Iceland for New Year’s

With the Golden Circle & the Blue Lagoon

Date
December 28, 2024 – January 2, 2025 | Sat / Thu – 6 Days

Location
Reykjavik | Blue Lagoon | Gullfoss | Geysir | Thingvellir National Park

Ambassadair Trip #8851

Overview

An unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience awaits you in Iceland! This country is as renowned for its unique Viking traditions and holiday antics as it is for geothermal marvels such as hot springs and geysers. Surprisingly, Iceland isn’t that far from Indianapolis, only 3,000 miles, almost a thousand miles less than Indy to Anchorage!

On New Year’s Eve, Reykjavik glows with traditional brenna (bonfires) set around the city with displays of fireworks lasting for hours unlike anything you’ll witness anywhere, all in the backdrop of Iceland’s wintry beauty. Celebrate at a gala event with dinner and dancing while watching the sky explode with color.

Included touring takes you around The Golden Circle to Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall), Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park, through Reykjavik, and to the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs.

Take in the pure, rugged, unpolluted landscape, and delight in the friendly welcome of the Icelanders. The world-renowned Reykjavik ranks not only as one of the friendliest cities in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine, but recently earned the title “#1 Most Peaceful Country in the World,” and topping the charts as one of the happiest countries in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

Elegant New Year’s Eve dinner
View spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks
Visit to the Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle tour to see Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park
Reykjavik guided city tour
“Viking style” dinner
Optional tour to chase the northern lights

PACKAGE INCLUDES

Roundtrip commercial air from Indianapolis to Reykjavik, Iceland
Escorted
4 nights accommodations, plus guaranteed early check-in upon arrival
Breakfast daily
1 lunch, 2 dinners
Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
Ground transportation
Hotel baggage handling

NOTE:

A passport is required to travel to this destination and must be valid for at least six months after your return.

This itinerary includes activities where moderate walking, possibly on uneven terrain and/or snow and ice, is required.Some of the most unique sightseeing can be restrictive to motorcoaches, especially in historic areas.

Itinerary

Sat, Dec 28: Overnight flight to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Sun, Dec 29: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland in the early morning and transfer to your hotel for early check-in. Rest and have breakfast at the hotel. Then, grab your bathing suit and spend a relaxing afternoon in the Blue Lagoon. Drive through the “town of elves” before arriving at the most famous geothermal pool in the world, with the water temperature ranging from 98 to 102°F. Located in a large and dramatic lava field, the warm aqua-colored, mineral-rich water is reputed for its healing properties. Time will allow for a leisurely swim and drink from the swim up bar or discover specialty products in their exclusive shop. Return to Reykjavik, for a Viking Style Welcome Dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Mon, Dec 30: After breakfast, embark on the classic Golden Circle Tour with some of Iceland’s most stunning sights, the Geysir geothermal area where the Strokkur geyser shoots a column of water up to 98 feet into the air every four to eight minutes in a thrilling display of nature’s forces. Enjoy a lunch buffet at the Hotel Geysir before continuing to Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall), a waterfall created by the river Hvita, which tumbles and plunges into a crevice some 105 feet deep. Cap off the tour with a phenomenal visit to Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk through the parting of the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, pulling apart with a gap increase of nearly an inch per year. While driving along, keep an eye out for the Icelandic horses that typically graze the landscape. Following the tour return to the hotel and have dinner on your own. This evening, take an optional tour to chase the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis. (B,L)

Tue, Dec 31: When the sun rises in late morning, take off on a narrated city tour to see the most popular sights around Reykjavik, including the city’s iconic church, Hallgrímskirkja, which can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The inspiration for the church’s unique design was the fascinating shapes and forms created by lava when it cools into basalt rock. Ride the elevator up and take a few flights of stairs where a panoramic photo opportunity awaits. Before leaving the church, don’t miss the most notable feature — the remarkable 25-ton pipe organ. Take the balance of the afternoon to shop or explore on your own before getting decked out for an elegant dinner and New Year’s Eve celebration. Then, polish off the evening with dessert, a New Year’s Eve champagne toast, and hours of amazing fireworks! (B,D)

Wed, Jan 1: Happy New Year! The day is at leisure to see more of Reykjavik. Visit some of the art galleries and museums, shop for traditional Icelandic hats and sweaters in the popular boutiques or enjoy the hotel’s amenities. (B)

Thu, Jan 2: Enjoy some last-minute independent exploration before waving goodbye to Iceland, and the year 2024, when you board your flight to Indianapolis. (B)

Hotel

Midgardur by Center Hotels, Reykjavík. Set in a polished downtown building this hotel is an ideal starting point to experience the best of everything the city has to offer. From here you can easily explore Reykjavík’s magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets and rich culture. Highlights: complimentary WiFi • restaurant, bar/lounge • fitness center • spa • concierge.