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Iceland – Gastronomy, Northern Lights and the Golden Circle

  • Details

Details

Combine renowned Icelandic sights with adventures into Reykjavik’s vibrant food scene in this four-night foodie escape. You’ll search for the Northern Lights, taste a variety of incredible cuisine and explore the famed Golden Circle.

Iceland, the North Atlantic's volcanic gem, is an island world-renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and the chance to see the Northern Lights. It also has an amazing gastronomy scene with international influences, exciting fusions, and a strong local food culture.

This four-night holiday combines cuisine, exploration, and the Northern Lights. You'll enjoy a guided foodie tour of Reykjavik, trying various flavour-filled dishes, as well as having the chance to dine at some of the most renowned restaurants in the city. Explore the culture and history of Iceland with a visit to the whale museum and experience the dramatic landscapes and stunning beauty that surrounds Reykjavik with a tour of the famous Golden Circle.

Iceland sits in prime Northern Lights territory, so we have made sure to include two nights dedicated to searching for the Aurora Borealis. First, you will travel by bus into the countryside, away from any light pollution, searching the skies for the mystical Northern Lights. Then, you will switch from land to sea, enjoying a Northern Lights cruise which provides a unique perspective of the night sky, as you sail across the cool, dark waters that surround this island. Iceland really is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.


Image credits: DMC North, Food Cellar (Matarkjallarinn)

Itinerary

Once your plane touches down at Keflavik International Airport, you will transfer via the scheduled Flybus service to your hotel. The world’s northernmost capital city is small but perfectly formed, with museums, galleries, and a plethora of bars and restaurants to entertain visitors of all kinds. After checking in at the Exeter Hotel, the harbourside hotel which will serve as your home for the next four nights, your first night has been left free for you to explore.

Please note: no meals are included today, but reservations at restaurants can be arranged.

Included Meals:  None

[KEF] Keflavik Intl. Airport, Iceland To Exeter Hotel
Airport Transfer
Duration
00:00
Exeter Hotel - Check In
Address : Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Although your stay at the Exeter hotel includes a buffet breakfast, we wouldn’t recommend you fill up too much this morning. At 11:30am, a local guide will collect you from the hotel and take you on a 3-hour walking food tour of Reykjavik, introducing you to a range of local foodie haunts. Dishes can include lobster soup, Icelandic pancake, Skyr cake, Icelandic hot dogs and rye bread ice cream (a delicacy far more delicious than it sounds) to name but a few – and enjoy learning about the city from an expert guide. Reykjavik is renowned for world-class food and this foodie tour will give you a fantastic taster experience of Iceland’s specialities and international cuisine: it really is gastronomy heaven!

The rest of your afternoon is free to spend enjoying Reykjavik’s city centre, which has a wealth of museums and galleries, as well as the architectural marvel that is Harpa concert hall.  Opened in 2011, this cultural hub hosts art exhibitions and a wide variety of theatrical performances and concerts including the Reykjavik Jazz festival every September. The first building to be completed in Iceland in the aftermath of the 2008 economic recession, it doubled as a beacon of hope to local residents as the construction industry restarted.

Tonight, you will head out in search of the Northern Lights via bus, departing at approximately 9pm. Travelling through the Icelandic wilderness, you’ll be out for roughly 3 hours tonight; hopefully, luck will be on your side and you’ll catch sight of the Aurora Borealis

Warm clothes, a waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring a winter hat, scarf, mittens/gloves, and warm socks, and ask the guide about your camera settings!

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Exeter Hotel - Stay
Address : Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Take advantage of the hotel’s gym and sauna facilities this morning, and be nice and refreshed for your 12pm lunch at Food Cellar, where you can sample Icelandic Cuisine with a modern twist.

Following lunch, your afternoon takes you to the harbourside where you will experience all of Iceland. Using state of the art technology, from your seat suspended before a 20-metre spherical screen, you will feel as if you are literally ‘flying over Iceland’ as you explore the vast glaciers, majestic fjords, dramatic ravines and many other attractions. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience.

Your evening meal will be held aHöfnin, which roughly translates to ‘the port’Höfnin is a family run restaurant with a beautiful seaside view overlooking the Old Harbour.

