Iceland
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik
Program No. 18898RJ
Celebrate New Year’s beneath a multilayered sky of fireworks and perhaps aurora borealis, learning local traditions and reveling in natural beauty as you unlock the secrets of Iceland.
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6 days
5 nights
11 meals
5B 3L 3D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Welcome to Iceland
Reykjavik
5
Along the South Coast
Reykjavik
6
Departures
Reykjavik
At a Glance
Participate in one of the world’s most distinctive celebrations of the New Year in Reykjavik, Iceland, where ancient traditions and modern technology combine in spectacular fashion. First appreciate the stillness and beauty of the Icelandic countryside at the waterfall Gullfoss and along the scenic southern coast. Discover Thingvellir National Park, where Vikings met and formed the world’s oldest parliament. Then, join Icelandic families around their celebratory New Year’s Eve bonfires, enjoy a gala dinner and watch the amazing fireworks display.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven and potentially slippery terrain. May be outdoors for up to one hour in winter conditions.
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…
- From a VIP vantage point, view one of the most spectacular displays of fireworks in the world.
- Learn about Icelandic folk culture as you explore the turf homes, schoolhouse and artifact collections of the Skogar Museum.
- Soak in the mineral-rich, geothermally heated waters of the famous Blue Lagoon.
Suggested Reading List
(18 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.
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik
Program Number: 18898
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.
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.
Birds of Europe
Featuring 3,500 glorious paintings by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, the second edition of this exquisite guide features updated text and maps.
The History of Iceland
A history of Iceland from the Viking-era through colonization, independence and the 20th century. Karlsson draws on the sagas and rich literature of Iceland in presenting this comprehensive history.
The Vikings, Lords of the Seas
An indispensable reference that fits in your pocket, this slim volume is packed with maps, archival photographs and illustrations.
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.
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.
Frost on My Moustache, The Arctic Exploits of a Lord and a Loafer
In this inspired folly, a British comic heads to Iceland, Spitsbergen and other northern locales in pursuit of a fictitious Arctic hero.
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.
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.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
This history of the Vikings tells their story through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs. It traces the routes of 9th-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and the New World.
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
Iceland Adventure Map
A detailed map at a scale of 1:465,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
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.
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.
Under the Glacier
Laxness brings the full range of his wit, humor, humanity and imagination to this strange, rather slight and amusing book, in which a Church of Iceland envoy travels inland to investigate the strange goings-on in a remote parish.
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.
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
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
5B, 3L, 3D
)
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Welcome to Iceland
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Walking from the airport terminal with luggage to the coach for 10 minute drive to the Park Inn by Radisson. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 15 miles to Blue Lagoon, approximately 50 minutes; about 35 miles to hotel, approximately 1 hour. If you wish to swim in the Blue Lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on luggage. Towels will be provided. Slippers, bathrobes and spa treatments are available at an additional cost.
Breakfast:
At the Park Plaza by Radisson.
Morning:
After meeting our group at the Park Plaza, we will depart via motorcoach at approximately 10:00 a.m. to the Bridge Between Continents to see where Europe and North America meet.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will board a motorcoach and continue our Icelandic adventure with a soak in the mineral-rich, geothermally heated waters of the Blue Lagoon. (Entrance fee and towels included at Blue Lagoon; slippers and bathrobes available at additional cost.) There are other “blue lagoons” but this one is truly unique. The stark volcanic terrain that surrounds it creates an otherworldly feeling. The lava field is surely natural, but in fact the lagoon owes its existence to a geothermal power station built in 1975. Superheated water from a nearby lava flow feeds into the power plant system and finally flows into the lagoon, where the temperature stays between 98°-104°F (36°-40° C). Minerals from the underground geological layers account for the coloration. Not only is lounging in the waters delightfully comfortable, the minerals and white silica mud are reputed to provide benefits for skin conditions. After, we'll continue our transfer to the Icelandair Marina for check-in. Take some time before meeting the group for Orientation followed by dinner.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner and introduction at a local restaurant.
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. European-style breakfast buffets will offer choices such as cold cuts, cheeses, cereals, yogurt, fruit, breads, juice, milk, coffee, tea, water. Unless otherwise noted, dinners will typically be 3-course plated meals. 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. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
New Year's Eve in Iceland: Bonfires and Fireworks
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Participants are encouraged to bring and wear warm clothes, shoes, and cold weather items including hats, scarves, mittens, hand warmers, etc. for the bonfire and firework gazing.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Discover Europe's northernmost capital on an expert-led visit of Reykjavik with your Group Leader. We’ll also enjoy 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:
Explore local fare on your own.
Afternoon:
Free time to rest up for the evening's festivities or explore Reykjavik. You may wish to visit the Reykjavik Art Museum, The Culture House, or the Volcano House. Another option is to take a walk around Lake Tjornin in the center of Reykjavik or up to the Church of Hallgrimur for a great view of the city. Your Group Leader will provide directions and advice as needed.
Dinner:
New Year’s Eve celebration with a festive 6 course dinner at Perlan.
Evening:
After dinner, watch as the entire sky, as far as the eye can see, fills with fireworks as midnight approaches, building to an endless explosion of light and color that are of a beauty and magnitude like nowhere else on earth.
