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

  • 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
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

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

Days 1-4

Reykjavik

Meet and greet at Reykjavik airport Meet and greet at Reykjavik airport

As your international flight touches down, our representative will greet you in the arrivals hall.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik

Accommodation in Reykjavik

cityscape-reykjavik-iceland
Three nights in Reykjavik 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.

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.

Dinner reservation at Fish Company in Reykjavik 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 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.

Reykjavik Tour with Art Focus 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.

Beer tasting at the Black Pearl 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.

Grillmarket interior, Reykjavik, Iceland
Dinner reservation at The Grillmarket 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.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport

Flight

Flight from Reykjavik to Northern Iceland

Days 4-6

Northern Iceland

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel

Accommodation in Northern Iceland

Two nights in Northern Iceland 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 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 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.

godafoss-waterfall-iceland
Goðafoss waterfall 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 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.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Akureyri airport

Flight

Flight from Northern Iceland to Reykjavik

Days 6-8

The Golden Circle

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel

Accommodation in The Golden Circle

The cascading glacial water of Gullfoss Waterfall, Golden Circle, Iceland
Two nights in the Golden Circle 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 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 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.

blue-lagoon-winter
Visit the Blue Lagoon 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

Transfer

Private transfer to Reykjavik Airport

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A Culinary and Cultural Journey through Iceland

8-Day Example Trip
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How we work

We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.

Every trip helps support Conservation.

From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.

Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline