Northern Lights of March 6–12, 2018 With Jason BreMiller, English Instructor and Sustainability Education Coordinator Dear Members of the Exeter Family,

Forged from lava and shaped by glaciers, Iceland is, quite literally, a land of fire and ice—one of the youngest and most geologically dynamic places on earth, with a phenomenal landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls. In March, when temperatures in Iceland are mild and the aurora borealis is often visible, we invite you to join Exeter on an exploration of the country’s extraordinary natural wonders and unique Nordic culture.

From medieval folklore to innovative approaches to environmental sustainability, this trip offers a look at Iceland’s remarkable heritage and rich diversity. Our itinerary features visits to lava fields, geothermal pools, majestic waterfalls, and more. At stunning Thingvellir National Park, see where the world’s oldest democratic assembly met. We also hope to experience the captivating display of the Northern Lights, one of nature’s most amazing phenomena. Enjoy stays in the countryside at the Hótel Grímsborgir and Stracta Hotel Hella, and also in lively downtown Reykjavík.

I hope you will join us on this discovery of the pristine natural beauty and vibrant cultural life of Iceland. Space on this program is limited, so please sign up soon as possible. To reserve your place or if you ICELAND have any questions, please contact Ethan Long at Academic Arrangements Abroad at 1-800-221-1944 Langjokull Glacier or email [email protected].

Thingvellir Sincerely, Reykjavik Keflavik Thorsmork Skogafoss Ann Warren Lockwood ’81 Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

TRAVELING WITH YOU TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Jason BreMiller, is an English instructor MARVEL at Iceland’s primeval landscape of volcanoes, and the Academy’s sustainability geysers, waterfalls, and glaciers education coordinator; director of the Exeter Environmental Literature EXPERIENCE the island nation’s lively Nordic Institute; and a field instructor for the culture and long traditions of storytelling National Outdoor Leadership School. “I had always been thinking about ways STAY at exceptional countryside hotels and in lively to place my classroom teaching in conversation with Reykjavík outdoor experiences,” he says. “There’s no substitute for visceral firsthand encounters with natural spaces WITNESS one of nature’s great displays in a …” BreMiller has taken Exeter students on extended spectacular setting backcountry trips as part of that attempt to join their indoor lives with the outdoors. He looks forward to DISCOVER remarkable geologic features including sharing his enthusiasm for environmental awareness and Kerid, a volcanic crater lake sitting at the bottom of an education with us as we discover the natural wonders intact caldera, and the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland’s and vibrant culture of Iceland. oldest natural hot springs

Northern Lights of Iceland March 6–12, 2018

FRIDAY, MARCH 9: LANGJOKULL GLACIER / SOUTH COAST This morning drive into the interior to visit Kerid, a volcanic crater lake at the bottom of a perfectly intact caldera, and see Langjokull Glacier, the second largest in Iceland. Stop for a morning tour and a private lunch at Fridheimar Greenhouse, which grows famously tasty tomatoes in illuminated buildings heated by geothermal energy. Also spend time with the friendly , the ancient breed brought over with the first settlers around 900 AD. On our way to the south coast, visit the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, and perhaps a dip in these natural geothermal pools. Continue to Stracta Hotel Hella hotel for dinner and a two-night stay. B,L,D Icelandic horses

TUESDAY, MARCH 6: U.S. DEPARTURE Depart on an overnight flight to Iceland.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7: ICELAND Arrive this morning at Keflavík International Airport, where we will be met by our guide. Visit Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant—the clean, green source of energy for . Continue to the Grímsborgir Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and explore the lovely trails overlooking Thingvellir Lake, Iceland’s largest. Gather for a Fridheimar Greenhouse, photo by Gloria De Luca lecture and welcome dinner at the hotel—featuring a fresh, farm-to-table approach to modern Nordic cuisine. Tonight we have the first chance to see the Northern Lights. B,L,D SATURDAY, MARCH 10: THORSMORK OR SKOGAFOSS Today you may choose between a full-day adventure to THURSDAY, MARCH 8: THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK Thorsmork (Valley of the Gods) or an alternate, gentler Explore the geothermal pools, geysers, and geology of excursion along the south coast to Skogafoss. The most Thingvellir National Park, the striking rift valley that is dramatic of Iceland’s many waterfalls, Skogafoss tumbles also the home of the , the world’s first democratic hundreds of feet over volcanic cliffs onto the coastal assembly. After lunch, continue to Gullfoss, a magnificent plain. Dinner and the evening are at leisure to relax at our double waterfall, one of the largest in Europe. Return to hotel. Of course, we will be alerted should the Northern the hotel for an evening at leisure. B,L Lights manifest! B,L

Thorsmork (Valley of the Gods) SUNDAY, MARCH 11: SOUTH COAST / REYKJAVIK ACCOMMODATIONS En route to Reykjavík, stop for a private lunch at “At the Seaside,” a restaurant that specializes in Icelandic HOTEL GRIMSBORGIR, ASBORGIR langoustines, fresh from the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Situated at the famous Golden Circle Route, Hótel Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, where we check Grímsborgir is very close to some of South Iceland‘s most in at Canopy Hotel in the historic center. Explore the city stunning sites: the waterfall Gullfoss, the hot water fountain and discover the Northern Lights Center, before a farewell Geysir and the historic site of Thingvellir National Park. dinner at one of Reykjavík’s many fine restaurants. B,L,D STRACTA HOTEL, HELLA Opened in May 2014 the Stracta Hotel Hella is strategically located in the South of Iceland, near the town of Hella. Nature in all its splendour surrounds the hotel and the area is etched in history and culture too.

CANOPY BY HILTON REYKJAVIK CITY CENTRE Canopy Reykjavik is all about the location and the neighborhood. Just like Iceland. The hotel is the city’s most creative shelter for lovers of luxury and life alike.

Stracta Hotel

Skogafoss waterfall, © Samperi

MONDAY, MARCH 12: REYKJAVIK / U.S. RETURN Following a morning visit to the excellent National Museum, depart for the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa Resort. Relax over lunch and enjoy a chance to soak in these soothing heated pools. Continue to the airport for the evening flight home. B,L

This itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of Phillips Canopy by Hilton Reykjavík City Centre Exeter Academy and Arrangements Abroad. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at On the front cover: Northern Lights http://www.arrangementsabroad.com/exeterterms.php. PROGRAM RATE per person $6,499 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,199 Reykjavík RATE INCLUDES n Five nights hotel accommodations as per itinerary n Meals as indicated in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, R=Reception, D=Dinner). Bottled water and coffee/tea with all meals, wine with welcome and farewell dinners n Airport/hotel/airport group transfers for all participants on suggested flights n Escorted sightseeing, transportation, and entrance fees for all included visits n Taxes, service, and porterage charges n Gratuities to local guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport fees; meals not specified; alcoholic beverages other than wine at welcome and farewell dinners; personal items and expenses; airport transfers other than for those on suggested flights; trip insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. B_18LNDKEF0301_EXE