Saturday, December 31, 2022

Intro To Iceland: January 2023

 January 7 - 13

Way back in 2015 Kim and I traveled to Vietnam & Cambodia with Avalon Waterways.  On board there were 27 guests and 29 staff members, so as you can imagine all the guests became good friends.  We met Rene & John Brink on that trip & their family.  Rene is a travel agent and we've often wanted to travel with them again.  So when her travel agency offered a land tour through Iceland via Collette (who we went to Hawaii with this past fall) we jumped at the chance to share the adventure with our friends.  We reached out to our other travel buddies Bob & Pam Murray and they too were on board.  Here's a preview of our itinerary.....


Saturday Jan 7: 11:00 am Avanti Limousine Services Picks us up - travel to FLL

  - Depart Fort Lauderdale 2:30 pm (JetBlue Flight #1902 - Seats 10A-10B)
  - Arrive JFK 5:24 pm / Depart JFK 7:25 pm (Icelandic Flight #614 - Seats 6A-6B)
  - Arrive Reykjavik 6:05 am

Sunday January 8:  Arrive in Reykjavik.  Your tour opens in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city.  Get acquainted with old town Reykjavik on a walking tour featuring the harbor, city hall, the Parliament building, and the nearby cathedral, dating back to 1796.  Gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for a dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine.  This evening, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise and sail into the darkness of Faxafloi Bay in search of the aurora borealis.


Monday January 9Travel the Golden Circle to experience renowned natural wonders, including the explosive Geysir thermal area, the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall, and the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you'll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.  Stop at the Lava Exhibition Center and delve into Iceland's past and present volcanic eruptions.  Continue to Vik.  Drive out into the stillness of rural Iceland in search of the northern lights or venture out on foot.  Enjoy three nights of searching to increase your likelihood of spotting the lights.


Tuesday January 10
:  Journey to Seljalandfoss, one of Iceland's most famous and unique waterfalls.  Visit Skogar Museum and discover it's turf-built homes and artifacts.  Stand in awe before the impressive Skogafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's tallest.  Your journey continues to Reynisfjara, a volcanic and sand beach surrounded by basalt formations and rich bird life.  Look out over the natural rock formations at Dyrholaey, a volcanic peninsula towering over over the ocean.  Get a sense of the local culture as you challenge your taste buds and sample traditional delicacies - hakarl (cured shark) and brennivin (schnapps).  After dinner gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights.


Wednesday January 11:  Travel to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs.  Explore this extraordinary landscape and search for seals swimming in cold waters.  Travel to Skaftafell National Park, gateway to Vatnajokull Glacier.  Vatnajokull is known for having mountains and Europe's largest ice cap.  After dinner continue searching for the northern lights dancing across the night sky.


Thursday January 12:  Drive along the south shore towards the Reykjanes Penninsula.  Known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numberous hot springs, the penninsula is home to the Blue Lagoon.  Take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the heart of a dramatic lava field.  Return to Reykjavik for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.



Friday Jan 13:  Depart Reykjavik 5:00 pm (Icelandic Flight #615 - Seats 7A-7B)
  - Arrive JFK 6:10pm / Depart JFK 8:29 pm (JetBlue Flight #2193 - Seats 3A-3B)
  - Arrive Miami 11:54 pm
  - 11:59 pm Avanti Limousine Services takes us back home to Sunrise

Depart JFK 8:20 pm (JetBlue Flight #2193 - Seats 3A-3B)

Iceland & The Northern Lights Preview



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