Special ISU departure – June 20-30, 2019 EXPLORING 11 days from $5,897 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($5,495 air & land inclusive plus $402 airline taxes and fees) t’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one I of massive glaciers and rumbling volcanoes, bubbling mud holes and powerful ; hugely abundant bird life and just 300,000 people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks. It’s also perfect for exploring in a small group, as we discover traveling the breadth of the country and getting an up-close view of this natural "wonderland."

Destination Akureyri/ Air Lake Myvatn Motorcoach Entry/Departure

ICELAND

Borgarbyggo

On Day 7 we visit the beautiful – and popular – . Reykjavik Day 1: Depart U.S. for Reykjavik, Iceland Day 4: Borgarbyggo/Akureyri We travel towards

Avg. High (°F) Jun Jul the northeast corner of Iceland today, and to the fjords Lake Myvatn 50 59 Day 2: Arrive Reykjavik/Borgarbyggo Upon our of Akureyri, Iceland’s northern capital. Along the way Reykjavik 54 57 early morning arrival in Iceland’s capital, we meet our we stop at Grabrok Crater for scenic views, and at Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and enjoy a scenic a Gauksmyri farm featuring famed Icelandic horses drive north, stopping for breakfast along the way. – small, hardy, and with long manes. We also tour Your Small Group Tour Highlights Then we take an excursion to the thermal areas of Glaumbaer, a folk museum featuring authentic turf Deildartunguhver and Falls; and visit the houses. Upon arrival in Akureyri, we take a guided Accommodations in well-located, atmospheric small hotels Settlement Center, an interactive museum detailing coach and walking tour of this urban gem before • Stunning, unique natural scenery • Touring the beautiful the story of Iceland’s earliest settlers, including that of checking in at our hotel. B,D Snaefellsnes Peninsula • Charming Akureyri • Godafoss, famed 10th-century Viking Egil Skallagrimsson. After “waterfall of the gods” • Visit to Icelandic Breed horse farm reaching our hotel mid-afternoon, we have time to Day 5: Akureyri/Lake Myvatn Today we travel to • Lake Myvatn’s mud fl ats, lava fi elds, and volcanic craters relax before this evening's briefi ng on the journey beautiful Lake Myvatn. One of the world’s natural • , Iceland’s “Niagara” • Glacial River Canyon ahead followed by a welcome dinner. B,D wonders, Lake Myvatn and its environs of bubbling National Park • Thingvellir National Park • Dramatic bird- mud fl ats, lava fi elds, and lunar-like volcanic craters watching coastal cruise • Popular Skogafoss waterfall • Day 3: Borgarbyggo/Snaefellsnes Peninsula comprise a stunningly beautiful national park. Our Sophisticated Reykjavik • Hellisheidi geothermal power plant Today we encounter the stupendous scenery of the explorations begin with a walk up to the fascinating Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We begin with a walk along Hverfjall crater, a local landmark. Later we see the Day Itinerary Hotel Rating the shell sand beach at the abandoned fi shing village region’s unique “pseudo craters,” the boiling mud 1 Depart U.S. for Reykjavik of Budir, surrounded by a vast lava fi eld. We also ex- pots at Namaskard, the bizarre lava formations at 2-3 Borgarbyggo Hotel Husafell First Class plore the caves and bizarre rock formations along the Dimmuborgir, and the fl at volcano system at Krafl a. 4-6 Akureyri Hotel Kea First Class rugged shore at Arnarstapi, site of thousands of nesting Our last stop is the incredible Glacial River Canyon 7-8 Selfoss Hotel Selfoss First Class cliff birds. After stopping for lunch – a traditional National Park, yet another of Iceland’s natural wonders, 9-10 Reykjavik Hotel Reykjavik First Class fresh seafood soup – at a rustic oceanfront restaurant, where we walk to jaw-dropping Dettifoss, Europe’s Centrum we visit Djupalonssandur where we see the haunting most powerful waterfall and Iceland’s “Niagara.” 11 Depart Reykjavik for U.S. remains of abandoned coastal farms. B,L,D After this day of stunning scenery, we return to our Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel hotel in time for dinner on our own tonight. B,L industry standard reference.

