South Coast Winter Sensation for 7 Days

Welcome to your holiday in Iceland! After you clear customs, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city centre in Reykjavík. If you arrive around noon or earlier, it is possible to stop at the Blue Lagoon before continuing to the capital. After you have checked in to your accommodation, you can explore some landmarks of the city like the Perlan building, Hallgrímskirkja Church and Harpa – Music & Conference Centre. In the evening, the restaurants of Reykjavík will welcome you and afterwards, the bars are open until 1:00am during weekdays and 04:00am on weekends. Overnight in the heart of Reykjavík.

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Today, a representative from our car rental company will be picking you up in the morning, taking you to their headquarters, where you will sign the rental agreement and receive your rental car. You should then be ready to leave town. First up you will head to the amazing Þingvellir National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with its incredible natural beauty, history and where you can see how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are diverging. Continue to the famous Geysir geothermal fields and witness the great spouting spring, namesake of every other spouting spring in the world. Close by you’ll find Gullfoss (Golden Falls), recently voted one of 10 most beautiful waterfalls of the world. In the area, you will find popular lunch stops where you should stop for a traditional Icelandic meal. We strongly recommend the Icelandic lamb soup. Then, make your way towards the south coast and drive through lush farmlands, but be sure to make a stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater displaying its crystal-clear water. Stay the night in the Selfoss area.

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Today you are continuing down to the beautiful south coast of Iceland. Drive east to the picturesque waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Close to Skógafoss you will find Skógar museum, where you can get a glimpse of how Icelanders used to live in the old days. Next stop is Mýrdalsjökull glacier where you can join a guided glacier hike or a snowmobiling tour. Drive further along the south shore to the village of Vík. Once there, visit the black volcanic beach of Reynisfjara with a view of the Reynisdrangar ocean cliffs. This is the perfect opportunity for a nice afternoon/evening walk. Take extra care though, as the waves are especially strong and have caused serious and fatal accidents. You stay the night in the Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

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Drive  east through the Eldhraun lava field, ancient and carpeted in moss,  and past Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, a deep and dramatic gorge just off the  road. Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park is next: a green  oasis between Europe's largest glacier and the vast black sand plains below it. The walk to Svartifoss waterfall earns its reputation, basalt columns framing black water in a setting that looks composed rather than accidental.

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Make  a stop at the smaller Fjallsárlón and then head to Jökulsárlón  glacier lagoon, the crown jewel of Iceland’s South Coast. Icebergs the size  of houses drift in total silence across water so clear you can see the color shifting from white to deep blue. An optional Zodiac boat takes you close to the glacier and icebergs, and the experience is one of the finest Iceland offers. Diamond Beach is just across the road: the same icebergs on black sand, catching the light. Tonight, Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital.

Optional — book through your Travel Consultant

•     Glacier Hike, Skaftafell

•     Amphibian  Boat Tour, Jökulsárlón

•     Zodiac Boat Tour, Jökulsárlón

•     Kayaking,  Jökulsárlón

Suggested  hotel: Hotel  Jökulsárlón (Superior) or Hotel Höfn (Classic)

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In Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where the Iceland’s first monastery was built in 1186, there are several sights to be seen, for example the Systrafoss waterfall and Kirkjugólfið. On your way back west, nature lovers will want to make another stop by the village of Vík in Mýrdal, which is Iceland´s most southerly village. It is the only seaside settlement in Iceland without a harbour, due to natural circumstances. When in Vík, you can expect a lot of rain, snow, wind and/or fog, as the average precipitation there is the highest in the whole of Iceland. Because of this, rainbows are also more frequent and vivid in this area than anywhere else. In the afternoon, you can join a horseback riding tour where you will meet the Icelandic horse. Head back to Reykjavík and drop off the rental car before checking into your downtown hotel

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Enjoy a free day in the capital. You might want to visit some of Reykjavík’s many art and culture museums and exhibitions. To name a couple, there is the National Museum and Saga Museum, which traces Iceland’s Viking history. If you are lucky with the weather, you might enjoy a stroll around the city and some of Reykjavík sightseeing spots and landmarks, such as the Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa concert hall, The Sun Voyager sculpture by the sea and some more. You could also join a guided walking tour in the old town and hear stories of Reykjavík in the olden days. Don´t forget to grab yourself a hot dog at the infamous hot dog stand “The Town´s Best”, and if it happens to be a weekend, make sure to check out Reykjavík’s flea market Kolaportið. If you are not the city type, or would simply like to experience a final adventure, there are various day tours to choose from which we would be happy to book for you. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Reykjavík many gourmet restaurants. Stay the night at same hotel as the night before.

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Your Iceland travel is coming to an end. How time flies when you’re having fun. You will be transferred to Keflavík airport in time for your departing flight. If you are leaving in the afternoon, you can visit the Blue Lagoon on your way (optional). Soak in the restorative waters of the lagoon that is situated in the middle of a pitch-black lava field. Your luggage will be kept safe while you are relaxing in the lagoon. After that you will be dropped off at Keflavík International Airport. Have a safe journey home!

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