Icelandic Splendours

Today you make your way to the airport to meet your travelling companions for your scheduled flight to Iceland. On arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel in Reykjavik where you'll stay for four nights. This evening, after you've settled into you room, get to know your fellow travellers as you join them for a welcome drink before dinner.
Reykjavik is Iceland's vibrant capital. It boasts some intriguing buildings and a lively cultural scene with plenty of cosy cafés, galleries and museums. It is also a destination that boasts an abundance of spectacular wildlife – there's a chance you might spot a whale from the shore, or see seabirds which nest along the coastline.

We'll discover Reykjavik's highlights on a city tour this morning. A Local Guide will show us the main sights including the fishing harbour, Parliament buildings and The Pearl – one of the city's most recognisable landmarks consisting of five huge hot water storage tanks topped with a domed revolving restaurant.
This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You could perhaps head out with your travelling companions and visit the Settlement Exhibition. Here, the remains of a 10th century Viking longhouse are on display, along with other artefacts from the Viking age. There's also the opportunity to join an optional whale-watching cruise later this afternoon. This unmissable adventure gives you the opportunity to see these incredible creatures in their natural environment - although sightings can never be guaranteed.

This evening, we'll gather as a group to enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner at Potturinn og Pannan (Pot and Pan Restaurant). Enjoy delicious cuisine derived from Icelandic cultural heritage and local culinary traditions, including a mix of Icelandic starters and the iconic lobster sauce, as well as skyr cake served with blueberry jam and white chocolate.

We're going to explore the Golden Circle today, a popular sightseeing route looping from Reykjavik, into central Iceland and back again. Our first stop will be at the mighty waterfall at Gullfoss, where the water tumbles over two stages into a deep canyon. Next, we'll visit the Strokkur Geyser, one of Iceland's most famous geysers. It erupts every few minutes, with the water reaching heights of up to 40 metres - it really is a spectacular sight! On our journey back to Reykjavik, we will make a coffee stop at Sólheimar, an eco-village known for its devotion to community living, artistic ethics and sustainable living.

The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, are a dazzling natural phenomenon. These colourful dancing lights appear when charged particles from the sun's solar wind interact with the Earth's magnetic field, and we'll go off in search of them one evening during our stay when the best viewing conditions are forecast.

The Blue Lagoon is a stunning natural geothermal pool located in the middle of a lava field. This soothing body of water is rich in minerals and reputed to have curative powers – so why not join this morning's optional visit, dive in and judge for yourself! While you are here, be sure to head to the Silica bar, where you can apply silica mud to your face and body, which will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. You can also linger beneath the lagoon's man-made waterfall, which is said to ease tension in stiff muscles. Other amenities include a sauna and steam baths which are carved into the lava rock, and a relaxation area where you can take breaks from the water as you laze in comfortable chairs, listen to music and take in the amazing views out over the lagoon. The relaxed theme continues with an afternoon at leisure, maybe head out with your travelling companions to explore a little further.

We'll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.