Iceland 2018 Tour
This was an absolutely wonderful tour! Loved every minute...a truly magical experience! Pam O. April 2018
It was the perfect blend of history, culture, and knitting! Deb S. April 2018
My favorite thing was not so much the places we visited, though I was enriched at every single stop, but the people I met on this journey. Deb S. April 2018
It was the perfect blend of history, culture, and knitting! Deb S. April 2018
My favorite thing was not so much the places we visited, though I was enriched at every single stop, but the people I met on this journey. Deb S. April 2018
Day 1 -- Friday, April 20, 2018
This morning we arrived at the Keflavik airport and were met by our wonderful guide and driver, Boga. On our way into Reykjavik, we stopped at a local exhibition museum displaying the Viking Ship Icelander. After a hardy Nordic breakfast, we took a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik including the old towne center, the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbor, the Pearl, the Harpa Opera House, and Hofdi House -- the site of the 1986 historic summit between US President Reagan and Russian Premier Gorbachev.
This morning we arrived at the Keflavik airport and were met by our wonderful guide and driver, Boga. On our way into Reykjavik, we stopped at a local exhibition museum displaying the Viking Ship Icelander. After a hardy Nordic breakfast, we took a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik including the old towne center, the Parliament, the Cathedral, the harbor, the Pearl, the Harpa Opera House, and Hofdi House -- the site of the 1986 historic summit between US President Reagan and Russian Premier Gorbachev.
We drove by the city's salmon river and the Arbaejarsafn Outdoor Folk Museum with a stop at the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum and landmark Hallgrimskirkja Church. We made a quick stop at Oskjuhlid for a quick panoramic view of the city. Then on to the National Museum for a lovely lunch and historical overview of Iceland's past. We topped the tour off with a visit to the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland --"the" place to shop for your Icelandic handknits. Our over night stay for the next 2 nights was the Centerhotel Arnarhvoll . And then we ended our day with a lovely welcome dinner at the local restaurant Potturinn og Pannan.
Day 2 -- Saturday, April 21, 2018
After breakfast at the hotel, we spent the day touring the Golden Circle -- including three of the best know attractions Iceland has to offer. First, Gullfoss (The Golden Waterfall), one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe, and second, the Geysir area, with numerous hot springs, fumeroles and geysers, including the 30 meter fountain geyser, Strokkur. Last was Thingvellir, a remarkable geological and historic site and the location of the world's oldest democratic parliament founded in 930.
After a lovely lunch at Geysir Glima, we headed for the amazing Fridheimar Greenhouse for a lovely tour and Bloody Mary. And then to the Njal's Saga Museum where everyone joined in on working on the tapestry, including the men. On the way back to Reykjavik, we stopped at Thingborg Wool Center. This former community center was taken over by a lovely group of women who began processing their indigenous wool without chemical dyes, developed a gallery, and wonderful shop...and they are known for having created the largest sweater in the world! We met them on our Shetland trip last year and have been looking forward to visiting their center.
Day 3 -- Sunday, April 22, 2018
Today we began the day at the Alafoss Outlet shop located in the old wool factory building where we had a lovely shopping spree. And then on to Bjarteyjarsandur Farm , located at the bottom of Hvalfjordu (Whale Fjord) where we had an introduction to Icelandic sheep and their unique wool. Marci got to spin some of their wool on an old Icelandic wheel!
After a lovely lunch of local produce, we travelled on to the Agricultural University of Iceland in Hvanneyri and the Agricultural Museum; we also had time to visit -- and shop at -- the Wool Center in Hvanneyri.
From Hvanneyri, we continued on to the beautiful hamlet of Reykholt, the cultural centre of the west and home of Snorri Sturluson, one of the most celebrated figures in Icelandic literature. We visited the Snorrastofa, the critically acclaimed museum dedicated to Snorri and his writings (including Egil's Saga and the Heimskringla). And then on to our hotel, the Husafell Hotel, for another wonderful dinner of local produce.
Day 4 -- Monday, April 23
We began today with a visit to the Háafell goat farm where we visited with Icelandic goats. The Icelandic goat is an endangered species and the Icelandic Goat Centre is working towards protecting and maintaining the goat stock in Iceland.