22 Visit us at www.isualum.org/travel B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner For reservations, call the the ISU Alumni Association at (515) 294-9310 or fax (515) 294-9402

IowaState_Spreads_6-22_2019_#1.indd 22 4/3/18 3:23 PM Tour membership limited to 24 total alumni and friends Day 6: Akureyri/Jökulsárgljúfur National Park This morning we visit Hljodaklettar Echo Cliffs YOU WILL REACH YOUR DESTINATION where we explore the labyrinth of “echoing rocks” EVEN THOUGH created by the spiral basalt formations of arches and canyons here. We travel next to Asbyrgi, a huge YOU TRAVEL SLOWLY.

canyon en veloped by towering walls; in the middle – ICELANDIC PROVERB of the par tially wooded canyon sits a huge hoof- shaped rock called “The Island.” We continue on to at the Hellisheidi Power Plant, Iceland's largest. Husavik, where mid-afternoon we embark on a bird- Upon arrival in Reykjavik, we have lunch at a local watching cruise to Puffi n Island to see the thousands restaurant then embark on a city tour of the Ice- of seabirds here (based on seasonality): puffi ns, black landic capital. Home to more than half of Iceland’s guillemots, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Then en route population, Reykjavik ranks as one of the world’s back to Akureyri, we stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall safest and cleanest cities. Later, we check in at our of the gods” named for the carvings of Norse gods well-located hotel in the city center. Dinner tonight discarded here when the country was declared Chris- is on our own in this stylish city. B,L tian a thousand years ago. B,D Day 10: Reykjavik Today is at leisure to explore and Day 7: Akureyri/Reykjavik/Selfoss This morning enjoy Reykjavik as we please; those who wish can join we fl y to Reykjavik; upon arrival we coach to Thingvellir in an optional tour to the Blue Lagoon for a soothing National Park, known both for its historic import bath in geothermal waters rich with silica, sulfur, and and as the place other minerals. The city is a sophisticated European where the fi s- urban center with museums and galleries; theater, sym- sure between phony, and dance; boutiques and restaurants. Tonight the geological we celebrate our adventure over a farewell dinner. B,D plates of North America and Day 11: Depart for U.S. Today we depart for the Europe is most Remote Icelandic scene airport and our return fl ights to the U.S. B evident. It’s also a gem of nature, Tour Departs: June 20, 2019 with canyons, Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees caves, water- Boston, New York, falls, and ponds $5,897 surrounded by Washington, DC snow-capped Baltimore, Denver, mountains. We Minneapolis, $6,197 learn about the Philadelphia, Seattle Iceland boasts 8 to 10 million puffi ns. historic parlia- Atlanta, Charlotte, ment founded Chicago, Cincinnati, $6,297 here in 930 CE, and walk along a gorge into the rift Cleveland, Detroit, valley itself. After lunch at a local restaurant, we Miami, Orlando, Tampa depart for famed Great Geysir and Gullfoss, Iceland’s Dallas, Houston, immensely popular “golden” waterfall. Then we drive Los Angeles, Phoenix, $6,397 down to the southern coast to the beautiful agricul- Portland (OR), San Francisco tural area of Selfoss. B,L Cedar Rapids, Des Moines $6,497 Day 8: Selfoss/Vik This morning we walk along Land Only (transfers not included) $5,095 the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, lined with Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person columnar basalt-fi lled caves. Next we visit picturesque based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, , Iceland’s most visited waterfall, fol- surcharges, and fees of $402, which are subject to change lowed by a stop at the Skogar Folk Museum, which Iceland’s hot spring geysers are famous natural attractions. until fi nal payment is made. depicts traditional life in Iceland. From here we walk to nearby Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most popular Your Tour Price Includes Single travelers please add $1,395. All 2019 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are waterfalls, known for its rainbows on sunny days. • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; fl ight within guaranteed. After lunch on our own at the museum, we continue itinerary on to lovely Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town, where • 9 nights’ accommodations in First Class hotels Business Class upgrade on round-trip international fl ight: we’re free to explore on our own and to shop for items • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners $1,495 per person from Boston, Newark, New York, of locally produced wool. En route to our hotel, we • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees Wash, D.C. (Dulles); $2,195 per person from Chicago, stop by the Solheimajokull “sliding” glacier, so named • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director Minneapolis; $2,395 per person from Denver, Seattle for its rapid advance in the 1990s. B,D • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip (upgrade is subject to availability and pricing is subject to • Luggage handling for one bag per person change). Upgrade cost is in addition to the costs above. Day 9: Selfoss/Reykjavik Heading back to Reykjavik • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on today we travel through “saga” country, the setting hotel porters, and all drivers uneven terrain in a natural environment. You should be in of one of the country’s famous medieval stories. We • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest. stop along the way to see the geothermal exhibit North Carolina State University

For reservations, call the the ISU Alumni Association at (515) 294-9310 or fax (515) 294-9402 23

IowaState_Spreads_6-22_2019_#1.indd 23 4/3/18 3:23 PM