New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik

At the Park Plaza by Radisson.

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.

At a local restaurant.

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.

Welcome dinner and introduction at a local restaurant.

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.

Hotel dining room.

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.

Explore local fare on your own.

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.

New Year’s Eve celebration with a festive 6 course dinner at Perlan.

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.

Hotel dining room.

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.

At a local restaurant we’ll have a light lunch with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

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.

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.

At leisure.

Hotel dining room.

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.

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.

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.

On your own to explore Reykjavik.

At leisure.

Hotel dining room.

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!