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Categories Semi-escorted Tours Winter Tours Iceland Winter Tours

Reykjavík is an enchanting city during the holiday season. Celebrate Iceland’s distinctive Christmas and tasty holiday treats. Visit a Christmas Village. Experience the amazing nature sites along the Golden Circle.

Last year Reykjavík was voted as the Top Christmas holiday destination according to CNN´s travel website, CNNGO. Christmas in Iceland is an interesting experience as this country has many old traditions for celebrating Christmas.

This is the season when short days are brightened by snow, and all types of Christmas ornaments and lights can be seen everywhere. People decorate their homes and put colorful garlands of lights in their windows. Amply decorated shop windows fill up with Christmas merchandise, and there are lights all over the place.

During the holidays Icelandair Hotel Natura will be beautifully decorated, and put an emphasis on Icelandic Christmas traditions in both decorations, atmosphere, food and beverages.

The hotel has come to a special agreement with the 13 Santa brothers, the Icelandic Yuletide Lads. They have kindly accepted to bring a little goodie to all the guests staying at the hotel over the holidays, and to share with them some fun facts about Icelandic Christmas traditions.

Itinerary

Arrive and travel to your hotel on your own. Day free at leisure. Airport transfers and optional tours available upon request.

This day is open to your inspiration. A visit to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, located 15 minutes from Keflavik International Airport, is a wonderful way to enjoy your arrival or departure day, depending on flight schedule.

For passengers arriving from the US we recommend the following optional tours

Reykjavik Grand Circle Coach tour

Horseback Riding

20:00 – Evening Northern Lights Tour by Coach: The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a spectacular natural phenomenon, often seen dancing around in fantastic colors across the Icelandic night sky. Each night we search for optimal viewing conditions. This tour is weather dependent and sightings are not guaranteed.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

You will be met by the guide at 08:00. Today you will experience a trio of natural wonders along he Golden Circle Route in South Iceland including the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall which is often frozen mid-cascade during winter, the active Geysir Geothermal area of bubbling mud pools, hot springs and spouting geysers and Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO), Iceland's greatest historical site and a place of tremendous geological interest as it is the visible location of the mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional feast at Restaurant Satt located at Icelandair Hotel Natura. The true yuletide spirit is delivered with a deluxe gourmet Christmas buffet of distinctive heritage dishes based on local and Scandinavian ingredients.

Morning at leisure or enjoy an indulgent visit to Sóley Natura Spa at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura (included in package price).

Be ready at the hotel at 13:00 to meet your private guide for a Christmas-themed walking and tasting tour of downtown Reykjavik. What better way to get into the spirit of the season than on a walking tour with a local expert dressed in Icelandic heritage attire ready to guide you through a fun filled day of charming Icelandic traditions?

During this Reykjavík Christmas experience you’ll gain insight into Icelandic holiday traditions, old and new, as well the history, art, architecture, culture and cuisine of the capital city. You’ll wander through the beautifully decorated city center twinkling with festive holiday lights, making stops at several interesting locations along the way. At each one you’ll enjoy a taste of Iceland such as the very traditional fermented shark and dried fish as well as delicious Christmas favorites like smoked mountain lamb and warm mulled wine, or Glögg as Icelanders know it.

As a finishing touch you’ll a pay a visit to a classic Icelandic restaurant which is also home to one of Iceland’s finest private art collections where you’ll meet with one of the city’s top chefs who will share some culinary secrets over a premium selection from the wine cellar. At the end of the tour you’ll be rewarded with a small Christmas gift – a lovely souvenir of Iceland and this special holiday moment.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

Transfer to Keflavik International Airport (not included). For passengers flying in the afternoon we recommend a visit to the Blue Lagoon located 15 minutes from the airport.