of the most remarkable spots in Iceland. (B, D)
Drive along the scenic south shore to the Skógar Museum. Discover its turf-built houses and its collection of farm and domestic artifacts. Nearby is the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the tallest in Iceland. View Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach scattered with caves and surrounded by basalt columns and cliffs. The beach is rich with bird life, such as the fulmar, black guillemot, razorbill, and gannet. You might also spot some nesting puffins along the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey, a volcanic peninsula towering over the ocean. (B, D)
Set sail*** along the huge icebergs of the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Keep your eyes peeled for possible seal sightings and get to taste the 1,000-year-old ice that surrounds you. Later, stop at Skaftafell National Park, gateway to Vatnajökull Glacier. Marvel at the vistas of Iceland’s highest mountains, as well as the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest ice cap. (B, D)
Make a picture stop at Seljalandsfoss, where you’ll walk behind a waterfall for views from the inside-out. In the afternoon, it’s your choice! Visit the Blue Lagoon and soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters located in the heart of a dramatic lava field -OR- visit the Perlan Center to explore the wonder of Iceland through interactive exhibits such as the Ice Cave, the Planetarium, the virtual aquarium and more. Gather with your fellow travelers for a local dining experience and share stories of your days in Iceland. (B, D)
Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice, by Member Choice Vacations
