Northern Lights of Iceland
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Are We There Yet?, LLC 5902 Columbia Ave, Phone: (314) 304-3508 St. Louis, MO 63139 Email: [email protected] Northern Lights of Iceland Take a cruise out to see the Aurora Borealis from the water, enjoy the Blue Lagoon Hot Springs, explore the Golden Circle and even go whale watching! March 5-10, 2018 Iceland is an incredible country. With less than 350,000 people, it is one of the least populated countries in the world. The natural beauty is preserved, from the amazing waterfalls of the South Shore to the hot springs of the Golden Circle. When the Northern Lights were forecasted to be exceptionally beautiful, the government shut off the streetlights so people could enjoy them better. We’ll take to the water for the optimal viewing of the lights, as well as enjoy a whale watching cruise. Mon, March 5 – On our way to Iceland! Meet your tour directors Dea and Declan at the Saint Louis Airport, where we begin our journey to Iceland. There will be meals served on the plane, and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we will be in Iceland! (D on plane) Tues, March 6 – Reykjavik, Hot Spring Spa, and Northern Lights Cruise! We arrive this morning in Reykjavik, where, after clearing customs and collecting our bags, we meet our local, English speaking guide who will lead us to our coach. Our first stop is a museum focusing on the Viking Ship Icelander (Íslendingur). Learn about how the Vikings settled and contributed to the culture of this remote island. Our next stop is the Blue Lagoon Hot Spring, where we soak away the tightness of the flight. Located in a nearby lava field, the water in the bathing and swimming area average between 100°-160°F! We then embark on a Reykjavik CIty Tour on the way to our hotel. Enjoy some free time at the hotel and dinner on your own before we take a boat cruise out to see the Northern Lights. Never fear – if the weather or seas are not cooperative, we will try again tomorrow night and attempt to see them from the land. (B on plane) Wed, March 7 – Golden Circle Tour, including Gullfoss, Geysir, Þingvellir, & Kerið Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head out to the famous Golden Circle Tour where we travel throughout the southwest of Iceland, which features three of the best known attractions Iceland has to offer. Our first stop is Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. One of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe, every moment thousands of tons of icy water thunder majestically into a deep canyon, plunging hundreds of feet into the earth. Once considered a potential electricity generator, the beauty of the waterfall is now protected by the government. Iceland is famous for its geothermal activity, and our next stop is the Geysir Area, which features some of the greatest concentration of hot springs, fumeroles and geysers in the world. The English word geyser comes from the name of this area, and the most famous geyser in Iceland is Strokkur, a 30 meter spouting geyser similar to Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park. Next on the Golden Circle is Þingvellir, the site of the world's oldest democratic parliament. The government of Iceland met at the site from its founding in 930 AD until 1798. It is a site of natural beauty as well, with a beautiful canyon running through the park formed by the dividing faultline between two of the earth’s tectonic plates. Finally, we stop at the volcanic crater lake Kerið with incredible blue water and multicolored landscape. For those who wish to enjoy some additional adventure, we have an optional tour to ride a snowmobile across Langjökull Glacier. Otherwise, we return to our hotel this evening. (B) Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling Optional Tour: From the Golden Waterfall we drive into the highland interior. Our day continues on the magnificent glacier Langjökull, the second largest in Iceland, where you‘ll tour a magical ice landscape on a snowmobile. The scenery of the rugged, uninhabited highlands can be breathtaking and the experience unforgettable. This tour is sensible to weather and road conditions. For snowmobiling tours, drivers need to present a valid driver's license. Included: 1 hr snowmobile ride (2 people per snowmobile), snow gear and helmets. $320 per person Thurs, March 8 – Scenic Southern Coast After breakfast, we drive from Reykjavik through the fertile farmlands of the South. We head towards the majestic mountains towering over the coast, including the snow shrouded Hekla and the ice capped volcano Eyjafjallajökull, last active in 2010. It’s last explosion released volcanic ash that snarled air traffic for all of Europe for months. The region is the site of one of the best known of the Icelandic classical sagas, Njál’s Saga. The South Shore is one of the most popular regions of Iceland, with amazing natural features such as the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss tumbling over high rock escarpments and the stone arch Dyrhólaey with its sheer cliffs. It is also home to one of the most picturesque villages in Iceland, Vík and the amazing Reynisdrangar rock pillars decorating the black beach of Reynihverfi. Legend says the rock pillars are really petrified trolls! We then return to Reykjavik. (B) Fri, March 9 – Whales and Puffin Watching Cruise Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before our Whale Watching Cruise, exploring the world of whales and seabirds in their natural habitat. This is your chance to see the magnificent creatures that inhabit the seas around Reykjavík, as your expert guide gives you an insight into the life in the ocean. The bay is full of surprises and the most commonly sighted whales include white- beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, minke and humpback whales. The trip passes several islands inhabited by colonies of puffins – an excellent photo opportunity. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy in Reykjavik. (B) Sat, March 10 –Homeward Bound After a final breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight home to Saint Louis. Thank you for traveling with us! (B, Meals on Plane) Tour includes: Round Trip Airfare via Southwest and Icelandic Air *Ask about our special hotel rates at St. Louis airport hotel prior to and/or after the tour. * Touring in private charter motorcoach Deluxe hotel accommodations throughout Iceland Breakfasts each day, plus meals on the plane Experience the Northern Lights from the water! Enjoy the Hot Springs at the Blue Lagoon Visit historic areas of Iceland, such as Þingvellir, the village of Vík and the setting for the famous Njál’s Saga Tour the Golden Circle as well as the Southern Coast Whale watching cruise 2 Professional Tour Directors All gratuities including drivers and directors Please note: Any notice of fuel surcharges imposed by carriers and/or attractions will be disclosed at least 30 days prior to tour departure. Price: $4,123 pp, dbl $4,553 pp, sgl Save 3% on this tour! Experience the Northern Lights and enjoy the natural splendor of Iceland for $3,999 pp dbl occ* when you pay with check or money order! $3,999 pp, dbl $4,416 pp, sgl *These prices reflect 3% savings by paying with check or money order Make your reservation with a $500 deposit per person. Once this tour fills, a wait list will be formed. Please send a check or call with a credit card along with your legal name, address, phone number, and all roommates’ names if you are sharing a room and any dietary or walking restrictions. We encourage all travelers to purchase travel protection with initial deposit. Include Travel Protection payment with deposit, if purchasing. Please remember that certain benefits are Time sensitive. Plans help provide coverage for unexpected circumstances and help protect your trip and your investment. Please ensure that you have either a valid, unexpired passport. You will not be allowed to fly without the proper documents, and travel protection will not cover any expenses due to not having valid travel documents. Balance on base tour price is due December 5, 2017, and no refunds will be given after that time. If you purchase Travel Protection and need to cancel after December 5, 2017, you must file a claim. If you attempt to book after this date, there may be a substantial increase in price or you may have to arrive on a separate flight. .