Viking Homelands & Majestic Iceland

Get acquainted with Iceland’s picturesque capital and visit the Árbær Open Air Museum. Begin with a panoramic drive to the museum, a unique collection of historical buildings that showcase Iceland’s cultural heritage. Listen to insights from knowledgeable guides as you stroll through this charming village setting, where traditional houses and turf-roofed buildings offer a glimpse into Icelandic life from the 19th and 20th centuries. Continue your drive into the city, passing The Pearl and the University of Iceland, and pausing for photos in Grandi, Reykjavík’s old harbor, to view the Þúfa, a striking art installation. See Höfði House, where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met and marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War. Then head to the Harpa Concert Hall, where you can choose to continue exploring Reykjavík on your own or return to your ship.

Witness otherworldly, spellbinding landscapes as you tour the fabled “Island of Fire and Ice.” Iceland’s volcanic and glacial activity make it one of the world’s most dramatic spots for unspoiled splendor. You will drive with your guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s first national assembly was founded in 930 AD. Visit this Viking site, then continue to Gullfoss to marvel at the “Golden Falls,” the nation’s most famous waterfall, as it plunges into Hvítá Canyon. Next, you will stop in the Haukadalur geothermal area to witness the eruption of the Strokkur geyser. After a delicious lunch, drive across the Hellisheiði mountain plateau, blanketed with postglacial lava fields. Back in Reykjavík, enjoy sweeping views of the city from here before returning to your ship.

Set out in search of graceful, gentle giants in the whale-watching capital of Northern Europe. About 42% of the world’s known whale species call these waters home; that is, 12–15 species. Though sightings can never be guaranteed, the chances of spotting whales here are excellent. Transfer to the harbor to embark your boat. Cruise into open waters, where you may see blue, fin, humpback and minke whales. Your boat’s double engine can propel it at 24 miles per hour, so you will cover a large area during your three-hour tour. A crew member stationed in the lookout post will provide commentary during your search. Note that the ramp onto the ship is steep. It can be quite cold on open waters, so dress warmly. Seats are limited on the top deck; if you prefer to stay outdoors, you may have to stand.

Discover the volcanic landscape of the Hafnarfjörður while riding a purebred Icelandic horse. Transfer to the riding center and receive your riding equipment and a short safety briefing before being introduced to your four-legged riding companion. Icelandic horses are direct descendants of their Viking ancestors; these sturdy animals are known for their sure-footedness and a calm and friendly disposition. Mount up and begin your leisurely ride across the lava fields of Mt. Helgafell and the Kaldarsel area, or to Lake Hvaleyrarvatn. Admire the beauty of this rugged region, where ever-changing lava formations contrast with green meadows as the Bláfjöll Mountains loom in the distance. Keep watch for jets of steam erupting from the ground and learn about the ongoing efforts to reforest the region as you trot through this idyllic countryside.

Discover Iceland’s rugged landscapes during visits to a subterranean lava tunnel and a geothermal valley. Depart Reykjavík for the lava tunnels at Raufarhólshellir, where you will head underground to see the inner workings of an ancient volcanic eruption during a guided tour. Learn about the cave’s fascinating history as you gaze at its unique geological features from an elevated walkway—created during the Leitahraun eruption 5,000 years ago, it is the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland and home to colorful mineral deposits and natural rock formations. After your visit, continue to Hveradalir, a geothermal valley known for its surreal landscapes. Explore on foot and enjoy an up-close look at the steaming vents and bubbling mud pools that make up this hot spring area. See the chemical reactions and geothermal processes that shape the land in real time, then return to your ship.

Head underground to explore the interior of a glacier during an all-day excursion to a manmade ice cave. Your journey will take you to the breathtaking Langjökull Glacier, the second-largest glacier in Iceland; covering more than 361 sq mi, its thick ice sheet measures 1,900 feet at its deepest point. Follow your knowledgeable guide as you descend almost 100 feet below the surface through a carved-out ice tunnel, witnessing the ice transform from white to rich blue. Learn about glaciology and the effects of climate change on the glaciers as you marvel at the unique subterranean scenery surrounding you. Your excursion will also include a visit to admire the powerful hot springs at Deildartunguhver, photo stops at the picturesque waterfalls of Hraunfoss and Barnafoss, and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Venture into the icy wilderness by super truck with an expert driver and guide. Stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s first national assembly was founded in 930 AD. Visit this Viking site before heading into Iceland’s majestic hinterland through the vast Cold Valley. Then drive onto the ice caps and into the white world of Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull, or “Long Glacier.” You will traverse the ice and snow on an exhilarating drive through a breathtaking landscape. Continue to the woodlands of Húsafell and pause for lunch. After, drive to the nearby waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, two of Iceland’s most picturesque. Return to Reykjavík via the Hvalfjördur Tunnel and the coast.

Note: this excursion is physically demanding and unsuitable for those with back or neck problems.

Enjoy an excursion with a professional landscape photographer and open your eyes to nature’s dramatic landscapes. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned hobbyist, be sure to seize this rare opportunity. With so few places left offering landscapes that are at once dramatic and accessible, some of the best nature photographers in the world come here to capture the earth at its wildest and most unspoiled. On this specialized excursion, you will meet your guide and set out to get the perfect shot. Your route will depend on the conditions of the day, but you will stop at some of the best shooting locations in the country. Frame up any number of magnificent panoramas of vast lava fields, bubbling hot springs, soaring mountain ranges, pristine lakes and picturesque fishing villages.

Note: you will need to bring your own camera to participate.

Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s fabled Blue Lagoon, said to be the nation’s health and beauty secret. Meet your guide for a drive through the rugged lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, home of this famous geothermal pool. The original lagoon was formed after an accidental overflow from the adjacent geothermal plant; today, it is one of a dozen pools of its kind in Iceland. The mineral-rich, milky-blue water, steamy vapors and 12-foot-high lava wall surrounding the pool create a unique bathing atmosphere. Note that this is not a swimming excursion, but a chance to soak in mineral waters of 102˚F. The lagoon’s floor can be rough and uneven. Health regulations require all bathers to disrobe, shower and change in gender-specific changing rooms before entering the lagoon. Please note: this excursion is unsuitable for those with walking difficulties and a swimsuit is required.

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Iceland’s lunar-like landscape during a scenic helicopter ride over Reykjanes Peninsula. Head to a nearby airfield, where you will meet your pilot and receive a safety briefing before taking off on your 35- to 55-minute flight. Once airborne, you will travel over this rugged peninsula, the site of extensive geothermal activity due to its location atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. View the unforgiving coastline and countless volcanic craters as you soar above the Seltún geothermal area, the Blue Lagoon hot springs and Kleifarvatn and Graenavatn Lakes. You will touch down at Eldvörp, a six-mile-long crater row, and have time to explore the pockmarked terrain and witness the jets of steam erupting from the ground. After, board your helicopter to return to the airfield and transfer to your ship.

Discover the majestic beauty of Iceland’s remote south coast. Embark your motor coach for a scenic ride along the rugged coastline, passing a panorama of looming mountains, glaciers and lava fields. Head along the Hellisheidi mountain road and through the charming villages that dot Iceland’s rich farmland region. Stop and marvel at Seljalandsfoss, a towering waterfall fed by the famous glacier-capped Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Enjoy lunch, then continue to the Skógafoss waterfall; depending on the weather, you may be able to see a single or double rainbow encircling the cascade. At Reynisfjara, explore and photograph the mesmerizing black-sand beach and basalt sea stacks that tower above the waves offshore. At the Lava Center, examine exhibits on Iceland’s geology and geothermic activity before returning to your ship.