If you can manage the fifteen-minute walk back to the harbour after so much delicious food, your evening will close with a Northern Lights Cruise, which departs at 9pm. With heated inside areas, an onboard café and a 360° viewing platform to ensure panoramic views, hunting for the Aurora via cruise ensures a truly unique experience. The expert Aurora guides on board help you enjoy the lights by giving you information about the Auroras as well as answering any questions you may have. They even take pictures on the tour which you can request by email when you get back home! You can borrow one of the overalls to keep warm, just remember to bring a hat and gloves.

Note: you must be at the pier minimum of 15 minutes before departure.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exeter Hotel - Stay
Address : Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Today you will enjoy a tour of the famous Golden Circle via bus. The golden circle combines some of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions, including Þingvellir National Park, the geyser geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall.

Þingvellir National Park was Iceland’s first National Park and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was the first area of Iceland to be inhabited and later became the sight of the world’s first parliament. Geology enthusiasts may already be familiar with this area as it is the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which creates some stunning geological sights.

The Geyser geothermal area is located in the Haukadalur Valley and at this site, you will find two remarkable geysers which have been active for around 10,000 years. Great Geysir only erupts every few months at most, so you will need to be exceptionally lucky to catch that one, but nearby Strokkur geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes and can shoot hot water as high as 40 metres into the air.

Finally, on your tour, you will visit Gullfoss waterfall. This is one of Iceland’s most iconic and most photographed attractions. The waterfall has two ‘drops’ which together total 32 metres. The power of the water is mesmerising and on sunny days it is possible to view rainbows shooting from the spray.

During your tour, you will also make a stop at the Fontana Wellness Spa, a natural hot spring, which is also used as a natural, local bakery for the village. You’ll learn about the methods used to bake their famous rye bread in a hot spring and watch while they dig up a freshly-baked sample for you to taste.

After that, you’ll have time to take a dip in the hot springs and enjoy the spectacular views, so don’t forget to bring your swimming costume! Today’s tour will last approximately 9 hours. Lunch is not included, but there are several places to buy lunch along the way.

After returning to Reykjavik, you will dine at Restaurant Monkeys, where a table has been reserved for you at 7pm. This restaurant offers a fantastic selection of fusion dishes and is the perfect place to enjoy your final evening in Iceland.

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Exeter Hotel - Stay
Address : Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Sadly, today marks your last day in Reykjavik. Enjoy breakfast and pick up something in the in-house Deig Bakery to take to the airport, as well as some knitted souvenirs. Your scheduled bus transfer to the airport will drop you off two hours before your departure flight, giving you plenty of time to clear check-in and reflect on a wonderful holiday.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Exeter Hotel To [KEF] Keflavik Intl. Airport, Iceland
Airport Transfer
Duration
00:00
Exeter Hotel - Check Out
Address : Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

What's included?

  • Return airport transfers
  • 4 nights in a standard twin or double room in the Exeter Hotel
  • 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Reykjavik Walking Food Tour
  • Northern Lights Hunt by Bus
  • Lunch at Food Cellar
  • Fly Over Iceland Tour
  • Dinner at Höfnin
  • Northern Lights Cruise
  • Golden Circle Tour with a stop at Fontana Natural Wellness Spa
  • Dinner at Monkeys
  • Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
  • 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners

Accommodation

Exeter Hotel
     
 

Exeter Hotel sits in an ideal location, within easy walking distance to a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, offering a fantastic choice of cuisine and atmosphere. Situated close to the old harbour, there are several museums and galleries nearby, giving you the chance to soak up the culture of this fascinating city.

It is a modern, comfortable hotel, built with style and relaxation in mind. The on-site bakery is the perfect place to grab some freshly cooked delights, open daily from 7am-4pm. Make use of the hotel’s sauna and unwind after exploring Iceland by day.

Tour Map

Additional Info

Price is based on 2 persons travelling

Tour terms, click here  

Booking conditions click here

Key Facts

Duration 3 - 4 Nights
Pace Balanced, Relaxed
Holiday Type Land Only
Max Group Size NA
Cities / Destinations Iceland, Reykjavik
Brochure Code 29025
Price from
£1,695 pp
5 days

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Iceland – Gastronomy, Northern Lights and the Golden Circle

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