EXPERIENCE ICELAND
Why on earth would you want to experience Iceland?
If you love volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, lakes and fjords as much as I do, then these are very good reasons to want to experience Iceland. This small country in the North Atlantic has them all in abundance. Also on the list of natural wonders you’ll discover in Iceland, are its abundance of natural spas, glacier-topped mountains, black sand beaches, caves and lava tubes. Iceland is ideal for nature-lovers and adventure seekers as well as anyone looking to relax and rejuvenate. And I haven’t even mentioned its interesting history, culture and cuisine, its wildlife, the friendly Icelandic people or the spectacular night sky light shows (aka The Northern Lights) yet! If Iceland is one of the destinations on your bucket list, check out the sample guided self-drive tour below, which can be tailored to your wants, needs and desires.
8-day Icelandic Circle Tour
Experience Iceland on an Escorted Group Tour or a Guided Self-Drive Tour—it’s your choice.
If the land of fire and ice is on your bucket list, a 7 night/8-day tour of the country, via the Golden Circle and its ring road, with a few detours here and there, is a great way to experience Iceland’s best. Depending on your preferences, you can choose an escorted group tour starting and ending in Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik (either by coach or mini-bus depending on the tour operator), or a guided self-drive tour, starting and ending at Keflavik International Airport, including accommodation and breakfast each night.
Below you’ll find a sample guided self-drive tour, which can be customized to your own needs and interests, or extended so you can experience even more of Iceland’s stunning regions or spend more time in Reykjavik.
Sample Guided Self-Drive Tour of Iceland
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Travelling via Iceland’s ring road and the Golden Circle, on a guided self-drive tour, you’ll see and experience the best of Iceland’s natural wonders—waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, lakes, volcanic craters, hot springs, geothermal lagoons and maybe even an active volcano—as well as some of its historic sites and artifacts, farms and museums.
You’ll also get the chance to taste some of Iceland’s traditional foods, such as Icelandic lamb and fish, Pylsa (hotdog), skyr (similar to yoghurt/cheese), Pönnukökur (pancakes) and even fermented shark.
This tour can be done on a 7-night stopover in Iceland en route to the UK via Icelandair or as a standalone 8-day vacation. Flights arriving from Toronto to Keflavik arrive early in the morning, leaving you all of day one to acclimatize in and around the Reykjavik area—including a visit to Blue Lagoon to relax a while in its geothermally-heated waters.
If you are on a stopover to the UK, the UK flight leaves early on Day 8, so the last day of your journey is short, leaving you plenty of time to relax in Reykjavik before your flight the next morning.
If you’re returning to Toronto, you could add a detour on Day 7 from Borgarnes to Snaefellsness Peninsular before returning to Reykjavik and relax and unwind on the morning of Day 8 before your flight home.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Keflavik with optional Reykjanes Peninsula tour including a visit to Old Reykjanes Lighthouse, Bridge Between Two Continents and Blue Lagoon before heading to Reykjavik.
Day 2: Reykjavik to Vik via the Golden Circle including visits to Þingvellir National Park, Silfra Fissure, Gullfoss, Geysir Hot Springs, Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss Waterfalls and Reynisfjara Beach.
Day 3: Vik to Höfn including a visit to Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park, Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Lagoon.
Day 4: Höfn to Egilsstaðir including visits to East Region fishing villages, lighthouses and museums.
Day 5: Egilsstaðir to Akureyri including visits to Detifoss Waterfall, Myvatn Nature Baths, Myvatn Volcanic Craters, and Goðafoss Waterfall.
Day 6: Akureyri to Borgarnes including visits to Hraunfossar Waterfall and Borgarnes Settlement Centre.
Day 7: Borgarnes to Reykjavik (with optional Snæfellsnes Peninsula detour including visits to Arnarstapi, Snæfellsjökull National Park and Kirkjufellsfoss).
Day 8: Depart Iceland. Depending on your flight departure time, choose to explore Reykjavik or spend a couple of hours relaxing at Blue Lagoon before heading to the airport.
Experience Iceland on a Tailor-made Tour
The above guided self-drive tour highlights just a few of the natural wonders you can experience on either an 8-day / 7-night guided self-drive tour or similar escorted group tour. There are many types and duration of Iceland tours to fit your schedule, interests and travel style, including a reverse itinerary, longer itineraries that encompass Westfjords and more sites and experiences in the northern region, as well as hiking tours (including glacial hikes and camping). Whether you’re travelling solo, with a friend or partner, or in a small group, tours can be tailored to your needs.
Need more time in Reykjavik to experience Iceland’s capital city culture and entertainment?
If you’re on a standalone vacation (not a 7-night stopover on the way to the UK or Europe), book-end the tour with an extra two nights’ accommodation close to all the best attractions, such as the Saga and Icelandic Phallological Museums, Spúútnik, the vintage fashion shopping mecca of Reykjavik, the iconic Hallgrimskirkja and the Epal Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, not to mention all the pubs and bars with all-night entertainment. And if you’re visiting in summer, don’t forget to visit the geothermal beach!
There is so much to see, do and experience in Iceland, it’s not possible to fit it all in during one 7-night trip. But one thing I can guarantee, after your first visit, you’ll want to revisit Iceland to experience even more.
Want to experience Iceland?
As your Certified Inspired by Iceland Specialist, I can help you plan everything for your visit including the above guided self-drive tour, an escorted group tour or a completely tailor-made itinerary just for you. Contact me to start planning…
Iceland: a healthy haven you should experience at least once in your life!
There are many reasons to travel to Iceland, an isolated island in the North Atlantic on the edge of the Arctic Circle. This small European country is renowned for being a land of fire & ice due to its active volcanoes & glaciers, but did you know Iceland is also an ideal destination for health & wellness in nature? That’s right, Iceland is a healthy haven that you should experience at least once in your lifetime, especially if health & well-being is a priority!
Complimentary Entrance Tickets
When you book a 7-day Icelandic escorted group tour or guided self-drive tour through Kaz Custom Travel, we’ll pay for your entrance tickets to Viking World and one other museum of your choice.*
Stop dreaming of visiting Iceland someday… plan to Experience Iceland soon!
*Terms and Conditions apply. Offer applies to all passengers on the same booking or listed on the same group booking. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discount. If a specific date is requested and it appears on the Voucher or Entrance Tickets, they must be used on the date requested at the time of booking. Entrance tickets may be subject to additional terms and conditions from the supplier. Offer cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash or any other product. Only valid when an Icelandic tour or cruise/tour is booked through Kaz Custom Travel and final payment is made in full by the due date. If Viking World entrance fees are included as part of the tour and included on your itinerary, their cost will be deducted from the final balance. If purchased separately by Kaz Custom Travel, the client will not be invoiced. Kaz Custom Travel is not affiliated with Viking World or any other Iceland museum. This offer is made by Kaz Custom Travel, and is not being subsidized or sponsored by Viking World, Travel Professionals International or any other third party. Kaz Custom Travel cannot be held liable for any changes to opening times or irregular/early/unannounced closures, or exhibit cancellations. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check opening times before travelling to the museum.