Iceland
Land of Fire & Ice: Iceland With Your Grandchild
Program No. 10584RJ
Take a fantastic quest through the real-life magic of Iceland, where tales of Vikings combine with a wondrous landscape to make this the perfect adventure for you and your grandchild.
Itinerary
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.
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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.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
18 meals (
7B, 6L, 5D
)
16 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Keflavik, Transfer to Borgarnes, Orientation
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Walking from airport terminal with luggage to motorcoach for short drive to Park Inn. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 72 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time to Borgarnes. Walking about 1/2 mile, approximately 1 hour; Standing for up to 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach and begin our transfer to Borgarnes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
On our way to Borgarnes, we’ll stop at Perlan in Reykjavík. This interactive museum offers panoramic 360° views and showcases Iceland’s remarkable natural landscapes through immersive exhibits. After, we will continue our transfer to our hotel for check-in and down-time before orientation and dinner. 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. The Group Leader and a series of local experts will lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be by private motorcoach unless otherwise noted. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. 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.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Nordurá Valley, Trolls & Horseback Riding
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with some uneven, hilly terrain at the Troll Park; Standing for up to 2 hours throughout the day. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and travel to an Icelandic horse farm, where we’ll meet the horses and set out on a scenic ride along, and even through, the Hvítá glacial river.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll stroll to Troll Park for games and a bit of lighthearted fun. As we wander the winding paths together, we’ll explore the folklore of Icelandic trolls and learn more about the stories that bring them to life. Afterwards, we’ll then travel to the Háafell Goat Farm, where we’ll enjoy light refreshments and spend time with one of Iceland’s most beloved farm animals.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather for some entertainment by a local dance troupe.
Day
4
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day, uneven, hilly terrain; Standing up to 2 hours throughout the day. Getting on and off motorcoach, driving about 160 miles; approximately 4 hours of riding time. Unavoidable, steep stairs and uneven terrain at the Vatnshellir cave.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach for a full-day field trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Traveling along the peninsula’s southern coast, we’ll stop at the basalt columns of Gerðuberg Cliffs, where towering geometric formations rise dramatically from the landscape. Continuing on, we’ll visit the charming fishing village of Arnarstapi and enjoy a short hike along its rugged, scenic coastline, taking in sweeping ocean views and unique rock formations.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll round the tip of the peninsula and stop for a guided tour of Vatnshellir Cave, where we’ll descend into an 8,000-year-old lava tube to explore dramatic rock formations and learn how Iceland’s volcanic landscape was formed. We’ll then continue along the northern coast of the peninsula, pausing at notable scenic viewpoints along the way before returning to our hotel in Borgarnes.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Langjökull Glacier, Husafell Swimming Pool
Location:
Borgarnes
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Borgarnes
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; gravel paths, uneven terrain. Possible snow, ice or wet conditions in the glacier. Standing for up to 1 hour throughout the day. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Getting on/off a glacier vehicle. It is recommended to bring a day pack with waterproof clothing, a swimsuit, and any additional clothing/accessories you may need during and after the glacier and pool.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and journey into Iceland’s rugged interior toward Langjökull, the country’s second-largest glacier. From the base, we’ll transfer to a specially modified glacier vehicle designed to navigate the difficult terrain and carry us to the top. There, we’ll step inside a remarkable man-made ice tunnel carved deep within the glacier. Accompanied by an expert guide, we’ll explore the glowing blue passageways and learn more about Iceland’s dynamic glacial landscapes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll visit the geothermal swimming pool in Húsafell for a relaxing dip after our cold morning. Afterwards, we’ll take a gentle walk along a gravel nature path to view the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar, where streams of water emerge from beneath a lava field and cascade into the river below.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
The Golden Circle, Friðheimar
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Grandi by Center Hotels
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles thorughout the day; uneven, hilly terrain; Standing for up to 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 180 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach and set out on our next field trip to Thingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was home of the ancient parliament and is now a national park. After enjoying the view from the overlook, we’ll walk down to the ravine for more spectacular sights while the Group Leader provides commentary about the history of the site. Next, we’ll ride to the Friðheimar tomato farm and learn about greenhouse horticulture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will then ride on to see Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall) and Geysir, the geyser from which all others take their name.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Reykjavík, Arbaer Museum, Whale Watching
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Grandi by Center Hotels
Activity Note
Walking up to 2.5 miles thorughout the day; Standing for up to 2.5 hours throughout the day; standing on boat with opportunities to sit. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a boat; riding about 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and travel to the Arbaer Museum (Árbæjarsafn) to explore Iceland’s past with a local expert. This open-air museum offers a special insight into the daily lives of the islands earliest settles. We’ll walk amongst old building from all over the country that have been relocated to the Árbær tuft farmstead. We’ll then travel back to the city center, and ride through the capital while our Group Leader shared the highlights of the city, the Holdi House, City Hall and Parliament.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll make our way to Reykjavík’s old harbor to embark on an exciting whale-watching adventure. Aboard a comfortable vessel, we’ll hope to spot some of Iceland’s majestic whales, including humpbacks and minkes, while our captain shares fascinating insights about their behavior, habitats, and the rich marine ecosystem of Icelandic waters.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
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!
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