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Discover Iceland in winter and its cusine

The dramatic southern coastline provides a stunning backdrop to discover this active volcanic zone. The west showcases unique lava formations, the inspiring Snӕfellsjökull glacier-volcano, and historical sites from the Sagas. A number of stops and tasty excursions are offered as optional along the way to experience Iceland’s wholesome culinary culture.

Highlights of Winter Delights of South & West Iceland:

Enjoy a variety of optional culinary stops and excursions including baking bread underground using geothermal heat, visiting a dairy farm and a tasting tour of the capital city

Discover the famous nature sites along the Golden Circle route

Walk along the banks of the Glacial lagoon with its blue tinted icebergs floating among curious seals

Encounter Iceland’s literary heritage in the areas where the most dramatic events of the Sagas took place

Relax at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa with its reputed healing waters.

Itinerary

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Transfer on own to Reykjavik and check-in at your hotel in Reykjavik city. The day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.

Culinary Ideas:

Enjoy ”Local in Focal”, an after-noon hands-on cooking lesson, where you learn about Iceland’s unique culinary culture and New Nordic cuisine using fresh, Icelandic ingredients given by skilled professionals at Salt Kitchen (must be pre-booked).

Pop by Café Loki - a cute little family run restaurant/café located just across Hallgrimskirkja church in the center of Reykjavik offering beautiful view across the city, the church and Bláfjöll Mountains. The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by traditional Icelandic recipes passed on from one generation to the next. Café Loki offers a variety of combination platters so you can taste all of the best food that Iceland has to offer.

Fish Shops & Restaurants - Our recommendations are Fylgifiskar, Gallery fiskur and Fiskbúðin Hafberg. Iceland is known for its fresh seafood and specialized seafood stores & restaurants, offer you to you choose your ingredients and have it served as a meal for you.

Thundering Waterfalls - Exploding Geysers - Cliffs & Stone Arches - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Approximate mileage: ca. 330 km / 200 miles

Once you have picked up your car, head out of the city and drive to the remarkable area of Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring. Continue to highlights of the South Coast such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier and surrounding area, where the volcanic eruption in 2010 took place.

Culinary Ideas:

At the small café at Fontana Geothermal Baths, they bake rye bread using the geothermal heat. At 3 pm every day, you can watch as the bread is taken from the ground and taste it fresh with plenty of butter (must be pre-booked).

If you don’t have time to wait for the tour you can still get a taste of rye bread topped up with smoked trout from the lake.

Only 10 minutes from Gullfoss waterfall you will find Efstidalur II traditional cattle farm. The new restaurant, located on top of their cow house, offers local beef, local vegetables, as well as homemade milk products such as ice cream, feta cheese and “skyr”. During your stop, you can view the cattle in the cow house, through a big window. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.

Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier

Approximate mileage: ca. 385 km / 240 miles

Visit the amazing Skaftafell National Park nestled between glaciers offering many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon before returning to the charming village of Vík in the after-noon.

Culinary Ideas:

Thorbergur Cultural Centre & Café offers homemade cakes and specialties such as farm raised arctic char (trout) from farm Hali as well as other traditional local food, gourmet Icelandic lamb and traditional lamb meat soup with bread. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.

National Park of Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring

Approximate mileage: ca. 400 km / 250 miles

Drive to Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the border of Iceland's largest lake. Continue to Borgarfjörður fjord and visit the historic site of Reykholt, the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe.

Culinary Ideas:

The Settlement Centre offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Icelandic settlement and the saga era. After taking a closer look at the Icelandic history, continue the sensorial journey back through time at the Settlement Centre´s restaurant – your best bet for good food in town. The large windows, stripped wooden floors and modern furniture give it a wonderfully stylish vibe. Choose from an assortment of traditional Icelandic dishes such as lamb and fish stew.

Sea Cliffs - Rock Formations - Quaint Fishing Villages

Approximate mileage: ca. 330 km / 200 miles

Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Visit Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur before driving along the north coast through lively fishing villages.

Culinary Ideas:

For a culinary lover, Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum is a place not to be missed to enjoy the personal historic museum of the last shark-farm in Iceland and get a taste of an Icelandic traditional food - rotten shark on rye bread. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.

Volcanic Landscapes - Bubbling Mud Pools - Quaint Fishing Village - Geothermal Spa

Approximate mileage: ca. 170 km / 100 miles

Drive to Reykjanes peninsula and visit the moon like surrounding of Lake Kleifarvatn and Krýsuvík geothermal area with bubbling mud pools. Visit Grindavík fishing village and the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing dip in the pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin.

Culinary Ideas:

Vitinn Seafood Restaurant in the small town of Sandgerði offers a delicious crab feast among other seafood options. Their specialty is the Rock Carb and it’s one of the few if not the only restaurant in Europe that offers this treat fresh from the sea.

Please be prepared to leave the hotel about 3 hours before the departure of your flight.

Notes