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.

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At a Glance

With bobbing icebergs and bubbling mud, elusive elves and real-life reindeer, Iceland is a seemingly magical world for grandparents and grandchildren to discover together. Embark on a quest to embrace Iceland’s bounty. Whale watching, glacier trekking, fishing and horseback riding excursions are complemented by lessons on geology, the Vikings and the Sagas. Interact with Icelanders to learn about the daily lives of the people who inhabit this fascinating land.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Elevations up to 4,500 feet.

What You'll Learn

  • Ride a glacier vehicle to the top of Langjokull, Iceland’s second largest glacier.
  • Discover amazing geological features like the Gullfoss waterfall and the Great Geysir.
  • The Nordura is said to harbor a large huldufolk population or “hidden people” of trolls, elves and dwarves. Find out if they truly exist.

General Notes

The age range for this program varies by departure date. Please make sure that you are attending a departure date that meets the correct age requirement.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
Date and Direction
Aug 10 - Aug 17 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jun 22 - Jun 29 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jun 29 - Jul 06 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 06 - Jul 13 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 20 - Jul 27 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 27 - Aug 03 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Aug 10 - Aug 17 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Aug 10 - Aug 17, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This departure is for grandchildren ages 9-12.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
Aug 10 - Aug 17 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jun 22 - Jun 29 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jun 29 - Jul 06 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 06 - Jul 13 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 20 - Jul 27 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Jul 27 - Aug 03 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
  • Aug 10 - Aug 17 (Borgarnes to Reykjavik)
Aug 10 - Aug 17, 2024 Itinerary Differences: This departure is for grandchildren ages 9-12.
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.
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8 days
7 nights
18 meals
7 B 6 L 5 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Keflavik, Transfer to Borgarnes, Museum, Orientation
Borgarnes
B,L,D
Hotel Borgarnes

Activity note: Walking from airport terminal with luggage to motorcoach; driving approximately 10 minutes to Park Inn by Radisson. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 72 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1/2 mile, approximately 1 hour; additional time according to personal choice; indoor floors and paved sidewalks.

Breakfast: At Park Inn by Radisson. Breakfast stops being served at 9:30 a.m. If you plan to meet the group at Park Inn by Radisson for breakfast, please allow enough time to sit down and eat.

Morning: After meeting our group at Park Inn by Radisson, we will depart via motorcoach at approximately 10:00 a.m. and begin our journey to Borgarnes.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Equipped with audio guides, we will explore the Settlement Center Museum and learn about the discovery of Iceland. We’ll then walk to our hotel for check-in. After getting our rooms, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. 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. This is a Road Scholar Family program. Adult participants are responsible for their children at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. 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. 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, Games & Horseback Riding
Borgarnes
B,L,D
Hotel Borgarnes

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off horses. Walking and games in the Troll Park. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will set out via motorcoach and ride to Ölvaldsstadir farm where we’ll have an introduction to horseback riding, then mount our horses for a ride on a trail down by the Hvita River. We will then take the motorcoach to Fossatun for lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we will walk to Troll Park for games and merriment. At the park, we will divide the grownups and children into separate groups and take two different paths exploring and learning about trolls together. The troll games commence after the walk. We’ll then return to the hotel via motorcoach.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We will gather for some entertainment by a local dance troupe.

DAY
4
Birds & Islands Adventure, Dairy Farm
Borgarnes
B,L,D
Hotel Borgarnes

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 160 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Getting on/off a boat; sailing about 35-40 miles, approximately 2 hours; standing on boat with opportunities to sit. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will ride the motorcoach to a boat, aboard which we’ll set out on a field trip to learn about birds and islands. During a two-hour boat ride among the islands of Breidafjordur, we will study the multitude of seabirds nesting there. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to lunch on the motorcoach.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will ride on to Eiriksstadir, where Leif Erikson (c. 970 – c. 1020 C.E.) was born. Known as “the lucky,” Leifr Eiríksson established a settlement in a place he called Vinland that was likely amid today’s Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Langjokull Glacier, Husafell Swimming Pool
Borgarnes
B,L,D
Hotel Borgarnes

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours. Getting on/off a glacier vehicle. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain and snow (glacier). Bring a swimsuit for the visit to the Husafell pool; towels are provided.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach and ride to Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjokull. We’ll then take a special modified vehicle to the top of the glacier and walk inside a unique man-made ice cave tunnel with an expert. We’ll then continue on to lunch.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we will visit the swimming pool in Husafell for a dip. We’ll then walk on the gravel nature path to view the lava waterfalls, Hraunfossar, as the Group Leader tells us about the area. After taking the motorcoach back to the hotel, we’ll walk to dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
6
Thingvellir, Tomato Farm, Gullfoss & Geysir
Reykjavik
B,L
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 180 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.

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. We’ll view the Strokkur Geysir spout while learning from the Group Leader about the geothermal properties of Iceland. We’ll then ride on to our hotel.

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
Reykjavik
B,L,D
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a boat; riding between 2.5–3 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; standing on boat with opportunities to sit.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will drive by motorcoach to Reykjavík for a field trip to explore the Arbaer Museum (Árbæjarsafn) with an expert. This open-air museum that provides guests with an insight into the daily lives of the capital‘s earliest settlers. Walk amongst old buildings from the city center that have been relocated to the Árbær tuft farmstead on the outskirts of Reykjavik. We’ll then ride through the capital, going past the Hofdi House where Reagan and Gorbachev met and through the downtown area to see Lake Tjornin, Parliament, and City Hall.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll continue on to the beach for a quick look before boarding a comfortable boat and heading out on a whale watching field trip. Wild animals including sea creatures move independently but we hope to see some big whales! Returning to the motorcoach, we will then head out to dinner.

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
In Flight
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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