A weeklong discovery of the cultural and culinary highlights of Iceland
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary 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
What's included
- Private scenic tours around Iceland
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- All internal flights, private transfers and meet and greet airport service
- Full support from your Travel Designer and Concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
Explore the incredible scenery and cultural gems of Iceland by tasting your way around the country.
Begin your trip with stays in Reykjavik and Akureyri, Iceland’s two major cities, to soak up their creative scenes on private art tours and local cooking classes, and explore the incredible landscapes of the Golden Circle. Our expert guides will take you to see magnificent landscapes and natural wonders like lagoons, geysers and waterfalls. Your evenings can be spent dining at the country’s finest restaurants on delicious tasting menus – your personal travel concierge on hand to recommend and reserve tables for you before you travel.
This succinct and exclusive trip has been thoughtfully planned with hand-picked tours and our favourite hotels for the perfect blend of culture and food in Iceland.
Example trip itinerary
Reykjavik
As your international flight touches down, our representative will greet you in the arrivals hall.
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik
Accommodation in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Overview
Based in central Reykjavík, Kvosin is styled with a simple, clean and modern character and enjoys a home away from home feel.
While a keypad and code replaces your typical hotel room key, the guestrooms are reminiscent of mini apartments with bundles of space and contemporary comforts including a fully-equipped kitchenette. Adding to the hotel’s quirky vibe, accommodation sizes are divided up – not as generic rooms and suites – but as ‘Normal’, ‘Bigger’, ‘Biggest’ and an impressive ‘Larger than Life’.
A friendly team go one step further to enhance Kvosin’s amiable ambience and remind you to head up to the top-floor terrace to soak up lovely lake views and then down to the wine bar for a fantastic range of drinks.
→ Find out moreReykjavik
Overview
Step back to yesteryear at this sophisticated property on the corner of Austurvöllur Square. Harking back to the days of the ’30s, Hotel Borg is adorned with art deco design; black and white photos line the walls and elegant fittings grace the interiors.
Fused with a Scandinavian influence, the rooms and suites feature modern style with top-notch amenities and custom-made furniture. What’s more, some enjoy lovely Austurvöllur Square views, while interconnected and superior guestrooms offer further space and luxury.
Dining-wise, the hotel boasts a Jamie’s Italian restaurant which is set in the Golden Hall, known for its unique oval ceiling mural. Here guests can enjoy everything from antipasti and nibbles, to classic sourdough pizzas and hearty pasta dishes.
→ Find out moreSet 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.
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.
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.
Today you will see the city's major landmarks on this private tour. Starting with Reykjavik’s spectacular coastline, you will see the harbour area including Harpa, the latest edition to the Icelandic and international cultural and conference scene. 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 and is unique to not only Iceland, but to the whole world. 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 with its quaint wooden houses and narrow streets, plus a museum stop of your choice - whether you are into history or art, we will find the most interesting choice for you.
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.
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.
Transfer
Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport
Flight
Flight from Reykjavik to Northern Iceland
Northern Iceland
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Accommodation in Northern Iceland
Northern Iceland
Overview
Right on the waterfront of Siglufjörður’s small harbour in a long fjord of the same name, the Sigló Hótel is a wonderful place from which to explore northern Iceland.
All 65 rooms enjoy views over the water to the front or mountains to the rear, spacious, warm and modern, and decorated with pieces reminiscent of the fishing village’s history. There are also three spacious suites with private balconies overlooking the marina.
Sigló Hótel offers three restaurants. Restaurant Sunna, one of the most ambitious restaurant in north Iceland, is located within the hotel along with the bar and is open all year round serving freshly caught fish. In two brightly coloured neighbouring buildings, the cosy Hannes Boy is open during the summer months. Kaffi Rauðka is also open all year round and offers a broad international menu.
Get to know Siglufjörður on foot and learn about its history as the ‘Herring capital of the world’ at the award-winning museum. All guests also have access to the hotel’s outdoor spas and sauna.
→ Find out moreSpend 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-led tours of the region to ensure you make the most of your time here.
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 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.
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.
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.
Transfer
Private transfer to Akureyri airport
Flight
Flight from Northern Iceland to Reykjavik
The Golden Circle
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Accommodation in The Golden Circle
Golden Circle
Overview
Idyllically situated among the Golden Circle’s open countryside, close to some of Iceland’s most astounding natural wonders, is Hotel Grimsborgir and its luxury lodgings.
Deluxe chalet-style apartments are dotted throughout the grounds, boasting bundles of space and facilities, while the main house’s rooms offer private terraces with hot tubs looking out to snowy mountains.
Spend your days on glacier hikes and horseback rides, head out to gems such as Gullfoss and Geysir, before returning to this stylish hotel where the lovely home-from-home feel will welcome you in. Meanwhile, the night and lack of light pollution bring excellent opportunities for magical Northern Lights viewing.
