- Days 1–4Reykjavik
- Days 4–6Northern Iceland
- Days 6–8Golden Circle
- Days 1–4Reykjavik
- Days 4–6Northern Iceland
- Days 6–8Golden Circle
Culinary and Cultural Iceland
Explore the incredible scenery and cultural highlights of Iceland by tasting your way around the country. Begin your trip with a stay in Reykjavik, before exploring the incredible landscapes of the Golden Circle with expert guides. This succinct and exclusive trip has been thoughtfully planned with hand-picked tours and our favourite hotels to give you the perfect blend of culture and food.
Trip highlights
- Local Icelandic cooking class in Reykjavik
- Exploring the magnificent geysers and waterfalls of the Golden Circle
- Relaxing and unwinding in the warm waters of the Mývatn Natural Baths
- Lounging in the therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–4
A culinary immersion in Reykjavik
Set among snow-topped mountains and volcanic surrounds, Reykjavik is the energetic gateway city to a land of rugged adventures. As the planet’s most northerly capital, Reykjavik greets you with a crisp, clean Icelandic breeze before charming you with its blend of small village feel and big city passion. Looking out across the sea to glacier views, this little city is split in half by the brilliant waters of Tjornin Lake and brims with highbrow museums, first-class geothermal pools and stylish restaurants.
Amble around these friendly and colourful streets before uncovering Iceland’s more remote and isolated pockets that hold all-natural wonders of otherworldly lava fields and bubbling mud pools.
Where you could stay
See the city
Local specialities
Cooking
Sightseeing
Tasting
Dining
Dinner reservation at Fish Company in Reykjavik
This evening dine on delicious Icelandic specialties with the ‘Around Iceland’ menu at Fish Company in the heart of Reykjavik. The chefs will prepare creative tastes from all corners of the island, from both land and sea, at this eclectic restaurant for you to enjoy.
'Local in Focal' Cooking Class
Today you will enjoy a cooking class at Salt Eldhús. With a firm belief that the best way to get to know any country is through your taste buds, your ingredients and cooking style will be decidedly Icelandic with a new Nordic twist. Get involved with every aspect of the art of cooking here from learning how to prepare a “mise-en-place”, to orchestrating a full meal to serving up your culinary creations. Then, dine together and savor the delicious meals before heading home with a recipe folder for future Icelandic treats.
A private tour of Reykjavik
Today you will see the city’s major landmarks on a private tour. Starting with Reykjavik’s spectacular coastline, you will see the harbour area then visit the Höfdi house, the venue of the “end of the cold war” meeting in 1986 between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev. Next is a trip to the Pearl, a remarkable building which dates back to 1988. Enjoy wonderful city views from the Pearl’s glass dome which sits atop huge tanks where natural hot water is stored to heat the city. You will also explore Reykjavik’s colourful old quarter, plus a museum of your choice – whether you are into history or art, we will find the most interesting choice for you.
Beer tasting at the Black Pearl
Taste 8 different Icelandic beers with an expert and learn about the thriving craft scene of Iceland – a perfect to start a night out in the city.
Dinner reservation at The Grillmarket
This evening have dinner at the popular Grillmarket, recognised for their top rated tasting menu. Bringing fresh seasonal produce straight from local farms, Grillmarket conjures up culinary delights. The decor is inspired by Icelandic nature and features live moss, basalt columns and fish skin and along with fantastic lighting provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable meal.
Days 4–6
Two nights in Northern Iceland
Spend your time in Northern Iceland exploring the fascinating natural scenery of waterfalls, volcanoes, geothermal pools and lovely bays which are great for whale spotting. There is also a variety of museums and restaurants to explore here, besides excellent golf, exciting hiking and glacial river rafting. We can arrange private tours to ensure you make the most of your time here.
See the sights
Sightseeing
History
Nature
Geology
Explore the coastline
During this delightful day travel by the Eyjafjörður coastline, focusing on coastal culture and the beautiful seaside surroundings. We take our time to walk on a black sand beach, visit small fishing villages and visit the busy harbour area of Dalvík, one of the biggest harbour in Icelandic fishing industry.
Visit the Herring Era Museum
Visit the award-wining maritime and industrial Herring Era Museum where the ‘glory days’ of Iceland’s herring fisheries are brought back to life. On Saturdays there is a live outdoor salting show and traditional accordion dance.
A trip to Goðafoss waterfall
The dramatic Goðafoss – meaning waterfall of the god – is where the waters of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. Legend has it that in the year 1000, after the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland, he threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall.
Visit Lake Myvatn and Myvatn Natural Baths
Shaped by repeated volcanic eruptions and seismic activity down through the ages, the landscape surrounding lake Mývatn is a spectacular panorama of surreal lava, crater and cave formations, sulphur-streaked mountains, and sweeping wetlands. These wetlands teem with plant and birdlife which, in summer, are home to the swarms of midges that not only give the region its name but also provide a major source of nutrition for fish and birds. You’ll also get to relax and unwind in the warm waters of the Mývatn Natural Baths.
Days 6–8
Exploring the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle holds some of Iceland’s most impressive sights. There are three main attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur.
On your private tour, you’ll drive first to Thingvellir, the site of the oldest democratic parliament in the world, and the point where the slowly separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be clearly seen. You’ll visit Geysir, the geyser which gave its name to all other erupting hot springs, and one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur. Then you’ll continue on to the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall before following the main rift down to Lake Thingvallavatn.
Where you could stay
See the sights
Gastronomy
relaxation
Fridheimar Restaurant and Greenhouse Visit
Visit the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. Temperatures in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F) and the waters, rich in minerals like silica, are reputed to help some people suffering from various skin ailments. The lagoon is man-made and fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi, where superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity.
