Iceland
A Long Weekend in Iceland: From Reykjavik to the Golden Circle
Program No. 22981RJ
Think you don’t have time to discover the natural wonders of Iceland? Think again! Experience the best of Iceland as you explore from Reykjavik to the countryside.
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5B 4L 3D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
Reykjavik
Reykjavik
At a Glance
There’s more than enough time to discover the natural beauty of this incredible island during this exciting learning adventure! Beginning in Reykjavik, soak in the healing waters of geothermal lagoons. Then, venture into the countryside to explore the Golden Circle, home to the historic Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall and active Strokkur geyser. Walk along the black sand beach below the Myrdalsjokull glacier, and learn about the creation of Iceland at the Lava Centre. Depending on the time of year, search for the magical northern lights or enjoy the calming stillness of a late night sunset in the countryside.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to two miles on uneven, hilly terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about Iceland's past and present, from the legends of Iceland's ancient parliament to the refreshing waters of geothermal lagoons.
- Savor a greenhouse-fresh lunch while learning how geothermal energy is used to grow vegetables in Iceland's short summer season.
- Marvel at the many natural wonders of Iceland, including a geyser, glacier and waterfalls.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
A Long Weekend in Iceland: From Reykjavik to the Golden Circle
Program Number: 22981
Lonely Planet Pocket Reykjavik
With a section of not-to-be-missed highlights, pullout map, and a calendar of annual events.
The Control of Nature
In the classic McPhee tradition, these sparkling essays explore our generally feeble attempts to combat all-powerful nature, including valiant efforts by Icelanders to control the flow of a volcano across the harbor at Heimaey in the Westman Islands.
Island on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the World
Two science writers discuss the political and natural ramifications of the 1783 eruption of Iceland’s largest volcano, Laki, which led to global death, famine and even revolution. Great for the geologically minded but accessible to all with an interest in volcanoes.
Iceland, Land of the Sagas
Krakauer and colleague Roberts hike and climb around Iceland in this classic travel narrative, reissued as a paperback and featuring Krakauer's color photographs. The book interweaves the natural and cultural history of the island with the authors' own adventures.
Ring of Seasons, Iceland, Its Culture and History
A longtime resident of Reykjavik, Lacy weaves tales of family life, anecdote, lore and history into this illuminating personal portrait of Iceland.
The Sagas of Icelanders
Nine sagas and six tales composed between the years 1000 and 1500, including an account of Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America, all newly translated.
Butterflies in November
Scorned by love, a quirky, unapologetically independent 33-year-old woman takes a spontaneous trip along Iceland’s Ring Road, her best friend’s 4-year-old deaf-mute son in tow. Evocative of the Icelandic spirit.
North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
Catering to a rising interest in Nordic cuisine, this cookbook celebrates Iceland’s food alongside its haunting landscapes, portrayed in starkly beautiful, full-color photos.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic
A primer on Arctic climate, geography, plants, birds, mammals and insects in a single nicely written book. It's a highly recommended, enthusiastic guide to natural history throughout the Circumpolar North.
The Northern Lights, Celestial Performances of the Aurora Borealis
Shot in Alaska, one of the best places to watch the northern lights, these images capture the natural phenomenon in all its splendor and majesty. Hall and Pederson’s 160 photographs were taken with ultra-HD cameras during a period of unusually high solar activity.
Independent People, An Epic
Rich in local color, this great mock-epic by the Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner features the indelible Bjartur of Summerhouses, a hard-headed, independent-minded sheep farmer.
Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Icelandic Stories
This collection of the most famous of Icelandic sagas includes stories with titles like Thorstein the Staff-Struck and Ale Hood. Dating from the 12th century, these tales vividly recreate the society of medieval Iceland.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
Jar City
Indridason's first moody police procedural finds Reykjavik detective Erlendur Sveinsson investigating the brutal murder of a lonely pensioner and the man's connection to the deaths of a number of young women. Made into a darkly superb film.
The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
Guardian journalist Booth writes with laugh-out-loud humor and brutal candor about the Scandinavians, mixing history and his own experiences in Nordic regions in this searing cultural portrait.
The Windows of Brimnes, An American in Iceland
In these provocative essays, Minnesotan Bill Holm writes about the fate of America from his fisherman's cottage on the shore of a creek in northern Iceland.
The Prose Edda
A new translation of one of the most influential and entertaining medieval Icelandic sagas, the source for much of what we know of Norse mythology.
The Northern Lights, The True Story of the Man Who Unlocked the Secrets of the Aurora Borealis
The compelling story of Kristian Birkeland, the turn-of-the-century Norwegian scientist who devoted his career to understanding the aurora borealis, this book also covers the science, history, myth and romance of the phenomenon.
Last Places, A Journey in the North
Millman explores the culture and history of the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland in this hilarious account of his travels in the wake of the ancient Vikings.
Iceland Imagined
This cultural and environmental history explores the geography, literature, language, culture, politics and symbolism of Iceland, Greenland, northern Norway and the Faroe Islands.
Program No.
22981
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Hella
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
Group Type
Small Group
Activity Level
At a Glance
There’s more than enough time to discover the natural beauty of this incredible island during this exciting learning adventure! Beginning in Reykjavik, soak in the healing waters of geothermal lagoons. Then, venture into the countryside to explore the Golden Circle, home to the historic Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall and active Strokkur geyser. Walk along the black sand beach below the Myrdalsjokull glacier, and learn about the creation of Iceland at the Lava Centre. Depending on the time of year, search for the magical northern lights or enjoy the calming stillness of a late night sunset in the countryside.
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn about Iceland's past and present, from the legends of Iceland's ancient parliament to the refreshing waters of geothermal lagoons.
- Savor a greenhouse-fresh lunch while learning how geothermal energy is used to grow vegetables in Iceland's short summer season.
- Marvel at the many natural wonders of Iceland, including a geyser, glacier and waterfalls.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to two miles on uneven, hilly terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List: 20 Books
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Tour Length
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
3 Dinners
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Map details are not available for this location.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approx. 2.5 hours aboard motorcoach. If you wish to swim at the lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit where it is easily accessible. Towels will be provided.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson. If arriving independently, plan to arrive at the Park Inn by Radisson no later than 9:00 a.m.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach to ride to an enchanting lagoon. Take in the stunning views and relax with a soak in the geothermal heated waters, just like the locals!
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll board the motorcoach and head to the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. The largest in Iceland, it’s the second largest in the world, situated in the Hengill volcano area. We’ll learn about this renewable resource and how geothermal energy is used in Iceland. After, we’ll continue our transfer to Hella and check-in to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time to relax before meeting the group for our Orientation meeting, followed my dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Water is included with all meals. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is free to continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Boarding our motorcoach, we’ll set out for a field trip along the scenic south coast of Iceland. We will start the day with a visit to the new Lava Centre, a high-tech interactive exhibit depicting volcanic activities, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. We will then continue riding along the coast, stopping by the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and glimpsing the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano on our way.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
En route to the Skógar Museum, we will stop to see the impressive Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland that drops 200 feet (60 meters) and is nearly 50 feet (15 meters) wide. On sunny days, there is a good chance of catching a rainbow thanks to the spray. The Skógá River and its waterfalls play a central role in local folk stories of magic and hidden treasure, about which we’ll learn more. The Skógar Museum focuses on three areas of Icelandic history and culture. The folk museum displays a large collection of artifacts representing aspects of agriculture, fishing, and natural history — some dating back to the Viking age. There is also a technical area that traces the country’s development in the 19th and 20th centuries, and an open-air museum with rebuilt turf houses representing how Icelanders lived centuries ago. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that cosmic conditions will permit us to see the magical northern lights in the quiet and remote location of our hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 4 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach for a field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with a visit to Gullfoss — golden falls — the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Water from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Hvítá (White) River. When it reaches the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon, it falls in two stages more than 100 feet (32 meters). We’ll experience the stillness and beauty of the wintry countryside and the frozen waterfall. We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam. Next, we’ll ride to the Friðheimar tomato farm and learn about greenhouse horticulture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Moving on, we’ll reach the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the original parliament, which is known as the most sacred place in Iceland due to its geological and historical significance. The Althing, or General Assembly, was established here in 930 CE and is the world’s oldest existing parliament. Not only historically significant, the site is located on the meeting point of the American and European continental plates. We'll then continue on to Reykjavik for check-in.
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain and paved city sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach and see highlights of the city including Hofdi house, Lake Tjornin, City Hall, and the old Parliament as we ride. We’ll also have an expert-led field trip to the National Museum of Iceland. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the making of a nation, there are special exhibits on a variety of history and culture topics
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Reykjavik. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant to enjoy a farewell meal. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport based on final flight times. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