→ Find out moreGolden Circle
Overview
Under an hour from Reykjavik, yet deep within the Golden Circle is Ion Hotel: a contemporary-cool, design bolt-hole boasting the perfect blend of luxury and adventure. Dramatically jutting out on stilts at the foot of the volcanic Mount Hengill, you’re surrounded by Iceland’s natural wonders, with the Nordic mood continuing inside.
Everything is distinctly Icelandic from the wool throws to the artwork, to organic toiletries and eco-friendly cuisine. Watch the bewitching Northern Lights paint the sky as you dine on modern regional dishes, or from your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, the softly-lit bar, or, for an utterly indulgent setting, the ten-metre outdoor hot tub.
To really make the most of this vastly surreal landscape, head out on an extreme natural adventure. Trek across ancient glaciers, fly-fish in icy rivers and horse ride among natural hot springs, before sinking into the luxury of a massage at the lava spa.
→ Find out moreEnjoy time based in the Golden Triangle exploring some of Iceland's most impressive sights. Three main attractions form the dazzling Golden Circle: Thingvellir national park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur.
The region also serves a fantastic base from which to explore other areas in southern Iceland.
Drive 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. During the tour, 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. Continue on to the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, then follow the main rift down to Lake Thingvallavatn.
Today you will be brought to the extraordinary Fridheimar Restaurant and Greenhouse. This remarkable restaurant is located inside its very own greenhouse which harnesses geothermal energy from the surrounding areas to grow tomatoes all year round. After an enjoyable meal, the greenhouse's expert staff will give you a presentation on the growing process and you'll be treated to a tomato and tomato juice tasting.
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. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water pass through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.
Transfer
Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
Get in touch
A Culinary and Cultural Journey through Iceland
How we work
Explore the incredible scenery and cultural gems of Iceland by tasting your way around the country. Begin your trip with stays in Reykjavik and Akureyri, Iceland’s two major cities, to soak up their creative scenes on private art tours and local cooking classes, and explore the incredible landscapes of the Golden Circle. Our expert guides will take you to see magnificent landscapes and natural wonders like lagoons, geysers and waterfalls. Your evenings can be spent dining at the country’s finest restaurants on delicious tasting menus – your personal travel concierge on hand to recommend and reserve tables for you before you travel. This succinct and exclusive trip has been thoughtfully planned with hand-picked tours and our favourite hotels for the perfect blend of culture and food in Iceland. | Whats included?
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Days 1-4 |
Reykjavik |
Meet and greet at Reykjavik airport As your international flight touches down, our representative will greet you in the arrivals hall. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik |
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Accommodation in Reykjavik
•
Kvosin Hotel - $$$$$
Based in central Reykjavík, Kvosin is styled with a simple, clean and modern character and...
•
Hotel Borg - $$$$$
Step back to yesteryear at this sophisticated property on the corner of Austurvöllur Square....
|
|
Three nights 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.
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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. |
|
Half Day Shared '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. |
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Reykjavik Tour with Art Focus Today you will see the city's major landmarks on this private tour. Starting with Reykjavik’s spectacular coastline, you will see the harbour area including Harpa, the latest edition to the Icelandic and international cultural and conference scene. 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 and is unique to not only Iceland, but to the whole world. 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 with its quaint wooden houses and narrow streets, plus a museum stop of your choice - whether you are into history or art, we will find the most interesting choice for you. |
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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. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport |
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Flight from Reykjavik to Northern Iceland | |
Days 4-6 |
Northern Iceland |
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |
|
Accommodation in Northern Iceland
•
Sigló Hótel - $$$$$
Right on the waterfront of Siglufjörður’s small harbour in a long fjord of the same name,...
|
|
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-led tours of the region to ensure you make the most of your time here. |
|
Siglufjörður 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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Lake Myvatn with 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. |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Akureyri airport |
|
Flight from Northern Iceland to Reykjavik | |
Days 6-8 |
The Golden Circle |
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |
|
Accommodation in The Golden Circle
•
Hotel Grimsborgir - $$$$$
Idyllically situated among the Golden Circle’s open countryside, close to some of...
•
Ion Hotel - $$$$$
Under an hour from Reykjavik, yet deep within the Golden Circle is Ion Hotel: a...
|
|
Two nights in the Golden Circle Enjoy time based in the Golden Triangle exploring some of Iceland's most impressive sights. Three main attractions form the dazzling Golden Circle: Thingvellir national park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. The region also serves a fantastic base from which to explore other areas in southern Iceland. |
|
Golden Circle Tour Drive 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. During the tour, 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. Continue on to the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, then follow the main rift down to Lake Thingvallavatn. |
|
Fridheimar Restaurant and Greenhouse Visit Today you will be brought to the extraordinary Fridheimar Restaurant and Greenhouse. This remarkable restaurant is located inside its very own greenhouse which harnesses geothermal energy from the surrounding areas to grow tomatoes all year round. After an enjoyable meal, the greenhouse's expert staff will give you a presentation on the growing process and you'll be treated to a tomato and tomato juice tasting. |
|
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. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water pass through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport |