OVERVIEW

Impossibly beautiful, Iceland flaunts its extraordinary natural attractions on this enchanting tour of a legendary waterfall, ancient craters and bizarrely shaped lava castles. Your tour commences from the pier with a scenic drive along the coastline of Eyjarfjordur, Iceland's longest and perhaps most spectacular fjord. Looking back, you'll have an excellent view of Akureyri, which nestles at the very end of the waterway. Further ahead lies Fnjoskardalur, a pristine valley that clearly shows evidence of its ancient glacial formation. Your first stop is thundering Godafoss, an Icelandic word meaning "Waterfall of the Gods." The name refers to an event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below. But Godafoss only touches upon the natural wonders that await you, which include the volcanically formed craters at Skutustadir, location of your next stop. From here, you'll travel to an even larger collection of imaginative lava formations found at Dimmuborgir. Created more than 2,000 years ago, the area is full of hardened lava lakes, natural arches, and craggy grottoes. Your final stop before returning to the pier will be at Namaskard, a barren field of gurgling sulfur cauldrons and boiling mud pits that afford you a look at Iceland's geothermal activity.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hear the mighty “Waterfall of the Gods” – Godafoss – roar as it thunders over a wide horseshoe cliff.
• Visit the odd volcanic landscape of Skutustadir, where the craters look like something on the moon.
• Encounter extraordinary, hardened lava castles and other ancient formations at Dimmuborgir.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

This fascinating tour brings you face to face with some of Iceland’s most beautiful – and sometimes bizarre – natural attractions. You’ll travel by coach along the shore of picturesque Eyjarfjordur fjord, cross an ancient glacial valley, gaze in awe at a legendary horseshoe waterfall and marvel at the eerie volcanic pseudo-craters of Skutustadir – and that’s all before lunch. After breaking for a hearty meal at a local venue, you’ll be ready for an afternoon filled with even stranger examples of this country’s bubbling geothermal roots. Like those twisted lava formations at Dimmuborgir, an imaginative landscape formed over 2,000 years ago and full of hardened lava lakes, natural arches and craggy grottoes. Then there’s the barren field of gurgling sulfur cauldrons and boiling mud pits at Namaskard, where you’ll be able to peer directly into the superheated heart of Iceland – catching a sulfurous whiff of the nasty brew that bubbles about beneath the ground no plant can survive in. Overall, few places on Earth are as curious.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hear the mighty “Waterfall of the Gods” – Godafoss – roar as it thunders over a wide horseshoe cliff.
• Visit the odd volcanic landscape of Skutustadir, where the craters look like something on the moon.
• Encounter extraordinary, hardened lava castles and other ancient formations at Dimmuborgir.
• Tour a simmering landscape of active geothermal pits and cauldrons of Namaskard.
• Travel by comfortable coach with a seasoned guide and enjoy a hearty midday lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel by coach to thundering Godafoss waterfall, then tour Akureyri and the world’s most northerly botanical garden. Plunging down in a roaring torrent from its high horseshoe-shaped rim, Godafoss is one of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. The name translates to “Waterfall of the Gods,” and legend has it that a local chieftain tossed statues of the old Norse gods into these waters a thousand years ago to proclaim the country’s conversion to the Christian faith. Motoring back into town, you’ll be treated to a rolling inspection tour of Akureyri’s charming architecture and stunning fjord-side views. Then, despite being practically within shouting distance of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find yourself on a guided walk through the unpredictably lush Akureyri Public Parkland Botanical Garden. The secret to all that fertility is a warm microclimate that flora finds irresistible. Besides abundant oxygen, there’s plenty of birdsong in the air here, too. After soaking up this dose of verdant Icelandic nature, the excursion winds down with some further panoramic sightseeing enroute back to your ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the visceral thrill of the Skjalfandafljot River’s waters plummeting down over Godafoss falls.
• Tour a century-old botanical garden that seems to flourish without a care in this far Northern region.
• Enjoy a scenic coach ride through the countryside outside Akureyri, as well as a panoramic tour of the town’s Danish-inspired architecture and picturesque mountain-and-fjord setting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

