EUROPE Adventure in

11 days from $5,597 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($5,295 air & land inclusive plus $302 airline taxes and fees) The second largest island in the North Atlantic, Iceland is a land of massive glaciers, rumbling volcanoes, spouting hot springs, lava fields, and powerful . It is also known for its gracious hospitality and relaxed pace. Experience the astonishing natural history and cultural heritage of the land of fire and ice.

Pu n Island Siglufjordur Husavik Akureyri Godafoss Lake Myvatn

Snaefellsnes ICELAND Peninsula Borgarbyggo Thingvellir Nat’l Park Reykjavik

Selfoss Overnight Skogafoss Featured Site Visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s immensely popular “golden” . Vik Air Motorcoach Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Reykjavik, Iceland beautiful Lake Myvatn. One of the world’s natural Avg. High (°F) May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov wonders, Lake Myvatn and its environs of bubbling Lake Myvatn 50 56 58 59 50 46 37 Reykjavik 50 54 57 56 52 47 37 Day 2: Reykjavik and Arriving early mud flats, lava fields, and lunar-like volcanic craters morning in Iceland’s capital, meet your tour leaders comprise a stunning national park. Walk to view the and have breakfast at a local restaurant. Enjoy a scenic fascinating Hverfjall crater, a local land-mark, and drive east, stopping to view the geothermal exhibit see the region’s unique “pseudo craters,” the boiling Highlights Include at the Hellisheidi Power Plant. After reaching your mud pots at Namaskard, the bizarre lava formations hotel mid-afternoon, enjoy time to relax before this at Dimmuborgir, the explosion crater at Viti, and the Marvel at the stunning, unique natural wonders • Tour evening’s briefing on the journey ahead followed by a flat volcano system at Krafla.(B,D) the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula • Admire Godafoss, welcome dinner. (B,D) “waterfall of the gods” • Learn about Lake Myvatn’s mud flats, lava fields, and volcanic craters • Witness , Day 5: Lake Myvatn, Husavik, Vatnajokull This morning travel to Husavik, and Iceland’s “Niagara Falls” • Visit Glacial River Canyon Day 3: Selfoss and Vik This morning visit the new National Park National Park • Tour Thingvellir National Park • Experience Lava Centre, dedicated to Iceland‘s riveting volcanic embark on a bird-watching cruise to Puffin Island to a bird-watching coastal cruise • Discuss Iceland’s economic activity and its frequent earthquakes, then set off to see the thousands of seabirds here (based on season- issues with a local expert • Enjoy sophisticated Reykjavik Vik. Stop at picturesque Seljalandfoss waterfall, ality): puffins, black guillemots, fulmars, and Arctic • Visit Hellishedi geo-thermal power plant followed by nearby Skogafoss waterfall, known for terns. On departures that visit after the puffins have its rainbows on sunny days. Continue to lovely Vik, migrated for the season (typically in August), take a Day Itinerary Hotel Rating Iceland’s southernmost town, and enjoy time to whale watch cruise out of Husavik. This afternoon, 1 Depart U.S for Reykjavik have lunch on your own and explore or shop for visit Vatnajokull National Park, yet another of Iceland’s 2-3 Selfoss Hotel Selfoss First Class items of locally produced wool. Take a walk along natural wonders. Here see Asbyrgi, a huge canyon 4-5 Lake Myvatn Fosshotel Myvatn First Class the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, lined with enveloped by towering walls; in the middle of the 6 Siglufjordur Hotel Siglo First Class columnar basalt-filled caves. En route to the hotel, partially wooded canyon sits a hoof-shaped rock 7-8 Borgarbyggo Hotel Husafell First Class stop by the Solheimajokull “sliding” glacier, so named called “The Island.” Next, traverse Hljodaklettar for its rapid advance in the 1990s. (B) Echo Cliffs, where we explore the labyrinth of “echo- 9-10 Reykjavik Hotel Reykjavik First Class Centrum ing rocks” created by the spiral basalt formations of 11 Depart Reykjavik for U.S. Day 4: Selfoss, Reykjavik, Lake Myvatn Trans- the arches and canyons here. Your last stop is at jaw- Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel fer to Reykjavik this morning for the one hour flight dropping Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too to Akureyri, Iceland’s “northern capital,” then travel to and Iceland’s “Niagara Falls.” (B,L,D) small, too new, or too remote to be listed.

32 SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure

Iceland is one of the most revealing places to study the history of our earth. The volcanoes, lava Iceland’s landscape reveals an austere beauty fields, waterfalls, and geysers are amazing reminders of the power of nature. – Judith H.