Day
4
The Golden Circle of Landscape and History
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 4-5 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain. May be snowy or icy.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
After a leisurely morning, board a motorcoach for a field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with a visit to 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. Discuss how geothermal energy is used to provide hot water, heat and grow vegetables.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant we’ll have a light lunch with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Moving on, we’ll reach 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 impressive waterfall. We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam, before arriving at our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel we'll enjoy a special New Year's Day 3-course plated meal with beverage choices of a glass of wine or beer, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Along the South Coast
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Center Hotel Plaza
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 250 miles, approximately 6 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain. May be snowy or icy.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Boarding our motorcoach, we’ll set out for a field trip along the scenic south coast of Iceland. On the way, we will stop at 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. We will then continue riding along the coast, stopping by 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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Afternoon:
En route to the Skógar Museum, we'll stop at Reynisfjara, home to a multitude of nesting seabirds. Local folklore holds that the hexagonal basalt column formations of Reynisfjara’s cliffs, reminiscent of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, are marauding trolls turned to stone when daylight struck them at dawn. 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. We won't return to the hotel until early evening.
Dinner:
On your own to explore Reykjavik.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Departures
Location:
Reykjavik
Meals:
B
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
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!
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MEALS
11 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026
- Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 02, 2026
- Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 02, 2026
- Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026
Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
Sort By:
Our itinerary was modified due to Dec. 18 volcanic eruption, but it did not diminish our enjoyment. Instead of the Blue Lagoon, we soaked in the Sky Lagoon, which we liked even better. What a treat to soak in hot fresh water, surrounded by black lava walls, shower under a water fall and view the sea from the infinity pool! There were lots of people, but we never felt crowded due to the undulating shape of the pool. Also, there was a bar we could swim to, sauna, hot tub, steam bath and cool mist shower. It was a relaxing and romantic experience.
We enjoyed the variety of being exposed to history and culture of Iceland and the natural, wild beauty of the land, including waterfalls, glacier, black sand beach, basalt cliffs, geysir and other formations.
The seasonally short time (4.5 hrs.) from sunrise to sunset did not diminsh our enjoyment of this wonderful country. Unexpectedly the food was fresh, at peak ripeness and plenty varied thanks to geothermal energy in local greenhouses. Delicious!
Once again, Road Scholar provided a quality educational and luxurious vacation for us.
— Review left January 13, 2024
Couldn't have been better. Everything was great - hotel, meals , scenery, pace of trip,
itinerary, group leader, (Harpa Bjornsdotter), bus driver, (I apologize for not writing down his name,)
vehicle used, etc.
There couldn't have been a single highlight since there were So many.
I guess New Years Eve was just one to be noted- wonderful meal, bonfires, fireworks -what a night!!
One thing I would like potential visitors to know,
Because of snow, ice freeze, snow cycle you have frequently to be extremely careful when walking!!
— Review left January 18, 2023
Iceland is incredibly beautiful. It was also very cold. I am told it was colder than usual this time of year but that added to the complexities of trying to enjoy a place best seen outdoors. I do plan to go back at some time but in the summer. Still to be there on NYE was an experience with a large bonfire and firecrackers everywhere. Dinner at the Harpa for NYE was a highlight. I wish we could have attended a concert there at some point. If that could be included especially in a winter trip, I think that would be a great addition.
Inga, our guide, was very knowledgeable and personable. She was always willing to help and answer our many questions. Our bus driver was less personable but after being seated in the front and watching him drive through blowing snow I felt he was an exceptional driver. Safety on snowy roads being a high priority for me, made me appreciate having him as our driver.
The accommodations and sites chosen were perfect though again because of the bitter cold hard to stay outdoors for too long, except of course for the Blue Lagoon! That was an experience all of its own.
I think what everyone, but especially me, was surprised was the cuisine was delicious. I don't usually eat fish but this was wonderful fresh fish well prepared and the Icelandic lamb stew should not be missed.
My biggest regret is not having the stamina to be outside too long because of the cold but I will return someday.
As with all the trips I have taken with Road Scholar my travel companions also made the trip more interesting and fun. I have 2 more trips planned for this year and I can't wait! The only question now is where will I be next NYE?
— Review left January 16, 2023
I am ready to go back in the spring or fall to see the GREEN Iceland.
— Review left January 13, 2023
Loved the experience and NY Eve was unbelievable--with bonfires and fireworks! The families do the fireworks, and they were EVERYWHERE! The countryside is spectacular, and the guide and driver were excellent. We did have some travel hiccups and were completely disappointed in the emergency contact service--5 calls = no help at rescheduling air travel which had been booked by RS. Good thing we purchased the trip insurance!
— Review left January 6, 2023
Iceland, even in the winter time, does not disappoint. It was interesting to see the dramatic sunrises and sunsets, and there were only a couple of hours in the morning that were dark. We saw so much, and the wintertime actually added to the experience. The New Year's fireworks were unimaginable. Highly recommend this program, and if possible, add a few days on your own to explore more!
— Review left January 10, 2022
Iceland for New Years Eve is like nothing I've ever experienced. Iceland is a beautiful country with captivating scenery, warm people, and all kinds of delights. It's magical and I will definitely return!
— Review left January 8, 2020
Trip was very well planned and executed. Tour leader was organized, knowledgeable, and a good communicator. Food and lodging accommodations were very good.
— Review left January 4, 2020
If you are looking to spend a unique New Year's Eve to enjoy the answer is the Road Scholar trip to Iceland. The Blue Lagoon, bonfires and fireworks are celestial.
— Review left January 22, 2019
