1. Home
  2. Eden Essentials
  3. Experiences
  4. Iceland

It may be famous the world over as one of the best spots to catch the elusive Northern Lights, but Iceland has a whole lot more besides. Here’s how to fit seeing the best of this magical volcanic island in just a few days.

GETTING THERE

British Airways operate direct services on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from London Heathrow to Reykjavik, with Easyjet operating direct services on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from Manchester. Flights with other low-cost airlines are available.

DAY ONE | REYKJAVIK

Splitting your stay between Iceland’s coastal capital, and Southern Iceland’s epic countryside, the adventure begins from the moment you land in Reykjavik. After checking into the boutique Hótel Borg (the city’s first luxury hotel, built in the 1930s, and home for your first night in Iceland) you’re perfectly placed to start your private tour of the city and get acquainted with its greatest landmarks.


Stepping straight from the hotel into leafy Austurvöllur Square in the heart of the city’s colourful old town, this tour takes in the Altþingishús (Parliament House) – an 1880s stone building, its glass and stone annex added much later in 2002; the Parliament House Garden – the country’s oldest park; and the cathedral (Dómkirkjan) – completed in 1796 and enlarged in 1848. Then it’s on to the old harbour, a hive of lively activities and attractions, and a beautiful place to take a stroll, sip on aromatic dark-roast coffee, explore the Vikin Maritime Museum, the quirky shops and galleries, or take one of the whale- or puffin-watching marine adventures. It’s also home to the impressive Harpa concert hall, with its signature LED-lit façade, inspired by Icelandic nature, its illuminations mirroring the weather, time of day and seasons like a calendar of light.

Next up is a visit to Höfði House, built in 1909, and considered one of the most beautiful and historically-significant buildings in the Reykjavík area, where Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbatsjov held their 1986 summit meeting which effectively marked the end of the Cold War. Top of Reykjavik’s list of attractions however – and quite literally one of the biggest – has to be the larger than life, 73-metre tall Hallgrímskirkja Church. Its architecture was inspired by the fascinating forms created when volcanic lava cools into basalt rock, and its tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city.

Stay: Hótel Borg

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY THREE | THE SOUTH SHORE

If it’s dramatic scenery, brooding weather, and tongue-twisting place names you want, then the South Shore is most definitely the place to be. Travelling through verdant farmland, this tour takes in one of the most beautiful regions of Iceland: an area of great historical significance as well as the setting for the famous Saga of Brennu-Njáll (the Story of Burned Njal). Here the rugged landscape offers up first-hand evidence of the power of Mother Nature and a plethora of magnificent photo opportunities too.

Along the way you’ll take in the graceful 64m-high Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, unique in the fact that you can walk behind the waterfall itself and through to the other side; the impressive and much-photographed Skógafoss Waterfall, with its 62m-high thundering cascade; plus the black-sand beaches, and numerous strange lava formations that this region is famous for.

You’ll also pay a visit to the Skógar Folk Museum, with its collection of oddities belonging to founder Thordur Tomasson, where you’ll find everything from a driftwood boat and traditional laundry mangles, to one of the first editions of the Bible to be printed in Icelandic.

Stay: Hotel Rangá

  

 

 

 

DAY TWO | THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

As you’ll have seen on your first day, Reykjavik is amazing for a city break all on its own, but as the gateway to the country’s rugged fjords, lush valleys, rainbow-arched waterfalls, glacial gems and slumbering volcanos, it’s now time to leave the world’s northernmost capital and head south on a tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle, taking in some of the most dramatic sights this land of fire and ice has to offer – the Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Hot Springs and the Gullfoss Waterfall.

Thingvellir is the national shrine of Iceland, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Vikings established the world’s first parliament in AD 930, and a place of captivating geology and extraordinary national beauty. You’ll also get a fascinating first-hand look at how the earth is ever so slowly pulling apart along the North-America and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Breaking for lunch at the Friedheimar Greenhouse, a family-owned-andrun geothermally-heated organic tomato greenhouse and café, you’ll learn all about the traditions and methods used by local farmers to grow their tasty and super-healthy produce, and sample the diversity and freshness of Icelandic food all for yourself.

Then it’s on to the Geysir Hot Springs to explore the geothermal pools and see the incredible hot spring of Strokkur erupt. It’s currently the most energetic spouting spring in Iceland so make sure you have your camera ready. And if that wasn’t spectacular enough, last stop of the day is the Gullfoss Waterfall (golden falls), named for the glacial sediment in the water that turns them golden in the sunlight, and fed by the Langjökull Glacier, the second biggest glacier in Europe.

Finally, the day ends with the first night of your three-night stay at Hotel Rangá, a luxury four-star countryside hotel in the heart of Southern Iceland’s panoramic scenery, and set on the banks of Iceland’s premier fishing river, the Eystri-Ranga.


Stay: Hotel Rangá

  

 

 

 

DAY FOUR | THÓRSMÖRK GLACIAL VALLEY

Thórsmörk is one of the shiniest pearls in this country’s string of beautiful regions, a natural paradise named after the mighty Thor, Viking God of Thunder, close to the now-notorious Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, and accessible only by specially-equipped super jeeps (particularly useful when crossing the area’s gentle streams, raging waters and unbridged glacial rivers – a big part of this brilliant adventure). Needless to say this is a trip that should most definitely be arranged with an experienced guide!



Once at Thórsmörk, you’ll be in the heart of a magnificent valley, nestled between three glaciers, chock-full of geological wonders and unique vistas, where you can enjoy the diverse flora and fauna, hiking trails, explore the massive Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and feast on a barbeque lunch in the Thórsmörk Valley Hut.

Stay: Hotel Rangá

 

DAY FIVE | THE BLUE LAGOON

Last stop on your Icelandic adventure is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa – one of the most visited attractions in the country and an oasis of relaxation surrounded by amazing nature.

Set in a magnificent black lava field in Grindavik on the southwest coast’s Reykjanes Peninsula, just 25 minutes from the airport, this is the perfect end to an epic escape, where the superheated water (70% sea water, 30% fresh water, and at a perfect 38°c) is rich in blue-green algae, mineral salts and fine silica mud, guaranteed to condition and exfoliate the skin and get you ‘flight ready’ for your journey home.

     

 

 

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

As one of the planet’s most dramatic yet unpredictable phenomena, it’s never guaranteed the Aurora Borealis will make an appearance during your stay. Pre-booking a Northern Lights Tour with our Concierge Team will give you the best chance to see them, as our chosen tour companies monitor the forecast each day and will only take you out when conditions for hunting down this elusive attraction are most favourable.

PRICE

Four nights from £5955 per person, staying one night at the Hotel Borg and three nights at Hotel Rangá, including round-trip economy class flights, private car transfers, a private tour to see the Northern Lights, a private visit to the Friedheimar Greenhouse, and entrance to the Blue Lagoon Exclusive Lounge.

​
​

Call your Travel Director on

01244 567 000

to book or for further information on these or any other experiences.

Request a call back

Or get in touch 01244 567000