This superb tour demonstrates the importance of Iceland's natural phenomena in legend and lifestyle, as you'll visit an epic waterfall and then bathe in a soothing geothermal spa. Depart from the pier and drive inland to thundering Godafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Godafoss means "Waterfall of the Gods" and refers to a momentous event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below. Continuing through the pristine countryside, you soon arrive at Myvatn Nature Baths, a luxurious geothermal spa. Here, you'll have the opportunity to bathe in a pool of warm water drawn from deep within the earth. The water contains a blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal microorganisms that are beneficial to the skin and spirit, creating an unparalleled sense of well-being for bathers. It's a wonderfully soothing experience that has been a tradition in the Myvatn region for centuries. In fact, the inhabitants of this area have been relaxing in natural geothermal springs since the Vikings founded Iceland. After luxuriating at the spa for approximately an hour and a half, you'll return to the pier in Akureyri.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit an epic waterfall.
• Bathe in a soothing geothermal spa.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold natural wonders in northern Iceland that are so dramatic that they were used as locations for the blockbuster HBO series “Game of Thrones.” Many of the scenes that represented the lands beyond The Wall – a solid ice fortification that separated the Seven Kingdoms from the tribal wildings – were shot in the surrounding countryside. One look at the glorious Goðafoss waterfalls and the basalt lava pillars at Kálfastrandavogar, and you will instantly understand why they were chosen to represent areas in the show’s Haunted Forest. Then, there is Dimmuborgir, known as the Dark Fortress, a land of volcanically sculpted caverns and craggy black peaks. You may recognize it as the camp site for Mance Rayder, the leader of the wildings. You will also visit Grjótagjá, a surreal lava cave with a thermal spring, and the Námaskarð geothermal field, where the battle scenes on the Fist of the First Men plateau took place.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit dramatic natural settings that were chosen as locations for “Game of Thrones.”
• See the Goðafoss waterfalls and lava pillars that were sets for the show’s Haunted Forest.
• Be awed by the volcanic caves and craggy peaks that represented otherworldly settings.
• Hear what scenes were shot at each location, which will make them all the more relevant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sail into the nutrient-rich waters of Iceland’s longest fjord, looking for whales, dolphins and porpoises that feed here in abundance. Chances are, you will also spot colonies of puffins nesting in the rocky cliffs and diving for small fish. They are easy to identify by their bright orange beaks and short, stout wings. Still, whales are the star attractions. Species such as humpback, blue and minke whales frequent these waters to gorge on the abundant plankton and fish larvae carried in the coastal currents. You may also spot white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. It is a breathtaking sight to see humpback whales acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south. If blue whales surface to exhale, the spray from their blowholes will shoot about 30 feet into the air, so it will be quite the spectacle.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise a fjord where numerous species of whales, dolphins and porpoises feed.
• Watch the spectacle as the cetaceans breach the water’s surface and then dive for food.
• Look for puffins nesting in the cliffs and feeding on small fish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, including a waterproof jacket.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty of northern Iceland and enjoy the cultural diversity by browsing a museum and watching an equestrian performance. A breathtakingly scenic drive will bring you to Goðafoss, the so-called “Waterfall of the Gods.” According to legend, it was named for the statues of Nordic gods that a chieftain threw into the water when Iceland converted to Christianity. The turf roofed Laufás Folk Museum will add a different perspective of the country, as it is filled with curious household and agricultural items from the 19th century. The Icelandic horse is even more unusual because it is the world’s only breed that holds five gaits—walk, trot, gallop, tölt and the flying pace. While watching these strong-spirited horses perform at Brúnir Farm, you will understand why they are held in such high esteem. You will enjoy some refreshments at the horse farm as well. Back in Akureyri, you will meander through the world’s northernmost botanical gardens. A surprising variety of plants flourish there thanks to the area’s warm microclimate.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hear the legend of Goðafoss waterfall while watching the thundering cascade.
• Browse a turf-roofed museum with a variety of enlightening 19th-century items.
• Watch a rare performance of Icelandic horses that highlights their unusual abilities.
• Walk through the world’s northernmost botanical gardens.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in layers in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles.