Borgarfjordur is known for the many ancient Sagas, particularly Egil's Saga, which took place in the area. The area is also known for its natural beauty and we visited the hot spring of Deildartunguhver and the stunning waterfalls of Hraunfossar.
Hot Spring at Deildartunguhver
On the way to Borgarnes we visited the Settlement Museum, had a wonderful lunch and visited the Ljomalind farmers market.
Our drive took us through horse country, and we stopped for several visits along the way.
And then on to yarn heaven, the Hespan workshop. Gudrun does an amazing job with her use of natural dyes, many of them local to Iceland. We were the first visiting group of the year, so the cupboards were full! Then back to Reykholt for a lovely dinner and evening!
Day 5 -- Tuesday, April 24, 2018
After breakfast, we set our sights for the north of Iceland. Our first stop was at Grabrok for a refreshing hike on top of extinct craters. We then drove over heaths and passes on our way to visit the Textile Center in the scenic seaside Northwestern town of Blonduos. The Textile Center promotes Icelandic and international textiles and encourages research as well as education in the field of textile art and design. After a delightful lunch at Brimslod, we continued on to Skagafjordur district, famous for its Icelandic horse breeding and history. Ohh, more horses!
After breakfast, we set our sights for the north of Iceland. Our first stop was at Grabrok for a refreshing hike on top of extinct craters. We then drove over heaths and passes on our way to visit the Textile Center in the scenic seaside Northwestern town of Blonduos. The Textile Center promotes Icelandic and international textiles and encourages research as well as education in the field of textile art and design. After a delightful lunch at Brimslod, we continued on to Skagafjordur district, famous for its Icelandic horse breeding and history. Ohh, more horses!
Then on to Glaumbaer to see what life was like when the Icelanders lived in turf houses. We enjoyed Icelandic pancakes and coffee at the Glaumbaer Folk Museum and Turf House Farm. We then finished the last leg of our journey to Akureyri, Iceland's main town in the north -- only 100 kilometers (a little over 62 miles) from the Arctic Circle! Akureyri is a surprisingly green community with lots of vegetation and a famous Botanical Garden (although a little light on the green this time of year). Here we stayed at the Icelandair Hotel.
Day 6 -- Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Today started with a short trip around Akureyri before we headed east towards Lake Myvatn. On the way, we stopped at the scenic Godafoss waterfall, where legend tells us that the ancient Nordic Odinn watches over the country's well being. Lake Myvatn is a famous bird sanctuary, boasting one of the largest concentrations of breeding ducks in the world, as well as hundreds of whopper swans.
No wonder the Vikings believed in the Gods!
The magnificent surrounding landscape has many interesting geological and volcanic features. We visited pseudo-craters, solfataras with boiling sulphuric mud-pools, and a lava-labyrinth where strange lava formations providing shelter for an unexpectedly rich vegetation. We saw Grjotagja, a fissure which formerly was the public bathing place of the area. We then took part in the great Icelandic custom of bathing in natural hot pools at the Myvatn Nature Baths. What a nice way to end the day!
Day 7-- Thursdsay, April 26, 2018
After breakfast, we said good-bye to Akureyri and boarded our flight back to Reykjavik for our last night in Iceland at Centerhotel Arnarhvoll.
After breakfast, we said good-bye to Akureyri and boarded our flight back to Reykjavik for our last night in Iceland at Centerhotel Arnarhvoll.
Leaving Akureyri
On our way to the hotel we stopped at the Istex Wool Factory for a first-hand look at the making of the famous Lopi yarn. The rest of the afternoon we had for exploring Reykjavik on our own.
Day 8 -- Friday, April 27, 2018
After our last breakfast together, we made the pilgrimage to the famous Blue Lagoon, with its pleasantly warm mineral-rich geothermal water situated in the middle of a field of black lava. We took about a 2 hour stop for a memorable swim before continuing on to Reykjavik Airport to check-in for our return flights home.
This was the first time I was traveling by myself. I was apprehensive. The kindness was overwhelming. I felt safe and nurtured. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Andrea G. April 2018