Iceland - Location Guide

ICELAND - LOCATION GUIDE GEOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in Iceland. All visits are selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for sightseeing, culture and leisure in the area. The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in Iceland who have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your learning objectives. Making Life Easier for You This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary with opening times and location in mind so that you can really maximise your time on tour. Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips like when is the best time to go, dress code and extra local knowledge. Peace of Mind So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be pre-paid we will advise you of the entrance fees so that you know how much money to take along. You also have the added reassurance that, WST is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all covered as part of our externally verified Safety Management System. STUDY VISITS Blue Lagoon This stunning lagoon is pleasantly warm (38°C) with mineral-rich geothermal water in a middle of a black lava field. The high natural levels of silica and minerals give the Lagoon its rich blue colour. The water originates 2,000 metres below the surface, where freshwater and seawater combines at extreme temperatures. It is then harnessed via drilling holes at a nearby geothermal power plant. Groups often choose to stop for a swim here en- route to your hotel from the airport, after you have met your guide in the airport arrival hall, and boarded set off on your private coach. The Golden Circle Day The Golden Circle includes some of Iceland’s most stunning sights. Your guide will escort you to see the famous ‘Strokkur’ Geysir shoot a column of water up to 30 metres into the air every 4-8 minutes! After witnessing the Geysirs, groups can visit this modern multimedia museum displaying the inexplicable natural wonders of Iceland, and even feel it with the earthquake simulator. You’ll also visit the magnificent Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, created where the river Hvítá tumbles and plunges into a crevice some 32 m deep. This full day also includes the historical and geological wonder that is Þingvellir National Park where you can make a unique walk between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates which are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimetres per year. Additionally you will visit the idyllic Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre, where students will learn about the magic behind growing delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes which are cultivated all year round using the latest technology, in an environmentally-friendly way: green energy, pure water and organic pest controls combine to produce fresh, healthful tomatoes. Complete the day with a quick stop at the impressive Kerid Volcanic crater believed to be a cone volcano which erupted and emptied its magma reserve. You can also choose to add a tour of Hellisheidi Power Plant Hellisheidi Power Plant (can be added to the Golden Circle Day) The largest geothermal plant in the world, with the purpose of meeting increasing demand for electricity and hot water for space heating in the industrial and domestic sectors. Groups can take a tour and visit the Energy exhibition with its multimedia displays. South Shore Adventure Day With your guide, drive along the south coast of Iceland, one of the country´s most scenic regions. Along the way you will stop at the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is unique in that you can walk behind it and through to the other side (if it’s not icy). You’ll also stop and compare with the dramatic and much-photographed Skógafoss waterfall, with its 60m drop. See the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and approach its glacial snout Solheimajokull providing an excellent group opportunity to discuss the processes ongoing here. Students love paying a visit to Reynisfjara, a black volcanic beach with its dramatic Basalt columns rising up from the shore. There is a great view of the stunning Reynisdrangar rock formations rising up from the sea just off shore. You can also choose to add a visit the Skógar folk museum, to get a taste of how Icelanders lived in centuries past, or Eyjafallajokull Volcano Museum dedicated to the eruption and resulting ash cloud in 2010. Eyjafjallajökull Erupts: Visitors Centre (can be added to the South Shore Day) Situated at the foot of the volcano, the Þorvaldseyri Visitor Centre on April 14th, 2011 exactly one year after the start of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption. It contains clear, colourful graphics and dramatic photos that both explain the volcanic and geologic forces and summarize major volcanic and historical events. The highlight of the visit is a 60-seat theatre where you will see a 20-minute film about the volcano eruption and focuses on the experiences and emotions of the family living on Thorvaldseyri Farm, the farm directly below the volcano. The film covers the timeline of events and portrays the spectacular natural event, and the incredible challenges met by the family farm of Þorvaldseyri. Skogar Folk Museum (can be added to the South Shore Day) If you want to get to know the Icelandic society and how the Icelandic people used to live and work, you should definitely make a stop at the museum at Skógar. The museum focusses on the 4 areas of Fisheries, Agriculture, Handcrafts and also Transport. The Wonders of Reykjanes Peninsular Day Get a little bit of true Iceland on this varied tour which includes volcanic landforms, two geothermal sites, dramatic coastlines and quaint, historic towns. You will really get a feeling of the life and power of this young land. Half of the attraction is the beautiful scenery you pass. Begin the day with a short visit to Fakasel Icelandic Horse Park for a guided tour to meet and learn about these unique horse and to taste of some local food. You'll then drive through endless lava fields and then the quaint historic town Eyrarbakk now a near deserted fishing town due to its industrial decline. Stop at Iceland's most famous church Strandakirkja overlooking the fierce waves. You will then head to see and hear the hot steam leaving the ground’ at the geothermal area of Krýsuvík , where there are impressive mud pools and hot springs. Back on your coach you will pass Graenavatn blue lake before seeing the 97m deep Lake Kleifarvatn that has no visible surface drainage but whose levels dropped dramatically in a 2008 eruption. There's also nearby pillow lava to see. Next up is the geothermal area of Gunnunver where you can watch the boiling salt water mud pools and escaping steam from a viewing platform. Take in the magnificent coastline and dramatic breaking waves by the Reykjanesviti lighthouse perched on a volcanic cone, and enjoy the 360 degree panorama from the cliff tops. Finally step out on the “Bridge Between the Continents” which connects the American and Eurasian tectonic plates - another great site and photo opportunity. You can also visit the Perlan Centre with is massive tanks of geothermally heated water and outstanding viewing platform over Reykjavik. The Magma House exhibition can easily be added to this day too. Nb. If you haven't already been we can add a couple of hours at the Blue Lagoon on this day. Magma a House of culture and natural resources (can be added to the Wonders of Reykjanes Day) This centre in Grindavík houses two very attractive and interesting exhibitions: The Saltfish Museum: The exhibition is very interesting for students, who can study the most important profession of the country. The exhibition looks at Iceland‘s history in the processing and sales of dried salted cod . Earth Energy: Considers Iceland’s unique possibilities to see and investigate most of earth's dynamic processes, such as volcanism and geothermal heat, which is the result of the young age of the island. From the Island’s birth t ongoing activity in the area though to energy provision. Westman Islands - Visiting Heimay The Westman Islands came to international attention in 1973 with the eruption from a fissure that opened, destroying many buildings, and forced a months-long evacuation of the entire population to mainland Iceland. The eruption officially lasted 5 months and by that time, more than 400 buildings had been buried and collapsed under the weight of tephra, burned by bombs or crushed by lava. A new scoria-crater had formed soon to be named Eldfel (Fire Mountain). Your guide will escort you on the short ferry ride to Heimay where you meet your island coach and explore the island consider the 1973 and previous eruptions, the effect on the land, the people and the future. You will see the weather station which assesses the incoming weather for the whole of Iceland on the islands southern tip which affords amazing views. Climb to the summit of Eldfell for some spectacular views mover the Island and feel the warmth from the rocks stil today at the top.

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