OVERVIEW

Experience a true nature-lover’s delight as you enter a wonderland of waterfalls, forests and historic farms surrounding Akureyri, then tour the world’s northernmost botanical garden. Cross Iceland’s largest fjord and head inland where silent mountains and sprawling woodlands stretch as far as the eye can see. Stop to thrill at thundering Godafoss waterfall – one of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders – and learn about the captivating legend behind its name. Tour a remote stone-and-turf farmhouse that was once a manor house and vicarage and is now a time capsule filled with period furniture and artifacts that tell the story of Iceland’s agricultural past. Lastly, just in case all this wasn’t quite enough natural inspiration for you, enjoy a guided stroll through lush Akureyri Public Parkland Botanical Garden back near the heart of the city. Beneficiary of a surprisingly warm local microclimate, this century-old green refuge is a showplace of color, fragrance, and birdsong during much of the year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the roar of Godafoss falls as a mighty river’s waters cascade over a wide horseshoe cliff.
• Travel back in time to Iceland’s early agrarian days in a farmhouse with timbers as old as the 1500s.
• Wander a botanical garden that thrives in a unique fertile microclimate here in the far North.
• Enjoy a panoramic coach ride through the unspoiled mountains and woodlands outside Akureyri.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Enter the world of the Humpback, Minke and Orca on a whale-spotting expedition off Iceland’s northern coast. Coupled with an informative whale museum visit, lunch at a local eatery and a stop to marvel at thunderous Godafoss falls, this has the makings of an exhilarating day indeed. You’ll travel from Akureyri pier by coach to the town of Husavik. There, you’ll head out by boat into Skjálfandi Bay, where hungry cetaceans like to feed on the abundant krill, plankton and fish. For the next three hours, all eyes will be fixed on the water – waiting to spot the next fluke, tail, blowhole or full-tilt breach. Entertaining you as you wait, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins will likely be seen cavorting in the waves. Once back on dry land, it’s time for lunch and an interval spent soaking up the fascinating info on display at Husavik Whale Museum. Enroute back to Akureyri, you’ll stop to take in the roar of Godafoss, its waters plunging over a huge horseshoe-shaped rim to form one of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. But then, nothing quite compares to the sight of a giant Blue Whale or leaping Humpback.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the Iceland countryside by coach as you head for a tiny town on the northern coast.
• Spend three exciting hours on a whale-watching cruise in the krill-rich feeding grounds off Husavik.
• Tour an award-winning museum where ecology of whales and history of whaling is vividly presented.
• Visit the mighty “Waterfall of the Gods” – Godafoss – thundering over its wide horseshoe cliff.
• Enjoy lunch in a local Icelandic restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Cruise into the nutrient-rich waters of Iceland’s longest fjord, looking for whales, dolphins and porpoises that feed there in abundance. After a scenic drive to Hauganes, you will board a wooden fishing boat and cruise into Eyjafjörður. Chances are, you will spot colonies of puffins nesting in the rocky cliffs. Still, the star attractions are whales. Species such as humpback, blue and minke whales frequent these waters to gorge on the abundant plankton and fish larvae carried in the coastal currents. It is a breathtaking sight to see humpback whales acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south. If blue whales – the world’s largest animals – surface to exhale, it will be quite the spectacle as the spray from their blowholes shoots about 30 feet into the air. You may also spot white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise in a wooden fishing boat from Hauganes through Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland.
• Look for humpback, blue and minke whales feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south.
• Keep an eye out for white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises as well.
• Behold the spectacle of whales breaching the water’s surface.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a sweeping panorama of Akureyri from atop a nearby ski resort and afterwards relax in an outdoor geothermal spa that offers incredible views as well. As you ascend the slopes surrounding Hlíðarfjall ski resort, the area’s natural beauty will become more apparent. The view of the pristine fjord Eyjafjörður with Akureyri tucked along its western shore will be particularly memorable. More gorgeous scenery awaits you on the return to town as you will travel through the vast Kjarnaskógur woodlands, which incredibly was nearly treeless until it was reforested in the mid-20th century. It is a fittingly prelude to your time at the Forest Lagoon, an outdoor spa nestled in an idyllic setting among birch and pine trees. You will be free to indulge in the amenities, which include several naturally heated mineral-rich infinity pools. The water has therapeutic qualities, especially for the skin, and you can expect to emerge thoroughly relaxed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the ultimate view of Akureyri and the fjord Eyjafjörður from a nearby mountaintop.
• Ease into the therapeutic waters of the Forest Lagoon, an outdoor geothermally heated spa.
• Emerge from the mineral-rich spa waters with radiant skin and completely at ease.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, bring your swimsuit and a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly to the tiny isle of Grimsey to explore this northernmost inhabited part of Iceland which straddles the Arctic Circle. The flight from Akureyri airport takes just half an hour, but Grimsey might as well be a million miles away. Barely 100 souls reside here, along with the occasional polar bear dropping by from a drifting ice floe. Years ago, Grimsey was larger – but large chunks of it have tumbled into the sea over time and its residents have learned to make do with a diminishing land mass. Subsistence itself can be a challenge as a result, with islanders relying on locally caught seafood, scant imported goods and the most prized of edible island delicacies: bird eggs snatched by brave rappellers who clamber down Grimsey’s sheer sea cliffs during the brief summer. While mentioned in the earliest of Icelandic sagas, this miniscule outpost’s big claim to fame came late in the 19th century when the locals’ exceptional prowess at chess captured the outside world’s attention. Go figure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly to a remote islet sitting astride the Arctic Circle and observe its unique lifestyle firsthand.
• Wander Grimsey’s few streets, encounter its residents and wonder at how they manage to thrive here.
• See the island’s signature lighthouse, a church built from driftwood and raucous colonies of puffins and other seabirds making a home along the cliffs.
• Step across the Arctic Circle yourself, so you can boast about it later to friends at shipboard dinner.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.