Day 6: Lake Myvatn, Akureyri, Siglufjordur Day 10: Reykjavik This morning embark on a tour This morning stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the of the Icelandic capital, including a visit to the Perlan gods,” named for the carvings of Norse gods dis- Glacier Museum. Then the remainder of the day is at carded here when the country was declared Christian leisure to explore and enjoy Reykjavik as you please. 1,000 years ago. Mid-morning, arrive in Akureyri, Tonight, celebrate over a farewell dinner. (B,D) where you have free time to explore and for lunch on your own. Travel on to Siglufjordur, where you visit Day 11: Depart for the U.S. Depart for the the unique Herring Era Museum, then arrive at your airport and your return flights to the U.S. (B) hotel in time for dinner there tonight. (B,D)

Travel Day 7: Siglufjordur and Borgarbyggo Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Experts towards the southwest corner of Iceland today, passing through more incredible natural scenery. Along the Peter Bobrowsky is an archae- way visit Glambaer, a folk museum featuring authentic ologist and geologist who has turf houses. Call on a Gauksmyri farm to see their famed spent the past 30 years doing Icelandic horses – small and hardy, with long manes. field work around the world. He Enjoy scenic views at Grabrok Crater, then take an obtained his Ph.D. in geology at the University of Alberta, and is excursion to the thermal areas of Deildartunguhver currently an adjunct full professor and Falls. (B,D) at both Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Peter is Day 8: Borgarbyggo and Snaefellsnes Peninsula the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Encounter the stupendous scenery of the Snaefellsnes Jubilee Medal and has authored over 300 scientific Peninsula. Begin with a walk along the shell sand publications. He is a veteran of television, radio, and 2021 Tour Dates and Prices beach at the abandoned fishing village of Budir, sur- print media and is known for his scholarly insights, including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees rounded by a vast lava field. Explore the caves and and his enthusiastic and easygoing speaking style. May 20 Jul 6 bizarre rock formations along the rugged shore at Peter will lead the May and September departures. Oct 28* Sep 30* Jun 8 Aug 17 Arnarstapi, site of thousands of nesting cliff birds. After stopping for lunch at a rustic oceanfront restau- Boston, New York, Jim Reynolds is a professor of $5,597 $5,897 $6,297 $6,697 Washington, DC rant, visit Djupalonssandur where you see the haunting geology at Brevard College, teach- remains of abandoned coastal farms. (B,L,D) ing all geology courses and a section Baltimore, Denver, of introductory environmental Minneapolis, $5,897 $6,197 $6,597 $6,997 Day 9: Borgarbyggo, Thingvellir National science. He received his Bachelors Philadelphia, Seattle Traveling back to Reykjavik visit Park, Reykjavik degree in earth science and Atlanta, Charlotte, Thingvellir National Park, known both for its historic Masters degree in volcanology Chicago, Cincinnati, importance and as the place where the fissure between from Dartmouth College, and then worked in the $5,997 $6,297 $6,697 $7,097 Cleveland, Detroit, the geological plates of North America and Europe minerals and energy industries, government, and Miami, Orlando, Tampa is most evident. Learn about the historic parliament academia for six years before returning to Dartmouth founded here in A.D. 930. Then depart for Gullfoss, for a Ph.D. (Andean tectonics). Since 1984, his Dallas, Houston, the immensely popular “golden” waterfall, and Great research has focused on the uplift of the Andes Los Angeles, Phoenix, $6,097 $6,397 $6,797 $7,197 , the most famous of Iceland’s geysers. Continue in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia and the geology Portland (OR), on to Reykjavik and meet with a local expert to learn of the Caribbean Plate. Jim was awarded two San Francisco Fulbright Scholarships to teach at Argentine about the 2008 bank crisis and its effects throughout Land Only $5,095 $5,395 $5,795 $6,095 Iceland. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) universities, and in 2006 he was inducted into the fellowship of the Geological Society of America. Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person He will lead the August and October departures. based on double occu­pancy and include airline taxes, See our website for the full list of experts. surcharges, and fees of $302, which are subject to Post-Tour Extension change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $995 May, Oct; $1,295 all Your Tour Price Includes other dates. Your $500 deposit is fully refundable up to Reykjavik – On Your Own 95 days prior to departure. All 2021 tour prices above • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; flight 3 days/2 nights for $395 total price (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are within itinerary Single Supplement: $295 guaranteed. • 9 nights accommodations in First Class hotels Make the most of the long days in Iceland’s • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners *These departures offer the best opportunities for colorful capital, at your own pace. • Sightseeing as described, including all ­entrance fees witnessing the Northern Lights. • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes Journeys Expert flight: $1,595 from Boston, Newark, New York, Washing- • 2 nights accommodations at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum • Services of a professional Tour Director ton, DC, (Dulles); $2,195 from Chicago, Minneapolis; (First Class) • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Luggage handling for one bag per person $2,595 from Denver, Seattle (upgrade is on request and • Transfer to Reykjavik airport • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room pricing is subject to change). servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

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