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New Years Celebration

5 Days / 3 locations in Iceland

Join the fun, fireworks and festivities around Reykjavik.

New Year's Eve in Iceland certainly goes with a bang! The sky at midnight lights up with fireworks as the Icelanders enjoy their celebration. Three or four nights are based in Reykjavik. During your stay a number of excursions are included such as Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs, Reykjanes Peninsula with Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik City Tour.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Reykjavik
Accommodation: Centerhotel Plaza

WELCOME - REYKJAVIK

Arrival in Iceland. Non-guided transfer from Keflavik International Airport to accommodation in Reykjavik.

 
Day 2     Reykjavik - Thingvellir
Accommodation: Centerhotel Plaza
Meals: Breakfast

GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR, GREENHOUSE VISIT & HORSE SHOW INCL. LUNCH (260 km / 162 mls)

Tour starts at 09:30. Our fist stop is the national park of Þingvellir. This UNESCO world heritage site is the most important historical place in Iceland. It was in the year 930 that Icelanders gathered from all over the country and formed the Althing – the world’s first democratic parliament. While it now meets indoors in Reykjavik, this same kind of national assembly operates today. The park has some wonderful spots to walk through to sense the atmosphere of long past times. Þingvellir is not only important for Icelandic history, but also it is a place of unique geological interest, where the two continental plates can be seen slowly drifting apart. The Great Atlantic rift is clearly visible in Þingvellir; it is a rift that is slowly pulling Iceland apart along tectonic plates and you can literally walk between the American and Eurasian continental plates. From there we continue to Geysir, passing the village of Laugarvatn. We will explore the hot spring area of Geysir - multicolored pools of water and mud. Strokkur, the Great Geysir's little brother, is spouting to a height of about 25 meters and erupts at about 5-7 minute intervals. After lunch (included) we drive to the mighty Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall), perhaps the most beautiful in the country. We walk around Gullfoss Falls, where the river Hvitá tumbles 32 meters in a double cascade. After Gullfoss we head to Fridheimar – a geothermal greenhouse farm where they grow fresh tomatoes all year around. We continue to the Eldhestar riding center to watch the popular horse show about the Icelandic horse, which has light feet, amazing balance, and ability to master five gaits rather than just the traditional three. We reach Reykjavik around 18:30. Dinner on your own.

 
Day 3     Reykjavik
Accommodation: Centerhotel Plaza
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

CITY TOUR, WHALE & FOLK MUSEUM, VIKING LUNCH & NEW YEAR´S CELEBRATION IN HARPA (50 km / 31 mls)

We start at 09:00 with a Reykjavik city tour and see the highlights of Iceland´s exciting capital including the Whales of Iceland museum that features models of dolphins and whales in their life sizes. Then we head to the lava town of Hafnarfjörður where we experience a Viking lunch while listening to traditional Icelandic folk songs at a famous local restaurant. After that we visit the open-air museum of Árbæjar and learn about the way how Icelanders lived in the past. We return to the hotel around 15:30. Please note that during this tour our guides give out individual tickets for the Gala dinner in Harpa showing your table number, and the Travel badge which allows you the following: participation in the bonfire tour, re-entrance to the Harpa concert hall, and the return transfer back to the hotel (scheduled for 00:30, 01:00, 01:30 or 02:00).

HARPA FESTIVE DINNER AND BONFIRE TOUR

After the city tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Transfer from hotels to Harpa starts at 17:30. There will be a welcome drink upon arrival to Harpa. The Gala Dinner is served in the conference area on the ground floor between 18:15-20:15 (starter, soup and main course). After the main course, which is around 20:15, our guides expect you outside the main entrance door for the transfer to the evening Bonfire & Christmas Light Tour. Departure to the bonfire is at 20:30. You visit one of many bonfires all over the city of Reykjavík and experience how many Icelanders celebrate New Year’s Eve. The bonfire tour takes about two hours. Good shoes, warm clothing, head-wear and gloves are needed. After the tour you go back to Harpa. Live band is playing between 22:30-23:30 and 00:30-01:30/02:00. Dessert & a coffee are served around 23:00. At 23:45, doors open to go outside to view fireworks and celebrate the New Year by following the countdown that is lit up on the building of the concert hall. At midnight, sparkling wine will be served. For those who would like to dance their night away, the transfer back to the accommodation

 
Day 4     Reykjavik - Reykjanes Peninsula
Accommodation: Centerhotel Plaza
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

REYKJANES PENINSULA & BLUE LAGOON INCL. LUNCH & DINNER (150 km / 93 mls)

At 10:30 we leave Reykjavik and explore the Reykjavik peninsula with its dramatic sea shores, fascinating geology, moonscapes, lava fields and fishing villages. The guided tour starts in Bessastaðir, the residence of the Icelandic president, and continues to the Viking World Museum in Reykjanesbær to visit an authentic Viking ship model that sailed across the Atlantic ocean to New York in year 2000. After a light lunch (all-you-can-eat soup) that is included, we continue to the bridge over the continents and a light house located at the edge of the Reykjanes peninsula. During this time we also visit a geothermal power plant that explains how Icelanders benefit of clean geothermal energy in their daily lives. We reach the Blue Lagoon for photographs at 16:00 or 17:00 (depending on the group you are in), to experience an oasis in the lava that owes its existence to a nearby geothermal power plant, looming large over the aqua tinted waters. We stop for 2 hours for a refreshing bathe or a swim in the pleasantly warm mineral-rich water, reputed for its healing properties. A dinner will be served in the LAVA restaurant (part of Blue Lagoon) between 19:30-21:00. Starters and deserts are brought to the table but main course is served buffet-style. After dinner, we continue to Reykjavik. Depending on weather, we will do a northern light hunt by bus on the way from the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik. Arrival to your hotel is between 22:00-24:00.

 
Day 5     Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast

Transfer without guide to Keflavik Airport.

 
Price Includes
Hotel Accommodation As in Itinerary With Daily Breakfast
Icelandic Horse Show
Visit to FriðHeimar Geothermal Greenhouse Farm
4-Course Gala Dinner & Party at Harpa With Live Music, Welcome Drink, 151 P
Use of Snow & Ice Gripper Spikes During Nature Excursions
Roundtrip Flybus Plus Aiport Transfer (Without Guide)
Guided Reykjavik Grand City Tour & Lunch
Guided Golden Circle Tour & Lunch
Guided Bonfire & Christmas Light Tour
Guided Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes Tour (Incl. Entrance, Rental Towel, 257 Post
Entrances to Whale of Iceland Museum, ÁRbæR Open-Air Museum 267 Post 338 Po
Price Does Not Include
 Optional Excursions
 Air Fare
GJT-1269
1.28.15.WP26